All Our Yesterdays
An Informal History of
Science Fiction Fandom in the Forties

by Harry Warner, Jr.
Introduction by Wilson Tucker

Advent First Paperback Printing

Description: Trade paperback book published by Advent: Publishers in 1971. The copyright page states 'First Edition, April 1969', 'Second Cloth Printing, March 1971', and 'First Paperback Printing, March 1971', no further printings are listed. Signed by Frank M. Robinson and Frederik Pohl on pages 78 and 79 where it talks about their contributions to science fiction and fandom in the forties.

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From the inside of the front cover: Science fiction, far more than other specialized literary fields, has spawned a small but vociferous group of enthusiasts. Known among themselves as "science fiction fandom," or more simply, "fandom," they form discussion clubs, issue reams of amateur publications, put on conventions, and engage in voluminous correspondence.

This social microcosm may have started out as a defensive reaction in the bad old days when science fiction was considered sheer trash, and those who enjoyed it were regarded as slightly deranged. ("You read that Buck Rogers stuff? What kind of nut are you?") It was only natural that the "nuts" should foregather with others of their kind, where they could find friendship instead of sneers.

Though active fandom has rarely numbered over 500, it has been a training ground for most of the science fiction magazine editors and many of top writers. Ray Bradbury, Frederik Pohl, Damon Knight, Wilson Tucker, Robert Bloch, James Blish, Robert Silverberg, and many others served their literary apprenticeships in fandom before they became professional writers and editors.

Harry Warner, Jr., an active fan for more than years, has written this history of fandom in the 1940's, with some excursions into earlier times to round out the picture. He plans another book to cover the 1950's.

This is an informal narrative, not an exhaustive study. Mr. Warner says: "This history is intended to entertain, inform, and infuriate its readers, but not to exhaust them. To this end, I have renounced the entire scholarly apparatus. Completely absent are footnotes, reference listings, bibliographies, and the other paraphernalia that delight the intellectual few and distract most of us. A few dates and other facts my have slipped into the text past my close guard, but a rapid reader will hardly notice them." Those who insist on detailed references may write to Mr. Warner in care of the publishers, and he will cite his sources from amongst the mountains of amateur magazines and other fannish impedimenta in his fabled attic.

A jacket customarily tells the prospective reader about the contents of the book. But this book has so much on so many varied subjects that a comprehensive description would be more confusing than edifying. It deals with fans both famous and infamous; their publications, clubs, and activities; their feuds and fanaticisms. For more details, turn to the contents pages, and prepare to immerse yourself in the strange and marvelous world of fandom.

Condition: Binding - acceptable, minor spine lean, spine has quite a few spine reading creases, front and rear cover hinge creases, corners bumped, front cover has a minor stain (coffee?) as do the side page edges otherwise minor soiling, book is intact with no loose or missing pages, no highlighting or writing (other than the two signatures). Dust jacket - none, as issued.