The Million Year Hunt by Kenneth Bulmer (1964)

"The Million Year Hunt" by Kenneth Bulmer (1964); cover by Ed Emshwiller a photo by CoffeeInSpace on Flickr.

Something for the years's end. I feel that I've been hunting for many things this year - like love, success, luck, old books, money - and sometimes I succeeded, but unlike other years, in 2013 there were many obstacles on the way. Good friends and family members got sick, I missed a plane to London, I had to get a new car (some bloke crashed in the old one) and some other "nice" surprises. Many things are ok now, but there were hard times.

So I really look forward to 2014.

But I'd like to mention also the really good things: This month, I will be godfather for the first time, my girl - who always is full of power and fantastic ideas, our holidays in France, The Day of the Doctor, the Europa Park in winter, shopping in London, helpful friends in the office, my team.

Merry X-Mas and a Happy New Year!

Utopia Grossband 73

Utopia Grossband 73, a photo by ortokur01 on Flickr.

The End of Eternity by Isaac Asimov

Universal War One by Denis Bajram

I just finished the excellent series "Universal War One" or "UW1" by the french author/artist Denis Bajram. I had these books quite for a long time (the french originals), but I never came farther than the first book. Now, I managed it to read all books in a week. This complex, sometimes depressing and incredibly well-written and drawn story is a hard SF, and covers timetravel, wormholes, time paradoxes, destructions of planets, and much more.
Alone the destruction of the earth, beginning in NYC (in a world where the WTC was not destroyed) caused me nightmares. It is so realistic and gripping.
About three years ago, it was also published by Marvel Comics.
If you love good science-fiction - pick it up.

RIP Ian M. Banks

One of the most interesting authors of science fiction has died, aged 59.
Read this article in the Guardian.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/jun/09/iain-banks-dies-59-cancer

I remember the first book I read, Excession, and was impressed by the scope and the multiversity of the Culture-Universe.

May he rest in peace.

UNKLE - Lonely Soul (Fighter Pilot)

Arthur C. Clarke - The Sands of Mars

Arthur C. Clarke - The Sands of Mars, a photo by ortokur01 on Flickr.

Cover by Vincent di Fate - 1974

Atomic Energy by H.D. Smyth - 1945

Atomic Energy - A General Account of the Development of Methods of Using Atomic Energy for Military Purposes under the Auspices of the United States Government 

This little paperback caught my eye, when I was strolling through the Portobello Flea Market in London, a few weeks ago. It cost only a few pounds, and I bought it because I am interested in the history of WW 2 and also the first days of nuclear technology. In the forties and fifties, it seemed there was no limit for the use of atomic power. So, this was a genuine document from this time, written for the public (and authorized by the powers-that-be).  And - quite special, when you look at it with the eyes of a non-UK-resident of the 21st century - it was printed an published by "His Majesty Stationery Office" - I do not know it this office still exists.

It is a interesting read - and according to my research, a quite cheap buy. 

The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction

Untitled, a photo by alittleblackegg on Flickr.

A very special cover by Frank Kelly Freas - from the year 1956

NYC - 1996 - Somewhere in Manhattan

NYC - 1996 - Somewhere in Manhattan, a photo by ortokur01 on Flickr.

I saw this scene - no idea what they did demonstrate for - and snapped this photo. When I made the album, this picture landed on the "not to use"-pile. Recently, I stumbled upon it and scanned it.

Startling Stories, May 1947

Startling Stories, May 1947, a photo by horzel on Flickr.

Now its time for another classic pulp-cover, found on Flickr.
The cover art is by Earle K. Bergey.