I: Redefined writers -- The star stealers / Edmond Hamilton -- The Prince of space / Jack Williamson -- Enchantress of venus / Leigh Brackett -- The swordsmen of Varnis / Clive Jackson -- II: Draftees (1960s) -- The game of rat and dragon / Cordwainer Smith -- Empire star / Samuel R. Delany -- Zirn left unguarded, the Jenghik palace in flames, Jon Westerley dead / Robert Sheckley -- III: Transitions/redefiners (late 1970s to late 1980s) -- Temptation / David Brin -- Ranks of bronze / David Drake -- Weatherman / Lois McMaster Bujold -- A gift from the culture / Iain M. Banks -- IV: Volunteers: revisionaries (early 1990s) -- Orphans of the helix / Dan Simmons -- The well wishers / Colin Greenland -- Escape route / Peter F. Hamilton -- Ms. Midshipwoman Hattington / David Weber -- Aurora in four voices / Catherine Asaro -- Ring rats / R. Garcia y Robertson -- The death of Captain Future / Allen Steele -- V: Mixed signals/mixed categories (to the late 1990s) -- A worm in the well / Gregory Benford -- The survivor / Donald Kingsbury -- Fool's errand / Sarah Zettel -- The shobies' story / Ursula K. Le Guin -- The remoras / Robert Reed -- Recording angel / Paul J. McAuley -- The great game / Stephen Baxter -- Lost sorceress of the silent citadel / Michael Moorcock -- Space opera / Michale Kandel -- VI: Next wave (twenty-first century) -- Grist / Tony Daniel -- The movements of her eyes / Scott Westerfeld -- Spirey and the queen / Alastair Reynolds -- Bear trap / Charles Stross -- Guest law / John C. Wright.