Older SciFi

[stitch626]

So, does anyone else read stuff by James White, Robert Heinlein... etc.
Just curious. I've read a lot by these two, as well as stuff by Asimov. It seems to me that the older scifi was more realistic and required a brain. Now its just eye candy.

[Tsukiyumi]

Try this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dangerous_Visions

If you can find a copy, it's cover-to-cover awesome. I have an first edition in my, erm, library (I only have about 200 books ).

[stitch626]

Probly more than I have.
Looks interesting, I'll keep an eye on it.
If I were to recommend a book, I'd say either Tunnel in the Sky by Heinlein or All Judgment Fled by James White.

[Sionnach Glic]

I've read the Foundation series by Asimov, as well as a few of his short story colletions.
Also read Starship Troopers by Heinlein.

[Mikey]

Try Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land, too. About as opposed to 'Troopers as possible, but still the same level of quality writing.

In answer to the OP, it does seem that "hard" SF - a la Heinlein, Clarke, Asimov - has gone out of vogue. I also recommend Asimov's short stories, Robert Silverberg, and Philip K. Dick (highly!)

[Tsukiyumi]

PKD has a story in the anthology I mentioned.

I think I'll re-read that book soon.

[stitch626]

Thank you for the recommendations. I'll look them up.

[Mikey]

PKD has a story in the anthology I mentioned.

I think I'll re-read that book soon.

Which story? I mean they're all great, but some more sarcastically, ironically, and/or darkly funny than others. Aside from the tongue-in-cheek bits, his stories are some of the few that have been made into movies that one can watch and still appreciate the stories for spearate reasons - Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, on which Blade Runner was based, and "The Minority Report." And if you really are a fan of sci-fi literature, you HAVE to read his short story "Waterspider."

[Sionnach Glic]

Aye, PKD has some great stories out there.

[Deepcrush]

Has anyone here read John Steakley's "Armor"? He took a great deal from Starship Troopers but gave us a much more depressing and dark list of characters to feel from.

[Mikey]

Not familiar with him. Is he a recent author?

[Deepcrush]

1984, so kinda.

[Tsukiyumi]

PKD has a story in the anthology I mentioned.

I think I'll re-read that book soon.

Which story? I mean they're all great, but some more sarcastically, ironically, and/or darkly funny than others. Aside from the tongue-in-cheek bits, his stories are some of the few that have been made into movies that one can watch and still appreciate the stories for spearate reasons - Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, on which Blade Runner was based, and "The Minority Report." And if you really are a fan of sci-fi literature, you HAVE to read his short story "Waterspider."

Don't forget "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale", which turned into a rather fun Arnie flick.

[Mikey]

Of course. I'd recommend the anthology The Minority Report, which includes the eponymous story, "Waterspider," "Service Call," "If There Were No Benny Cemoli," " Oh, to be a Blobel!" and some other great stories.

[Sionnach Glic]

I've read the Minority Report anthology, and it's definitely worth taking a look at. Lots of good stuff in there.