Quote:
Originally Posted by Elsi
And, don't overlook the masters of SF, among them: Arthur C Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Poul Anderson, Andre Norton, Anne McCaffrey, James White, Roger Zelazny, and Alan Dean Foster.
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"The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" is from Heinlein's so-called middle period (1960 - 1973). Other titles from that period include
Time Enough for Love and
Stranger in a Strange Land. Well worth reading.
Modern speculative fiction was founded by Heinlein, Asimov and Clarke. Reading
Foundation by Isaac Asimov will quickly tell you if you want more of him. Clarke is probably best-known for the "2001" novel and screenplay he co-wrote with Stanley Kubrick. However, I recommend
Childhood's End as encapsulating most of Clarke's themes.
If you are looking for less rockets and more human struggles with daily life in postulated futures, read Philip K. Dick. Anything he wrote but in particular
The Man in the High Castle,
Flow my Tears, the Policeman Said and
A Scanner Darkly.
Dangerous Visions, an anthology of short (sort of) stories edited by Harlan Ellisson (himself a stunning writer) is a must read.
Finally, I applaud the list of authors quoted above. All of them can actually write, something that can not be said of all authors of SF. I would like to add Stanislaw Lem to the list:
The Cyberiad (magnificently translated from the original Polish by Michael Kandel) and Cordwainer Smith's
Rediscovery of Man.
I am currently reading Neal Stephenson's
Diamond Age for the fourth time...
Enjoy