Gateways, 1970–1987
This chapter focuses on Frederik Pohl's literary output as a science fiction (SF) writer during the period 1970–1987, including Gateway and The Way the Future Was. After stepping down from Galaxy, Pohl went into a funk and did not write. Having turned fifty at the close of 1969, Pohl claims that he was experiencing a midlife crisis. Instead of buckling down and writing fiction, he took time to travel with his family, embarking on trips to London and Paris, Bermuda, and Japan and also to Eastern Europe. At this time his marriage to wife Carol was beginning to show signs of trouble. Moreover, Pohl was getting involved in grassroots politics, working in 1968 on the Eugene McCarthy campaign in New Jersey. His political experiences are articulated in his first book of the 1970s, Practical Politics 1972. Pohl contributed to anthologies about the craft of SF writing as well. This chapter also considers the shift in Pohl's work in 1987 for a variety of reasons, including the conclusion of the Heechee saga.