Space and the American Imagination Book

Students of American Studies will find lots to mine here, especially those with a film, TV, or literary bent. The author drives home the meaningful fantasies of space culture with the physical realities of space engineering, answering finally the question, "when am I going to get my personal jet pack." His tone is harshly critical at times, and sometimes his interpretations of space-related imagery veer into far-out freudianism -- a peeve of mine -- but for the most part his analysis proves thoughtful and grounded. Authors of science fiction may find new directions to take worked-over staples, by process of elimination if nothing else.