Ariel: The Book of Fantasy
Ariel: The Book of Fantasy was an elaborately produced fantasy periodical book series published by Peacock Press during the 1970s.
Last updated August 26, 2026
Overview
Ariel: The Book of Fantasy was a periodical book publication issued by Peacock Press in the 1970s. It belonged to the illustrated fantasy-book market and was distinguished by an elaborate physical and visual presentation. The series was described as expensive for its time, suggesting a premium publishing format rather than a conventional low-cost paperback periodical. Its contents included fantasy stories and associated illustrations, with the publication intended to function as a collectible or visually distinctive book as well as a vehicle for fiction. One of the better-known stories associated with the series was Larry Niven's "Source of Power." Publicly available reference material provides only limited information about the series' publication schedule, editorial staff, number of issues, circulation, distribution, commercial performance, and eventual discontinuation. It is therefore best understood as a historical publishing title rather than a contemporary consumer brand. No current website, operating company, ownership information, headquarters, or active markets have been identified in the supplied references.
History
Ariel: The Book of Fantasy was a periodical book published by Peacock Press during the 1970s. The available historical record characterizes it as an elaborately produced and illustrated fantasy publication and notes that it was expensive for its time. This presentation placed the title closer to a premium illustrated book or collectible periodical than to an ordinary mass-market fiction magazine. The series offered fantasy stories supported by substantial visual production, although the available reference does not identify its editors, art directors, regular contributors, publication frequency, print run, or total number of volumes. The title's publishing context was the commercial fantasy-book market of the 1970s, when publishers used illustrated editions and distinctive formats to attract readers beyond the standard paperback audience. Among the stories published in the series was Larry Niven's "Source of Power," which is identified as one of its more famous contributions. Beyond that association, the supplied sources do not establish a complete contents list or document the reception of individual installments. There is also no reliable information in the supplied material about international distribution, sales, awards, reprints, licensing, or later ownership. The publication is treated as defunct because it was a 1970s periodical and no evidence of current publication or commercial activity is provided.
- 1970Peacock Press publishes the series
Peacock Press publishes Ariel: The Book of Fantasy as a periodical book series during the 1970s.
- 1970Larry Niven story appears in the series
Larry Niven's "Source of Power" is published in the series and becomes one of the title's better-known associated stories.
Products and positioning
A premium, heavily illustrated fantasy publication series aimed at readers and collectors interested in visually produced speculative fiction.
Ariel: The Book of FantasyIllustrated fantasy periodical
The core offering was a periodical book series devoted to fantasy fiction. It was elaborately produced and illustrated, and its format was considered expensive for its era. The publication combined literary content with a strong visual and collectible presentation. Available references do not specify the full run, issue count, publication frequency, or complete contents.
Source of PowerFantasy story
Larry Niven's "Source of Power" is one of the more famous stories reported as having appeared in Ariel: The Book of Fantasy. The supplied reference identifies its presence in the series but does not provide further information about the edition, issue, artwork, or publication date.
Flagship businesses
- The Ariel: The Book of Fantasy periodical series
- Larry Niven's "Source of Power"
Sources
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