Astounding (2018) by Alec Nevala-Lee provides an overview of the Golden Age of SF. He accomplishes this by focusing on three of the key individuals of the era and L. Ron Hubbard. What could have been a dry reiteration of events is instead a remarkably readable look at the first giants of SF; and L. Ron Hubbard.

Beginning as early as 1907, Nevala-Lee takes us on a journey through the watershed moments of the lives of John W. Campbell, Jr., Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, and L. Ron Hubbard. Throughout the journey, Nevala-Lee brings to life the interactions of these four men, and many others, and the evolution of SF.

Using biographies and letters Nevala-Lee vividly paints the triumphs and debacles from each of their lives, both personally and professionally. Astounding neither praises nor denigrates unfairly but presents events rationally allowing readers to decide how to feel. The evolution of SF unfolds to reveal its gems and warts.

John W. Campbell, Jr. is possible the person most directly responsible for solidifying SF as a genre. Through his stewardship of Astounding from 1937 until his death in 1971 he guided many authors and their careers. However, Campbell was a difficult man to deal with both personally and professionally. He also used Astounding as a proving ground for many of his own personal projects and ideas. This made Astounding (later renamed Analog) a difficult place for many writers to submit their work.

Isaac Asimov,perhaps the most famous SF author of all time, came to the attention of Campbell as a teenager in New York. Something about the fledgling author spoke to Campbell. Taking young Asimov under his wing, Campbell helped direct the writer’s career for many years. Asimov himself credits the editor in helping him with the Laws of Robotics and developing the Foundation stories. While Campbell’s ideas and attitudes often put a strain on their relationship, Asimov never fully broke away from the man.

Robert A. Heinlein was a different matter. Living in California gave Heinlein some distance and perspective that Asimov may have lacked. So when Campbell suggested changes or alterations to submissions, Heinlein often resisted. While the two were close personal friends for many years, Campbell’s ego inevitably got in the way.

Then we get to L. Ron Hubbard. I don’t consider Hubbard’s contribution to SF particularly important. He lived in a fantasy world of his own making and expected everyone around him to live in it with him. Campbell, for the most part, obliged as Hubbard did produce some popular stories for him.

After reading Astounding I see the book as three tranches. The first portion is the early life and rise to fame for each man. The second begins when the U.S. finally enters the Second World War and the period after that. The third covers the resurgence of each author and their deaths.

The first tranche is probably the most interesting for SF fans. The early days of Astounding and the writers that contributed show how much fandom directed the early course of SF. Most of the early writers started out as fans of the burgeoning genre and Campbell was wiling to take chances with them. As long as they wrote the stories the way he wanted them.

In the second section we see how the authors spent their time during WWII and beyond. The narrative becomes less about SF and more about the lives and failings of each of the authors. When Nevala-Lee dives into the tedious development of dianetics by Hubbard and Campbell I almost gave up on the book. The discussion of dianetics does serve to highlight one thing about SF at that time. It was a fringe genre and the people who were helping to create it were also fringe characters.

The third section tries to be a little more positive but can’t quite manage it.

What does this history of science fiction offer the reader of today? It’s difficult to say. The Golden Age of science fiction was a strange period of history. New technology and ideas were clashing with old attitudes and morals. Difficulties were inevitable.

Science fiction looks at the future through the lens of now. While these authors often came up with amazing ideas they often failed to live up to them. Yet, despite any failings, Campbell, Asimov, Heinlein, and, to some degree, Hubbard inspired some people to look at the world differently. Change requires a catalyst and it was Campbell’s dream that SF be that catalyst.

Astounding is a fascinating look at a period of time in SF that many would like to forget. However, Nevala-Lee brings it to life with clarity but without serious bias. I would recommend Astounding to all fans of SF history and Golden Age stories. It’s an interesting journey through the lives of the writers that helped shaped SF. And L. Ron Hubbard.