Yet despite these shortcomings, Dick embodies everything that I like about sci-fi, for while his characters and their interactions may be lacking, the worlds in which they dwell and the societies that run them are superbly realized. The conflicts which arise in these worlds are fantastic, oftentimes absurd, and yet they mesh flawlessly with the reality that he created. It was these aspects that defined the genre for Dick and, in turn, it was these aspects that he poured most of his efforts.
"A stunning survey of the latest evidence for intelligent life on Mars. Mac Tonnies brings a thoughtful, balanced and highly accessible approach to one of the most fascinating enigmas of our time."
--Herbie Brennan, author of Martian Genesis and The Atlantis Enigma
"Tonnies drops all predetermined opinions about Mars, and asks us to do the same."
--Greg Bishop, author of Project Beta
"I highly recommend the book for anyone interested in the search for extra-terrestrial artifacts, and the political intrigues that invariably accompany it."
--David Jinks, author of The Monkey and the Tetrahredron
"Mac Tonnies goes where NASA fears to tread and he goes first class."
--Peter Gersten, former Director of Citizens Against UFO Secrecy
And don't miss...
(Includes my essay "The Ancients Are Watching.")
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5 comments:
I remember a funny oddity about Philip K. Dick from the Hour25 (kpfk) radio show back in the early 90's:
Phil Dick's had an old beat-up antique briefcase that always had broken latches: therefore a brown extention cord was wraped several times around the enitre briefcase to keep it closed!!
"...while his characters and their interactions may be lacking..."
That's news to me!
News to me as well. Even though I appreciated the tone of the piece (hence linking to it), I would argue that Dick's people made more sense than his futures.
Want proof? Read his mainstream novel "Mary and the Giant." Wow.
I read VALIS for the first time last year, I don't know why it took so long to get to it. My brain hurt for a week after reading it though and I'm not sure I've ever recovered fully. It's hard to imagine what Dick's internal dialogue must have been like, perhaps he attempted to use the drugs to quiet it.
Michael
"VALIS" is a winner. I recommend its unofficial companion, "Radio Free Albemuth."
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