Benchmarks Continued: F&SF "Books"
Columns 1975-1982 is the first instalment of an intended
three-volume collected edition of Algis Budrys's classic SF review
columns for The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction.
Published: 30 November 2012. Ebook edition February 2014 (see Ebooks
link at left). Approximately 155,000 words.
"Before we begin, this seems an appropriate time to state the
ground rules under which I do my reviews and critical essays. Here are
those underlying assumptions:
"Criticism is not subject to the democratic process.
"I thank you for your kind attention, and now let's get on with
it."
Algis Budrys, November 1981 column
As the title suggests, this book follows on from Budrys's Benchmarks:
Galaxy Bookshelf (1985), containing the Galaxy magazine
reviews of which his editor said – after many arguments about
the increasing column length –
"In the long run, A.J. won all the arguments, because he had
done what I asked him to to. He had written a column that contributed
to the improvement of the breed, and, in fact, many readers also
turned to it first in the magazine. I couldn't argue with success.
"A generation later, I'm glad I lost the arguments. The reviews
are still here, they still make sense – and what do you know,
they're still graceful and enjoyable to read."
Frederik Pohl, 1984
And a post-publication comment:
"As well as one of the best writers in our field, Algis Budrys
was the best writer about our field. These essays are much more than
reviews – altogether they're a deeply perceptive history of
science fiction literature."
Tim Powers, 2013
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Benchmarks Continued:
F&SF "Books" Columns 1975-1982
Algis Budrys
Ansible Editions/Lulu.com, 2012
ISBN 978-1-300-34659-3
6" x 9" trade paperback, 267 pages
The "Canterbury Arcade" cover graphic was chosen to echo
(if distantly) the architectural clip-art used on the original
hardback of Benchmarks: Galaxy Bookshelf. |
