McCaffrey's original trilogy: Dragonflight, Dragonquest and The White Dragon were published between 1968 and 1978.

These three novels are still very popular reading and establish her as a grand dame of science fiction, to say nothing of her continued production.

When these novels first appeared, there was some question as to McCaffrey's classification: was this science fiction or fantasy — what is dragon, real or imaginary? McCaffrey places herself firmly in the science fiction realm: dragons are genetically engineered, though their origins are not clear in this trilogy. Yet there is an aspect to dragonrider life that is often wish fulfillment for her readers: the ever-present, ever-supportive friend/ lover, the power to escape one's reality by flying with the power of dragon's wings, the romantic thrill of battle and victory. While McCaffrey has scoffed at the "blood and thunder" of hi-tech SF (calling "thud and blunder"), she seems...