In 1990, Alexei and Cory Panshin's massive history of science fiction, The World Beyond the Hill, won the Hugo award in competition with books by Arthur C. Clarke, Ursula LeGuin, and Harlan Ellison. Isaac Asimov called it, "The best, the BEST, history of science fiction I have ever read." Exploring the genre from its roots in the Romantic Period to the late 20th century, the Panshins make the case for science fiction as modern mythology.

Renowned literary critic Northrup Frye stated, "I learned a great deal from The World Beyond the Hill." The ElectricStory edition includes hyperlinked contents, index, and notes sections for easy navigation.