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Old Bearkat

Old Bearkat

Six-man expert
Maybe we ought to improve the intellectual content of this part of the board......

I am a voracious reader of Science Fiction, History, and Engineering texts. There is a new series I discovered a couple of years ago written by a Texan who lives in Granbury where he runs a gun shop, teaches history at Tarleton, and particiaptes in historical movies as an advisor and extra. His name is Taylor Anderson. (http://www.taylorandersonauthor.com/)

His series, The Destroyermen, is an excellent blending of science fiction alternate universes, military history, and engineering. I have read all 7 books in the series. The basis of the series is it is about the crew of an old WW1 era 4 stacker destroyer at the start of WW2 in the battle of the Java Sea in January 1942 that runs into a storm front to escape a Japanese heavy cruiser. This front was actually a dimensional transfer conduit that takes them and the cruiser into an alternate earth where the dinosaurs never died out.

4TH-of-July.jpg
 
Another good writer I like to read is John Ringo (http://www.johnringo.net/) he used to be a military Sci-Fi writer, but lately he's branched out into techno-thrillers (of the Clancy kind, though raunchier), fantasy, and horror. I got hooked on his stuff through his Legacy of the Aldenata series.
 
Just about any of the W.E.B. Griffin series are excellent. One of the few authors I still collect. His " Corp" series spans pre WWII through the start of Korean Conflict and follows the careers of several characters. These are what I refer to as "historical fiction" and involve real as well as fictional characters.
 
Of course, I got started in reading Science Fiction by reading Robert Heinlein's Red Planet. He's been dead since 1987, but he left behind an impressive body of work from 1939-1986.

My Favorites

Stranger in a Strange Land
Time Enough for Love
The Number of the Beast
Puppet Masters
Friday
Starship Troopers
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
Double Star
The Man Who Sold the Moon
 
smokeyjoe53":sg39xe7x said:
Just about any of the W.E.B. Griffin series are excellent. One of the few authors I still collect. His " Corp" series spans pre WWII through the start of Korean Conflict and follows the careers of several characters. These are what I refer to as "historical fiction" and involve real as well as fictional characters.
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I've read several of his novels. I just might have to get the first Reacher novel and give that series a try.
 
Another deceased sci-fi writer I really liked was Poul Anderson (no relation to Taylor). he was probably the most prolific writer ever in Science Fiction, and maybe all genres. He had a degree in Physics but never worked in that field. He got to writing in college and turned professional after wards.

My favorites:
A Stone in Heaven
A Knight of Ghosts and Shadows
Harvest of Stars
The Wings of Victory
The Man Who Counts
The Day of Their Return
Satan's World
The Queen of Air and Darkness
Tau Zero
 
Another favorite Author is Larry Niven. Still alive and living and writing he's probably the pre-eminent hard science fiction writer.

My Favorites
Ringworld
The Long Arm of Gil Hamilton
World of Ptaavs
Neutron Star
A Gift from Earth
Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex
Protector
The Mote in God's Eye (written with Jerry Pournelle)
Lucifer's Hammer (written with Jerry Pournelle)
The Ringworld Engineers
The Integral Trees
Fallen Angels (written with Jerry Pournelle and Michael Flynn
 
Another is Isaac Asimov, who along with Robert Heinlein defined Science Fiction in it's Golden Age of the late 1930's to the late 1950's. He died in 1992 and was another very prolific writer. He wrote more non-fiction than fiction, mostly explaining the various sciences to non-scientists. He himself had a PhD in Chemistry.

http://www.asimovonline.com/asimov_home_page.html

My Favorites
The Foundation Trilogy
The Caves of Steel
The Martian Way
The Gods Themselves
 
To further your intellect
There will be a French Wine and Crumpet Tasting in RS next week
Entertainment will be provided by the one and only Pavarotti
Please just post if you shall be a appurtenant.
Dress leisurely
Coat and tie required, tails optional.
PS.. please no loud burping, farting nor mohawks
 
I am surprised that You have not mentioned the four biggest science fiction writers that had an impact on the world of science...

Jules Verne
HG Wells
Arthur C Clarke
Philip K Dick
 
Leman Saunders":kxg8r4u1 said:
I am surprised that You have not mentioned the four biggest science fiction writers that had an impact on the world of science...

Jules Verne
HG Wells
Arthur C Clarke
Philip K Dick
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I was gonna get around to Clarke, but the other 3 are not among my favorites
 
I can tell you for a fact that most engineers my age went into that field because of Heinlein who had an engineering degree from the Naval Academy.
 
Helen McInnes is an author who wrote historical fiction about the cold war. She has helped bring me up to speed on many eastern european politcal parties. A lot of cloak and dagger intrigue.

I think I have all of Web Griffin's books as well as all but one of John Grisham's books. Most of Grisham's books are really good, however when he writes a dud he doesn't mess around with a little bad.

I cut my teeth on western writers and prefer Luke Short far and away more than any of the others. I have enjoyed how Elmer Kelton can bring West Texas to life. His "The Man Who Rode Midnight" hits pretty close to home for me and might be my all time favorite book.

I have read quite a few "whodunnits" including John Sanford and Lee Child. My favorite in this line is Michael Connelly. I was reading his books long before "The Lincoln Lawyer" hit the movie screens.
 
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