Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2005 11:03:50 -0500
From: "Michael Walsh" <MJW at press.jhu.edu>
To: <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Old School
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at WSFA.org>

> samlubell at verizon.net 3/31/2005 8:20:49 AM >>>
>At 01:30 AM 3/31/2005, Mark  wrote:
>>"Doc" Smith was one of the first SF writers I was exposed to in my
>youth,
>>and while I acknowledge his shortcomings, his stuff is FUN, which is

>often
>>more
>>important to me than literary merit.
>
>Yes, but if you haven't read him by age 12 or so, his flaws outnumber

>his
>virtues.  And at this point, I'd argue his work is of historical
>importance
>rather than an example of a major quality work of the field.

Yes, he is of major historical importance in the field.

I reread Galactic Patrol a few years after a, oh... 25 year period.  It
was fun, even with the flaws.

Clute, in his intro, says something along the lines of  "once the Story
begins, it does not let up".

>
>However, our very own Mike Walsh has brought the Lensmen books
>back into
>print.  So anyone who hasn't read them could buy them and decide
>for
>themselves.

& mine have the cool retro covers and interiors.

>
>>Cordwainer Smith has been mentioned a couple of times...anyone
>who hasn't
>>been turned on to his beautiful work has been missing out.
>>
>
>Oh yes.  Smith's works are true classics.  Especially his short
science
>fiction.  And he's in print too thanks to NESFA.

Consider... the name of my publishing venture, where I work....

mjw
>