Science Fiction Novels

[Treize69]

I read several of his Lt. Leary novels recently. Decent, space battles involving the physics of actually hurling objects at other ships is a breath of fresh air vs. all the "shields and phasers" stuff.

Youd love the Batlletech/Mechwarrior space combat then. realistic physics, and weapons like GAUSS Rifles, autocannons, anti-ship missiles and of course the standard lasers and particle cannons.

No shields- armor.

[68Wooley]

A great trilogy of books with the name of "Tripods" for the series as a whole is an excellent read...

The BBC created a TV series based on the books in the 80's. The first two books were covered, but it got cancelled before they did the third book.

[WMLute]

Can't talk about SciFi without the following two words...



Don't Panic.

[68Wooley]

Can't talk about SciFi without the following two words...



Don't Panic.

And if there was ever an argument for not trying to turn a great book in to a film, that would be it right there...

[BnZs]

You do know that Footfall was published in 1985 right (Grin)
Kevin

That is why I said elements of the book were ripped off IN those movies. I believe Randy Quaid's character in "Independence Day" rings of a guy from "Footfall" and the whole premise of "The Postman" is very reminiscent of certain events in that same book.

[Vulcan]

Princess of Mar's books... hot scantily clad chicks

[Brooke]

For science fiction (not including fantasy).  All of these in my opinion are masterfully written, fascinating works.  I picked out ones that I think are best of the best and that also span a wide range of themes and styles.

Title:  Dune
Author:  Frank Herbert
Year Published:  1965
Aspects:  Factions, conquest, political maneuvering, action, mysticism

Title:  Starship Troopers
Author:  Robert Heinlein
Year Published: 1959
Aspects:  Excellent miliary SF by a SF luminary.  (Also, for a timely AH connection, Heinlein served on the USS Lexington, which will be appearing in the upcoming Coral Sea scenario.)

Title:  Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Author:  Douglas Adams
Year Published:  1979
Aspects:  Hilarity

Title:  Neuromancer
Author:  William Gibson
Year Published:  1984
Aspects:  Started the cyberpunk genre.

Title:  1984
Author:  George Orwell
Year published:  1949
Aspects:  What an overbearing, socialist government will get you.

Title:  Valis (or Ubik)
Author:  Philip K. Dick
Year published:  1980 -- Valis (1969 -- Ubik)
Aspects:  All of Dick's stuff is heavily psychological and . . . well . . . unique.  (Sort of how in fantasy there is only one H. P. Lovecraft.)

Title:  Snow Crash
Author:  Neal Stephenson
Year Published:  1992
Aspects:  A very interesting blend of cyberpunk, real world action and conspiracy; and both humorous and serious.

Title:  The Stars My Destination
Author:  Alfred Bester
Year Published:  1956
Apsects:  What makes this great is Bester's style and craft of writing, not really the plot or anything else.

[bozon]

Title:  The Stars My Destination
Author:  Alfred Bester
Year Published:  1956
Apsects:  What makes this great is Bester's style and craft of writing, not really the plot or anything else.

That is one of my all time favorites.

Also exceptionally good are Stanislav Lem's books. Two that I liked in particular:
"The star diaries" - incredibly funny. The first chapter alone is worth the whole book.
"Solaris" - incredibly philosophical and depressing, but a true masterpiece (and DONT watch the movie).

Asimov's "End of eternity" is a must read.

[moot]

Vulcan I'm pretty sure at least one Barsoom flick is being made.  I doubt they'll do the red marsians costumes justice.. Unless it's being done by a crew like the one signed up for that Heavy Metal collection of shorts.

[Vulcan]

Vulcan I'm pretty sure at least one Barsoom flick is being made.  I doubt they'll do the red marsians costumes justice.. Unless it's being done by a crew like the one signed up for that Heavy Metal collection of shorts.

Apparently the wolverine chick is in it.

[Jenks]

I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream- Harlan Ellison-late 60's   Mostly a short story guy, Ellison's stories left a lasting impression on me.

Apocalyptic story, end of mankind, few people left, physically and mentally abused by a Supercomputer in the far future.
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Ringworld, Integral Trees, Neutron Star, anything set in the Puppeteers universe. All by Niven-late 70's early 80's can't remember.

A whole group of novels,novellas, short stories set in a universe where space travel is everyday occurrence thanks to the technology of 2 headed cowardly aliens who manufacture transparent inertia-less drive space craft.

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Rendezvous with Rama. Arthur C. Clark.

A gigantic cylinder from outside the solar system arrives a near the speed of light, then slows down as it enters the solar system. Mankind sends a team of people to rendezvous and get a closer look, they gain access and discover a miniature self contained but weird world.

[Thruster]

Anybody mention Samuel R. Delaney?

Decent stuff.

[maddafinga]

I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream- Harlan Ellison-late 60's   Mostly a short story guy, Ellison's stories left a lasting impression on me.

Apocalyptic story, end of mankind, few people left, physically and mentally abused by a Supercomputer in the far future.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ringworld, Integral Trees, Neutron Star, anything set in the Puppeteers universe. All by Niven-late 70's early 80's can't remember.

A whole group of novels,novellas, short stories set in a universe where space travel is everyday occurrence thanks to the technology of 2 headed cowardly aliens who manufacture transparent inertia-less drive space craft.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rendezvous with Rama. Arthur C. Clark.

A gigantic cylinder from outside the solar system arrives a near the speed of light, then slows down as it enters the solar system. Mankind sends a team of people to rendezvous and get a closer look, they gain access and discover a miniature self contained but weird world.

Good taste in books man! 

You ever read that series of short stories books that Ellison put out, called Dangerous Visions?  Lots of excellent short stories in there, I've always liked his work.  Niven is one of the truly all time greats, and Clarke, well, he was just fantastic.  He wrote one a bit later in life called The Songs of Distant Earth that was great, and of course, Childhood's end and 2001. 

Anyone ever read the Valentine trilogy by Robert Silverberg?  It was sort of scifi fantasy blend, and really great.  Lord Valentine's Castle, Majipoor Chronicles and Valentine Pontifex, great books.

Fantastic thread, I've added a few books to my list from reading it, thanks everyone!

[Tom5572]

Starship Troopers was my first SciFi book, I have not stopped yet.  I was surprised not to see any mention of J.R.R. Tolkien though. 

Another author I have been following is Robert Jordan and his Wheel of Time series.

Robert Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land was great.

Frank Herbert and Dune, All outstanding

[Saxman]

I was surprised not to see any mention of J.R.R. Tolkien though. 

Because this is a thread about SciFi. As a fantasy fan I HATE being lumped in with SciFi and horror. While sometimes there's some overlap and blurring between them, (IE, the Star Wars films are more appropriately considered Sci-Fantasy, if not a fantasy OUTRIGHT) it's two ENTIRELY different genres and should be treated as such.

That said, Tolkien IS the definitive example of High Fantasy. Whether they like it or not, EVERY fantasy author at some point is going to draw comparisons to Tolkien, and will generally fall somewhere between just short to flat on their faces.