Computers of Star Trek by Lois H. Gresh & Robert E. Weinberg is exactly what it states to be in its title. It examines the various pieces of technology used in the different iterations of Star Trek through the years and compares it to the reality (and future of) technology.The problem was that it  is so outdated that there was little point in me reading beyond page 20. Computers of Star Trek was written in 1999 and re-published in 2001 which predates the beginning of Star Trek: Enterprise not to mention the reboot movies or Discovery. It was also written before the first iPod (end of 2001) or the first smartphone that didn't rely on a stylus (2007).

The Science of Supervillains by Lois H. Gresh & Robert Weinberg was just as much fun as The Science of Superheroes which I read earlier this year. This volume discusses the possibility (or impossibility) of the various powers and abilities that supervillains from comic lore possess. They cover such classic villains as Poison Ivy, Lex Luthor, Doc Ock, and Magneto to name just a few. One of the more fascinating sections examined a comic titled "Crisis on Infinite Earths" where infinite realities, galaxies, and universes were destroyed. Gresh determined that within these infinite galaxies and universes would be still more infinite galaxies which would take infinite power and infinite time to destroy...which is impossible. (If you're a huge science nerd then this is the kind of stuff that makes your brain hum with happiness.) Included at the back of the book was an excellent notes section as well as a Q&A with various comic writers and reviewers. The only con I could see was that it was quite a bit shorter than its predecessor which bummed me out as I enjoyed it so much. (In fact, I'm ordering another book by Gresh about the computers of Star Trek which I'm super pumped to read.) Well researched, well written, and well executed...can't ask for more than that! 10/10

What I'm Currently Reading: The Sellout by Paul Beatty

What an absolutely FUN read The Science of Superheroes turned out to be! Lois H. Gresh & Robert E. Weinberg took several big name superheroes like Superman, Batman, The Flash, Ant Man, Aquaman, and the X-Men (just to name a few) and discussed in-depth their powers, origin stories, narrative continuity, and whether there was any basis in scientific fact for their superpowers. There were great recommendations both throughout the book and in the footnotes (ya'll know I love a book with excellent footnotes). They also went to great lengths to give a detailed, thorough history of comics in general which made this an altogether well-rounded and researched book. (I've read some so-called 'scientific' nonfiction that couldn't hold a candle to the amount of work that Gresh & Weinberg obviously put in for this book.) Another huge bonus was the extensive appendix which also included biographies and q&a responses with several popular 'current' writers of comics. (Am I gushing? I can't help it that I love a good set of biographical facts organized in an orderly fashion.) At any rate, whether you're a pop culture fan, comic aficionado, superhero movie nerd, or really into researched footnotes this is sure to fit the bill and be an excellent choice for a cozy autumn evening. 10/10

PS I had made a note after reading this that I hoped they made one for comic book villains...and they did! If you're interested the title is The Science of Supervillains. XD

What's Up Next: Only Human by Sylvain Neuvel

What I'm Currently Reading: Molesworth by Geoffrey Willans & Ronald Searle

Weinberg goes after the unknown and un-anthologized leavings from golden age Weird Tales. Most of these writers will be unknown except to the most eclectic reader and where the writers are better known Weinberg picks never (at least in 1974) anthologized stories by these better known authors. I had actually read and remembered the Robert E. Howard story so it must have cropped up somewhere again since 1974.

All of the ten stories and one poem exceed the basic standard for good horror pulp entertainment and one or two even rise above that. The writing is surprisingly good and some of the stories steal a little of Lovecraft's creations (or name drop).

Weinberg would go on to co-edit several future golden age WT and other pulp anthologies that mined the same vein as here. These were fatter cheaper volumes but still pretty much packed with the good stuff.

This was supposedly a limited edition of 1,000 published by FAX Collector's Editions in West Linn, Oregon. There are some adverts for some interesting looking pulp publications on the dj. The dj illustration is for the title story and is by the marvelous Lee Brown Coye.

Premise:  With all the gobs of Weird Tales magazines published in its pulp heyday, there must be at least 11 stories not by any of the Lovecraft's etc. (the famous pulp authors) that are rarely or never anthologized and above decent quality.  At least 11 overlooked horror pulp gems.  Now if you are lazy like me, poring over a lot of really bad WT stories to find the needles in the haystack sounds a bit daunting for the payoff.  We'll see how lazy Robert Weinburg is...