Sci-Fi books
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gmPhil wrote:
..and any early Heinlein for some old classics ("The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress", "Stranger In A Strange Land", etc...)
I second that. I read both those books last year. The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress is one of the best sci-fi books I've ever read. I think it won the Hugo award back when it was published in the 60's.
Words fade as the meanings change, but somehow, it don't bother me.
Boro_Bob wrote:
I think it won the Hugo award back when it was published in the 60's.
It was nominated in both 1966 (because of magazine serialization) and in 1967, when it won. You might also enjoy Red Planet - although written much earlier and as a juvenile, it is also the story of colonists (Martian, in this case) rebelling against an absentee government. You might also enjoy Starship Troopers - it is, by the way - very, very different from the movie. The screenwriter and director proudly announced that they had never read the book before making the adaptation.
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface
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For some more recent good work (particularly if you like Heinlien): John Scalzi : Old Man's War, The Ghost Brigades, The Last Colony. All three are most enjoyable.
Rob Graham wrote:
John Scalzi : Old Man's War, The Ghost Brigades, The Last Colony. All three are most enjoyable.
Absolutely agree. By the way: Scalzi has just hired on as Creative Consultant for Stargate: Universe, the upcoming third series set in the Stargate universe. ;)
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface
modified on Friday, January 16, 2009 5:28 PM
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Boro_Bob wrote:
I think it won the Hugo award back when it was published in the 60's.
It was nominated in both 1966 (because of magazine serialization) and in 1967, when it won. You might also enjoy Red Planet - although written much earlier and as a juvenile, it is also the story of colonists (Martian, in this case) rebelling against an absentee government. You might also enjoy Starship Troopers - it is, by the way - very, very different from the movie. The screenwriter and director proudly announced that they had never read the book before making the adaptation.
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface
So, have you read Variable Star yet? I picked it up last week and have to say that I like it so far. I'll probably finish it this weekend so I'll have a real opinion then.
Sovereign ingredient for a happy marriage: Pay cash or do without. Interest charges not only eat up a household budget; awareness of debt eats up domestic felicity. --Lazarus Long
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I'm a bit excited because there's a 35% discount at one book house here for all books in their SF collection, and I'm gonna spend some cash on that. The titles that I've chosen are: H2G2 Dune (the initial 6 volumes) Ender's Game & Ender's Shadow The Mars Trilogy (Red Mars, Green Mars and Blue Mars) I can't go wrong with these, can I? The only SF I've read so far is some Asimov, Childhood's End by Sir Arthur C Clarke and Starship Troopers.
The mars trilogy is good.Gateway by Frederic Pohl is also highly recommended. Check out Death World, Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga (the first books are better but it gets addictive fast so ...), can't really think of anything else right now so ... Edit: Michael Chrichton: Prey Zelazny: Chronicles of Amber - though this is somewhat mind boggling There was a book called "The Oracle" I believe, it was about this girl who could change with a random action (like move her hand etc). I can't remember the name of the Author. I think it was trilogy, the other books being called "The wizard" and something else I think.
modified on Friday, January 16, 2009 5:56 PM
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I read Forever War recently, and thoroughly recommend it. It was published in 1973 as a sci-fi anti Vietnam novel (Haldeman was a vet), but in these times it still resonates. I believe it is currently being made into a movie.
Words fade as the meanings change, but somehow, it don't bother me.
Boro_Bob wrote:
believe it is currently being made into a movie.
It looks like most of these statements are based on an announcement last October by Ridley Scott that he was optioned to direct a film version of the novel. I couldn't find anything else about it, so I doubt there are any firm plans at this point. I would be extremely disappointed (but not surprised) if it didn't turn into a generic special effects CGI masturbate-a-thon.
Software Zen:
delete this;
Fold With Us![^] -
So, have you read Variable Star yet? I picked it up last week and have to say that I like it so far. I'll probably finish it this weekend so I'll have a real opinion then.
Sovereign ingredient for a happy marriage: Pay cash or do without. Interest charges not only eat up a household budget; awareness of debt eats up domestic felicity. --Lazarus Long
Chris Austin wrote:
So, have you read Variable Star yet?
Yep - got it on a 2-4-1 deal through the Heinlein Society (with Robinson's latest)
Chris Austin wrote:
so I'll have a real opinion then
I'll be intereste in hearing it and sharing mine, too. By the way, have you read For Us, The Living?
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface
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Boro_Bob wrote:
believe it is currently being made into a movie.
It looks like most of these statements are based on an announcement last October by Ridley Scott that he was optioned to direct a film version of the novel. I couldn't find anything else about it, so I doubt there are any firm plans at this point. I would be extremely disappointed (but not surprised) if it didn't turn into a generic special effects CGI masturbate-a-thon.
Software Zen:
delete this;
Fold With Us![^]Gary R. Wheeler wrote:
I would be extremely disappointed (but not surprised) if it didn't turn into a generic special effects CGI masturbate-a-thon.
But it would still generate lots of extra sales of the book. Ginny Heinlein told me that when that travesty of Starship Troopers was made, sales of the novel skyrocketed and stayed high for quite awhile. So even a bad adaptation can lead people to a book that makes 'em think.
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface
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Chris Austin wrote:
So, have you read Variable Star yet?
Yep - got it on a 2-4-1 deal through the Heinlein Society (with Robinson's latest)
Chris Austin wrote:
so I'll have a real opinion then
I'll be intereste in hearing it and sharing mine, too. By the way, have you read For Us, The Living?
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface
Oakman wrote:
By the way, have you read For Us, The Living?
Yeah, I enjoyed it. I think I read it last year just after reading JOB: A Comedy of Errors. I found his take on a pseudo-utopian economy/society pretty interesting. Heck, every time I hear people talking about unemployment and other bad economic news I wonder if some version of his system would be possible or ethical in the highly connected world we live in.
Sovereign ingredient for a happy marriage: Pay cash or do without. Interest charges not only eat up a household budget; awareness of debt eats up domestic felicity. --Lazarus Long
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I'm a bit excited because there's a 35% discount at one book house here for all books in their SF collection, and I'm gonna spend some cash on that. The titles that I've chosen are: H2G2 Dune (the initial 6 volumes) Ender's Game & Ender's Shadow The Mars Trilogy (Red Mars, Green Mars and Blue Mars) I can't go wrong with these, can I? The only SF I've read so far is some Asimov, Childhood's End by Sir Arthur C Clarke and Starship Troopers.
Sean Dalton - Time Trap series (1992) Time Trap Showdown Pieces of Eight A.C. Chrispin - Starbridge series (1992 - 1998) Starbridge Slient Dances Shadow World Serpents Gift Silent Songs Ancestor's World Voices of Chaos
Steve _________________ I C(++) therefore I am
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Chris Austin wrote:
So, have you read Variable Star yet?
Yep - got it on a 2-4-1 deal through the Heinlein Society (with Robinson's latest)
Chris Austin wrote:
so I'll have a real opinion then
I'll be intereste in hearing it and sharing mine, too. By the way, have you read For Us, The Living?
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface
Unbeleivable, one of the great regrets in life is that there will be no more books from RAH, I had no idea there might be some still turning up. I would buy this purely on the Heinlein Prize contribution. Excellent
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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I'd suggest anything by Flint, Ringo, and Weber.
Today's lesson is brought to you by the word "niggardly". Remember kids, don't attribute to racism what can be explained by Scandinavian language roots. -- Robert Royall
Flint tends to write to a formula and all his books seem the same after a while. Ringo on the other hand does step outside the boundaries and Weber just does not publish often enough, what 20+ books tcha.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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Gary R. Wheeler wrote:
I would be extremely disappointed (but not surprised) if it didn't turn into a generic special effects CGI masturbate-a-thon.
But it would still generate lots of extra sales of the book. Ginny Heinlein told me that when that travesty of Starship Troopers was made, sales of the novel skyrocketed and stayed high for quite awhile. So even a bad adaptation can lead people to a book that makes 'em think.
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface
You have a point. And I'm still jealous you got to speak with her.
Software Zen:
delete this;
Fold With Us![^] -
Unbeleivable, one of the great regrets in life is that there will be no more books from RAH, I had no idea there might be some still turning up. I would buy this purely on the Heinlein Prize contribution. Excellent
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
Just remember that "For Us, the Living" was not something Heinlein thought he wanted published. Indeed, it could be argued that the final version was retitled "Beyond This Horizon." Nonetheless, it is, as you say, great to read anything by the Master. Since he was known to be a prolific letter writer, I keep hoping that someone will get a collection of his letters together. But, sadly, I expect that most of his friends didn't keep them.
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface
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You have a point. And I'm still jealous you got to speak with her.
Software Zen:
delete this;
Fold With Us![^]Gary R. Wheeler wrote:
And I'm still jealous you got to speak with her.
She was a lovely lady. Within a couple of months of starting our aquaintance, I understood exactly why Heinlein left his first wife for Ginny.
Jon Smith & Wesson: The original point and click interface