FANHISTORY REFERENCE BOOKS

There aren't a great many histories of SF fandom available in book form, but I have a small shelf of such volumes. They're listed here for those who might want to delve more deeply into these matters and are a mixture of books written specifically about fandom, and books by SF pros that contains interesting material about fandom.

Mike Resnick also has an interesting article on the topic here.

1. BOOKS ABOUT FANDOM


THE IMMORTAL STORM
by Sam Moskowitz (1954)

Hyperion Press ISBN 0-88355-131-4
NESFA ebook edition here.

A history of SF fandom in the 1930s


ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
by Harry Warner Jr (1969)

Advent Press ISBN 911682-00-7
New edition here.

A history of SF fandom in the 1940s


A WEALTH OF FABLE
by Harry Warner Jr (1992)

SCIFI Press ISBN 0-9633099-0-0

A history of SF fandom in the 1950s


WITH STARS IN MY EYES
by Peter Weston (2004)

NESFA Press ISBN 1-886778-55-8

A memoir of a life in British SF fandom


THE SCIENCE FICTION FANZINE READER
by Luis Ortiz (2019)

Nonstop Press ISBN 978-1-933065-67-0

Fanzine writing 1930-1960


FOR MONA
by Eric C. Williams (2010)

Amazon only ISBN 978-1-4457-5960-9

Contains material about UK fandom in the 1930s/40s


OSIRIS vol.34 no.1: Presenting Futures Past
Science Fiction and the History of Science (2019)

University of Chicago

Contains 20 page paper about UK fandom in 1930s/40s


DIE ZUKUNFT IN DER TASCHE
by Rainer Eisfeld (2007)
- in German only
DvR-Buchreihe ISBN 978-3-9-40679-11-6

The early years of SF fandom in Germany, 1955-1960

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SCIENCE FICTION FANDOM
edited by Joe Sanders (1994)

Praeger, ISBN 978-0-313-23380-7

"Many prominent science fiction writers, artists, and editors began as s.f. fans. This is the first book to survey fandom's history, manifestations, and accomplishments, including clubs, fanzines, and conventions. The 24 essays are divided into sections that consider the following: the types of people who become fans and the satisfactions they receive; the development of fandom in America; fandom in Europe and the Orient; social interactions in the form of local clubs or wider-drawing conventions; and long-term results in the form of beginning professional careers in writing or publishing, exercising critical attention, and so forth. The writers of these essays have all participated in the activities they describe. The book also contains a glossary, an annotated bibliography, and an index. Overall, this book gives a detailed look at the most important facets of a fascinating subculture that has contributed significantly to the direction of modern science fiction."

Contributers include Sam Moskowitz, Harry Warner Jr, Art Widner, Terry Jeeves, Juanita Coulson, F.M. Busby, Joe Siclari and others. And, yes that "first book" claim is obviously false.

Available here.

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An honourable mention must also go to WARHOON #28 by Richard Bergeron, a 600+ page collection of writings by 1950s superfan Walt Willis. Despite being a hardbound volume and invaluable to me when I was writing THEN, it's still a fanzine.

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2. BOOKS BY OR ABOUT PROS


ARTHUR C.CLARKE; A LIFE REMEMBERED
by Fred Clarke (2012)

Apogee Prime ISBN 978-1-926837-26-0

Contains material about fandom in 1930s/40s


ASTOUNDING DAYS
by Arthur C.Clarke (1989)

Victor Gollancz ISBN 0-575-04774-7

Contains material about fandom in 1930s/40s


THE WAY THE FUTURE WAS
by Fred Pohl (1978)

Ballantine ISBN 0-345-26059-7

Contains material about fandom in 1930s/40s


THE FUTURIANS
by Damon Knight (1977)

John Day ISBN - not listed

Contains material about fandom in 1930s/40s

An honourable mention goes to Isaac Asimov's IN MEMORY YET GREEN, which includes a few details about 1930s fandom.

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3. FREE eBOOKS ABOUT FANDOM AND PROS







David Langford has been doing sterling work on the TAFF website, adding new ebooks most months. The above are just six examples from the dozens that can be found here:

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