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Sunday Morning Book Thread 08-12-2012: Old School Sci-Fi Edition [OregonMuse]
"Dang. I have to go to the bathroom again." Good morning morons and moronettes and welcome to the wonderfully witty and urbane Sunday Morning book thread. Back when I was a yoot, the wife of the high school math teacher ran a little bookstore in the small town where I lived. I used to go in regularly after school and see what was there, and occasionally buy a book or two. Some of the books I still have. Like this one. Packed full of old school science fiction stories that are absolute classics. It is amazing how many of these stories I can't forget to this day, and how many are still around in one form or another: I am still haunted by Twilight by John W. Campbell as he travels to the far future and the decline of the human race. Arena by Fredric Brown was, of course, made into a Star Trek:TOS episode and featured one of the the cheesiest monsters ever, including that cheesy "mugatu" creature from another TOS episode that made the old Dr. Who effects look sophisticated and well-made. I believe C. M. Kornbluth's The Little Black Bag was a Night Gallery episode. It's a Good Life by Jerome Bixby is a very famous Twilight Zone episode with pre-Lost In Space Billy Mumy as the scary little kid. And don't forget Flowers for Algernon, which the movie they made of it back in the day (Charly) didn't quite do justice to. And this despite Cliff Robertson doing a pretty good job as the main character. All of the stories in this volume are good, but I think my favorite is The Cold Equations, which still brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. I have a vague memory it was filmed as part some 'Outer Limits' type sci-fi anthology series back in the 80s, but I don't know which one, and I'm too lazy to look it up. Also, this book was where I got my first taste of Roger Zelazny (A Rose for Ecclesiastes). They did a sequel a couple of years later which had the precursors of Avatar (Call Me Joe), The Thing (Who Goes There?), and Idiocracy (The Marching Morons) And the story Vintage Season is dream-like and spooky and definitely not to be missed. My favorite stories from the third volume in the series are The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster, another creepy story of man's decline, In Hiding by Wilmar Shiras and The Moon Moth by Jack Vance, an ingenious portrayal of an alien culture. I've read these books so ofter that the covers are falling off, so I really need to buy some replacement volumes at some point. So if you want to read some good, honest science fiction written before 'Star Wars' screwed it all up, I heartily recommend these books. That's about it for this week. I found another old school sci-fi image that I thought was absolutely gorgeous, but it's too big for the main page, so I stuck it below the fold:
Comments
1
My Best Man Cliff had a short story published here:
http://www.jerseydevilpress.com/?page_id=817
It's an end of times thing that morons might like.
http://www.jerseydevilpress.com/?page_id=817
It's an end of times thing that morons might like.
Posted by: scottst at August 12, 2012 10:55 AM (eX9TZ)
2
Just read "They tell me I'm the bad guy", by R.D. Harless. I thought it was great. Must be finished for full effect.
Posted by: West at August 12, 2012 10:56 AM (k0p4H)
3
Sunday Morning Book Thread 08-12-2012: Old School Sci-Fi Edition [OregonMuse]
I say nothing. Nothing!
I say nothing. Nothing!
Posted by: s☺mej☼e (doing what his momma told him) at August 12, 2012 10:57 AM (HNn1q)
4
Just wanted to note that I was first and didn't even make a big deal about it.
Posted by: Marching Moron at August 12, 2012 11:00 AM (eX9TZ)
5
Plowing through "Fool's Errand" by Robin Hobb. Hobb is my favorite fantasy author by a wide margin. Errand is the 1st book in the third(!) trilogy of the series.
This one follows the assassin from the first trilogy. He tried to retire But They Brought Him* Back In!
*and his wolf.
Plowing through "Fool's Errand" by Robin Hobb. Hobb is my favorite fantasy author by a wide margin. Errand is the 1st book in the third(!) trilogy of the series.
This one follows the assassin from the first trilogy. He tried to retire But They Brought Him* Back In!
*and his wolf.
Posted by: Comrade Arthur at August 12, 2012 11:01 AM (d9tUw)
6
Funny. I just started rereading E.E. "Doc" Smith's books. I was looking around at Amazon Wednesday, when I saw several of his books were free. Yep, it's dated and corny at times, but oh so much better than a lot of the touchy, feeley, weenie sci-fi out today.
Posted by: joethefatman™ (@joethefatman1) at August 12, 2012 11:04 AM (MnSla)
7
I just watched a BBC adaptation of The Machine Stops on Youtube last week, made in the 60s.
Posted by: nickless at August 12, 2012 11:04 AM (MMC8r)
8
Speaking of classic SF, reading a collection of James Schmitz Eternal Frontier. Good ol' Golden Age stuff. Really good writer. I also recommend The Witches of Karres.
Posted by: Sabrina Chase at August 12, 2012 11:05 AM (wfSF5)
9
Ah, maybe here I'll find something I've been looking for since I was a kid. I know what it's like to read something at 14 that you can never forget. In my school library I found a collection of sci-fi stories, and one I've never forgotten, but I've never been able to find again. Maybe someone here knows it.
A group of men are in a big gymnasium - some are playing table tennis, some are reading, others are chatting. They're part of an experiment. The part of the brain that makes them sleep has been removed or suppressed somehow, and they're being studied to see how they manage without any need for sleep. They mention that extra meals have been scheduled, to cover the extra 8 hours a day they'll now be awake. As the story progresses, the walls of the room begin creeping closer and closer together. The room gets smaller and smaller, and finally they're all sitting together in a circle like in a manhole, with a single lightbulb overhead. The story ends with the scientists breaking down the door of the gymnasium to reach the men, who are all gathered together, immobile and unreachablein a tight little circle in the center of the huge room. Of course, their minds have snapped from the inability to sleep and dream. Does anyone else know what story this is and who wrote it?
Ah, maybe here I'll find something I've been looking for since I was a kid. I know what it's like to read something at 14 that you can never forget. In my school library I found a collection of sci-fi stories, and one I've never forgotten, but I've never been able to find again. Maybe someone here knows it.
A group of men are in a big gymnasium - some are playing table tennis, some are reading, others are chatting. They're part of an experiment. The part of the brain that makes them sleep has been removed or suppressed somehow, and they're being studied to see how they manage without any need for sleep. They mention that extra meals have been scheduled, to cover the extra 8 hours a day they'll now be awake. As the story progresses, the walls of the room begin creeping closer and closer together. The room gets smaller and smaller, and finally they're all sitting together in a circle like in a manhole, with a single lightbulb overhead. The story ends with the scientists breaking down the door of the gymnasium to reach the men, who are all gathered together, immobile and unreachablein a tight little circle in the center of the huge room. Of course, their minds have snapped from the inability to sleep and dream. Does anyone else know what story this is and who wrote it?
Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at August 12, 2012 11:09 AM (JH8Np)
10
Back in the day, my town library had an SF section in the children's section that had original Asimov, Clarke and Heinlein hardcovers from the 1950s and 1960s... must have read and re-read those books scores of times.
A number of years ago, returned to the town library, to see if those books were still there... nope. No doubt dumped to make room for "Heather Has Two Mommies" or something equally important.
*Sigh*
And I *love* those old SF covers... still have magic in them in spite of their inaccuracies.
A number of years ago, returned to the town library, to see if those books were still there... nope. No doubt dumped to make room for "Heather Has Two Mommies" or something equally important.
*Sigh*
And I *love* those old SF covers... still have magic in them in spite of their inaccuracies.
Posted by: GuyfromNH at August 12, 2012 11:14 AM (kbOju)
11
That sleep-deprivation story was "Manhole 69" by J. G. Ballard...
Posted by: Golem14 at August 12, 2012 11:15 AM (GjKT1)
12
Star Wars didn't screw it up for me, I was well versed thanks to having been bitten repeatedly by the reading and adventure bug so that when SW came around it was more of a curiosity about the special effects with just a thin hint of a plot about revolution. Azimov, Edgar Rice Burroughs,Heinlein, Bradburyand AE VanVogt had already taken me so SW was merely a curiosity propped up by flashy gimicry.
Posted by: Gmac at August 12, 2012 11:15 AM (IanLz)
13
The Heinlein juveniles and Analog magazine shaped my whole childhood and adolescence. I also became entranced by the great SF illustrators... Virgil Finlay really got under my skin in a slightly creepy way. Chesley Bonestell's painstaking spacescapes. My favorite was Kelly Freas, I own some signed work of his that's worth serious money now.
Posted by: Bat Chain Puller at August 12, 2012 11:16 AM (ZaYRZ)
14
Please everyone remember to leave a review of books you get at Amazon, it helps a lot in sales, even if the review isn't really positive. Just having them lets people know the book is being bought and read.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at August 12, 2012 11:18 AM (r4wIV)
15
Reading Bad Religion by Ross Douthat.
Posted by: baldilocks at August 12, 2012 11:25 AM (6kWFm)
16
Stumbled onto a sample from the Heinlein Virginia Edition ( http://virginiaedition.com/collection.aspx ). Just the sample has got fun stuff to read, like Heinlein's detailed critique of Niven/Pournelle's draft of Mote, plus some dynamite illustrations. 46 volume, leather bound, archival paper, set of ALL his books, short stories and lots of other unpublished stuff like key correspondence. Only $1500. Trying to figure which kid to sell for medical experimentation.
Posted by: Kyle Kiernan at August 12, 2012 11:27 AM (80Gv7)
17
Am I just late to the party, or does that new NBC show Revolution look an awful like S.M. Stirling's Emberverse, only with the occasional firearm and a chance of bringing the electricity back?
Posted by: Hoss Fuentes at August 12, 2012 11:28 AM (aozUR)
18
Have had a number of discussion with people crazy over the Game of Thrones about the Foundation Trilogy by Asimov. I read it a really long time ago, but still remember how amazed I was that he was able to bring all the different threads together at the end in an incredibly satisfying manner. This is in complete opposition to Martin's chaotic introduction of characters, story lines out of whack with the time lines of other significant events and geographical locations that can't be found on the maps in the books or the descriptions of how you get there. I don't think he has any idea of where he is going with the story and is just making it up as he goes along. He even tells you he is not paying attention to these "minor" details so you can overlook how lame it all is. The first three books created an appetite to see where he was going,but then he just got lost and now is just wringing every dollar he can out of his celebrity.
Posted by: Sharon at August 12, 2012 11:30 AM (DtEq4)
19
One of the best Science Fiction authors you've probably never heard of due to his untimely suicide is H. Beam Piper. Most of his best stuff is from the 40's and 50's.
His short "He Walked Around the Horses" is classic.
This one is pretty good, too.
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20121
His short "He Walked Around the Horses" is classic.
This one is pretty good, too.
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20121
Posted by: Fuloydo at August 12, 2012 11:30 AM (DTCnt)
20
All of the stories in this volume are good, but I think my favorite is The Cold Equations,
which still brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. I have a
vague memory it was filmed as part some 'Outer Limits' type sci-fi
anthology series back in the 80s, but I don't know which one, and I'm
too lazy to look it up.
The guy who wrote this story tried to make it as airtight as possible and actually fended off people who would come up with ways to save the girl by finding errors in either their plans or by making up something so a key part of their plan wouldn't work.
My question is, if the girl got on the ship in the first place why didn't mission control notice an extra 80 to 100 lbs of mass on a ship that is being fueled to a level that it will have no fuel left over (kinda suicidal not to have a reserve of fuel, what if the pilot encountered difficulties in trying to land and had to burn fuel to avoid say, a major storm?) when it landed.
I have not read the story, but I did watch the episode of The Twilight Zone.
which still brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. I have a
vague memory it was filmed as part some 'Outer Limits' type sci-fi
anthology series back in the 80s, but I don't know which one, and I'm
too lazy to look it up.
The guy who wrote this story tried to make it as airtight as possible and actually fended off people who would come up with ways to save the girl by finding errors in either their plans or by making up something so a key part of their plan wouldn't work.
My question is, if the girl got on the ship in the first place why didn't mission control notice an extra 80 to 100 lbs of mass on a ship that is being fueled to a level that it will have no fuel left over (kinda suicidal not to have a reserve of fuel, what if the pilot encountered difficulties in trying to land and had to burn fuel to avoid say, a major storm?) when it landed.
I have not read the story, but I did watch the episode of The Twilight Zone.
Posted by: Deathknyte at August 12, 2012 11:32 AM (8lgYc)
21
Reading Darkship Thieves by Sarah A. Hoyt. Fun read and Hoyt is very much on the conservative/libertarian end of the spectrum.
My old-school sci-fi experiences are mostly of H.G. Wells. Completely missed the allegorical aspects at the time, so I'm not sure how I would feel after re-reading them.
My old-school sci-fi experiences are mostly of H.G. Wells. Completely missed the allegorical aspects at the time, so I'm not sure how I would feel after re-reading them.
Posted by: BornLib at August 12, 2012 11:39 AM (zpNwC)
22
Think I still have a few copies of the magazine "Fantasy Science Fiction" which was mostly an excellent collection of short stories. I need to revisit the attic to see if they are still readable. IIRC, they had an excellent Heinlein story I have never seen elsewhere.
Posted by: Hrothgar at August 12, 2012 11:42 AM (Cnqmv)
23
Here is "The Cold Equations" in full with comments by Jim Baen and Eric Flint on why the story is powerful even if some of the premise may be flawed.
http://tinyurl.com/5ty9od
http://tinyurl.com/5ty9od
Posted by: loki at August 12, 2012 11:47 AM (fuQ9S)
24
Lately, I've been rereading some stories by two Old School authors who seem to have fallen off the cliff of obscurity:
1) R A Lafferty - wonderful author who wrote stories like nobody else.
His style is a little hard to describe but imagine totally original humorous sf/fantasy stories with an invisible hard core of Catholic morality told in the manner of an Irish tall-tale and/or Indian folklore often with a high dose of whimsy.
His books are all out of print now.
His earliest story collections are his best work:
Nine Hundred Grandmothers
Strange Doings
Does Anyone Else have Something Further to Add?
Some of his stuff is online:
Nine Hundred Grandmothers:
http://tinyurl.com/9xncsje
Slow Saturday Night:
http://tinyurl.com/ogovxd
That should get you started. See if you like it.
He also wrote some fun novels:
Fourth Mansions
The Devil is Dead
Arrive at Easterwine
i wish someone would buy up all the rights to his fiction and re-issue it, even if only on the Kindle.
The guy does not deserve his obscurity.
2) William Tenn
Easier entry point than Lafferty- he wrote cynically humorous SF, mostly in the 50's, 60's-70's.
He's an old school lefty, which means that he didn't hate America and is honest enough as a writer that he doesn't warp his stories so that they fit his politics.
Recently, he had his SF short stories collected in two volumes:
Immodest Proposals
Here Comes Civilization
Nothing of his is online, but if these titles intrigue you, check him out:
Lisbon Cubed
The flat-Eyed Monster
Venus and the Seven Sexes
His most famous story is probably "Child's Play" and the follow up, "Wednesday's Child".
My favorite of his is: "The Brooklyn Project", which was probably used as the basis of that Simpson's Halloween show with time travel and the butterfly effect.
1) R A Lafferty - wonderful author who wrote stories like nobody else.
His style is a little hard to describe but imagine totally original humorous sf/fantasy stories with an invisible hard core of Catholic morality told in the manner of an Irish tall-tale and/or Indian folklore often with a high dose of whimsy.
His books are all out of print now.
His earliest story collections are his best work:
Nine Hundred Grandmothers
Strange Doings
Does Anyone Else have Something Further to Add?
Some of his stuff is online:
Nine Hundred Grandmothers:
http://tinyurl.com/9xncsje
Slow Saturday Night:
http://tinyurl.com/ogovxd
That should get you started. See if you like it.
He also wrote some fun novels:
Fourth Mansions
The Devil is Dead
Arrive at Easterwine
i wish someone would buy up all the rights to his fiction and re-issue it, even if only on the Kindle.
The guy does not deserve his obscurity.
2) William Tenn
Easier entry point than Lafferty- he wrote cynically humorous SF, mostly in the 50's, 60's-70's.
He's an old school lefty, which means that he didn't hate America and is honest enough as a writer that he doesn't warp his stories so that they fit his politics.
Recently, he had his SF short stories collected in two volumes:
Immodest Proposals
Here Comes Civilization
Nothing of his is online, but if these titles intrigue you, check him out:
Lisbon Cubed
The flat-Eyed Monster
Venus and the Seven Sexes
His most famous story is probably "Child's Play" and the follow up, "Wednesday's Child".
My favorite of his is: "The Brooklyn Project", which was probably used as the basis of that Simpson's Halloween show with time travel and the butterfly effect.
Posted by: naturalfake at August 12, 2012 11:51 AM (G9qZk)
25
Currently reading "Inside the Criminal Mind" by Stanton Samenow. The author is a clinical psychologist with a refreshing analysis that goes against the trendy sociological theories that criminals are the product of bad upbringing, or cold distant mothers, or too much TV, or bad education, or peer pressure or ADHD or "fill in the blank". He maintains that criminals make conscious choices to be criminals. He maintains that criminals think too highly of themselves, and the self-serving mindset is what results in the criminal acts. Sorather thanlacking self-esteem they have too much. (Link via my blog in my nick.)
Posted by: Seamus Muldoon at August 12, 2012 11:53 AM (hgSh3)
26
I always liked "the Nine Billion Names of God"
Posted by: Atlas Juggs at August 12, 2012 11:53 AM (m0le6)
27
I've got a book that I found in a library give away box several years ago. It's called "Before the Golden Age", it's by Isaac Asimov. It has some great stories from the 30's, including 1 by John W. Campbell Jr of Astounding fame( if you're old enough, you get it).
Posted by: joethefatman™ (@joethefatman1) at August 12, 2012 11:58 AM (MnSla)
28
"Cold Equations" is one of those stories where the idea inside it is incredibly strong and thought-provoking, even though the execution is kind of lame. As someone else pointed out: the ship is stripped to the minimum of mass so that one girl's worth of extra kilograms will doom the mission, but there's a supply closet she can hide in? Of course the story was written before the space program, when Mercury capsules or the Lunar Module showed just what "bare bones" really mean.
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 12, 2012 12:00 PM (Rc0hz)
29
Just finished "The Shadow of the Wind" by Carlos Ruiz Zofon, excellent translation from Spanish, I didn't notice any obvious syntax problems so often found in translations.
This Author is one of my new favorites after this first read. I recommend this book to anyone.
I read it on Nook,it is also available on Kindle.
I won't give a synopsis, due to the fact I am not good at it w/out giving too much of the plot away.
Rough outline the setting is post Civil War Spain, and centers around an obscure Author and a boy/young man who finds one of his books and sets out on a search for the Author's story.
Just finished "The Shadow of the Wind" by Carlos Ruiz Zofon, excellent translation from Spanish, I didn't notice any obvious syntax problems so often found in translations.
This Author is one of my new favorites after this first read. I recommend this book to anyone.
I read it on Nook,it is also available on Kindle.
I won't give a synopsis, due to the fact I am not good at it w/out giving too much of the plot away.
Rough outline the setting is post Civil War Spain, and centers around an obscure Author and a boy/young man who finds one of his books and sets out on a search for the Author's story.
Posted by: Finn McCool at August 12, 2012 12:00 PM (R/8dI)
30
Two recommendations:
A. E. Van Vogt's "The Weapons Shops of Isher"
and
Orson Scott Card's "Worthing Saga"
A. E. Van Vogt's "The Weapons Shops of Isher"
and
Orson Scott Card's "Worthing Saga"
Posted by: Glen at August 12, 2012 12:08 PM (K1CbB)
31
The LibriVox Free Audiobook Collection: The Machine Stops
http://archive.org/details/machine_stops_librivox
Online: Twilight by John W. Campbell
http://www.american-buddha.com/eiseley.twilight.johnstuartcampbell.htm
http://archive.org/details/machine_stops_librivox
Online: Twilight by John W. Campbell
http://www.american-buddha.com/eiseley.twilight.johnstuartcampbell.htm
Posted by: Hank Curmudgeon at August 12, 2012 12:10 PM (8g18E)
32
Speaking of classic collections, I've just been rereading a copy of Famous Science-Fiction Stories, an anthology from 1957 edited by Raymond Healy. It's definitely another all-star collection.
Remember, this was 1957, the year of Sputnik, the dawn of the Space Age. Science fiction was making a bid for real respectability, and this was its Olympic dream team book. It was published by Modern Library, a real honest-to-god big-league New York publishing company, part of Random House. Very highbrow, or at least high-middlebrow back when that meant something.
So this book is the Greatest Hits compilation at the end of SF's "Golden Age." Lots of stories you've heard of but never see in print any more. One thing which comes through very VERY clearly is that SF writers back then were much more concerned with the idea rather than the execution. Really cool, mind-blowing concepts, average to sub-average writing. The number of stories with far-future people talking in 1940s "snappy patter" is kind of annoying.
But they were learning. If modern writers stand on the shoulders of giants, this book is the giants. Look for it in used bookstores or library sales; a big gray hardcover.
Remember, this was 1957, the year of Sputnik, the dawn of the Space Age. Science fiction was making a bid for real respectability, and this was its Olympic dream team book. It was published by Modern Library, a real honest-to-god big-league New York publishing company, part of Random House. Very highbrow, or at least high-middlebrow back when that meant something.
So this book is the Greatest Hits compilation at the end of SF's "Golden Age." Lots of stories you've heard of but never see in print any more. One thing which comes through very VERY clearly is that SF writers back then were much more concerned with the idea rather than the execution. Really cool, mind-blowing concepts, average to sub-average writing. The number of stories with far-future people talking in 1940s "snappy patter" is kind of annoying.
But they were learning. If modern writers stand on the shoulders of giants, this book is the giants. Look for it in used bookstores or library sales; a big gray hardcover.
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 12, 2012 12:10 PM (Rc0hz)
Posted by: Pops at August 12, 2012 12:15 PM (amo0F)
34
Hmm, might as well use some of this untapped brainpower. I have been looking for the name/author of a short story I read in a compilation some years ago. In it, aliens attack earth but except for FTL and antigrav they are at about musket level tech. It seems in this story those 2 developments are easy to find and all other races find them and then stagnate but Earth never stumbled across them and so the national guard's M-16's chew them up.
Posted by: loki at August 12, 2012 12:18 PM (fuQ9S)
35
Reading Marching
With Caesar-Conquest of Gaul-- by RW Peake-- great fun and seemingly realistic
With Caesar-Conquest of Gaul-- by RW Peake-- great fun and seemingly realistic
Posted by: tomc at August 12, 2012 12:19 PM (avEuh)
36
"The Far Arena" by Richard Ben Sapir.
Roman gladiator is poisoned after offending an emperor. Ends up frozen in suspended animation because he'd dumped in the North Sea. Wakes up in the future.
Roman gladiator is poisoned after offending an emperor. Ends up frozen in suspended animation because he'd dumped in the North Sea. Wakes up in the future.
Posted by: Rosley at August 12, 2012 12:19 PM (pU3VX)
37
27
I've got a book that I found in a library give away box several years
ago. It's called "Before the Golden Age", it's by Isaac Asimov.
---------
One of my favorites. Sadly, mine was a cheap paperback that couldn't put up with as much reading as I gave it. Might still have most of the pages somewhere, if I looked in the right box...
I've got a book that I found in a library give away box several years
ago. It's called "Before the Golden Age", it's by Isaac Asimov.
---------
One of my favorites. Sadly, mine was a cheap paperback that couldn't put up with as much reading as I gave it. Might still have most of the pages somewhere, if I looked in the right box...
Posted by: Anachronda at August 12, 2012 12:19 PM (1c58W)
38
http://www.hitler.org/writings/Mein_Kampf/mkv1ch08.html
I have been catching up on my world history.
There is a lot of 'modern' stuff in here. Forgetting about the antisemitism, there is a lot of negative imagery bout the press that hasn't changed.
I have been catching up on my world history.
There is a lot of 'modern' stuff in here. Forgetting about the antisemitism, there is a lot of negative imagery bout the press that hasn't changed.
Posted by: sTevo at August 12, 2012 12:19 PM (VMcEw)
39
Loki: "The Road Not Traveled" by Harry Turtledove.
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 12, 2012 12:20 PM (Rc0hz)
40
"Farewell to the Master" by Harry Bates is my all time favorite short story. It eventually became the basis for movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still".
Posted by: Rule #2 at August 12, 2012 12:20 PM (HcG9e)
41
A couple of years ago I did some research and identified the first paperback editions of some of my favorite SciFi series, such as the Flandry books by Poul Anderson, the Retief books by Keith Laumer and the early Arthur C. Clarke short story collections. I was able to find and purchase them, in excellent condition, on Abebooks.com. You have to be a little careful with them, because of course they are now 40-50 years old (a few are 60+), but the combination of the classic cover art and the great smell of old paperbacks makes reading them (and re-reading them) a real pleasure.
Probably my favorite SciFi short story of all time is Superiority, by Arthur C. Clarke. Although it was originally in Expedition to Earth, it is now available online.
Probably my favorite SciFi short story of all time is Superiority, by Arthur C. Clarke. Although it was originally in Expedition to Earth, it is now available online.
Posted by: TH at August 12, 2012 12:23 PM (QaAkH)
42
Actually, Loki, it's "The Road Not Taken" but it is by Harry Turtledove. I believe I read it in one of the "There Will Be War" books.
Posted by: JonathanG at August 12, 2012 12:24 PM (aYOnh)
43
Loved the old-school SF. At one point, Asimov edited a series of paperbacks for the best years, with each book representing one year, containing the best stories from that year. Still have the whole series, I think. It was a great way to discover the authors and to make sure you read the classic stories.
Some of those authors could get could get weird on you. I wound up viscerally deciding not to read any more Bester, after being weirded out by one book/story, can't remember which. And Van Vogt could be great (The Weapons Shops of Isher, which someone recommended above), or incoherent (lots of stuff), or both at the same time, as in a strangeish story called "Lost: Fifty Suns," which kept referring to "Dellian and Non-Dellian Robots" or something, which drove me crazy, because every time I saw the phrase, I thought "You don't care whether they're Dellian or not, so why not just say robots?"
And some could get cheesy. Jack Williamson, most famous for a stunning, must-read short story called With Folded Hands (later expanded into an entire book of substantially less quality), also wrote a series of Legion books (One for the Legion, The Queen of the Legion, and so on). Definitely cheesy (on completing his mission in the first book, the council renames our hero John Star, because, hey, new name, and maybe they were out of medals or something). But I really enjoyed them, and return to them often, wallowing in the cheese.
Some of those authors could get could get weird on you. I wound up viscerally deciding not to read any more Bester, after being weirded out by one book/story, can't remember which. And Van Vogt could be great (The Weapons Shops of Isher, which someone recommended above), or incoherent (lots of stuff), or both at the same time, as in a strangeish story called "Lost: Fifty Suns," which kept referring to "Dellian and Non-Dellian Robots" or something, which drove me crazy, because every time I saw the phrase, I thought "You don't care whether they're Dellian or not, so why not just say robots?"
And some could get cheesy. Jack Williamson, most famous for a stunning, must-read short story called With Folded Hands (later expanded into an entire book of substantially less quality), also wrote a series of Legion books (One for the Legion, The Queen of the Legion, and so on). Definitely cheesy (on completing his mission in the first book, the council renames our hero John Star, because, hey, new name, and maybe they were out of medals or something). But I really enjoyed them, and return to them often, wallowing in the cheese.
Posted by: Splunge at August 12, 2012 12:27 PM (2IW5Q)
44
John Brunner's "Stand on Zanzibar" and it's sequel "The Sheep Look Up" both absolutely prophetic told in a way that is very unusual. He takes four different peoples stories, and the daily news, and jumps from one to another seemingly randomly but ultimately ties them all together.
Posted by: recklessprocess at August 12, 2012 12:29 PM (f7ylG)
45
My son and I just read a good book for older kids (probably 5th grade up) called Inside Out and Back Again, by Thainna Lai (sp?) Anyway it is the story of a little girl who leaves Vietnam toward the end of the war and ends up in Alabama. The first part (the book is written in free verse,and is a quick andeasy to read) is about her life in Vietnam, and the second part is her experience as she tries to assimilate in Alabama.
I was afraid the book would make some overt political or racial points, but it didn't. It was a good story about being a refugee (the part about only taking one bag and having nothing to eat on the ship really made my son think about his own life) and a good story about trying to fit in at school when you are different. Anyway, I know some of the other parents here are often looking for good books for that age group so I thought I would recommend it.
I was afraid the book would make some overt political or racial points, but it didn't. It was a good story about being a refugee (the part about only taking one bag and having nothing to eat on the ship really made my son think about his own life) and a good story about trying to fit in at school when you are different. Anyway, I know some of the other parents here are often looking for good books for that age group so I thought I would recommend it.
Posted by: ParanoidGirlInSeattle at August 12, 2012 12:29 PM (RZ8pf)
46
"All of the stories in this volume are good, but I think my favorite is The Cold Equations, which still brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. I have a vague memory it was filmed as part some 'Outer Limits' type sci-fi anthology series back in the 80s, but I don't know which one, and I'm too lazy to look it up."
It was on the '80s reboot of The Twilight Zone. It came from the final season (it only lasted three). I had a little DVD marathon of the show about three months ago and really enjoyed it, despite the inherent low-budget cheesiness of the productions. Interestingly, I didn't remember that one of the main writers (and head story editor in the later seasons) was George R.R. Martin, author of the "Game of Thrones" series. There were also a lot of quality directors, like William Friedkin ("The French Connection," "The Exorcist") and Wes Craven ("Nightmare on Elm Street," "Scream"). Plus, there were several actors who later became stars like Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman.
It was on the '80s reboot of The Twilight Zone. It came from the final season (it only lasted three). I had a little DVD marathon of the show about three months ago and really enjoyed it, despite the inherent low-budget cheesiness of the productions. Interestingly, I didn't remember that one of the main writers (and head story editor in the later seasons) was George R.R. Martin, author of the "Game of Thrones" series. There were also a lot of quality directors, like William Friedkin ("The French Connection," "The Exorcist") and Wes Craven ("Nightmare on Elm Street," "Scream"). Plus, there were several actors who later became stars like Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman.
Posted by: Synnerman at August 12, 2012 12:32 PM (0Bdlg)
47
All of the stories in this volume are good, but I think my favorite is The Cold Equations,
which still brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. I have a
vague memory it was filmed as part some 'Outer Limits' type sci-fi
anthology series back in the 80s, but I don't know which one, and I'm
too lazy to look it up.
***
I remember seeing that episode - I can't remember who was in it, but I remember it being very powerful.
which still brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. I have a
vague memory it was filmed as part some 'Outer Limits' type sci-fi
anthology series back in the 80s, but I don't know which one, and I'm
too lazy to look it up.
***
I remember seeing that episode - I can't remember who was in it, but I remember it being very powerful.
Posted by: 18-1 at August 12, 2012 12:33 PM (AUeaU)
48
Flowers for Algernon is the most depressing book ever written. I'll never recommend it.
Posted by: FUBAR at August 12, 2012 12:35 PM (mdhVr)
Posted by: 18-1 at August 12, 2012 12:37 PM (AUeaU)
50
There is a lot of 'modern' stuff in here. Forgetting about the
antisemitism, there is a lot of negative imagery bout the press that
hasn't changed.
***
It is common place to call monsters like Hitler crazy...but they wouldn't be the monsters they were if they weren't very adapt at manipulating society.
Of course this is compounded by the leftist desire to make ever more powerful and insulated political offices for which they sort of men are "perfect" fits.
antisemitism, there is a lot of negative imagery bout the press that
hasn't changed.
***
It is common place to call monsters like Hitler crazy...but they wouldn't be the monsters they were if they weren't very adapt at manipulating society.
Of course this is compounded by the leftist desire to make ever more powerful and insulated political offices for which they sort of men are "perfect" fits.
Posted by: 18-1 at August 12, 2012 12:41 PM (AUeaU)
51
Slow Saturday Night:
http://tinyurl.com/ogovxd
I went to read it (it's actually called 'Slow Tuesday Night') and it's everything you say it is: whimsical, Irish, almost like a fairy-tale.
I liked it very much.
Slow Saturday Night:
http://tinyurl.com/ogovxd
I went to read it (it's actually called 'Slow Tuesday Night') and it's everything you say it is: whimsical, Irish, almost like a fairy-tale.
I liked it very much.
Posted by: OregonMuse at August 12, 2012 12:42 PM (j6xkS)
52
Jack Williamson, most famous for a stunning, must-read short story called With Folded Hands...
This one is in either the second or third book in the series I was talking about. It's another unforgettable story which I didn't mention because, hey, I had to stop somewhere, otherwise I'd have to mention all of them.
This one is in either the second or third book in the series I was talking about. It's another unforgettable story which I didn't mention because, hey, I had to stop somewhere, otherwise I'd have to mention all of them.
Posted by: OregonMuse at August 12, 2012 12:47 PM (j6xkS)
53
Question for you e-authors.....I have an acquaintance who recently launched an ebook on Amazon. Who sets the pricing - author or ecommerce site? How is that determined and can anyone just plop a book down on Amazon, et al or do they pick/choose? And, thank you in advance for any enlightenment you can shed.
Posted by: Calyx the Commoner at August 12, 2012 12:48 PM (mICe+)
54
Poul Anderson's The High Crusade was great.
One of my all time favorites is the Faded Sun series by C. J. Cherryh. Don't like her later stuff.
Poul Anderson's The High Crusade was great.
One of my all time favorites is the Faded Sun series by C. J. Cherryh. Don't like her later stuff.
Posted by: Invictos at August 12, 2012 12:57 PM (OQpzc)
55
Still, now, and forevermore reading "The Rise and Fall...."
Also reading a book about a girl's life in the Fundamentalist LDS church, in which she was some old fart's 4th wife, having a hard time imagining believing that I would end up in hell if I didn't marry the man assigned to me by my "prophet." Sure, it's the only thing she's heard since she was a baby, but still ...."
Also toying with the idea of subscribing to that "Virginia Edition" deal. I shouldn't, but I just might anyway as I cut my teeth on Heinlein and still love him. "Citizen of the Galaxy" and "The Star Beast" are my favorites.
I'd swear I'm reading some other stuff but I can't recall what it is. Oh, yeah, "The Obamas" is still here, still nauseating. I need to organize my library books by due date so I don't miss out on anything good.
"The Cold Equations" is a moving story, but one that I cannot ever read is "It's a Good Life." That is one effective piece of horror writing.
Also reading a book about a girl's life in the Fundamentalist LDS church, in which she was some old fart's 4th wife, having a hard time imagining believing that I would end up in hell if I didn't marry the man assigned to me by my "prophet." Sure, it's the only thing she's heard since she was a baby, but still ...."
Also toying with the idea of subscribing to that "Virginia Edition" deal. I shouldn't, but I just might anyway as I cut my teeth on Heinlein and still love him. "Citizen of the Galaxy" and "The Star Beast" are my favorites.
I'd swear I'm reading some other stuff but I can't recall what it is. Oh, yeah, "The Obamas" is still here, still nauseating. I need to organize my library books by due date so I don't miss out on anything good.
"The Cold Equations" is a moving story, but one that I cannot ever read is "It's a Good Life." That is one effective piece of horror writing.
Posted by: Tonestaple at August 12, 2012 12:58 PM (gvVlx)
56
Among sci-fi stories I really enjoyed Stanislaw Lem's Solaris. Wish his works were available on e-book.
Finishing up 1984 a how-to guide for liberals on government maintaining absolute power over the populace. Starting up on Anna Karenina a surprisingly enjoyable though long read.
Finishing up 1984 a how-to guide for liberals on government maintaining absolute power over the populace. Starting up on Anna Karenina a surprisingly enjoyable though long read.
Posted by: waelse1 at August 12, 2012 01:04 PM (NQ3uo)
57
After enjoying "They Tell Me I'm the Bad Guy," I looked around for more off-the-radar reading material. Found a really good one: a series of three books (one more coming this fall) called Monster Hunters, by Larry Correia. Basic idea is that monsters are real, most people don't know it, and there's this company, Monster Hunters International, that hunts them for the government bounties. The writing is good, and the story pulls you along. I liked these books a lot, and will certainly buy the sequel when it comes out in the fall.
These are Baen e-books, so you need a Kindle or some equivalent. One point to be careful about: if you look for Monster Hunters International, you will find the first book, which is $6. But if you look for Monster Hunters, you will find all three books in one virtual volume, for the same price, $6. So of course that's the one you want. Also, if you get it, try not to pay too much attention to the summaries of the three books. The summary for the third book tells you something you don't learn until toward the end of the first book, not a central plot twist, but something you're probably better off discovering while you read. And one last thing: the third book is not like the other two. The first two follow the same protagonist, but the third book is entirely focused on one major character from the first two books, and the central character from the first books does not even appear. It's a good book, but it might be useful to be prepared for this shift out of the usual paradigm.
Following the theme of hunting monsters, I just finished a book called The Fixer, $3.99 in electronic form from Amazon. Vampires and vampire hunting; the series is referred to as the "Lawson Vampire" books. It was decent, but not at Monster Hunters quality. I've picked up the second book, but I probably wouldn't have if had been $5.99 instead of $3.99. I'm not sure how far I'll make it with this series.
These are Baen e-books, so you need a Kindle or some equivalent. One point to be careful about: if you look for Monster Hunters International, you will find the first book, which is $6. But if you look for Monster Hunters, you will find all three books in one virtual volume, for the same price, $6. So of course that's the one you want. Also, if you get it, try not to pay too much attention to the summaries of the three books. The summary for the third book tells you something you don't learn until toward the end of the first book, not a central plot twist, but something you're probably better off discovering while you read. And one last thing: the third book is not like the other two. The first two follow the same protagonist, but the third book is entirely focused on one major character from the first two books, and the central character from the first books does not even appear. It's a good book, but it might be useful to be prepared for this shift out of the usual paradigm.
Following the theme of hunting monsters, I just finished a book called The Fixer, $3.99 in electronic form from Amazon. Vampires and vampire hunting; the series is referred to as the "Lawson Vampire" books. It was decent, but not at Monster Hunters quality. I've picked up the second book, but I probably wouldn't have if had been $5.99 instead of $3.99. I'm not sure how far I'll make it with this series.
Posted by: Splunge at August 12, 2012 01:13 PM (2IW5Q)
58
@51
Posted by: OregonMuse at August 12, 2012 12:42 PM (j6xkS)
Glad you enjoyed "Slow Tuesday Night" (despite my title-fail).
Lafferty's books are definitely worth tracking down.
If you read enough of his stuff, you see a kind of shaggy shambling personal mythology running through them.
Any of his stories involving the Institute of Impure Science are particularly fun.
Posted by: OregonMuse at August 12, 2012 12:42 PM (j6xkS)
Glad you enjoyed "Slow Tuesday Night" (despite my title-fail).
Lafferty's books are definitely worth tracking down.
If you read enough of his stuff, you see a kind of shaggy shambling personal mythology running through them.
Any of his stories involving the Institute of Impure Science are particularly fun.
Posted by: naturalfake at August 12, 2012 01:14 PM (G9qZk)
59
I remember a SyFy channel remake of The Cold Equations where they changed the ending and the pilot jettisoned the cargo from the greedy corporation instead.
Posted by: Gregory of Yardale at August 12, 2012 01:18 PM (XN0LR)
60
Tom Swift rocked. At least the 2nd series, which is all I'm familiar with.
Posted by: toby928© at August 12, 2012 01:31 PM (QupBk)
61
57 The Baen e-books come in multiple formats. I download the .rtf format files and read them in MS WORD. They also have them in html format too.
They do not need a kindle to read.
57 The Baen e-books come in multiple formats. I download the .rtf format files and read them in MS WORD. They also have them in html format too.
They do not need a kindle to read.
Posted by: rd at August 12, 2012 01:35 PM (9sUlj)
62
Baen publishes pretty much all of their stuff in dead tree as well. They maintain the Baen free library which has a lot of good stuff in it. http://tinyurl.com/7g4zofw
They also publish some of their books with cds of ebooks and other material. These cds contains several ebooks apiece and contain many titles not available in their free library and often include reprints of classic science fiction stories and books. They allow copies of these cds to be hosted by a third party at:
http://tinyurl.com/8l49uyw
They also publish some of their books with cds of ebooks and other material. These cds contains several ebooks apiece and contain many titles not available in their free library and often include reprints of classic science fiction stories and books. They allow copies of these cds to be hosted by a third party at:
http://tinyurl.com/8l49uyw
Posted by: loki at August 12, 2012 01:57 PM (fuQ9S)
63
Here's an old school short story that made a real impression on me when I was a kid.
http://aboutsf.podomatic.com/mobile_send?id=3429558
"Let The Ants Try"
By Frederick Pohl. Written in 1948 I think.
http://aboutsf.podomatic.com/mobile_send?id=3429558
"Let The Ants Try"
By Frederick Pohl. Written in 1948 I think.
Posted by: Jay at August 12, 2012 01:57 PM (Y6YQM)
64
Wow. I almost wish I did NOT get a shout out last week, because my anthology of time travel stories <a href="bit.ly/chooseft">Finding Time</a> would be a lot more comfortable in this week's edition.
I think we're living in the golden age of SF. There are Gutenberg texts of all the masters of the first golden age, because copyrights were not renewed and since lapsed (e.g. H. Beam Piper). And the rest are on sale for the Kindle for less than a Starbucks coffee.
Add to this the fact that you can get rip-roaring tales like Ric Locke's Temporary Duty without some editor in Manhattan blocking the gateway. RIP Ric, we hardly knew ye.
I really love Sarah Hoyt's and Larry Correia's work. As well as Mark Van Name's Jon Lobo series. We're living in the golden age. I'm telling ya.
Just goto Amazon's Kindle section and stay clear of the big six publishes and you'll be fine.
I think we're living in the golden age of SF. There are Gutenberg texts of all the masters of the first golden age, because copyrights were not renewed and since lapsed (e.g. H. Beam Piper). And the rest are on sale for the Kindle for less than a Starbucks coffee.
Add to this the fact that you can get rip-roaring tales like Ric Locke's Temporary Duty without some editor in Manhattan blocking the gateway. RIP Ric, we hardly knew ye.
I really love Sarah Hoyt's and Larry Correia's work. As well as Mark Van Name's Jon Lobo series. We're living in the golden age. I'm telling ya.
Just goto Amazon's Kindle section and stay clear of the big six publishes and you'll be fine.
Posted by: Steve Poling at August 12, 2012 01:57 PM (db5YN)
65
55
Also reading a book about a girl's life in the Fundamentalist LDS
church, in which she was some old fart's 4th wife, having a hard time
imagining believing that I would end up in hell if I didn't marry the
man assigned to me by my "prophet." Sure, it's the only thing she's
heard since she was a baby, but still ...."
---------
But you're not going to tell us *which* book? I've read and recommend Carolyn Jessup's "Escape", but I know there are others out there.
Also reading a book about a girl's life in the Fundamentalist LDS
church, in which she was some old fart's 4th wife, having a hard time
imagining believing that I would end up in hell if I didn't marry the
man assigned to me by my "prophet." Sure, it's the only thing she's
heard since she was a baby, but still ...."
---------
But you're not going to tell us *which* book? I've read and recommend Carolyn Jessup's "Escape", but I know there are others out there.
Posted by: Anachronda at August 12, 2012 01:57 PM (1c58W)
66
Oops, let's get that link right. Finding Time has some nifty artwork you might like, too.
Posted by: Steve Poling at August 12, 2012 02:01 PM (db5YN)
67
#42
I'll be producing Kindle and nook versions of the 'There Will Be War' anthologies if I can ever get Jerry to make a decision on some of the stuff I've already assembled for him. The accounting can be a problem, due to the number of authors involved and not always having current contact info
I'll be producing Kindle and nook versions of the 'There Will Be War' anthologies if I can ever get Jerry to make a decision on some of the stuff I've already assembled for him. The accounting can be a problem, due to the number of authors involved and not always having current contact info
Posted by: epobirs at August 12, 2012 02:05 PM (kcfmt)
68
#59
So they completely screwed up the story? The cargo was vitally needed medical supplies to treat a disease outbreak at a location where the girl's brother lived. She had stowed away trying to reach her brother.
So they completely screwed up the story? The cargo was vitally needed medical supplies to treat a disease outbreak at a location where the girl's brother lived. She had stowed away trying to reach her brother.
Posted by: epobirs at August 12, 2012 02:07 PM (kcfmt)
69
#44
It was a technique Brunner lifted from John Dos Passos' USA Trilogy.
The two Brunner books are unrelated but another one of his that fits into the time period and style is 'Shockwave Rider.'
It was a technique Brunner lifted from John Dos Passos' USA Trilogy.
The two Brunner books are unrelated but another one of his that fits into the time period and style is 'Shockwave Rider.'
Posted by: epobirs at August 12, 2012 02:11 PM (kcfmt)
70
I'll recommend a whole series. The 35 titles in the Winston Science Fiction series. True they are what is now called teen literature, but a list of the authors is truly first class. The books are a little formulaic; coming of age stories, but the worlds and societies depicted and problems encountered are first rate sci fi. My Catholic school's 7tth grade class library contained all 35 volumes and one couldn't wait to be a 7th grader so you could jump into them. also the cover art is among the finest of the sci fi genre.
Posted by: xkaydet65 at August 12, 2012 02:16 PM (03xJB)
71
Wow didn't realize Ric Locke had passed. Read his time left was extremely limited but that was fast. RIP.
Posted by: waelse1 at August 12, 2012 02:23 PM (NQ3uo)
72
#54
Have you looked at C.J. Cherryh's "Foreigner" series? Great stuff and fairly recent. "Downbelow Station" probably my favorite of her's.
Have you looked at C.J. Cherryh's "Foreigner" series? Great stuff and fairly recent. "Downbelow Station" probably my favorite of her's.
Posted by: Jay at August 12, 2012 02:33 PM (Y6YQM)
73
Finally finished Dicken's Our Mutual Friend. It was interesting that he felt the need to add an epilogue to tell the readers that no he hadn't made the "big" mystery too easy because he'd never *meant* for it to be a big secret. And here I was feeling all cool that I'd figured out the secret really early 
.
Heinlein's juveniles were a big part of my childhood/teen reading as well as Norton, Cherryh, and Bradley. I'd never realized how many female authors I'd read until just now. Somehow I managed to miss Asimov until adulthood, but enjoyed listening to them on tape.
Someone mentioned Burroughs and that intersects with my only exposure to Gore Vidal. It was a college English textbook in which Vidal claime that no female had ever liked Tarzan. Knowing nothingelse about Vidal I instantly pegged him as an idiot who didn't know many females and, based on what's been said about him this week, it looks like I was right. Just out of curiosity, how would the Horde classify Burrough's Pellucidar books? Is it Sci-fi/ fantasy/ or just general heroic fiction?
.
Heinlein's juveniles were a big part of my childhood/teen reading as well as Norton, Cherryh, and Bradley. I'd never realized how many female authors I'd read until just now. Somehow I managed to miss Asimov until adulthood, but enjoyed listening to them on tape.
Someone mentioned Burroughs and that intersects with my only exposure to Gore Vidal. It was a college English textbook in which Vidal claime that no female had ever liked Tarzan. Knowing nothingelse about Vidal I instantly pegged him as an idiot who didn't know many females and, based on what's been said about him this week, it looks like I was right. Just out of curiosity, how would the Horde classify Burrough's Pellucidar books? Is it Sci-fi/ fantasy/ or just general heroic fiction?
Posted by: Polliwogette, teahada hobbit at August 12, 2012 02:35 PM (JB7VT)
74
Speaking of sheep, greatest SF book titles ever:
"Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep" By Philip K. Dick
(The movie "Bladerunner" was based on this book)
"The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies Of The Apocalypse" By Robert Rankin. Robot humor in the form of a detective novel.
"Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep" By Philip K. Dick
(The movie "Bladerunner" was based on this book)
"The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies Of The Apocalypse" By Robert Rankin. Robot humor in the form of a detective novel.
Posted by: Jay at August 12, 2012 02:47 PM (Y6YQM)
75
All free audiobooks @ librivox.org. I also include links to online texts.
H. Beam Piper. Oomphel in the sky. About two hours.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20649/20649-h/20649-h.htm
Funny satire of clueless liberal bureaucracy versus pragmatic military during an alien revolt.
H. Beam Piper. Five sci-fi short stories. About five hours fifteen minutes.
Includes two Paratime Police stories.
G. K. Chesterton. The club of queer trades. About four hours fifty minutes.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1696/1696-h/1696-h.htm
The London adventures of the narrator and two unusual brothers; a bit of a satire on Sherlock Holmes. Great fun.
F. Marion Crawford. Man Overboard! About one hour forty-five minutes.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/24584/24584-h/24584-h.htm
Ghostly revenge involving identical twins; strong nautical theme.
Ambrose Bierce. Present at a hanging and other ghost stories. About two hours.
http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext03/prhg10h.htm
Ghost stories alternately weird, uncanny, ironic or sentimental. A final section has tales of mysterious disappearances.
Emily Dorothy Scarborough. Famous modern ghost stories. About nine hours forty-five minutes.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/15143/15143-h/15143-h.htm
Fifteen stories by Blackwood, Poe, Chambers, Bierce, Andreyev others.
Robert Smythe Hichens. Return of the soul. About two hours twenty minutes.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/23419/23419-h/23419-h.htm
A tale of spirit possession and revenge.
Lacy Collison-Morley. Greek and Roman ghost stories. About two hours.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17190/17190-h/17190-h.htm
A scholarly commentary about stories from ancient Greek and Roman sources.
ghost_stories_001. About four hours forty minutes.
Ten stories by Blackwood, Stoker, Saki, Le Fanu, Nesbit others.
H. Beam Piper. Oomphel in the sky. About two hours.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20649/20649-h/20649-h.htm
Funny satire of clueless liberal bureaucracy versus pragmatic military during an alien revolt.
H. Beam Piper. Five sci-fi short stories. About five hours fifteen minutes.
Includes two Paratime Police stories.
G. K. Chesterton. The club of queer trades. About four hours fifty minutes.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1696/1696-h/1696-h.htm
The London adventures of the narrator and two unusual brothers; a bit of a satire on Sherlock Holmes. Great fun.
F. Marion Crawford. Man Overboard! About one hour forty-five minutes.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/24584/24584-h/24584-h.htm
Ghostly revenge involving identical twins; strong nautical theme.
Ambrose Bierce. Present at a hanging and other ghost stories. About two hours.
http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext03/prhg10h.htm
Ghost stories alternately weird, uncanny, ironic or sentimental. A final section has tales of mysterious disappearances.
Emily Dorothy Scarborough. Famous modern ghost stories. About nine hours forty-five minutes.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/15143/15143-h/15143-h.htm
Fifteen stories by Blackwood, Poe, Chambers, Bierce, Andreyev others.
Robert Smythe Hichens. Return of the soul. About two hours twenty minutes.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/23419/23419-h/23419-h.htm
A tale of spirit possession and revenge.
Lacy Collison-Morley. Greek and Roman ghost stories. About two hours.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17190/17190-h/17190-h.htm
A scholarly commentary about stories from ancient Greek and Roman sources.
ghost_stories_001. About four hours forty minutes.
Ten stories by Blackwood, Stoker, Saki, Le Fanu, Nesbit others.
Posted by: Sigsmund at August 12, 2012 02:48 PM (ry1HO)
76
I can't remember the title of my favorite anthology. I do remember some of the stories, like Elvis saving the earth from a meteor (by having people on one side of the earth jump from chairs at the same time) or the woman who loses things when she curses. I think there was also one where a woman switched bodies with her daughter's fiancee. It was edited by one of the famous scifi authors and a woman, I believe.
It was probably the first anthology I ever read, but it remains the one that I remember most aside from single author collections.
I'm working on A Princess of Mars and some other books right now. It's amazing that I never heard of Burroughs as an author before recent times.
It was probably the first anthology I ever read, but it remains the one that I remember most aside from single author collections.
I'm working on A Princess of Mars and some other books right now. It's amazing that I never heard of Burroughs as an author before recent times.
Posted by: soulpile is... expendable at August 12, 2012 02:58 PM (NJpM7)
77
R.A. Lafferty's "Fourth Mansions" is one of my favorites, but I can't explain exactly why. It's more Fantasy than Sci-Fi, but reminiscent of Zelazny in interesting ways. It also reminds me, in tone, of some of Tim Powers.
Tenn was fun, too. Didn't he write a novel where humans basically lived in 'walls' like mice, in a world ruled by 'bigger' entities?
Tenn was fun, too. Didn't he write a novel where humans basically lived in 'walls' like mice, in a world ruled by 'bigger' entities?
Posted by: JorgXMcKie at August 12, 2012 03:07 PM (290l2)
78
Have you looked at C.J. Cherryh's "Foreigner" series?
Cherryh is a goddess. Even her borderline "Fantasy" stuff is good.
Cherryh is a goddess. Even her borderline "Fantasy" stuff is good.
Posted by: toby928© at August 12, 2012 03:09 PM (QupBk)
79
Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable failure.
Posted by: steevy at August 12, 2012 03:12 PM (6o4Fb)
80
Don't know how to do the linky thing, but if you want to sort of keep up with what's happening in SF I would recommend David Langfords 'Ansible'. It's a monthly publication from a guy in England, but he keeps up on the SF stuff. If nothing else, he notes who has died, authors, actors, etc...
Was always a fan of Lafferty. Came across a book of his yrs ago about the end of the Roman Empire. Not a novel, and very, very interesting.
Was always a fan of Lafferty. Came across a book of his yrs ago about the end of the Roman Empire. Not a novel, and very, very interesting.
Posted by: HH at August 12, 2012 03:18 PM (v+ExF)
81
> 6 Funny. I just started rereading E.E. "Doc" Smith's books. I was looking around at Amazon Wednesday, when I saw several of his books were free.
Posted by: joethefatman™ (@joethefatman1)
Squeel!
Of those, Spacehounds is a good start for someone interested in Smith. Not part of a series and is an excellent example of what he's all about.
> 6 Funny. I just started rereading E.E. "Doc" Smith's books. I was looking around at Amazon Wednesday, when I saw several of his books were free.
Posted by: joethefatman™ (@joethefatman1)
Squeel!
Of those, Spacehounds is a good start for someone interested in Smith. Not part of a series and is an excellent example of what he's all about.
Posted by: Comrade Arthur at August 12, 2012 03:27 PM (d9tUw)
82
65, Anachondra, that's it. I couldn't remember the title and I was too lazy to get up and go look - it's Sunday morning, after all. I can't recall if I got it because of the book thread or because of just the subject matter as I've read at least one other like it. "Escape" by Carolyn Jessup.
Posted by: Tonestaple at August 12, 2012 03:29 PM (gvVlx)
83
Those images remind me of the Tom Swift books I read when I was a kid.
Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at August 12, 2012 03:46 PM (9srI4)
84
Cherryh, one panel at Project A-kon we used the Chanur series to try and beat sense into one budding writer. I was in the audience watching it all play out. There was Jody Lynn Nye, her husband, Lee Martindale, plus a few more up at the table.
So this tall gangly blond guy in the second row stands up to ask a question. He wanted to know their opinion on explanatory prologues. Nye's husband Bill Fawcett was saying no prologue. One of the other authors was very emphatically negative also, especially for a new writer like this guy. But he persists by saying his universe is complicated and he needs to explain things.
So they start giving him advice on how he should do that exploration/explanation of his universe via his story. Let the readers discover it. And Cherryh is mentioned because of her description of prologue as a congealed indigestible lump. The guy is not buying it, he is fully married to his wonderful prologue. So someone in the audience brings up Chanur and how Cherryh used Tully the human as alien to find out about the culture of Chanur.
As far as I know that guy is still petting his precious prologue.
So this tall gangly blond guy in the second row stands up to ask a question. He wanted to know their opinion on explanatory prologues. Nye's husband Bill Fawcett was saying no prologue. One of the other authors was very emphatically negative also, especially for a new writer like this guy. But he persists by saying his universe is complicated and he needs to explain things.
So they start giving him advice on how he should do that exploration/explanation of his universe via his story. Let the readers discover it. And Cherryh is mentioned because of her description of prologue as a congealed indigestible lump. The guy is not buying it, he is fully married to his wonderful prologue. So someone in the audience brings up Chanur and how Cherryh used Tully the human as alien to find out about the culture of Chanur.
As far as I know that guy is still petting his precious prologue.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 03:50 PM (Pyl/0)
85
What was the name of the story that has characters allegedly travel back in time, but their adventures are deliberately ludicrous and anachronistic (e.g. a woman talks to the fictional Ben-Hur)? It turns out that while they really do disappear from the present, they escape into the "past" of their own imagination.
Posted by: Pete in TX at August 12, 2012 03:58 PM (tky9G)
86
I have a vague memory it was filmed as part some 'Outer Limits' type sci-fi anthology series back in the 80s, but I don't know which one, and I'm too lazy to look it up.
People mentioned the TZ reboot, but most people forgot / never knew about the X Minus One radio version of this story.
Godwin is accused of having borrowed the plot from Al Feldstein, but EC Tubb and Arthur C Clarke also write similar stories even earlier.
Also, Damn Morning People! This is my freaking subject and by the time I see it it's a dead thread!
People mentioned the TZ reboot, but most people forgot / never knew about the X Minus One radio version of this story.
Godwin is accused of having borrowed the plot from Al Feldstein, but EC Tubb and Arthur C Clarke also write similar stories even earlier.
Also, Damn Morning People! This is my freaking subject and by the time I see it it's a dead thread!
Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at August 12, 2012 04:05 PM (bxiXv)
87
#84
It's a risky thing. If you have the skills you can come up with a way to do it that disguises what it is. But the circumstances of the story have to fit and that takes some thought that many wannabes cannot muster.
Since there is no gaming thread, Frys is having a contest to win a 3DS XL.
http://bit.ly/frys-nintendo3dsxl
It's a risky thing. If you have the skills you can come up with a way to do it that disguises what it is. But the circumstances of the story have to fit and that takes some thought that many wannabes cannot muster.
Since there is no gaming thread, Frys is having a contest to win a 3DS XL.
http://bit.ly/frys-nintendo3dsxl
Posted by: epobirs at August 12, 2012 04:07 PM (kcfmt)
88
As far as I know that guy is still petting his precious prologue.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 03:50 PM (Pyl/0)
You know what I say when someone asks me about their terrible writing idea?
"Knock yoself out." Like I need *competent* competition?
Obviously it's different if they're not "stuck on stupid," I like sharing good ideas with talented people, but it's not like there aren't enough writers, if someone wants to know himself out of the race, more power to him.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 03:50 PM (Pyl/0)
You know what I say when someone asks me about their terrible writing idea?
"Knock yoself out." Like I need *competent* competition?
Obviously it's different if they're not "stuck on stupid," I like sharing good ideas with talented people, but it's not like there aren't enough writers, if someone wants to know himself out of the race, more power to him.
Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at August 12, 2012 04:07 PM (bxiXv)
89
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 03:50 PM (Pyl/0)
Loved the Chanur universe. That's where I got the word I use for those of indeterminat sex which I no longer remember how to spell at all but Cherryh created to deal with a male/female/neutral/ race that changed under stress.
Loved the Chanur universe. That's where I got the word I use for those of indeterminat sex which I no longer remember how to spell at all but Cherryh created to deal with a male/female/neutral/ race that changed under stress.
Posted by: Polliwogette, teahada hobbit at August 12, 2012 04:11 PM (JB7VT)
90
@77
...Tenn was fun, too. Didn't he write a novel where humans basically lived in 'walls' like mice, in a world ruled by 'bigger' entities?
Posted by: JorgXMcKie at August 12, 2012 03:07 PM (290l2)
"Of Men and Monsters"
It's in the "Here Comes Civilization" anthology volume.
I think it's his only novel. It's a fun read.
...Tenn was fun, too. Didn't he write a novel where humans basically lived in 'walls' like mice, in a world ruled by 'bigger' entities?
Posted by: JorgXMcKie at August 12, 2012 03:07 PM (290l2)
"Of Men and Monsters"
It's in the "Here Comes Civilization" anthology volume.
I think it's his only novel. It's a fun read.
Posted by: naturalfake at August 12, 2012 04:13 PM (G9qZk)
91
#77
Sounds more like the 1989 'Men Like Rats' by Rob Chilson. It's a tale where humankind not only lost to the aliens, the aliens barely noticed we existed. They turn Earth into a shipping hub in their interstellar Fed Ex system, with humans surviving as vermin stilling food and water from packages when they can.
Sounds more like the 1989 'Men Like Rats' by Rob Chilson. It's a tale where humankind not only lost to the aliens, the aliens barely noticed we existed. They turn Earth into a shipping hub in their interstellar Fed Ex system, with humans surviving as vermin stilling food and water from packages when they can.
Posted by: epobirs at August 12, 2012 04:13 PM (kcfmt)
92
#73
"Just out of curiosity, how would the Horde classify Burrough's
Pellucidar books? Is it Sci-fi/ fantasy/ or just general heroic fiction?"
I'd call it what it was called back then, romantic fiction. Nowadays that would probably be called more of an heroic fiction/fantasy story. You can get that from Amazon for free for Kindle @ http://amzn.to/TvHyLz. I know this because I was talking to my wife about it Friday.
#81
Squeel!
Of those, Spacehounds is a good start for someone interested in
Smith. Not part of a series and is an excellent example of what he's
all about.
And here I was thinking I was the only fan of his stuff left!
"Just out of curiosity, how would the Horde classify Burrough's
Pellucidar books? Is it Sci-fi/ fantasy/ or just general heroic fiction?"
I'd call it what it was called back then, romantic fiction. Nowadays that would probably be called more of an heroic fiction/fantasy story. You can get that from Amazon for free for Kindle @ http://amzn.to/TvHyLz. I know this because I was talking to my wife about it Friday.
#81
Squeel!
Of those, Spacehounds is a good start for someone interested in
Smith. Not part of a series and is an excellent example of what he's
all about.
And here I was thinking I was the only fan of his stuff left!
Posted by: joethefatman™ (@joethefatman1) at August 12, 2012 04:17 PM (MnSla)
93
#11 - Thanks, Golem, for answering my question about the sleep-deprivation story. Typical, I had to run out right after posting it, so I didn't see until now that an answer came 6 minutes after I posted the question! I knew the morons wouldn't let me down. Now I'll be able to hunt down that story and read it again.
Posted by: Dr. Mabuse at August 12, 2012 04:19 PM (JH8Np)
94
Merovign, now that I think on it. He probably got a vanity publisher for that book. So his apartment is now taken up with ten boxes of the hardcover version while he has to squeeze past them to reach the kitchen for his cereal. And no one in his family is talking to him because for five years running he has given away copies as gifts.
Polliwogette, Cherryh has produced some interesting books and truly alien cultures. Faded Sun is an interesting one. Where humanity has to battle these aliens and finally wins out. So the aliens freak and try to wipe out their mercenaries fearful the humans will hire them. Boils down to three people trying to survive and along the way humanity is handed a double-edged sword that we hope has the wisdom to handle properly.
Well back to writing, cranked out over 2000 words this morning on story. 731 of them after I thought I was going to bed but muse said 'write!'
Polliwogette, Cherryh has produced some interesting books and truly alien cultures. Faded Sun is an interesting one. Where humanity has to battle these aliens and finally wins out. So the aliens freak and try to wipe out their mercenaries fearful the humans will hire them. Boils down to three people trying to survive and along the way humanity is handed a double-edged sword that we hope has the wisdom to handle properly.
Well back to writing, cranked out over 2000 words this morning on story. 731 of them after I thought I was going to bed but muse said 'write!'
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 04:24 PM (Pyl/0)
95
Posted by: joethefatman™ (@joethefatman1) at August 12, 2012 04:17 PM (MnSla)
I like Smith too. Wish I still had the books that I used to, but too many moves and a false assumption of being able to find them again have betrayed me.
I like Smith too. Wish I still had the books that I used to, but too many moves and a false assumption of being able to find them again have betrayed me.
Posted by: Polliwogette, teahada hobbit at August 12, 2012 04:25 PM (JB7VT)
96
Well back to writing, cranked out over 2000 words this morning on story. 731 of them after I thought I was going to bed but muse said 'write!'
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 04:24 PM (Pyl/0)
You Go Girl!
I liked the IRC channels we had for NaNoWriMo. We had little timed competitions.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 04:24 PM (Pyl/0)
You Go Girl!
I liked the IRC channels we had for NaNoWriMo. We had little timed competitions.
Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at August 12, 2012 04:31 PM (bxiXv)
97
Local writers group we we do that. Random subject and write for 15 minutes. Or write 500 words for next meeting on random subject. One of those assignments, I wrote it and the realized it could be longer. So it grew into a six chapter story while another writer's story actually got put in a short story collection. Got many stories in the 500 to 1500 range I should clean up and go e-book. But that area is still very alien to me.
Mystery/crime story set in the 1930s. I might as well be writing reverse science-fiction. Have to explain in the story how a rotary phone works and sounds. Anyway got the next three scenes sketched out mentally and need to write them down.
Mystery/crime story set in the 1930s. I might as well be writing reverse science-fiction. Have to explain in the story how a rotary phone works and sounds. Anyway got the next three scenes sketched out mentally and need to write them down.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 04:40 PM (Pyl/0)
98
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 04:40 PM (Pyl/0)
I have so many "bad medicine days" now I don't write much. Or I get distracted when I *do* have energy, and end up writing all over the Cool Facts thread. (sigh)
I should be writing and not posting, but I have the attention span of a dried trout right now.
The local writing group I fail to attend meets across town twice a month.
I have so many "bad medicine days" now I don't write much. Or I get distracted when I *do* have energy, and end up writing all over the Cool Facts thread. (sigh)
I should be writing and not posting, but I have the attention span of a dried trout right now.
The local writing group I fail to attend meets across town twice a month.
Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at August 12, 2012 04:42 PM (bxiXv)
99
And I probably don't help things with your attention span with all the cosplay links. 
A dried trout, that is so uncool. Not swell at all. Shame you can't make those meetings, but I am in same boat. Been about two months and now our usual hangout closed down. Coffee shop that dabbled in books and such. And not enough paying customers.
A dried trout, that is so uncool. Not swell at all. Shame you can't make those meetings, but I am in same boat. Been about two months and now our usual hangout closed down. Coffee shop that dabbled in books and such. And not enough paying customers.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 04:48 PM (Pyl/0)
100
#85 Posted by: Pete in TX at August 12, 2012 03:58 PM (tky9G)
Disappearing Act by Alfred Bester.
#85 Posted by: Pete in TX at August 12, 2012 03:58 PM (tky9G)
Disappearing Act by Alfred Bester.
Posted by: DKCZ at August 12, 2012 05:17 PM (9/bcB)
101
Shame you can't make those meetings, but I am in same boat.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 04:48 PM (Pyl/0)
Darned leaky lifeboats.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 04:48 PM (Pyl/0)
Darned leaky lifeboats.
Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at August 12, 2012 05:22 PM (bxiXv)
102
Yeah leaky boats stink. Either bail or sink.
Burning up the word processor today, almost 3,500 words and still going.
Burning up the word processor today, almost 3,500 words and still going.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 06:04 PM (Pyl/0)
103
Thanks for the link to "Rare and Beautiful Visions." I'd never heard of Noel Sickles but I was so impressed with the illustration he did for "Rocket to the Moon" that I Googled some of his other work. Wow. How did a talent like that become obscure?
Posted by: PersonFromPorlock at August 12, 2012 06:07 PM (2VCZA)
104
Burning up the word processor today, almost 3,500 words and still going.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 06:04 PM (Pyl/0)
Awesome! I need to put my daily goal board back up.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 06:04 PM (Pyl/0)
Awesome! I need to put my daily goal board back up.
Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at August 12, 2012 06:14 PM (bxiXv)
105
How about pin-up artist Peter Driben? He also did the illustration work for The Maltese Falcon movie.
http://www.americanartarchives.com/driben.htm
http://www.americanartarchives.com/driben.htm
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 06:14 PM (Pyl/0)
106
Well I am finally hitting my stride on this story, just 12,000 words behind though. Working on fixing that.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 06:17 PM (Pyl/0)
107
Cordwainer Smith was unique, probably my favorite SF author. "Scanners Live In Vain" is a GREAT short story but "Alpha Ralpha Boulevard" is just stunning.
#53 Calyx-
As far as I know anyone can put a (properly formatted) e-book on Amazon and set their own price subject to min and max limits based on the royalty option chosen (35% or 70%). I just went live with my first ebook on Amazon. It is a collection of haiku. If anyone's crazy for haiku drop me a line ( rkenney121@gmail.com ) and I'll send you the link.
#53 Calyx-
As far as I know anyone can put a (properly formatted) e-book on Amazon and set their own price subject to min and max limits based on the royalty option chosen (35% or 70%). I just went live with my first ebook on Amazon. It is a collection of haiku. If anyone's crazy for haiku drop me a line ( rkenney121@gmail.com ) and I'll send you the link.
Posted by: BK at August 12, 2012 06:19 PM (R7H3g)
Posted by: Pete in TX at August 12, 2012 06:47 PM (tky9G)
109
There was a sequel to The Cold Equations called The Warm Equations in which the passenger's and pilot's legs as well as the passenger's arms managed to reduce the weight by just enough. to allow them to survive. Regeneration or artificial limbs were advanced enough to work after they landed.
Posted by: Sabba Hillel at August 12, 2012 06:50 PM (Nw3Zm)
110
I'll try Foreigner.
Cherryh did some great stuff. Faded Sun was life changing for a young impressionable boy.
Loved the Morgaine series, as well as the Chanur one.
Baen has a writer's forum, kind of. People can post parts of works in progress and get feedback. At least they used to. Haven't been to their board in a long time.
I'll try Foreigner.
Cherryh did some great stuff. Faded Sun was life changing for a young impressionable boy.
Loved the Morgaine series, as well as the Chanur one.
Baen has a writer's forum, kind of. People can post parts of works in progress and get feedback. At least they used to. Haven't been to their board in a long time.
Posted by: Invictos at August 12, 2012 07:10 PM (OQpzc)
111
Invictos, I kept waiting on Morgaine kri Chya to appear at Stargate Command and inform them she is closing the Quhl gate.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 07:26 PM (Pyl/0)
112
Wow, Anna, good catch. I never made the connection. That would be awesome.
Posted by: Invictos at August 12, 2012 07:33 PM (OQpzc)
113
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 07:26 PM (Pyl/0)
I never heard of the Morgaine series. It has similarities to SG-1? Has anyone else read her Yngvie (I think that's how it's spelled) series? Based on Russian folk-lore.
I never heard of the Morgaine series. It has similarities to SG-1? Has anyone else read her Yngvie (I think that's how it's spelled) series? Based on Russian folk-lore.
Posted by: Polliwogette, teahada hobbit at August 12, 2012 07:38 PM (JB7VT)
114
Kris Neville's short story "The Forest of Zil," from Best SF: 1967...about a world-forest responding to Terran intrusion by retrospectively cancelling the time-line of Homo Sapiens, sending a creeping amnesia back along the time axis. I live surrounded by an oak forest and ever so often their rustling leaves makes a faintly remembered sound.
"On a distant planet covered by trees, the forest moves in the warm sunlight to the motion of the gentle breeze, making their soft sounds, zil, zil, zil."
"On a distant planet covered by trees, the forest moves in the warm sunlight to the motion of the gentle breeze, making their soft sounds, zil, zil, zil."
Posted by: wee-weed up at August 12, 2012 07:49 PM (7JY6C)
115
Polliwogette, the Morgaine series if four books.
Gate of Ivrel, Well of Shiuan, Fires of Azeroth, and Exile's Gate.
Across the galaxy are alien gates that can take you to any planet that has a gate. Supposedly they are creations of the Qhal. But they are also a trap since one can travel through time using them. So humans sent out a team to shut the gates down. Morgaine is the last survivor of that team when Gate of Ivrel opens.
'When Thiye ruled in Hjemur
Came strangers riding there,
And three were dark and one was gold,
And one like frost was fair.
Fair was she, and fatal as fair,
And cursed who gave her ear;
Now men are few and wolves are more,
And the Winter drawing near.'
- From the opening of Gate of Ivrel
Gate of Ivrel, Well of Shiuan, Fires of Azeroth, and Exile's Gate.
Across the galaxy are alien gates that can take you to any planet that has a gate. Supposedly they are creations of the Qhal. But they are also a trap since one can travel through time using them. So humans sent out a team to shut the gates down. Morgaine is the last survivor of that team when Gate of Ivrel opens.
'When Thiye ruled in Hjemur
Came strangers riding there,
And three were dark and one was gold,
And one like frost was fair.
Fair was she, and fatal as fair,
And cursed who gave her ear;
Now men are few and wolves are more,
And the Winter drawing near.'
- From the opening of Gate of Ivrel
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 07:59 PM (Pyl/0)
116
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 07:59 PM (Pyl/0)
Thanks, yeah that *does* sound a lot like SG-1. Are the books still available?
Thanks, yeah that *does* sound a lot like SG-1. Are the books still available?
Posted by: Polliwogette, teahada hobbit at August 12, 2012 08:02 PM (JB7VT)
117
Amazon has all of them, and Faded Sun.
Posted by: Invictos at August 12, 2012 08:13 PM (OQpzc)
118
Amazon has listed for $8.99 a book that collects the first three books. It is called the Morgaine Saga. Only 5 left in stock.
As for a copy of Exile's Gate on Amazon. That is pretty grim since have to look under used.
Reason why Exile's Gate is not included is because that one book equals the size of the other three books combined.
As for a copy of Exile's Gate on Amazon. That is pretty grim since have to look under used.
Reason why Exile's Gate is not included is because that one book equals the size of the other three books combined.
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 08:16 PM (Pyl/0)
119
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at August 12, 2012 08:16 PM (Pyl/0)
Thanks, figured it was worth finding out if they were even still in print before looking further.
Thanks, figured it was worth finding out if they were even still in print before looking further.
Posted by: Polliwogette, teahada hobbit at August 12, 2012 08:30 PM (JB7VT)
120
Howdy folks late to the thread. Back mnto the re-read stuff. Late because I read Da Vinci Code and then watched the movie. I had remebered that the movie followed the book except that they had to shorten the movie.
I remembered incorrectly.
I remembered incorrectly.
Posted by: Vic - supports the R&R ticket at August 12, 2012 08:34 PM (YdQQY)
121
Need to write, spending all day syncing files and setting up software and interruptions and anticipating interruptions.
(sigh)
(sigh)
Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at August 12, 2012 08:58 PM (bxiXv)
122
#53 - Anyone can sell eBooks on Amazon, and can set their own prices (although Amazon tries to encourage you to set your prices in a certain range). Anyone can also sell print-on-demand books on Amazon (Amazon's CreateSpace division prints them). I think there may be some morality limits that, if crossed, can get you suspended as an author, but they are pretty lax.
Amazon does have a publishing branch that offers writing contracts to the "best"/most successful writers around, but that is a separate division and you have to be picked to join.
Amazon does have a publishing branch that offers writing contracts to the "best"/most successful writers around, but that is a separate division and you have to be picked to join.
Posted by: SEM at August 12, 2012 11:09 PM (PPvQb)
123
I loved science fiction, still do. In my late teens I was an addicted reader, I would read 5 or 6 books a week, almost exclusively science fiction. Reading these older stories set my imagination afire, I dreamed of man's adventures in space travel. I was tremendously excited about the lunar program and landings on the Moon. I watched every one. Alas, then the disappointment began to set in. Seeing all the grand dreams slowly being made unachievable by budget cuts and politicians with the foresight of a garden slug. Now at the age of 69, I realize I will almost surely be dead by the time man goes to Mars if we ever do.. We don't even have a man rated launch vehicle anymore. Every other space faring country is surpassing us, we, the people that took the human race to another planet in 3rd place now, how sad. All the hubbub about Curiosity landing on Mars, though a great accomplishment, was not using new ideas or technology. The Russians were using the rocket motor braking system for hard landings on soil instead of water 25 years ago, remember? Curiosity itself is mostly a larger version of the two smaller rovers already on Mars, it has some more sophisticated experiments, but not really new space faring technology. What is really depressing, if we had continued the space program at the pace the lunar program was pursued, we could have landed a man on Mars 25 years ago. We probably would have a Martian colony by now and the human race would be an interplanetary society. Oh, and by the way, vampires and werewolves have nothing to do with science fiction, just sayin'.
Posted by: Billy Dixon at August 13, 2012 08:05 AM (ym5zb)
124
FYI The Cold Equations was made into an inferior movie -- not an episode of a series -- in which the touchy-feely sci-fi of today flinched from the tragedy which the young girl stowaway brings on herself. Tant pis, as the French say...
Posted by: herbork at August 13, 2012 08:05 AM (ZNwHw)
125
Well, this is definitely a dead thread now but I am going to recommend a series of books by Alexi Panshin all of which include "Rosinante" in the title. They are hard science fiction about the construction crew on an O'Neil colony beyond the orbit of Mars that takes ownership of the project when the North American Union which had been paying for it starts to fall apart.
The only place I ever saw the books was in a Science Fiction book store in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
The only place I ever saw the books was in a Science Fiction book store in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Posted by: Obnoxious A Hole at August 13, 2012 10:23 AM (MdXEM)
126
"Cold Equations" belongs on my list of SF Stories to Remember, along with "In Hiding," "A Wind Is Rising" (Robert Sheckley under a pen name -- the heroes have to deal with a planet where winds blow at 200 miles an hour all the time), "The Long Watch" by Heinlein (Kiplingesque heroism on the moon), and Larry Niven's "Wrong Way Street" (a time-travel nightmare). Oh, and Gordon R. Dickson's "On Messenger Mountain."
Many years ago Terry Carr edited an anthology called "Science Fiction for People who Hate Science Fiction," and it has a lot of grand stories in there, including the Bradbury story "A Sound of Thunder" -- the first story, I think, about that "butterfly effect" -- and Clarke's "The Star."
Many years ago Terry Carr edited an anthology called "Science Fiction for People who Hate Science Fiction," and it has a lot of grand stories in there, including the Bradbury story "A Sound of Thunder" -- the first story, I think, about that "butterfly effect" -- and Clarke's "The Star."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at August 13, 2012 10:28 AM (exvgC)
127
Yes! Read this very book. Many times. It still affects my thinking to this day. I think I loaned it to someone, should get another copy.....
And YES Star Wars sucked! Sci-fi, as opposed to science fiction.
And YES Star Wars sucked! Sci-fi, as opposed to science fiction.
Posted by: Cactiki at August 13, 2012 10:43 AM (Ca+zh)
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