''Barlowe's Guide to Extraterrestrials'' (1979; second edition 1987) is a

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...

book by artist Wayne Barlowe, with

Ian Summers Ian or Iain is a name of Scottish Gaelic origin, derived from the Hebrew given name (Yohanan, ') and corresponding to the English name John. The spelling Ian is an Anglicization of the Scottish Gaelic forename ''Iain''. It is a popular name in Sc ...

and

Beth Meacham Beth Meacham (born 1951) is an American writer and editor, best known as a longtime top editor with Tor Books. Life, education and family Meacham was born November 14, 1951 in Newark, Licking County, Ohio. She studied Communications in Antioch ...

(who provided the text). It contains Barlowe's visualizations of different extraterrestrial life forms from various works of science fiction, with information on their planetary location or range, biology, and behaviors, in the style of a real field guide for animals. It was nominated for an

American Book Award The American Book Award is an American literary award that annually recognizes a set of books and people for "outstanding literary achievement". According to the 2010 awards press release, it is "a writers' award given by other writers" and "the ...

and for the 1980

Hugo Award for Best Related Work The Hugo Award for Best Related Work is one of the Hugo Awards given each year for primarily non-fiction works related to science fiction or fantasy, published or translated into English during the previous calendar year. The Hugo Awards have bee ...

. The second edition has an added foreword by

Robert Silverberg Robert Silverberg (born January 15, 1935) is an American author and editor, best known for writing science fiction. He is a multiple winner of both Hugo and Nebula Awards, a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, and a Grand ...

. After the success of the work, in 1996 Barlowe and Neil Duskis wrote a second book, ''Barlowe's Guide to Fantasy''.

Summary

The book contains descriptions of the following species: *Abyormenite - Hal Clement's ''Cycle of Fire'' (1957) *Athshean -

Ursula K. Le Guin Ursula Kroeber Le Guin (; October 21, 1929 – January 22, 2018) was an American author best known for her works of speculative fiction, including science fiction works set in her Hainish universe, and the '' Earthsea'' fantasy series. She was ...

's '' The Word for World Is Forest'' (1975) *Black Cloud - Fred Hoyle's '' The Black Cloud'' (1957) *Chulpex - Avram Davidson's ''

Masters of the Maze ''Masters of the Maze'' is a children's television game show that aired on the Family Channel from August 29, 1994 to September 15, 1995. After the last episode aired, the show went into reruns until September 22, 1996. The first season was hos ...

'' (1965) *Cinruss - James White's ''

Sector General ''Sector General'' is a series of twelve science fiction novels and various short stories by the Northern Irish author James White. The series derives its name from the setting of the majority of the books, the Sector 12 General Hospital, a hug ...

'' series (1957-) *Cryer - Joseph Green's ''Conscience Interplanetary'' (1972) *Cygnan -

Donald Moffitt Donald Moffitt (July 20, 1931December 10, 2014) was an American author who wrote a number of science fiction novels. Most famous among these are ''The Genesis Quest'' and '' Second Genesis''. While he was the author of many titles under his own ...

's ''

The Jupiter Theft ''The Jupiter Theft'' is a 1977 science fiction novel by American writer Donald Moffitt, re-printed in 2003 with a new afterword. Plot summary The initial part of the novel mixes near-future thriller and disaster novel scenarios that focusses ...

'' (1977) *Cygnostik - Michael Bishop's '' A Little Knowledge'' (1977) *Czill -

Jack L. Chalker Jack Laurence Chalker (December 17, 1944 – February 11, 2005) was an American science fiction author. Chalker was also a Baltimore City Schools history teacher in Maryland for 12 years, retiring during 1978 to write full-time. He also was a m ...

's ''

Well World The Well World series is a series of science fiction novels by Jack L. Chalker. It involves a planet-sized supercomputer known as the Well of Souls that builds our reality on top of an underlying one of greater complexity but smaller size. The c ...

'' series (1977) *Demon -

Keith Laumer John Keith Laumer ( – ) was an American science fiction author. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, he was an officer in the United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United State ...

's ''A Plague of Demons'' (1977) *Demu -

F. M. Busby Francis Marion Busby (March 11, 1921 – February 17, 2005) was an American science fiction writer and science fiction fandom, science fiction fan. In 1960 he was a co-winner of the Hugo Award for Best Fanzine. Biography Francis Busby was born in ...

's ''Cage a Man'' (1973) *Dextran - David J. Lake's ''The Right Hand of Dextra'' (1977) *Dilbian - Gordon R. Dickson's '' Delivery'' and ''Spacepaw'' (1961) *Dirdir - Jack Vance's ''

Planet of Adventure ''Planet of Adventure'' is a series of four science fiction novels by Jack Vance, published between 1968 and 1970. The novels relate the adventures of the scout Adam Reith, the sole survivor of an Earth ship investigating a signal from the dist ...

'' series (1968) *Garnishee - Harry Harrison's ''

Star Smashers of the Galaxy Rangers ''Star Smashers of the Galaxy Rangers'' is a 1973 comic science fiction novel by American writer Harry Harrison. It is a parody of the space opera genre and in particular, the Lensman and Skylark series of E. E. "Doc" Smith. The main characters ...

'' (1973) *Gowachin -

Frank Herbert Franklin Patrick Herbert Jr. (October 8, 1920February 11, 1986) was an American science fiction author best known for the 1965 novel '' Dune'' and its five sequels. Though he became famous for his novels, he also wrote short stories and worked a ...

's ''

The Dosadi Experiment ''The Dosadi Experiment'' is a 1977 science fiction novel by American writer Frank Herbert. It is the second full-length novel set in the ConSentiency universe established by Herbert in his short stories "A Matter of Traces" and "The Tactful Sab ...

'' (1977) * Guild Steersman -

's ''

Dune A dune is a landform composed of wind- or water-driven sand. It typically takes the form of a mound, ridge, or hill. An area with dunes is called a dune system or a dune complex. A large dune complex is called a dune field, while broad, f ...

'' *Ishtarians - Poul Anderson's ''

Fire Time ''Fire Time'' is a science fiction novel by Poul Anderson, first published in 1974. It was nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1975. Plot introduction ''Fire Time'' takes place on the planet Ishtar in the "Anubelea" system, located 300 ...

'' (1974) *Ixchel -

Madeleine L'Engle Madeleine L'Engle DStJ (; November 29, 1918 – September 6, 2007) was an American writer of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and young adult fiction, including ''A Wrinkle in Time'' and its sequels: ''A Wind in the Door'', ''A Swiftly Tilting Plan ...

's '' A Wrinkle in Time'' *Ixtl -

A. E. van Vogt Alfred Elton van Vogt ( ; April 26, 1912 – January 26, 2000) was a Canadian-born American science fiction author. His fragmented, bizarre narrative style influenced later science fiction writers, notably Philip K. Dick. He was one of the ...

's ''

The Voyage of the Space Beagle ''The Voyage of the Space Beagle'' (1950) is a science fiction novel by Canadian-American writer A. E. van Vogt. An example of space opera subgenre, the novel is a "fix-up" compilation of four previously published stories: *"Black Destroyer" ...

'' *Lithian - James Blish's '' A Case of Conscience'' * Masters - John Christopher's '' The Tripods'' trilogy *Medusan -

Jack Williamson John Stewart Williamson (April 29, 1908 – November 10, 2006), who wrote as Jack Williamson, was an American list of science fiction authors, science fiction writer, often called the "Dean of Science Fiction". He is also credited with one of t ...

's '' The Legion of Space'' *Merseian - Poul Anderson's '' Ensign Flandry'' *

Mesklin Mesklin is a fictional supergiant planet created by Hal Clement and used in a number of his hard science fiction stories. It is distinctive for the interaction of its strong gravity with the centrifugal force due to its fast rotation, originating ...

ite - Hal Clement's ''

Mission of Gravity ''Mission of Gravity'' is a science fiction novel by American writer Hal Clement. The novel was serialized in '' Astounding Science Fiction'' magazine in April–July 1953. Its first hardcover book publication was in 1954, and it was first publis ...

'' *Mother -

Philip José Farmer Philip José Farmer (January 26, 1918 – February 25, 2009) was an American author known for his science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories. Obituary. Farmer is best known for his sequences of novels, especially the ''World of Tiers ...

's ''Strange Relations'' *Old Galactic -

James H. Schmitz James Henry Schmitz (October 15, 1911 – April 18, 1981) was an American science fiction writer born in Hamburg, Germany of American parents. Life Schmitz was educated at a ''Realgymnasium'' in Hamburg, and grew up speaking both English ...

's ''

Legacy In law, a legacy is something held and transferred to someone as their inheritance, as by will and testament. Personal effects, family property, marriage property or collective property gained by will of real property. Legacy or legacies may refer ...

'' * Old One - H. P. Lovecraft's '' At the Mountains of Madness'' *Overlord -

Arthur C. Clarke Sir Arthur Charles Clarke (16 December 191719 March 2008) was an English science-fiction writer, science writer, futurist, inventor, undersea explorer, and television series host. He co-wrote the screenplay for the 1968 film '' 2001: A Spac ...

's ''

Childhood's End ''Childhood's End'' is a 1953 science fiction novel by the British author Arthur C. Clarke. The story follows the peaceful alien invasionBooker & Thomas 2009, pp. 31–32. of Earth by the mysterious Overlords, whose arrival begins decade ...

'' *Pnume - Jack Vance's ''

'' series *Polarian - Piers Anthony's ''

Cluster may refer to: Science and technology Astronomy * Cluster (spacecraft), constellation of four European Space Agency spacecraft * Asteroid cluster, a small asteroid family * Cluster II (spacecraft), a European Space Agency mission to study t ...

'' series *

Pierson's Puppeteers Pierson's Puppeteers, often known just as Puppeteers, are a fictional alien race from American author Larry Niven's ''Known Space'' books. The race first appeared in Niven’s novella ''Neutron Star''. Biology and sociology The sobriquet "Piers ...

- Larry Niven's Known Space series *Radiate -

Naomi Mitchison Naomi Mary Margaret Mitchison, Baroness Mitchison (; 1 November 1897 – 11 January 1999) was a Scottish novelist and poet. Often called a doyenne of Scottish literature, she wrote over 90 books of historical and science fiction, travel writin ...

's '' Memoirs of a Spacewoman'' *Regul -

C. J. Cherryh Carolyn Janice Cherry (born September 1, 1942), better known by the pen name C. J. Cherryh, is an American writer of speculative fiction. She has written more than 80 books since the mid-1970s, including the Hugo Award-winning novels '' Downbelo ...

's '' The Faded Sun: Kesrith'' *Riim -

's ''

'' *Ruml - Gordon R. Dickson's ''The Alien Way'' *Salaman - Brian Stableford's ''Wildeblood's Empire'' * Sirian -

Frederik Pohl Frederik George Pohl Jr. (; November 26, 1919 – September 2, 2013) was an American science-fiction writer, editor, and fan, with a career spanning nearly 75 years—from his first published work, the 1937 poem "Elegy to a Dead Satelli ...

's '' The Age of the Pussyfoot'' *Slash - Piers Anthony's ''Kirlian Quest'' *Soft One -

Isaac Asimov yi, יצחק אזימאװ , birth_date = , birth_place = Petrovichi, Russian SFSR , spouse = , relatives = , children = 2 , death_date = , death_place = Manhattan, New York City, U.S. , nationality = Russian (1920–1922)Soviet (192 ...

's ''

The Gods Themselves ''The Gods Themselves'' is a 1972 science fiction novel written by Isaac Asimov, and his first original work in the science fiction genre in fifteen years (not counting his 1966 novelization of '' Fantastic Voyage''). It won the Nebula Award for ...

'' *Solaris - Stanisław Lem's ''

Solaris Solaris may refer to: Arts and entertainment Literature, television and film * ''Solaris'' (novel), a 1961 science fiction novel by Stanisław Lem ** ''Solaris'' (1968 film), directed by Boris Nirenburg ** ''Solaris'' (1972 film), directed by ...

'' *Sulidor -

's '' Downward to the Earth'' (alternately spelled 'Sulidoror' by both Barlowe and Silverberg) *

Terran Terran or Terrans may also refer to: Fictional entities Literature * Terran Federation (''Starship Troopers'') * Terran Trade Authority universe of Stewart Cowley * Terran Empire in the books of Poul Anderson Television * Terran Federa ...

- humans; no specific novel - an image of a human (the author) used in the size comparison chart in the book. *The Thing -

John W. Campbell John Wood Campbell Jr. (June 8, 1910 – July 11, 1971) was an American science fiction writer and editor. He was editor of ''Astounding Science Fiction'' (later called ''Analog Science Fiction and Fact'') from late 1937 until his death ...

's ''

Who Goes There? ''Who Goes There?'' is a 1938 science fiction horror novella by American author John W. Campbell, written under the pen name Don A. Stuart. Its story follows a group of people trapped in a scientific research outpost in Antarctica with shapesh ...

'' * Thrint - Larry Niven's Known Space series *Tran -

Alan Dean Foster Alan Dean Foster (born November 18, 1946) is an American writer of fantasy and science fiction. He has written several book series, more than 20 standalone novels, and many novelizations of film scripts. Career ''Star Wars'' Foster was the ghos ...

's '' Icerigger'' *Triped - Damon Knight's ''Rule Golden'' *Tyreean - James Tiptree's ''

Up the Walls of the World ''Up the Walls of the World'' is a 1978 science fiction novel by American author Alice Sheldon, who wrote under the pen name of James Tiptree, Jr. It was the first novel she published, having until then worked and built a reputation only in the fi ...

'' *Uchjinian -

's ''

'' series (1977) *Vegan - Robert A. Heinlein's '' Have Space Suit—Will Travel'' *Velantian -

E. E. Smith Edward Elmer Smith (May 2, 1890 – August 31, 1965), publishing as E. E. Smith, Ph.D. and later as E. E. "Doc" Smith, was an American food engineer (specializing in doughnut and pastry mixes) and science-fiction author, best known for the '' ...

's '' Lensman'' series

Reception

''Barlowe's Guide to Extraterrestrials'' received a mixed review from Wendy Bousfield in ''

Library Journal ''Library Journal'' is an American trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey. It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional prac ...

''. Bousfield commented that the book's drawings were "colorful", but also "somewhat static and artificial-looking, with less vitality than the preparatory sketches from the artist's notebook included at the end." She also criticized the omission of "the facts of publication of the novels", but concluded that public libraries might still be interested in the work. The book received a positive review from Claudia J. Morner in ''

School Library Journal ''School Library Journal'' (''SLJ'') is an American monthly magazine containing reviews and other articles for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with ...

''. Morner praised the book's "colorful drawings" and "fold-out comparative size chart" showing the size of aliens relative to human beings. She concluded that it was a "fun browsing book" that would appeal to "young people fascinated by monsters" as well as to science fiction readers. Barlowe's work was nominated for an

and for the 1980

References

External links

* * {{Authority control 1979 books Books about extraterrestrial life Books by Wayne Barlowe Encyclopedias of fictional worlds English-language books Science fiction books Workman Publishing Company books