March 2000

* Berlinski, David The Advent of the Algorithm: The Idea that Rules the World
(Harcourt 0-15-100338-6, $28, 18+345pp, hc, March 2000)
The author of A Tour of the Calculus calls the algorithm, after calculus, the second great mathematical idea of the past millennium. (Algorithms are what computer programs are, for example.) An excerpt appeared a couple months ago in Harper's. Amazon has a review by Mary Ellen Curtin, and excerpts from other reviews. (Thu 16 Mar 2000)

* Freedman, Carl Critical Theory and Science Fiction
(Wesleyan University Press 0-8195-6399-4, $19.95, 20+206pp, tpb, March 2000)
Study of the relation between SF and 'critical theory', which apparently has specific, Marxist-flavored meaning in this academic context; with analyses of particular works by Le Guin, Delany, Russ, Lem, and Philip K. Dick [the usual suspects of most academic treatments of SF, it seems]. The author won the 1999 Pioneer Award from the Science Fiction Research Association. Also available in hardcover. (Sat 11 Mar 2000)

* Goldman, William Which Lie Did I Tell? More Adventures in the Screen Trade
(Pantheon 0-375-40349-3, $26.95, 10+485pp, hc, March 2000)
A new collection of essays about how Hollywood really works, by the author of the acclaimed Adventures in the Screen Trade (1983). Includes discussions of several SFFH films Goldman was involved with, including Misery and The Princess Bride. (Mon 13 Mar 2000)

* Keyes, Daniel Algernon, Charlie and I: A Writer's Journey
(Challcrest Press 1-929519-00-1, $24.95, 223pp, hc, February 2000)
Autobiography of Keyes focusing on his famous SF story ''Flowers for Algernon'' and its development into a novel and then film (Charly, 1968). Reviewed by Gary K. Wolfe in the January 2000 Locus. (Thu 23 Mar 2000)

* Lewis, Thomas, Fari Amini, & Richard Lannon A General Theory of Love
(Random House 0-375-50389-7, $23.95, 8+274pp, hc, February 2000)
An application of recent scientific understanding of the brain to the understanding of love. The book quotes a paragraph from ''novelist Gene Wolfe'' (from chapter XVII of The Shadow of the Torturer) on page 33. Amazon has review by Rob Lightner, and excerpts from other reviews. (Mon 13 Mar 2000)

* Maor, Eli June 8, 2004: Venus In Transit
(Princeton 0-691-04874-6, $22.95, 13+186pp, hc, April 2000)
The title refers to the next time Venus crosses the face of the sun. It has only happened 5 times before in history, the last time in 1884. The event is anticipated for the opportunity to more precisely determine the astronomical unit (AU), the distance from the Earth to the Sun. The book quotes a couple pages from Arthur C. Clarke's short story ''Transit of Earth''. Amazon has Booklist review. (Thu 16 Mar 2000)

* Schwam, Stephanie, ed The Making of 2001: A Space Odyssey
(Modern Library 0-375-75528-4, $15.95, 18+326pp, tpb, March 2000)
Anthology of articles and essays, many from the time the Kubrick/Clarke film was first released, by Arthur C. Clarke, Jeremy Bernstein, Douglas Trumbull; including Stanley Kubrick's Playboy interview, and a detailed Kubrick filmography. Part of a new Modern Library series of books on the movies, with series editor Martin Scorsese. (Fri 17 Mar 2000)

* Seabrook, John Nobrow: The Culture of Marketing -- The Marketing of Culture
(Knopf 0-375-40504-6, $23, 215pp, hc, February 2000)
Study by a New Yorker writer of the merging of high and low tastes. Widely reviewed recently, some calling it well-written, others saying the book's theme is old news. No index. Amazon has review by Tim Appelo. (Sat 4 Mar 2000)

* Shapiro, Marc James Cameron: An Unauthorized Biography
(Renaissance Books 1-58063-124-x, $22.95, 350pp, hc, March 2000)
About the director of The Terminator, Terminator 2, Aliens, Titanic, and others. (Mon 13 Mar 2000)

* Thornhill, Randy, & Craig T. Palmer A Natural History of Rape: Biological Bases of Sexual Coercion
(MIT 0-262-20125-9, $28.95, 16+251pp, hc, February 2000)
Controversial academic study exploring the evolutionary rationale for rape as a reproductive strategy. Amazon has a review by (Amazon's SF and fantasy editor) Therese Littleton. (Sat 4 Mar 2000)

* Ward, Peter D., & Donald Brownlee Rare Earth: Why Complex Life Is Uncommon in the Universe
(Copernicus (Springer-Verlag) 0-387-98701-0, $27.50, 28+333pp, hc, March 2000, cover by Chesley Bonestell)
Contrary to increasingly prevailing wisdom, the authors outline reasons why the Earth may be a very special place in the universe after all. Amazon has review by Mary Ellen Curtin, and excerpts from other reviews. (Fri 17 Mar 2000)