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James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction
This companion to the AMC’s mini-series features the full interviews plus essays by sci-fi insiders and rare concept art from Cameron’s archives. For the show, James Cameron personally interviewed six of the biggest names in science fiction filmmaking—Guillermo del Toro, George Lucas, Christopher Nolan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ridley Scott, and Steven Spielberg—to get their perspectives on the importance of the genre. This book reproduces the interviews in full as the greatest minds in the genre discuss key topics including alien life, time travel, outer space, dark futures, monsters, and intelligent machines. An in-depth interview with Cameron is also featured, plus essays by experts in the science fiction field on the main themes covered in the show. Illustrated with rare and previously unseen concept art from Cameron’s personal archives, plus imagery from iconic sci-fi movies, TV shows, and books, James Cameron’s Story of Science Fiction offers a sweeping examination of a genre that continues to ask questions, push limits, and thrill audiences around the world.
Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 4, 2019
Quite surprised by the quality of both the form and the content of this book. The interviews with Nolan or Del Toro are quite interesting and with enough length to go into depth of some of the topics. The interstitials are also quite good. I still have not watched the documentary series but the book has an entity of its own. Do not expect a strict academic approach to science fiction but even if you are into it, you will find some golden nuggets. Definitely recommended.
July 29, 2018
Filled with very interesting information and conversation with some of the worlds best Science Fiction Directors/Writers/Producers and a certain Terminator. Referenced movies and books that I have not seen or read yet (Amazon here's my CC) and more in depth than the TV series.
March 25, 2023
Libro con varias entrevistas a directores y productores más conocidos de la ciencia ficción, donde hace que queramos volver a ver muchísimas películas, y conocemos muchos más detalles de los directores
April 12, 2025
An interesting st of interviews of our greatest living film-makers in the science fiction field; their backgrounds, inspirations and reflections, both past, present and future. Interspersed with general overviews of ST subjects, this is a well presented book.
March 12, 2019
Over the last 30 years, writer/director James Cameron has made a number of memorable, and successful films, mostly in the realm of science fiction. Recently, Cameron teamed up with the television channel AMC, to create the six-part original series, AMC Visionaries: James Cameron’s Story of Science Fiction. For the show, Cameron’s goal was to sit down with six of the biggest names in science fiction, and get their perspectives on the importance, and the impact of the genre. The show is divided into themes (such as "sci-fi monsters") and brings in some of the most intriguing actors, authors (such as N.K. Jemisin), and critics/scholars to also comment on the show's given theme.
The main guests of the series include directors Steven Spielberg (Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T., and my favorite, Jurassic Park), George Lucas (THX-1138, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars The Prequel Trilogy), Christopher Nolan (Inception, Interstellar), Guillermo Del Toro (Pacific Rim, The Shape of Water), Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner), and actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger (who portrayed the Terminator in Cameron’s film series). To be honest, all the interviews were fascinating expect for Arnold's. I just thought he didn't have too much to say.
It is clear, from these interviews, that science fiction and exploration has been his main preoccupation of Cameron's from when he was very young and this show and the companion book has given me a greater appreciation for his technical abilities (even if I don't care for Avatar). Insight Editions’ book reproduces Cameron’s interviews in full, and offers several topical summaries by a number of people familiar with science fiction and this is where the book often shines. These topics include dark futures, artificial intelligence, time-travel, and much more as these summaries/essays go beyond film history and dives into the history of the sci-fi genre as a whole, often surveying the history of sci-fi literature and how it influenced the silver screen.
Worth picking up if you're a film buff, sci-fi fan, or conceptual artist.
Sadly, my only complaint, is, although I love Lucas, Spielberg, Scott, and Nolan, this really does highlight why we need more diverse viewpoints and diverse directors in Hollywood.
The main guests of the series include directors Steven Spielberg (Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T., and my favorite, Jurassic Park), George Lucas (THX-1138, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars The Prequel Trilogy), Christopher Nolan (Inception, Interstellar), Guillermo Del Toro (Pacific Rim, The Shape of Water), Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner), and actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger (who portrayed the Terminator in Cameron’s film series). To be honest, all the interviews were fascinating expect for Arnold's. I just thought he didn't have too much to say.
It is clear, from these interviews, that science fiction and exploration has been his main preoccupation of Cameron's from when he was very young and this show and the companion book has given me a greater appreciation for his technical abilities (even if I don't care for Avatar). Insight Editions’ book reproduces Cameron’s interviews in full, and offers several topical summaries by a number of people familiar with science fiction and this is where the book often shines. These topics include dark futures, artificial intelligence, time-travel, and much more as these summaries/essays go beyond film history and dives into the history of the sci-fi genre as a whole, often surveying the history of sci-fi literature and how it influenced the silver screen.
Worth picking up if you're a film buff, sci-fi fan, or conceptual artist.
Sadly, my only complaint, is, although I love Lucas, Spielberg, Scott, and Nolan, this really does highlight why we need more diverse viewpoints and diverse directors in Hollywood.
October 1, 2018
An exceptional book, especially if you, like me, haven't seen the TV special. Obviously the main attractions are the interviews, most of which are pretty interesting, but the essays regarding different topics related to sci-fi --monsters, space, etc.-- are intriguing and set the tone for the interviews that follows them. And talking about the interviews --the best ones are the ones with Spielberg and Del Toro. They definitely have a passion for the genre, and talk a lot about both their own work, their inspirations, and concepts such as futurism and the development of technology. . The one with Arnold is a little dull --maybe because he's an actor and not one of the creators-- and the one with Ridley Scott was a little disappointing. Not BAD, mind you, but compared with the ones with Spielberg and Del Toro, a little on the superficial side. Apart from that, though, this is one interesting and compulsively readable book --perfect for both cinephiles and fans of sci-fi in general.
July 22, 2020
Don't be fooled by the cover!
First, let me get this out of the way from the get-go: the book's cover IS surprisingly uninspired considering its contents.
This companion to the AMC series of the same name includes many thought-provoking conversations with some of the greatest minds & creators of cinematic science fiction: James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Christopher Nolan, Guillermo Del Toro, Ridley Scott and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Learn what books, films & shows inspired these creators before they made their own contributions to the genre. Alternating chapters also discuss some of the key concepts of sci-fi (e.g. alien life, time travel, outer space, dark futures, monsters, and intelligent machines.) Amply illustrated throughout with stills, movie posters, book covers, and even James Cameron's own illustrations for some of his creations (he's an equally adapt artist, btw.)
First, let me get this out of the way from the get-go: the book's cover IS surprisingly uninspired considering its contents.
This companion to the AMC series of the same name includes many thought-provoking conversations with some of the greatest minds & creators of cinematic science fiction: James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Christopher Nolan, Guillermo Del Toro, Ridley Scott and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Learn what books, films & shows inspired these creators before they made their own contributions to the genre. Alternating chapters also discuss some of the key concepts of sci-fi (e.g. alien life, time travel, outer space, dark futures, monsters, and intelligent machines.) Amply illustrated throughout with stills, movie posters, book covers, and even James Cameron's own illustrations for some of his creations (he's an equally adapt artist, btw.)
August 23, 2019
Occasionally smacks of “aren’t we brilliant?” self-congratulatory arrogance…but these dudes ARE (or were) pretty damn brilliant, or at least produced some brilliant work. Sometimes (like with del Toro and horror) Cameron gets hung up on the semantics of defining sci-fi vs another genre, and often the same questions get asked with similar answers shot back. Yet I still adored the book, considering I share most of the opinions of these dudes, in particular how the sociological effects of sci-fi aren’t just nice, but actually imperative, for helping us navigate the terrifying, awesome future that is flying towards us now at lightspeed…
8/10
8/10
January 19, 2020
My shelf really should still be "Want to read," because while I spent quite a long time in the past two days TRYING to read this book, I could not because of the interior design. It looks dramatic and interesting, but it is in thin, small, white, san serif type on a solid black background, and it is virtually illegible.
Should it every become available in black on white, or at the very least in a substantially larger, thicker white on black font, I will try again.
Should it every become available in black on white, or at the very least in a substantially larger, thicker white on black font, I will try again.
December 28, 2025
Interesting story about science fiction, mainly from the perspective of director James Cameron. He's interviewed ( by Randall Frakes, who novelized "The Terminator") at the beginning of the book and, then, he in turn interviews other directors of science fictional films--Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Christopher Nolan, Guillermo del Toro, and Ridley Scott--and, also, the actor and The Terminator himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Topics include all the "biggies" of SF--alien life, space exploration, time travel, intelligent machines, and dark futures (dystopias). A chapter of particular interest for me was about the monsters of science fiction and Cameron and del Toro have a good discussion about monsters. What would science fiction be without the monsters? After all, "Frankenstein" is considered the first science fiction book and it's about a monster. But who is the real monster--the Creature or Dr. Frankenstein?
I like a quote from del Toro concerning one of the great science fiction films, "Aliens" :
"....Paul Reiser is more of a real monster than a ( Xenomorph) drone. The Xenomorph is hardwired. Paul Reiser decides to close the door ( and trap the heroes with the Xenomorphs). And that's true evil. The ultimate evil is the will of the corporation. In both the first 'Alien' and 'Aliens,' that's the macro evil of it all."
Who are the real monsters?
Cameron and the others ask a lot of questions and, after all, that's the power of science fiction-to raise important questions, about humanity, about where we're going, about the future ( do we have one or are intelligent machines going to take over?).
The book is well-illustrated, which helped attract me to this book and borrow it from the library. It's the companion book to the AMC mini-series from 2018.
Topics include all the "biggies" of SF--alien life, space exploration, time travel, intelligent machines, and dark futures (dystopias). A chapter of particular interest for me was about the monsters of science fiction and Cameron and del Toro have a good discussion about monsters. What would science fiction be without the monsters? After all, "Frankenstein" is considered the first science fiction book and it's about a monster. But who is the real monster--the Creature or Dr. Frankenstein?
I like a quote from del Toro concerning one of the great science fiction films, "Aliens" :
"....Paul Reiser is more of a real monster than a ( Xenomorph) drone. The Xenomorph is hardwired. Paul Reiser decides to close the door ( and trap the heroes with the Xenomorphs). And that's true evil. The ultimate evil is the will of the corporation. In both the first 'Alien' and 'Aliens,' that's the macro evil of it all."
Who are the real monsters?
Cameron and the others ask a lot of questions and, after all, that's the power of science fiction-to raise important questions, about humanity, about where we're going, about the future ( do we have one or are intelligent machines going to take over?).
The book is well-illustrated, which helped attract me to this book and borrow it from the library. It's the companion book to the AMC mini-series from 2018.
October 3, 2018
I bought the book for the interviews and it delivers in that regard. There's something sweetly satisfying to see your favorite filmmakers geek out about sci-fi, and the craft of making movies. These guys really know their stuff.
The most revelatory thing in this book (besides what George Lucas was planing for his 3rd Star Wars trilogy) was seeing just how accomplished an illustrator and concept artist James Cameron is. The book has 20+ illustrations Cameron has done over the years as concept art for his feature films. I had no idea he was so good!
The most revelatory thing in this book (besides what George Lucas was planing for his 3rd Star Wars trilogy) was seeing just how accomplished an illustrator and concept artist James Cameron is. The book has 20+ illustrations Cameron has done over the years as concept art for his feature films. I had no idea he was so good!
February 10, 2020
In honesty I grabbed this for the illustrations of classic science fiction books and films, which are excellent, but I was surprised how impressed I was by Cameron’s approach to interviewing other science fiction filmmakers about their artistic influences and inspirations. The one weak interview was with Arnold Schwarzenegger, but most of the discussions were really substantial and the interstitial essays offered a wide ranging overview of recurring themes over the past century-plus of science fiction and speculative fiction.
January 29, 2022
Science fiction fans will want to dip their nose in this book and get an up close and personal discussion of some of the greatest science fiction masterminds around.
Listen to where their inspirations came from and how some of their work has a little bit or a lot of what they read/saw when they were younger.
A very rich discussion on many topics of science fiction including the actual definition of science fiction.
Listen to where their inspirations came from and how some of their work has a little bit or a lot of what they read/saw when they were younger.
A very rich discussion on many topics of science fiction including the actual definition of science fiction.
June 29, 2018
Hardly deep or comprehensive, but the interviews with Ridley Scott, Christopher Nolan, Guillermo del Toro, Steven Spielberg, and George Lucas are entertaining enough.
September 1, 2021
I absolutely loved this.....an absolute must for anyone who loves the Sci-Fi genre!
January 3, 2020
Missing Text
Enjoyed the series and the printed version of this book, however the Kindle version has blank text. I waited a year for them to update and fix it before posting the review.
Enjoyed the series and the printed version of this book, however the Kindle version has blank text. I waited a year for them to update and fix it before posting the review.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews