For a period of sixty years GrandMaster of Science Fiction and Fantasy L. Sprague de Camp has published over 90 books, 62 of which were Fantasy and Science Fiction as well as innumerable articles and short stories. This long awaited autobiography chronicles in over 400 pages the long life and world travels of this much respected master of his craft. In addition to his own upbringing and travels, Sprague details his friendships and associations with virtually every genre author and editor active in the field since the 1930s. ...
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For a period of sixty years GrandMaster of Science Fiction and Fantasy L. Sprague de Camp has published over 90 books, 62 of which were Fantasy and Science Fiction as well as innumerable articles and short stories. This long awaited autobiography chronicles in over 400 pages the long life and world travels of this much respected master of his craft. In addition to his own upbringing and travels, Sprague details his friendships and associations with virtually every genre author and editor active in the field since the 1930s. In addition to the text, which includes a 20 page index and complete book bibliography, there is a 24 page Photo Album section with 64 photographs of Sprague, his wife and collaborator Catherine Crook de Camp, and many, many other authors.
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Seller's Description:
First Edition. Hardback. Dust Jacket. Large 8vo. pp 444. Original publisher's burgundy cloth, lettered gilt on spine. ISBN: 9781880418321 Very good indeed in very good dust jacket.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used textbooks may not include companion materials such as access codes, etc. May have some wear or writing/highlighting. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Seller's Description:
Fine Condition in Fine jacket. Dust Jacket is in fine condition without tears or chips or other damage. Previous owner's stamp (college library) on endpaper. Dust jacket in mylar guard. Quantity Available: 1. Category: Science Fiction & Fantasy; ISBN: 1880418320. ISBN/EAN: 9781880418321. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 22287.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good in Very Good jacket. Size: 116x28x168; Stated first. Bookplate matched to the book is laid-in, signed by L. Sprague de Camp and Catherine Crook de Camp. Purple cloth with gold spine titles, near fine with faintly bumped spine tips. Spine square. Binding sound. Dust jacket very good with light bump to spine foot. Text unmarked.
L. Sprague de Camp was a major figure in 20th century science fiction and fantasy, and as such his autobiography is one to be welcomed by fans of both genres.
The work itself is not all that it could or should have been. While his previous non-fiction demonstrated he could write engagingly on both himself and any number of other topics, he is not in his best form here. There is much less coverage of his working life and peer relationships than his fan audience would expect. The narrative is somewhat choppy, as if cut from a longer manuscript. The chronological arrangement of material inhibits the discussion of some topics that cry out for topical treatment. The chapter titles are mere datelines, uninformative as to content. The index and bibliography are poorly done and riddled with errors. The text itself suffers from an unusual number of typos.
Many of these problems are minor, and likely due to bad editing, others may be inherent. Cumulatively, they lessen the value and enjoyment of the work.
The material itself remains both informative and fascinating, and a must-have for those interested in the man, his work, and the genres in which he worked. Not only does it treat his own career and body of work, but those of other important authors with whom he is associated either as collaborator, promoter, biographer, or both, most notably Robert E. Howard and H. P. Lovecraft. It details some of the life experiences that inspired or went into his fiction, and the world travels that enriched much of his non-fiction. It fills in aspects of his life students of his work would have been unfamiliar with, and in general enriches our knowledge -- which, together with entertainment, were a large part of what his life's writings were about.
