Science fiction may be the Rodney Dangerfield of literature, but Science Fiction: The Multimedia Encyclopedia of Science Fiction pays due regard to this vibrant form of fiction. Based on the Hugo Award-winning book, the disc falls short as a detailed historical survey only in its limited multimedia cont No mention of the small-budget film Hardware Wars - a parody of the blockbuster Star Wars - illustrates how seriously the disc treats its subject. The inclusion of such notable social commentators as Jonathan Swift, Voltaire, and Edward Bellamy help legitimize sci-fi's position in the literary world.

Overall, this disk doesn't give life to any strange new worlds, but it will probably energize many to set out in search of books that do.