Your best SciFi book ?
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
Was it you who talked about Rene Barjavel's The Ice People several years back here? I ended up convincing a friend to buy a second hand copy off some foreign Amazon site (they were not active in India then and still don't sell second hand books) and bring it to me the next time they came. I rather enjoyed it, although the ending was sad. So thanks a lot for the (much) earlier recommendation. I also liked: Clifford Simak - City. Arthur C Clarke - Rendezvous with Rama. Hal Clement - Mission of Gravity.
Cheers, Vikram.
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress and Time Enough For Love by Robert A. Heinlein The Chanur Saga and The Foreigner Sequence by C. J. Cherryh; oh hell, all of her science fiction is good The Bolo books by Keith Laumer and his successors The Old Man's War series by John Scalzi Oath of Fealty by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle Roadmarks by Roger Zelazny Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke Footfall by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle ... These are all books that I re-read time and again. I have had to ration myself how often I go back to them so that they don't get stale.
Software Zen:
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Gawd ... very hard to pick "just one" ... "Ender's Game" and sequels Any of "The Expanse" books "Oath of Fealty" The Ringworld / Tales of Known Space series Anything by Iain M Banks, ditto William Gibson, Philip Jose Farmer (especially Riverworld), the Late Great DNA, Haldeman's "Forever War" series "The Stainless Steel Rat" series. Then there is Heinlein, Vonnegut, some of Philip K Dick's stuff was amazing. Zelazny's tales of Corwin, prince of Amber. Nah. There is no "Best ever SF book" - there is just "Best right at this moment" when you are in the mood and reading it ...
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
Oath of Fealty is on my list, posted below. Zelazny's Roadmarks is also one of my favorites.
Software Zen:
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I have a golden rule about SciFi - if the core story could be written for any other genre, then it ain't SciFi. This puts Carl Sagan's 'Contact' at the top of a pretty short list.
Chris C-B wrote:
if the core story could be written for any other genre, then it ain't SciFi.
I guess it therefore depends upon what you consider the "core story" to be. I've found most if not all science fiction to be retellings of classic themes in a science fiction setting. By that reasoning, your list would not just be short - it would be empty.
Software Zen:
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Oooo! Add in Robert L. Forward to that list - "Dragon's Egg" and "Flight of the Dragonfly" / "Rocheworld" are well worth a read.
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony "Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
Oooo indeed. On my list too! :-D
Software Zen:
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- Just about anything by Frank Herbert. For Dune, I'd stop at God Emperor of Dune. - Nathan Lowell's Ismael Wang books - he's an 18 year old thrust into an interstellar merchant fleet of solar clippers. - The entire Robots to Empire and Foundation series by Asimov - Heinlein's future history series - Stainless Steel Rat series - Brave New World - Starship Mage series by Glynn Stewart. They won't win awards but they're fast, fun romps through the future. I'm sure there are others but these are off the top of my head.
obermd wrote:
Just about anything by Frank Herbert. For Dune, I'd stop at God Emperor of Dune.
Agreed. I've read a few of the in-universe books by his son Brian and Mark Anderson. They weren't bad, just there was a bit too strong a whiff of capitalizing on his dad's talent.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
Probably... The Foundation series (the original 3 books, a bit less for the other prequels and sequels). Dune (the original 3 books, obviously, and a bit less for the other prequels and sequels) The [Lost Fleet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Lost\_Fleet) (Jack Campbell) And I know, unpopular and controversial because of the Author and what he stand for (will remain nameless and no link provided), but they are fun and entertaining.... Battlefield Earth (the movie was horribly bad) and Mission Earth.
I'd rather be phishing!
Maximilien wrote:
Battlefield Earth
I am ashamed to admit I read the whole damned thing, thereby wasting a couple of weeks in my reading life. At that time I always finished a book, even when it was awful. I could have been reading something more entertaining, like used toilet paper.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
1200 as hard cover ? And the mansion that goes with it :-D ?
I've got around 2,000 now, and that's after heavily winnowing my book collection over the last 20 years. When we moved into our previous house, the moving company added a surcharge for the 250+ boxes of books my wife and I had between us.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
Special effects are now robust enough for Pern. Anne refused to sell the rights?
I’ve given up trying to be calm. However, I am open to feeling slightly less agitated.
I think I'd like to see Pern done as a limited series on Netflix or one of the other streaming services. There are enough characters and story arcs to be worth a couple of 10-episode seasons.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
Does one lose his access to the lounge if he admits to never reading SF?
If you can keep your head while those about you are losing theirs, perhaps you don't understand the situation.
theoldfool wrote:
he admits to never reading SF?
No, but it does beg the question: What's wrong with you?
Software Zen:
delete this; -
theoldfool wrote:
he admits to never reading SF?
No, but it does beg the question: What's wrong with you?
Software Zen:
delete this;Dropped on my head when I was little. Why else would I try to write code?
If you can keep your head while those about you are losing theirs, perhaps you don't understand the situation.
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The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress and Time Enough For Love by Robert A. Heinlein The Chanur Saga and The Foreigner Sequence by C. J. Cherryh; oh hell, all of her science fiction is good The Bolo books by Keith Laumer and his successors The Old Man's War series by John Scalzi Oath of Fealty by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle Roadmarks by Roger Zelazny Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke Footfall by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle ... These are all books that I re-read time and again. I have had to ration myself how often I go back to them so that they don't get stale.
Software Zen:
delete this;In no particular order: The Foundation series (Isaac Asimov) The Robot books (Isaac Asimov) Dragon's Egg & its sequel Starquake (Robert L. Forward) Rocheworld & its sequels (Robert L. Forward) Camelot 30K (Robert L. Forward) The Dune series (Frank Herbert) Ringworld and its sequels (Larry Niven) Rama (but not the sequels) (Arthur C. Clarke) Some of Harry Turtledove's alternate history books The Mesklin series (Hal Clement) The Riverworld series (Philip Jose Farmer)
Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows. -- 6079 Smith W.
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
In no particular order: The Foundation series (Isaac Asimov) The Robot books (Isaac Asimov) Dragon's Egg & its sequel Starquake (Robert L. Forward) Rocheworld & its sequels (Robert L. Forward) Camelot 30K (Robert L. Forward) The Dune series (Frank Herbert) Ringworld and its sequels (Larry Niven) Rama (but not the sequels) (Arthur C. Clarke) Some of Harry Turtledove's alternate history books The Mesklin series (Hal Clement) The Riverworld series (Philip Jose Farmer)
Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows. -- 6079 Smith W.
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Dropped on my head when I was little. Why else would I try to write code?
If you can keep your head while those about you are losing theirs, perhaps you don't understand the situation.
That makes sense. In my case, I climbed to the top of my mother's upright piano when I was four and fell off, whacking my head on the way down. The scar is still visible on my scalp.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
Nelek wrote:
- Heinlein: The moon is a bad harsh mistress,
FTFY That is where Mycroft comes from :)
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity - RAH I'm old. I know stuff - JSOP
Thanks for the correction... I didn't search the proper name, just translated it on the fly.
M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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I'll have to explore the Dragonlance books once I finish up the WoT. I'm ready to read something else. :laugh:
It is a bit like with star wars... first the main trilogy, then the prequels, then the continuation of the first plot, then parallel stories... I recommend you to start by the main plot and then the continuation of the main plot. They are the best 6 books, then some of the prequels (I specially liked the ones by Flint the dwarf and Tas the kender, I found them really funny).
M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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As a follow up to Glenn's post below, what would be your best SciFi book ? To me it is a hard choice, there are so many, but here a few that are important to me: - The Ice People by Barjavel, that I read when I was 8, and that probably gave me the taste for sciFi - I, Robot, that got me into robotics, computer science, logical thinking, ... - Another small book I cannot remember the name, talking about astronauts trapped in a spaceship (kind of Apollo 13) that my English teacher gave me and that was the first book I have read in English language. - A brave new world, because of that dystopian but maybe not so wrong description of our future. - Ubik, because ... Ubik. - Jurassic Parc, not because of the story, but for the chaos theory developed over 40 pages by Crichton. The movie was awesome in its time, but the book is on another level - I know it is cliché to say the book is better than the movie. Same for Terminator, the book/screenplay explains so much better the overall atmosphere, the character of Sarah Connor, and helps understanding a few shortcuts that were hard to follow in the movie.
Sounds most like science fiction. If you liked the "Hobbit" and such, read on. Chronological Reading Order | The Official Raymond E. Feist Website[^] After that, go for Assassin's Quest - Wikipedia[^]. And in between, everything Pratchett wrote, he explains perfectly what it means to "go postal".
Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: "If you just follow the bacon Eddy, wherever it leads you, then you won't have to think about politics." -- Some Bell.
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Chris C-B wrote:
if the core story could be written for any other genre, then it ain't SciFi.
I guess it therefore depends upon what you consider the "core story" to be. I've found most if not all science fiction to be retellings of classic themes in a science fiction setting. By that reasoning, your list would not just be short - it would be empty.
Software Zen:
delete this;No, not empty! To start, the two I have already mentioned match my criterion - 'Contact' and '2001', although '2001' was a film before it was a book. There many examples, like the original H. G. Wells 'War of the Worlds', 'The Mote in God's Eye', 'The Tommyknockers' and even TV dramas like 'Quatermass and the pit'. The one thing I will concede is that the majority have one thing in common - earth science is pretty much 'present day', with the science fiction bit coming from an alien civilization.
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Sounds most like science fiction. If you liked the "Hobbit" and such, read on. Chronological Reading Order | The Official Raymond E. Feist Website[^] After that, go for Assassin's Quest - Wikipedia[^]. And in between, everything Pratchett wrote, he explains perfectly what it means to "go postal".
Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: "If you just follow the bacon Eddy, wherever it leads you, then you won't have to think about politics." -- Some Bell.
Interesting. For me, everything you cited is classified as fantasy rather than science fiction. I'm not judging (I say toe-may-toe, you say toe-mah-toe), but I'm curious that you group them together.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
Interesting. For me, everything you cited is classified as fantasy rather than science fiction. I'm not judging (I say toe-may-toe, you say toe-mah-toe), but I'm curious that you group them together.
Software Zen:
delete this;Gary R. Wheeler wrote:
For me, everything you cited is classified as fantasy rather than science fiction
Tis, more elves and dwarfs, but still spanning multiple planets. Sometimes they overlap, and while I prefer SciFi over fantasy, I loved those books.
Bastard Programmer from Hell :suss: "If you just follow the bacon Eddy, wherever it leads you, then you won't have to think about politics." -- Some Bell.
