Chapter 1: Wartime Precedent and Transformative European Return
Frederik Pohl’s poignant reminiscence of Loncon II begins with crucial historical context that transforms his 1965 London experience from simple convention attendance into profound cultural pilgrimage shaped by wartime service and literary destiny. His previous European experience “courtesy of the all-expense tour given by the U.S. Army” in Italy and France during World War II created stark contrast with this first civilian visit to England, highlighting how science fiction’s international growth enabled peaceful cultural exchange where once only military necessity had brought American fans across the Atlantic.
The transformation from soldier to literary ambassador illustrates broader patterns in post-war international relations and cultural development, where science fiction conventions became vehicles for international understanding and professional collaboration that transcended national boundaries through shared imaginative interests. Pohl’s journey from wartime participant to Worldcon guest represents symbolic evolution of American-European relationships during science fiction’s expanding global influence and cultural legitimacy.
Chapter 2: Cultural Discovery and Authentic London Experience
Pohl’s delight in experiencing “authentic” pre-decimal British currency – “big round twelve-to-a-shilling copper checkers that tore the lining out of your pockets” – captures essential tourist enthusiasm while documenting historical moment before Britain’s 1971 decimal currency conversion that would eliminate these distinctive cultural markers. His attention to “red double-decker buses” running “on the wrong side of the street” reflects American visitor’s charming encounters with British cultural distinctiveness that enhanced convention experience through cultural immersion.
The surprising discovery that “most of the staff in English hotels didn’t speak English” provides valuable historical documentation of London’s international hospitality industry during 1960s immigration patterns while adding humor to cross-cultural encounters that enriched fannish international exchange. These cultural observations transform Pohl’s account from simple convention report into valuable social documentation of mid-1960s London tourism experience and British cultural characteristics.
Chapter 3: Mount Royal Hotel and Literary Geography
The Mount Royal Hotel location “on Oxford Street, a few blocks from the Marble Arch, the Speakers’ Corner, and the whole stretch of Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens” positioned Loncon II within London’s most literarily significant district, enabling profound connections between contemporary science fiction culture and historical literary heritage. Pohl’s recognition that “we were all where H. G. Wells had walked, and A. Conan Doyle” transforms mundane hotel selection into pilgrimage experience that connected American fans with foundational figures of scientific romance and detective fiction.
The geographical proximity to areas frequented by “S. Fowler Wright and W. Olaf Stapledon” created tangible connection between contemporary Worldcon attendees and pioneering British science fiction authors whose work had influenced international genre development. This literary geography enhanced convention significance by placing contemporary fannish activities within historical continuum of British imaginative literature while providing inspirational context for international science fiction community gathering.
Chapter 4: Brian W. Aldiss and Contemporary Literary Encounters
Pohl’s appreciation for Brian W. Aldiss as “witty, erudite, good-humored” Guest of Honor establishes both personal relationship foundation and professional recognition that would span “four continents and scores of cities in the decades since then,” demonstrating how Worldcon encounters create lasting international literary collaborations and friendships. The meeting represents crucial moment in Anglo-American science fiction relationship building during period of expanding international genre recognition and professional development.
The first meeting with John Wyndham, despite years of professional relationship as “his American literary agent” for works including “The Day of the Triffids,” illustrates how international publishing relationships could exist without personal contact while highlighting Worldcons’ unique role in enabling face-to-face encounters between distant professional collaborators. This meeting pattern demonstrates conventions’ essential function in humanizing international literary business relationships through personal connection and cultural exchange.
Chapter 5: John Bush’s Country House and English Hospitality
The excursion to John Bush’s Surrey-Sussex border home represents pinnacle of English hospitality and cultural immersion that transformed simple convention attendance into comprehensive cultural experience encompassing both professional relationships and personal friendship. The Gollancz editor’s gesture of “stealing a dozen or so of us away” demonstrates British fannish hospitality traditions while providing American visitors with authentic English country experience including “tea,” “scones,” and “fresh fruit picked right out of John and Sheila Bush’s garden.”
The historical significance of the Bush home – “begun in the 17th Century and partly demolished by a V-1 in the 20th” – created tangible connection between centuries of English history and contemporary science fiction culture while illustrating Britain’s resilience and continuity despite wartime destruction. This historical layering enhanced cultural experience by connecting immediate social pleasures with deeper historical awareness and appreciation for British cultural preservation.
Chapter 6: Missed Business Meeting and Alternative Pleasures
Pohl’s absence from the crucial business meeting where “the site for the next year’s con was decided” represents classic convention dilemma between social enjoyment and administrative responsibility, highlighting tension between fannish pleasure and community governance that characterizes Worldcon culture. His recognition that staying to vote “could have made a different outcome for the 1966 site selection” and potentially enabled “the committee that had picked me for its GoH” to win illustrates impact of individual participation on community decisions.
The philosophical acceptance – “Well, you can’t have everything. I had enough” – demonstrates mature perspective on convention priorities while validating choice of cultural experience over political participation. This reflection illustrates broader themes in fannish culture regarding balance between community responsibility and personal enrichment, suggesting that meaningful cultural experiences can justify missed administrative opportunities.
Chapter 7: Cathedral Spacecraft and Spiritual Science Fiction
The reference to visiting “the only cathedral in the world with a spacecraft in its stained-glass windows” captures remarkable intersection of traditional religious architecture with space age imagery that symbolizes science fiction’s cultural integration during 1960s space exploration enthusiasm. This unique architectural feature represents broader cultural acceptance of space themes within traditional institutions while providing symbolic bridge between ancient spiritual traditions and contemporary technological aspirations.
The cathedral visit demonstrates how science fiction culture was finding expression in unexpected venues while religious institutions acknowledged space exploration’s spiritual dimensions through artistic incorporation. This cultural synthesis illustrates science fiction’s expanding influence beyond literary boundaries into broader cultural consciousness and artistic expression during peak space race period.
Chapter 8: Stonehenge Pilgrimage and Ancient Mysteries
The Stonehenge excursion “along with Jack and Blanche Williamson” to “mad, mysterious old Stonehenge” represents profound connection between science fiction’s speculative interests and ancient mysteries that inspire imaginative literature and archaeological speculation. The visit demonstrates how science fiction fans’ curiosity extends to historical mysteries and ancient achievements that parallel genre themes of lost civilizations and advanced prehistoric cultures.
The characterization of Stonehenge as “mad, mysterious” reflects science fiction perspective on archaeological enigmas while the shared experience with fellow writers creates community bond around wonder and speculation that defines genre culture. This pilgrimage illustrates how convention travel enables cultural experiences that enrich creative imagination while providing shared reference points for future literary collaboration and discussion.
Chapter 9: Worldcon Unique Benefits and Cultural Access
Pohl’s observation that “every Worldcon gives the people who go the chance to meet old friends and make new ones, but usually all you see is the hotel and the nearest McDonald’s” provides critical comparison highlighting Loncon II’s exceptional cultural access and location advantages. The contrast emphasizes how venue selection can dramatically enhance or limit convention cultural value while acknowledging typical constraints that limit most conventions to commercial hospitality districts.
The recognition that Loncon II “also gave us England” elevates convention experience beyond typical fannish gathering to comprehensive cultural immersion that enriches participants’ understanding of science fiction’s cultural context and international heritage. This distinction validates investment in international convention travel while setting standards for cultural enrichment that enhance fannish community’s global perspective and appreciation.
Chapter 10: Nostalgic Return and Enduring London Connection
Pohl’s later return to London – “my wife and I spent the spring in London, in a flat a few blocks away from the Mount Royal” – demonstrates lasting connection established during Loncon II while providing opportunity for comparative reflection on urban changes and personal memory. The daily walks past the Mount Royal Hotel create tangible link between past and present while acknowledging both continuity (“the hotel looks just the same, and London is still London”) and change (“the Lyons Corner House is gone”).
The enduring identification of “Marble Arch as the heart of London” illustrates how significant personal experiences create permanent geographical and emotional associations that shape lifelong perceptions and connections. Pohl’s reminiscence serves as both historical documentation of 1965 Loncon II and testament to conventions’ power to create lasting cultural connections and personal transformation through international fannish exchange. His account preserves essential details of British culture, fannish hospitality, and international science fiction community development while demonstrating how individual convention experiences contribute to broader patterns of cultural understanding and professional relationship building that define science fiction’s global character and continuing international influence.
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