This volume investigates the historical and thematic evolution of the fantastic narrative as a distinct mode of human expression. Eric S. Rabkin, a scholar of science fiction and fantasy, compiles a comprehensive selection of texts to argue that fantastic literature serves as a vital mechanism for challenging reality and expanding human perspective. By curating works from ancient mythology to modern experimental fiction, the author demonstrates the enduring capacity of the genre to navigate complex social, religious, and scientific tensions. The collection functions as both a historical survey and a theoretical framework for understanding the mechanics of the impossible in literature.

Scholars and educators frequently cite this anthology as a foundational resource for studying the development of speculative fiction across centuries. Readers often note the academic rigor of the selection process, which provides a balanced view of the genre's evolution from myth to modern literature.