The why's and what-if's of scientific inquiry constitute the core of science fiction, the purpose of which is to further explore these questions from every imaginable angle. Gregory L. Zentz affirms this connection between science and fiction, showing how integral a grasp of the theoretical and practical sciences is to an understanding of science fiction. Zentz provides a holistic, rather than a literary or a sociological analysis, thereby focussing on the genre of science fiction as a reflection of scientific and philosophical paradigms, both past and present.

By outlining the history of science fiction literature from the ancients to the present, Zentz parallels the changes in its scope and vision with the progress of scientific research and discovery. Central to the text is the rapidly shifting and increasingly intricate nature of modern scientific knowledge and how difficult it is for science fiction writers to incorporate that knowledge into their works. These problems are addressed, and possible solutions are suggested. Jupiter's Ghost is an excellent resource for teachers and students of science fiction as well as devoted science fiction readers interested in exploring the conceptual framework in which the genre is grounded.