The why's and what-if's of scientific inquiry constitute the core of science fiction, the purpose of which is to further explore these questions from every imaginable angle. Gregory L. Zentz affirms this connection between science and fiction, showing how integral a grasp of the theoretical and practical sciences is to an understanding of science fiction. Zentz provides a holistic, rather than a literary or a sociological analysis, thereby focussing on the genre of science fiction as a reflection of scientific and philosophical paradigms, both past and present.

By outlining the history...