In 1970, Avon Books published a landmark anthology, “Science Fiction Hall of Fame,” featuring 26 classic short stories that represent landmark tales of the genre. The stories were voted on by the members of the new (at the time, in the late 1960s) organization Science Fiction Writers of America. In this series, I will be joined by a panel of guests to break down these stories and talk about the authors in the book.

In this episode, I am joined by retired professors Brian Attebery and Steven Shaviro. Brian Attebery writer and emeritus professor of English and philosophy at Idaho State University and The author of The Fantasy Tradition in American Literature: From Irving to Le Guin. Steven Shaviro is a retired Wayne State professor, philosopher, and cultural critic whose areas of interest include film theory and Science Fiction He is the author of Fluid Futures.

We talk about Murray Leinster and his 1945 classic First Contact. We go deep into the aythor’s history, some of his other classic stories, the issue of Astounding that came out the month of Nazi surrender. Also I get into his major impact on one of the most popular authors of all time.