Remember <i>Boy's Life</i>? There was a long running serialization then, about a boy from the 1960s, and another boy from far, far into the future. Can't for the life of me remember the name now, but I read it for years. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis: </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>
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<font color="yellow">Summoner - Edgar Rice Burroughs and his John Carter of Mars books what were got me hooked on scifi for life.</font><br /><br />I thank you.<br /><br />From the bottom of my heart I extend my deepest gratitude.<br /><br />Out of the several times I've tried to remember what books I read when I was a kid that were my first real "Science Fiction" books, I never could get a clear answer from any of my descriptions. But, in this thread, you've paired enough words together to bring back those memories.<br /><br />Thanks! Thanks very much!<br /><br />An excellent series of stories there! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>
Well, all I can say is that I discovered Sci-Fi when I was around 11 or 12, through the work of..<br /><br />Alan Dean Foster!<br /><br />Beware though, some of his more recent work seems rushed compared to his earlier works.<br /><br />His first four "Pip and Flinx" series of books are excellent (The Tar-Aiym Krang, Blood Hype, Orphan Star, The End of the Matter), The IceRigger Trilogy is also excellent, and so are the earlier books in his "commonwealth" series and the "Damned" Trilogy.<br /><br />I also liked "The man who used the universe". <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000">_______________________________________________<br /></font><font size="2"><em>SpeedFreek</em></font> </p> </div>
Flinx and Pip! Yeah, they're excellent!<br /><br />Bran Tse Mallory and Truzenzuzex always trip me out, they get along so well. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis: </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>
It was sci-fi that originally aroused my interest in astronomy, and it was Alan Dean Foster that got me into sci-fi, so I doubt I would be posting here if it wasn't for him! Just steer clear of his more "gimmicky" titles.<br /><br />"Midworld" was the first sci-fi book I ever read, and I was hooked! Then the first 4 Flinx and Pip novels, then the Icerigger series. "Cachalot" is very good, as is "Nor Crystal Tears". I found "Voyage to the City of the Dead" wasn't very good, but "Sentenced to Prism" was excellent!<br /><br />I liked it when we heard about Bran and Tru's exploits in the war.. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000">_______________________________________________<br /></font><font size="2"><em>SpeedFreek</em></font> </p> </div>
I have read *every* "Commonwealth" novel written by Foster. Last thing I read in the series was the "Diurturnity" series (on the alignment of the Humans and the Thranx).<br /><br />My favorite books he wrote were "Icerigger," and "For love of Mother-not." "Midworld" is right up there too.<br /><br />Call me a wonk, I don't care. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis: </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>
I loved the Pip and Flinx books. I identified with Flinx right off the bat having come from somewhat similar circumstances. Yes, I am an empath. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />I recently bought several of the later books while out of town. I ran out of reading material and was in a rush. They weren't bad. But, they weren't as good as the earlier works.<br /><br />I loved the Icerigger books and The Damned as well. I wish he had kept on going with The Damned, it had promise. Cachalot wasn't a bad book either, IIRC. In fact, the only book I can think of that really sucked was "The Howling Stones." His latest series, something about a talking dog and his human master that get kidnapped by aliens.. well, it stinks pretty bad.. but, it's kind of entertaining.<br /><br />All in all, most of his books set in the Commonwealth aren't bad. The history of the Commonwealth books doesn't suck. I'd also put in a good word for one of my favorites "Nor Crystal Tears" which, IMO, is probably the best of his work beside "For Love of Mother Not."<br /><br />IMO, Foster has been going downhill for awhile. But, in all honesty, if I have to pick up a book that is "light reading" and something I don't really have to pay attention to.. (Kinda like pulp comics or something) I'll pick up a Foster book. It's entertaining and doesn't require me to "think." It's my version of television. 
<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>
<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>Well, I suppose we can all call A.D. Foster books our "guilty pleasure" in Science Fiction. A lot of people poo-poo some of his stuff but I happen to like his style when I want some relaxing "just read and be entertained" reading. I've read everything he has written, aside from a few standalones and movie adaptions. But, I read a lot so picking up a Foster book usually only lasts me one sitting, maybe two. They're spacers for the heavier stuff. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>
<i>"Nor Crystal Tears."</i><br /><br />Yeah, there's a lot of pathos in that story. A pretty damned good first contact story, I'd say. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis: </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>
Yup. In fact, while most authors would get bogged down in details involving how "alien" the aliens are, he skips right past that and goes straight into character development. It was one of the most excellent jobs of anthropomorphizing an alien species in the first few pages that I've read.<br /><br />I think we have a "winner" as far as recommendations for a young boy. There's nothing at all in any of those stories that a young boy wouldn't find entertaining. The "Pip and Flinx" series is an excellent, outstanding choice for "first series read" IMO. It's clean stuff, no worries about adult situations. It deals with a young boy looking to define himself and the rest of the Universe, etc.. It's perfect stuff. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>
speedfreak - you win the recommendation's list, IMO. I'm embarrassed that I didn't think to look to Pip and Flinx right off the bat.<br /><br />Great recommendation! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>
Yeah. His personalizations are very good.<br /><br />I think his critics are mostly peeved that he doesn't develop the science behind his stories. Sour Grapes, that. <br /><br />Heinlein was once asked for a tip on writing SF, and he responded, "for example, I will say something like, 'the door irised open,' and leave it at that." The reader is left to fill in the historical and technological future that leads to a door that irises open. But, ah! His characterizations! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis: </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>
I'm currently reading Brian Greene - Fabric of the Cosmos, but now I feel inspired to take a break from the cosmology and re-read some A.D.Foster... hmmm which one though...?<br /><br />I think "Nor Crystal Tears" <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> It's a well thumbed copy! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000">_______________________________________________<br /></font><font size="2"><em>SpeedFreek</em></font> </p> </div>
Ditto Icerigger. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis: </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>
<font color="yellow">speedfreak - I think "Nor Crystal Tears" It's a well thumbed copy!</font><br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />Just about all my ADF books, and probably yours as well, are "well thumbed" with exception to the one_that_shall_not_be_named_again_because_it_sucked.<br /><br />Good idea though. I don't think I've read "Fabric of the Cosmos" but I have read "The Elegant Universe." I like his writing style. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>
Jules Verne "The Mysterious Island". Read it when I was 13. Made me go into engineering. Bunch of professors stuck on an island, using chemistry to make stuff. Explained everything in detail. They found iron ore and made steel wires and a telegraph system. It was all based on real science. Very informative. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p> </div>
Why not a subscription to Science News..... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
I always liked David Eddings books. So you could try those. Also Tom Swift by Victor Appleton.<br /><br />David Eddings<br />Tom Swift<br /><br />If you want to find better web pages about the authors or books just do a google search <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />. <br /><br />Enjoy <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#ffff00"><p><font color="#3366ff">I have an answer for everything...you may not like the answer or it may not satisfy your curiosity..but it will still be an answer.</font> <br /><font color="#ff0000">"Imagination is more important then Knowledge" ~Albert Einstien~</font> <br /><font color="#cc99ff">Guns dont kill people. People kill people</font>.</p></font><p><font color="#ff6600">Solar System</font></p> </div>
John Christopher's "The Tripods" are very good. You might also try him on the John Marsden "Tomorrow, when the war began" series.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em> Arthur Clarke</p> </div>
Just wanted to thank you all for your suggestions. We went to the bookstore last week with a print-out of this thread and spent some time thumbing through some of the books. My son settled on Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, and Xenocide. He also got a trilogy called The Bartimaeus Trilogy....more a fantasy than science fiction. Between homework and football practice, he only has time to read right before he goes to bed...so these trilogies will keep him occupied for quite some time! (By the way, report cards came out today and he got all A's and 2 B's...he's in all honors courses, so I am very proud.) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff00ff">In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back.<br /></font><strong>Charlie Brown</strong></p> </div>
Glad we all were able to help. Infusing the young mind with wonder and adventure and science is a privilege. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis: </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>
I am reading The Knight (trilogy) by Gene Wolfe and it contains everyday language that any kid can use, as well as non-religious metaphors that are useful for a growing dude. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="color:#ff9900" class="Apple-style-span">-pyoko</span> <span style="color:#333333" class="Apple-style-span">the</span> <span style="color:#339966" class="Apple-style-span">duck </span></p><p><span style="color:#339966" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color:#808080;font-style:italic" class="Apple-style-span">It is by will alone I set my mind in motion.</span></span></p> </div>
Seconded on the Tripods trilogy being a great read, it is certainly a young persons book in intent and difficulty, but that doesn't mean that he won't enjoy it, very high class of writer.<br /><br />Another good'n from the past is "The Chrysalids" by John Wyndham. I am guessing that "The Day of the Triffids" would be too slow paced, too dry, for a young bloke. The Chrysalids is the better of Wyndhams books, imo. The protaganist is a young bloke, thrown into the middle of a crisis, very good story, very real.
Congratulations on his good grades! Make sure to come back and let us all know how he liked those books. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>
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