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External
Since: Sep 29, 2004
Posts: 2
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(Msg. 1) Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 1:01 pm
Post subject: sci-fi novels
Archived from groups: alt>books>isaac-asimov (more info?)
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hi
can any one recommend a sci-fi novel i would like.?,
i do not like the fantasy novels set in alien worlds, i like books that are
semi believable based on sound science,the only one so far i loved was
"contact" by carl sagan.
if anyone has any advice thanks
adrian |
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External
Since: Aug 11, 2004
Posts: 5
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(Msg. 2) Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 1:01 pm
Post subject: Re: sci-fi novels [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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adrian gilmore wrote:
> hi
> can any one recommend a sci-fi novel i would like.?,
> i do not like the fantasy novels set in alien worlds, i like books that are
> semi believable based on sound science,the only one so far i loved was
> "contact" by carl sagan.
> if anyone has any advice thanks
> adrian
Anything by Asimov - but I suppose you're expecting that, given where
you posted the question. 
The "Killer B's" come to mind - Bear, Benford, Brin. I recently read
Bear's "Darwin's Radio" and enjoyed it a lot, although the reviews of
its sequel "Darwin's Children" were mixed. I enjoy Brin's work a lot,
especially his Uplift novels and "Kiln People".
If you like your sci-fi mixed with a healthy dose of mysticism and/or
philosophy, have a look at Dan Simmons' "Hyperion" and its sequels. If
you enjoy Tolkien's writing style, but prefer a futuristic setting, you
might want to look at Wolfe's "Book of the New Sun" series. These are
kind of far-fetched, though.
I liked Donaldson's "Gap" series, but I'm unsure if you will. For one
thing, it's in a far-future setting, so it's debatable how believable it
might be. Also, his writing style is not for everyone.
Other good far-future authors are C.J. Cherryh and Jack Chalker. They
don't rank very highly on the believability scale, though.
If you're looking for a good laugh, there's Douglas Adams "Hitch-hiker's
Guide to the Galaxy" and its sequels. Harry Harrison's "Stainless Steel
Rat" books are good. Neither of these is the least bit believable, but
they're funny as hell.
And finally, if you're looking for speculation about where real-world
technology might be going in the near future, check out the works of Ray
Kurtzweil and Alvin Toffler.
sherm--
--
Cocoa programming in Perl: <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://camelbones.sourceforge.net" target="_blank">http://camelbones.sourceforge.net</a>
Hire me! My resume: <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.dot-app.org" target="_blank">http://www.dot-app.org</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> |
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External
Since: Sep 26, 2003
Posts: 33
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(Msg. 3) Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 1:50 pm
Post subject: Re: sci-fi novels [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Tue, 17 Aug 2004, adrian gilmore wrote:
> can any one recommend a sci-fi novel i would like.?,
> i do not like the fantasy novels set in alien worlds, i like books that are
> semi believable based on sound science,the only one so far i loved was
> "contact" by carl sagan.
Carl "TBA" Sagan on Goedel's incompleteness proof*:
"There are no real mathematicians working on that"
Try any of Asimov's science fact books. They are often very entertaining
as well as informative.
Robert L. Forward's _neutron star_? In it he references his own papers
on general relativity in an appendix of papers on the thechology in the
story, most of which were fictional references published in the future.
Most author's don't even get special relativity right (even on the rare
occasion they try to). It -is- set in an "alien world" (a neutron star)
but a real alien world as accurately described as was known at the time.
Stanislaw Lem's _His master's voice_ is probably a good counterpoint to
contact.**
3ch
*See Douglas Hoffstader's _Goedel Escher & Bach_, a very amusing book
with a huge amount of information in it for more on Goedel's proof. And
AI's. And music. And art. And...
**To be fair, I've only seen the movie of contact.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: sci-fi novels |
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External
Since: Sep 29, 2004
Posts: 3
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(Msg. 4) Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2004 9:35 pm
Post subject: Re: sci-fi novels [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Have u tried Rendevouz with Rama by Arthur C Clarke (and the 3 sequals
written with Gentry Lee)?
These blew me away - and every one else I've recommended them also loved
them. Its set just a hundred years in the future when a mysterious object
enters our solar system and follows a team's exploration of it. Very
'sciencey'. The later books start to expand to the examination of other
intelligence and our place in the cosmos.
As you're here presumably you've also read Asimov's Foundation & Robot
series of books - all great although, in my opinion, they get better as the
series develops.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sherm Pendley" <spamtrap DeleteThis @dot-app.org>
Newsgroups: alt.books.isaac-asimov
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 12:45 PM
Subject: Re: sci-fi novels
> adrian gilmore wrote:
> > hi
> > can any one recommend a sci-fi novel i would like.?,
> > i do not like the fantasy novels set in alien worlds, i like books that
are
> > semi believable based on sound science,the only one so far i loved was
> > "contact" by carl sagan.
> > if anyone has any advice thanks
> > adrian
>
> Anything by Asimov - but I suppose you're expecting that, given where
> you posted the question.
>
> The "Killer B's" come to mind - Bear, Benford, Brin. I recently read
> Bear's "Darwin's Radio" and enjoyed it a lot, although the reviews of
> its sequel "Darwin's Children" were mixed. I enjoy Brin's work a lot,
> especially his Uplift novels and "Kiln People".
>
> If you like your sci-fi mixed with a healthy dose of mysticism and/or
> philosophy, have a look at Dan Simmons' "Hyperion" and its sequels. If
> you enjoy Tolkien's writing style, but prefer a futuristic setting, you
> might want to look at Wolfe's "Book of the New Sun" series. These are
> kind of far-fetched, though.
>
> I liked Donaldson's "Gap" series, but I'm unsure if you will. For one
> thing, it's in a far-future setting, so it's debatable how believable it
> might be. Also, his writing style is not for everyone.
>
> Other good far-future authors are C.J. Cherryh and Jack Chalker. They
> don't rank very highly on the believability scale, though.
>
> If you're looking for a good laugh, there's Douglas Adams "Hitch-hiker's
> Guide to the Galaxy" and its sequels. Harry Harrison's "Stainless Steel
> Rat" books are good. Neither of these is the least bit believable, but
> they're funny as hell.
>
> And finally, if you're looking for speculation about where real-world
> technology might be going in the near future, check out the works of Ray
> Kurtzweil and Alvin Toffler.
>
> sherm--
>
> --
<font color=purple> > Cocoa programming in Perl: <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://camelbones.sourceforge.net</font" target="_blank">http://camelbones.sourceforge.net</font</a>>
<font color=purple> > Hire me! My resume: <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.dot-app.org</font" target="_blank">http://www.dot-app.org</font</a>><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: sci-fi novels |
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External
Since: Sep 02, 2003
Posts: 9
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(Msg. 5) Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2004 4:26 am
Post subject: Re: sci-fi novels [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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colonel_hack.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com wrote
>**To be fair, I've only seen the movie of contact.
Me too, and I wonder if the book is as good as the movie. 
I'll suggest for the OP Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars novels. Most of the
"science" in them could have been with us now if politicians and
scientists weren't so corrupt and short-sighted. His characters aren't
as good as Asimov's though.
For a really heavy science trip, try Stephen Baxter, with the caveat
that he only has one believable character who appears in various novels
with different names. Titan is crap until a fine (and surprising)
ending, Space is OK, Vacuum Diagrams is brilliant.
And of course Douglas Adams Hitchhiker "trilogy".
It may already have been said that Asimov's novels are as much social
commentary as science--which is one of the reasons they're so good!
--
Hil<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: sci-fi novels |
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External
Since: Aug 28, 2004
Posts: 1
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(Msg. 6) Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2004 6:46 pm
Post subject: Re: sci-fi novels [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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adrian gilmore wrote:
> hi
> can any one recommend a sci-fi novel i would like.?,
> i do not like the fantasy novels set in alien worlds, i like books that are
> semi believable based on sound science,the only one so far i loved was
> "contact" by carl sagan.
> if anyone has any advice thanks
> adrian
>
>
Try 'Earth' by David Brinn. There's many, many, more, but I'm stumped
for some reason at the moment.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: sci-fi novels |
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External
Since: Jun 11, 2004
Posts: 6
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(Msg. 7) Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 4:33 pm
Post subject: Re: sci-fi novels [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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I agree.... a superb novel based on NOW (well then) science . Have a look at
the alt.books.arthur-clarke news. maybe RAMA will turn up as a film.... got
to be better than everything I have seen and read about I robot....
Bellatori
"Mark" <markfinch.TakeThisOut@btinternet.com> wrote in message
news:cftj5g$rg6$1@titan.btinternet.com...
> Have u tried Rendevouz with Rama by Arthur C Clarke (and the 3 sequals
> written with Gentry Lee)?
>
> These blew me away - and every one else I've recommended them also loved
> them. Its set just a hundred years in the future when a mysterious object
> enters our solar system and follows a team's exploration of it. Very
> 'sciencey'. The later books start to expand to the examination of other
> intelligence and our place in the cosmos.
>
> As you're here presumably you've also read Asimov's Foundation & Robot
> series of books - all great although, in my opinion, they get better as
> the
> series develops.
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Sherm Pendley" <spamtrap.TakeThisOut@dot-app.org>
> Newsgroups: alt.books.isaac-asimov
> Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 12:45 PM
> Subject: Re: sci-fi novels
>
>
>> adrian gilmore wrote:
>> > hi
>> > can any one recommend a sci-fi novel i would like.?,
>> > i do not like the fantasy novels set in alien worlds, i like books that
> are
>> > semi believable based on sound science,the only one so far i loved was
>> > "contact" by carl sagan.
>> > if anyone has any advice thanks
>> > adrian
>>
>> Anything by Asimov - but I suppose you're expecting that, given where
>> you posted the question.
>>
>> The "Killer B's" come to mind - Bear, Benford, Brin. I recently read
>> Bear's "Darwin's Radio" and enjoyed it a lot, although the reviews of
>> its sequel "Darwin's Children" were mixed. I enjoy Brin's work a lot,
>> especially his Uplift novels and "Kiln People".
>>
>> If you like your sci-fi mixed with a healthy dose of mysticism and/or
>> philosophy, have a look at Dan Simmons' "Hyperion" and its sequels. If
>> you enjoy Tolkien's writing style, but prefer a futuristic setting, you
>> might want to look at Wolfe's "Book of the New Sun" series. These are
>> kind of far-fetched, though.
>>
>> I liked Donaldson's "Gap" series, but I'm unsure if you will. For one
>> thing, it's in a far-future setting, so it's debatable how believable it
>> might be. Also, his writing style is not for everyone.
>>
>> Other good far-future authors are C.J. Cherryh and Jack Chalker. They
>> don't rank very highly on the believability scale, though.
>>
>> If you're looking for a good laugh, there's Douglas Adams "Hitch-hiker's
>> Guide to the Galaxy" and its sequels. Harry Harrison's "Stainless Steel
>> Rat" books are good. Neither of these is the least bit believable, but
>> they're funny as hell.
>>
>> And finally, if you're looking for speculation about where real-world
>> technology might be going in the near future, check out the works of Ray
>> Kurtzweil and Alvin Toffler.
>>
>> sherm--
>>
>> --
<font color=green> >> Cocoa programming in Perl: <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://camelbones.sourceforge.net</font" target="_blank">http://camelbones.sourceforge.net</font</a>>
<font color=green> >> Hire me! My resume: <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.dot-app.org</font" target="_blank">http://www.dot-app.org</font</a>>
>
>
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.745 / Virus Database: 497 - Release Date: 27/08/2004<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: sci-fi novels |
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External
Since: Sep 29, 2004
Posts: 1
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(Msg. 8) Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2004 3:00 am
Post subject: Re: sci-fi novels [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 10:01:09 +0000 (UTC), "adrian gilmore"
<adrian.gilmore.RemoveThis@btinternet.com> wrote:
>hi
>can any one recommend a sci-fi novel i would like.?,
>i do not like the fantasy novels set in alien worlds, i like books that are
>semi believable based on sound science,the only one so far i loved was
>"contact" by carl sagan.
>if anyone has any advice thanks
>adrian
>
EON, by Greg Bear is one of my all-time favorite hard sf novels.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: sci-fi novels |
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External
Since: Sep 29, 2004
Posts: 2
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(Msg. 9) Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2004 8:10 pm
Post subject: Re: sci-fi novels [Login to view extended thread Info.]
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"Harry" <harryholNOSPAM.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:bmnjl0d0qh1lno94o89186f1bjaspu52cc@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 10:01:09 +0000 (UTC), "adrian gilmore"
> <adrian.gilmore.RemoveThis@btinternet.com> wrote:
>
> >hi
> >can any one recommend a sci-fi novel i would like.?,
> >i do not like the fantasy novels set in alien worlds, i like books that
are
> >semi believable based on sound science,the only one so far i loved was
> >"contact" by carl sagan.
> >if anyone has any advice thanks
> >adrian
> >
>
> EON, by Greg Bear is one of my all-time favorite hard sf novels.
THE GHOST FROM THE GRAND BANKS by Arthur C. Clarke is the story that
introduced me to Mandelbrot sets!<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ --> >> Stay informed about: sci-fi novels |
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