Panshin is also noted for the cult favorite Anthony Villiers series which consists of three books:
Star Well,
The Thurb Revolution, and
Masque World. The fourth volume of the series,
The Universal Pantograph, never appeared, reputedly because of conflicts between the writer and his publisher. Of the Villiers series, noted SF writer Samuel R. Delany writes "It ... examines the proposition that the world is composed of small communities of mutual interest ... [Star Well] is a gallery of gamblers, duels and double-crosses, a minuet of manners and manners mangled; the machinery of the universe is speculated upon; inspector generals arrive to inspect it. And Anthony Villiers, gentleman par excellence, dashes through it all, buckling a swash or two, bungling a couple of others."
Panshin published a study of SF legend Robert A. Heinlein,
Heinlein In Dimension. He also co-wrote
Earth Magic with wife Cory Panshin. His general critical work
SF in Dimension (1976) was also co-written with Cory Panshin, as was the lengthy theoretical-critical book,
The World Beyond The Hill (1989). His works also include a short story collection,
Farewell To Yesterday's Tomorrow.
Heinlein In Dimension first brought Panshin to wide public notice. Robert A. Heinlein objected strongly to it, and attempted to stop its publication, threatening to sue the publishers. As a result sections were published in fanzines, winning a Hugo award for best fan activity, which in turn helped the book achieve professional publication. Opinions are divided on the propriety of Panshin's research techniques and of Heinlein's response. Spider Robinson and Sam Moskowitz have strongly criticized both. Panshin's own views on the matter, along with some views by others, can be found on his website
The Abyss of Wonder.
A number of Alexei Panshin's books (including
The World Beyond the Hill) are being republished by Phoenix Pick, an imprint of Arc Manor Publishers.
Notes
Bibliography
Alexei PanshinAlexei Panshin??????????Alexei Panshin