H. Beam Piper: A Biography

Critical Explorations in Science Fiction and Fantasy #8

by John F. Carr

H. Beam Piper is one of science fiction's most enigmatic writers. In 1946 Piper appeared seemingly from out of nowhere, already at the top of his form. He published a number of memorable short stories in the premier science fiction magazine of the time, Astounding Science Fiction , under legendary editor John W. Campbell. Piper quickly became friends with many of the top writers of the day, including Lester Del Rey, Fletcher Pratt, Robert Heinlein and L. Sprague de Camp. Piper also successfully made the turn from promising short story writer to major novelist, authoring Four-Day Planet, Cosmic Computer, Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen and Little Fuzzy , which was nominated for a Hugo award. Even those who counted Piper among their friends knew very little about the man or his life as a railroad yard bull in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This biography illuminates H. Beam Piper, both the writer and the man, and answers lingering questions about his death. Appendices include a number of Piper's personal papers, a complete bibliography of Piper's works, and an essay on Piper's Terro-Human Future History series.

250 pages, Hardcover

First published May 23, 2008

Reviews

[William Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Notable as the only available biography of an influential science fiction author whose work has stood up quite well, esp. Omnilingual.

Probably better as an ebook, since the printed book has too small type with too long lines with too narrow margins on too large a page and would have greatly benefited from a nicer book design.

[DW Hoevelmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this biography a 4/5 star rating only because it is a unique source of information about an author that has fascinated me since the early eighties.