An expert review of the beginning of modern science fiction stories (from 1926-1976). Lester Del Rey's experience as an author and editor of sci-fi magazines gave him an insight into the development of science Fiction literature over a 50 year span. He divides this era into 5 ages (wonder from 1926-37, golden from 1938-49, acceptance 1950-61, rebellion 1962-73, and the fifth 1974-present). Del Rey gives a detail chronology of the influential stories that help propel a lot of writes to prominence in the sci-fi literature world. He credits a major part of this rise of sci-fi in modern reading to certain editors, who helped discover a lot of the prominent writers that are still well known today. It also includes appendix of his research material and a chronological list of authors, their stories and what year they were published. ( )