Cultural Writing. Fantasy. Essays. The genre of fantasy (with its many forms) dominated twentieth-century literature and art much in the way "realism" dominated the literature and art of the ninteenth-century. Yet, while winning wide popular acclaim, it has often encountered the disapproval and distain of academic critics. The twenty essays in this volume set out to "make the case" for fantasy, especially science fiction, meanwhile tracing its orgins and illuminating its history. Outside of the editors, contributors include Frank McConnell, Bradford Lyau, G.S. Rousseau, Eric S. Rabkin, Brian Aldiss, Gregory Benford, A. Owen Aldridge, Mark Rose, Georgy Guffy, Michael Clifton and Gary Westfahl.