Venture beyond the Wall and across the narrow sea

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Beyond the Wall

Exploring George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, From A Game of Thrones to A Dance with Dragons

Edited by James Lowder

"There were a number of books about A Game of Thrones (the HBO series) and A Song of Ice and Fire (the books) published last year . . . the one that impressed me most was James Lowder's Beyond the Wall." —George R.R. Martin

Foreword by New York Times bestselling author R.A. Salvatore

The epic game of thrones chronicled in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series has captured the imaginations of millions of readers. In Beyond the Wall, bestselling authors and acclaimed critics offer up thought-provoking essays and compelling insights:

Daniel Abraham reveals the unique challenges of adapting the original books into graphic novels.
Westeros.org founders Linda Antonsson and Elio M. García, Jr., explore the series’ complex heroes and villains, and their roots in the Romantic movement.
Wild Cards contributor Caroline Spector delves into the books’ controversial depictions of power and gender.

Plus much more, from military science fiction writer Myke Cole on the way Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder shapes many of the leading characters to author and television writer Ned Vizzini on the biases against genre fiction that color critical reactions to the series.

Read Excerpts

Foreword: Stories for the Nights to Come
R.A. Salvatore
Introduction: In Praise of Living History
James Lowder
The Palace of Love, the Palace of Sorrow
Linda Antonsson, Elio M. Garcia, Jr.
Men and Monsters
Alyssa Rosenberg
Same Song in a Different Key
Daniel Abraham
An Unreliable World
Adam Whitehead
Back to the Egg
Gary Westfahl
Art Imitates War
Myke Cole
The Brutal Cost of Redemption in Westeros
Susan Vaught
Of Direwolves and Gods
Andrew Zimmerman Jones
A Sword Without a Hilt
Jesse Scoble
Petyr Baelish and the Mask of Sanity
Matt Staggs
A Different Kind of Other
Brent Hartinger
Power and Feminism in Westeros
Caroline Spector
Collecting Ice and Fire in the Age of Nook and Kindle
John Jos. Miller
Beyond the Ghetto
Ned Vizzini

On Our Blog

Go Beyond the Wall with editor James Lowder

Posted May 30th

Each season we announce our new titles individually, each in their own post, to give you a little extra background behind the book. If you’ve missed any, you can check them all out here. All of Spring 2012′s intro posts are here.

For Beyond the Wall, our latest anthology, on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire (from A Game of Thrones to A Dance with Dragons), we’ve asked the book’s editor, James Lowder, to write the intro post. Read his take on the book,...

2012 Holiday Gift Guide: Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire

Posted November 15th

Winter is coming . . . but so is the holiday gifting season.

Is your present situation looking dire(wolves)? That space under the tree looking kind of, well, Stark? Do you have a list laden with Lannisters?

We have the gift guide for you!

Direwolf Wrapround Scarf. Perfect for warming your friends who live in the cold north. (Would also look great wrapped around a package as decoration!)
Beyond the Wall. Shameless self-promotion: Smart...

GeekGirlCon 2012

Posted August 10th

Convention season is still going full swing, and this weekend Leah and a few other Smart Pop contributors will be heading to GeekGirlCon in Seattle. If you’re planning on attending, we’d love to see you at the two panels we’ll be participating in! And don’t forget to ask for a free 2012 Smart Pop Preview while you’re there—we’ll be giving away a limited number at the panels.

Gender and Race in the 74th Hunger Games

Saturday, 2:00 PM – 2:50 PM

Although the Hunger...

What People Are Saying

There were a number of books about A Game of Thrones (the HBO series) and A Song of Ice and Fire (the books) published last year . . . the one that impressed me most was James Lowder's Beyond the Wall.

— George R.R. Martin

A high quality distillation.

— Hank Luttrell at SFSite.com

A stunning array of talented creators and critics have been gathered into this scintillating essay collection of analysis/reactions to the world created by George R. R. Martin in A Song of Ice and Fire, and Game of Thrones.

— The Midwest Book Review

Beyond the Wall offers bracing takes on the ingrained sexism, brutal violence, and expectations for female characters in Westeros, while reminding readers that critical thinking is key . . . If you feel like some more insight into this crew of flawed, feral, fascinating characters will inform your [Game of Thrones] Season Three viewing, read on—and good luck putting it down.

— Andi Zeisler at BiblioBitch (BitchMagazine.org)