history

London, England – January 19, 2011: Portobello Road, Notting Hill. A man walking in front of George Orwell House. The blue plaque on the top says: “George Orwell 1903 – 1950 novelist and a political essayist lived here”.   Blue plaques are found right across Greater London, showing us where important people in history have […]

If the term ‘historical fiction’ automatically makes you think of ancient old school books, then we’ve got to do something about that! Here we have six fantastic reads that are going to blow those dusty old tomes out of the water (and out of your memories) and have you reaching for the history books with relish! Full of […]

Five great heroines from history.

    ‘Where Silverberg goes today, the rest of science fiction will follow tomorrow’ Isaac Asimov   Reflections is a regular column by multi-award-winning SFWA Grandmaster Robert Silverberg, in which he will offer his thoughts on science fiction, literature and the world at large. This month: ‘Thinking About Homer’ Homer? Homer? Why write about Homer […]

Not for the first time, we are indebted to the Hugo-winning Encyclopedia of Science Fiction for pointing out – via its excellent On This Day function – that the first Worldcon began seventy-five years ago today in New York City. This major event began in 1939 and (following an early hiatus caused by war, from […]

On October 4th, 1957, the Space Race burst into life, with early honours for the Soviet Union. The launch of Sputnik, the world’s first artificial satellite, was a landmark in our species’ history – and it’s probably fair to say it took a few people by surprise . . .   What it also did […]