When we try to imagine the world after an apocalypse, we often end up thinking of a particular era from history. It's not surprising — because the end of the world as we know it often means we'll lose a lot of the fruits of progress. People often talk about bombing someone "back to the Stone Age," for example.
Why are three of this year's Hugo nominees about the decline of America?
Blogger Paul Kincaid compares three of this year's five Hugo finalists, and discovers a theme: They're all about the decline of the United States of America. What causes the U.S. to fall from power in these books? Spoilers ahead.
Steampunk Brothel Spies And Million-Year Quests, In June Books
Whether you want a fun beach read or a sweeping philosophical epic, June's books have you covered. You can encounter witches in Toronto and killer courtesans, or you can delve into America's dismal future, or Alastair Reynolds' eon-spanning colonization saga.
Robert Charles Wilson Talks About Movies And Limits To The Singularity
In Robert Charles Wilson's new novel Julian Comstock, an energy-depleted 22nd Century looks very much like the 19th. We interviewed Wilson about his non-singularity future, and the silent movies that inspire him.
22nd Century Darwinians Challenge the Church in "Julian Comstock"
Peak oil has left the world a churchy, early-industrial shambles in Robert Charles Wilson's new novel Julian Comstock. An engaging cross between post-apocalyptic series Jericho and Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, it may be the best science fiction novel of the year so far.
