The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made Of
Encyclopedia
The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made Of: How Science Fiction Conquered the World (1998, ISBN 0-684-82405-1) is an overview of the interactions between science fiction
and the real world, written by Thomas M. Disch
, a noted author in the field. It is neither a history of science fiction nor a collection of personal anecdotes, but contains some of each, and is written in a meandering, somewhat conversational style, designed to appeal to both a relative newcomer to science fiction and an expert in the field.
Disch makes several controversial arguments, ranging from his belief that Americans adore a lovable liar (in this instance the author of the speculative) to his description of Edgar Allan Poe
as the first SF author (as opposed to more common choices such as Mary Shelley
or Jules Verne
). He also levels attacks against writers who in his opinion have attempted to trick or manipulate readers by presenting science fiction as fact—namely Erich von Däniken
and L. Ron Hubbard
—and criticizes the use science fiction to promote a political ideology, singling out Ursula K. Le Guin
's feminism and Robert A. Heinlein
for advocating the growth of the military-industrial complex.
The book also examines the manner in which the real world is represented in science fiction allegory, including an argument for the case that the aliens of Star Trek
represent non-Caucasian humans, and that science fiction provides an insight into the strategies of the American military.
The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made Of was awarded the 1999 Hugo Award
for best "related" (i.e., non-fictional) book.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
and the real world, written by Thomas M. Disch
Thomas M. Disch
Thomas Michael Disch was an American science fiction author and poet. He won the Hugo Award for Best Related Book – previously called "Best Non-Fiction Book" – in 1999, and he had two other Hugo nominations and nine Nebula Award nominations to his credit, plus one win of the John W...
, a noted author in the field. It is neither a history of science fiction nor a collection of personal anecdotes, but contains some of each, and is written in a meandering, somewhat conversational style, designed to appeal to both a relative newcomer to science fiction and an expert in the field.
Disch makes several controversial arguments, ranging from his belief that Americans adore a lovable liar (in this instance the author of the speculative) to his description of Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
as the first SF author (as opposed to more common choices such as Mary Shelley
Mary Shelley
Mary Shelley was a British novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, best known for her Gothic novel Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus . She also edited and promoted the works of her husband, the Romantic poet and philosopher Percy Bysshe Shelley...
or Jules Verne
Jules Verne
Jules Gabriel Verne was a French author who pioneered the science fiction genre. He is best known for his novels Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea , A Journey to the Center of the Earth , and Around the World in Eighty Days...
). He also levels attacks against writers who in his opinion have attempted to trick or manipulate readers by presenting science fiction as fact—namely Erich von Däniken
Erich von Däniken
Erich Anton Paul von Däniken is a Swiss author best known for his controversial claims about extraterrestrial influences on early human culture, in books such as Chariots of the Gods?, published in 1968...
and L. Ron Hubbard
L. Ron Hubbard
Lafayette Ronald Hubbard , better known as L. Ron Hubbard , was an American pulp fiction author and religious leader who founded the Church of Scientology...
—and criticizes the use science fiction to promote a political ideology, singling out Ursula K. Le Guin
Ursula K. Le Guin
Ursula Kroeber Le Guin is an American author. She has written novels, poetry, children's books, essays, and short stories, notably in fantasy and science fiction...
's feminism and Robert A. Heinlein
Robert A. Heinlein
Robert Anson Heinlein was an American science fiction writer. Often called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was one of the most influential and controversial authors of the genre. He set a standard for science and engineering plausibility and helped to raise the genre's standards of...
for advocating the growth of the military-industrial complex.
The book also examines the manner in which the real world is represented in science fiction allegory, including an argument for the case that the aliens of Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
represent non-Caucasian humans, and that science fiction provides an insight into the strategies of the American military.
The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made Of was awarded the 1999 Hugo Award
Hugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
for best "related" (i.e., non-fictional) book.