James Tiptree, Jr.

The Double Life of Alice B. Sheldon

By: Julie Phillips

Narrated by: Angele Masters

James Tiptree, Jr. burst onto the science fiction scene in the 1970s with a series of hard-edged, provocative short stories. Hailed as a brilliant masculine writer with a deep sympathy for his female characters, he penned such classics as Houston, Houston, Do You Read? and The Women Men Don't See. For years he corresponded with Philip K. Dick, Harlan Ellison, Ursula Le Guin. No one knew his true identity. Then the cover was blown on his alter ego: A 61-year-old woman named Alice Sheldon. As a child, she explored Africa with her mother. Later, made into a debutante, she eloped with one of the guests at the party. She was an artist, a chicken farmer, a World War II intelligence officer, a CIA agent, an experimental psychologist. Devoted to her second husband, she struggled with her feelings for women. In 1987, her suicide shocked friends and fans. The James Tiptree, Jr. Award was created to honor science fiction or fantasy that explores our understanding of gender. This fascinating biography by Julie Phillips, 10 years in the making, is based on extensive research, exclusive interviews, and full access to Alice Sheldon's papers.

©2006 Julie Phillips; Excerpts from the Letters of Harlan Ellison reprinted by permission of, and arrangement with, the Author, and The Kilimanjaro Corporation. Copyright 2006 by The Kilimanjaro Corporation (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

A Must-Listen for Fans of Sci-Fi and Genuinely Interesting People

A fantastic, heartfelt biography of a person sincerely more interesting than even the space explorers and aliens she wrote about. Especially recommended for queer/gender-queer intellectuals searching for portraits of people who might look something like them. The stars feel a little closer, and sadder, and better.

Thank you, Phillips; thank you, Tip.

So terrific!

This was the most interesting biography I've read in some time. Someone please collect and narrate her letters.