The Book of Ellison

Edited by Andrew Porter
1978

Published to commemorate Ellison's coronation as guest of honor at the 1978 World Science Fiction Convention, The Book of Ellison is equal parts tribute and indictment. The first third of the work is devoted to what authors, editors and acquaintances have to say about him as a writer and a man
-- and, not surprisingly, the verdict is mixed.

The latter two-thirds is a sampling of Ellison's work, focusing mainly on literary criticism and musings about science fiction publishing and fandom. He shows no mercy in savaging such genre icons as John W. Campbell and Frank Herbert.

Not his best work. Little of this material has been collected elsewhere, but few will miss it.

Contents

• Introduction (by Isaac Asimov)
• The Book About Ellison
  • Essence of Ellison (by Lee Hoffman)
  • Harlan Ellison (by Ted White)
  • The Jet-Propelled Birdbath (by Robert Silverberg)
  • 7,000 More Words About Harlan Ellison (by David Gerrold)
  • Harlan Ellison and the Formula Story (by Joseph Patrouch Jr.)
• The Book By Ellison
  • Ellison on Ellison
  • School for Apprentice Sorcerors
  • Getting Stiffed
  • A Time for Daring
  • A Voice From the Styx
  • The Whore with a Heart of Iron Pyrites; or, Where Does a Writer Go to Find a Maggie?
  • Voe Doe Dee Oh Doe
  • Hardcover
  • A Walk Around the Block
• Harlan Ellison: A Nonfiction Checklist (by Leslie Kay Swigart)