For general readers, Reid (literature and languages, Texas A&M U.-Commerce) provides a two-volume reference on women's contributions in science fiction and fantasy genres--fiction, nonfiction, poetry, film, television, comics, graphic novels, art, gaming, and music--with a focus on works from the twentieth century to the present. The first volume contains essays about periods, genres, media, and themes, including sociohistorical context, movements, connections to feminist movements, themes and forms, transmission methods and media, audience and reader issues, intersections of race, class, age, and sexual identity, religion, and fandom. The second contains alphabetical entries on writers and other figures and topics such as national traditions. Some discussion of how men have treated women and gender in works is included. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)