i for one don't think you can go past Arthur C. Clarke that man was not only a visionary but i remarkable story teller for any one reading this who is yet to experience the joy of reading his Rama series, read it. for those who have read it im sure you'll agree. but who is your favourite? we cant forget Jules Verne the god father of it all <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> everyone gets one </div>
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If you mean writers that are still active today, then at the moment I'd have to say my 2 favorite are Peter Hamilton and David Weber. Of course there are way too many great writers out there to limit yourself. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:271px;background-color:#FFF;border:1pxsolid#999"><tr><td colspan="2"><div style="height:35px"><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/htmlSticker1/language/www/US/MT/Three_Forks.gif" alt="" height="35" width="271" style="border:0px" /></div>
<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>i for one don't think you can go past Arthur C. Clarke that man was not only a visionary but i remarkable story teller for any one reading this who is yet to experience the joy of reading his Rama series, read it. for those who have read it im sure you'll agree. but who is your favourite? we cant forget Jules Verne the god father of it all <br /> Posted by taylormade</DIV></p><p> </p><p>According to the terms of the Clarke/Asimov Treaty, they are both #2.</p><p> </p><p> </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff00ff">If not for bad Pluck, I'd have no Pluck at all . . .</font></p><p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff">This is your vogon, posting under coeptus, and trying IE and Firefox to see if either is faster with fewer misloads. Erf !!</font></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> </div>
<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>i for one don't think you can go past Arthur C. Clarke that man was not only a visionary but i remarkable story teller for any one reading this who is yet to experience the joy of reading his Rama series, read it. for those who have read it im sure you'll agree. but who is your favourite? we cant forget Jules Verne the god father of it all <br /> Posted by taylormade</DIV></p><p>Well, I thought <span style="font-style:italic" class="Apple-style-span">Rendezvous with Rama</span> was suberb, but all the Gentry Lee collaborations that came after it were awful. <span style="font-style:italic" class="Apple-style-span">A Fall of Moondust</span> is my personal favorite of all of Sir Arthur's novels. But overall, I'd have to say Isaac Asimov has him beat in terms of quality and quantity. His Foundation Series (which he later folded into his robot novels) was much grander in scope than anything Clarke was able to accomplish.</p><p>But "greatest sci-fi writer" can also mean, "who had the greatest influence on writers that followed?", and in that case it would have to be Robert Heinlein (even though I had problems with a lot of his writing). </p><p>As far as I'm concerned, Kim Stanley Robinson is one of the modern "greats". His Mars Trilogy was one of the most outstanding works of fiction I've ever read. </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Well, I thought Rendezvous with Rama was suberb, but all the Gentry Lee collaborations that came after it were awful. A Fall of Moondust is my personal favorite of all of Sir Arthur's novels. But overall, I'd have to say Isaac Asimov has him beat in terms of quality and quantity. His Foundation Series (which he later folded into his robot novels) was much grander in scope than anything Clarke was able to accomplish.But "greatest sci-fi writer" can also mean, "who had the greatest influence on writers that followed?", and in that case it would have to be Robert Heinlein (even though I had problems with a lot of his writing). As far as I'm concerned, Kim Stanley Robinson is one of the modern "greats". His Mars Trilogy was one of the most outstanding works of fiction I've ever read. <br />Posted by crazyeddie</DIV><br /><br />But did the rama series not blow your mind? i mean asimov's foundation was an amazing trilogy but i didnt think it quite competed with rama, but i do completely agree with you on kim stanley robinsons im just starting blue mars now and i have been thoroughly impressed with red and green, but another rocking series of books is philip jose farmer's river world series check it out you wont be disapointed <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> everyone gets one </div>
<font size="4"><br />Asimov wrote over 500 books! </font> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>It does not require many words to speak the truth. Chief Joseph</p> </div>
<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>But did the rama series not blow your mind? i mean asimov's foundation was an amazing trilogy but i didnt think it quite competed with rama, but i do completely agree with you on kim stanley robinsons im just starting blue mars now and i have been thoroughly impressed with red and green, but another rocking series of books is philip jose farmer's river world series check it out you wont be disapointed <br /> Posted by taylormade</DIV></p><p>The only thing that blew my mind about the Rama series was how bad the the novels that followed the first one were. I had to quit in disgust halfway through the third novel. Different strokes for different folks....I know you liked them, but they were just not my cut of tea. The Riverworld series, I agree, was outstanding.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
<p>It is hard to answer. Im going to exclude 'most prolific' and 'most enjoyable' since the first is better answered by a beancounter and the stuff I have really enjoyed aint by no means 'great' 
It is all pulp and often verging on fantasy. </p><p>In terms of authors who really crossed boundaries into the general conciousness, and carried worthwhile messages, here are three candidates.</p><p>A.C Clarke, of course. Very qualified and realistic. He wrote about what the future could have been. He colaborated on 2001 which was far more than another SF movie.</p><p>Philip K Dick. An odd one. I never really got into his books but people keep making great movies out of them: Blade Runner, Total Recall, Screamers..</p><p>Kim Stanley Robinson. There just is no other SF series I have read that made the world as real, the characters as deep and crystal clear as his Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars series. (though I actually found it pretty hard to wade through at times.. pulp is much easier to read )</p><p>Btw Im just reading his 'Antarctica' now.</p>
It is all pulp and often verging on fantasy. </p><p>In terms of authors who really crossed boundaries into the general conciousness, and carried worthwhile messages, here are three candidates.</p><p>A.C Clarke, of course. Very qualified and realistic. He wrote about what the future could have been. He colaborated on 2001 which was far more than another SF movie.</p><p>Philip K Dick. An odd one. I never really got into his books but people keep making great movies out of them: Blade Runner, Total Recall, Screamers..</p><p>Kim Stanley Robinson. There just is no other SF series I have read that made the world as real, the characters as deep and crystal clear as his Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars series. (though I actually found it pretty hard to wade through at times.. pulp is much easier to read )</p><p>Btw Im just reading his 'Antarctica' now.</p>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>The only thing that blew my mind about the Rama series was how bad the the novels that followed the first one were. I had to quit in disgust halfway through the third novel. Different strokes for different folks....I know you liked them, but they were just not my cut of tea. The Riverworld series, I agree, was outstanding. <br />Posted by crazyeddie</DIV><br /><br />the riverworld series did rock didnt it and what an ending absoloute brilliance, but if you never made it to the finish line of rama then i suppose you wouldnt know how well that ended aswell. I mean during the second book i felt like throwing it at the wall perhaps putting it in the oven for 25 on 180 but by the end of the fourth it all makes sense we he put you through some stale moments in the other books. but like you said different strokes for different folks, what ever blows your hair back <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> everyone gets one </div>
<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>i for one don't think you can go past Arthur C. Clarke that man was not only a visionary but i remarkable story teller for any one reading this who is yet to experience the joy of reading his Rama series, read it. for those who have read it im sure you'll agree. but who is your favourite? we cant forget Jules Verne the god father of it all <br />Posted by taylormade</DIV><br /><br />I really like </p><p>1. Stephen Baxter</p><p>2. Peter F Hamilton</p><p>3 Alistair Reynolds.</p><p>i think Stephen Baxter will become something of a long term influence with time.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="4" color="#ff0000"><font size="2">Assumption is the mother of all stuff ups</font> </font></p><p><font size="4" color="#ff0000">Gimme some Schmack Schmack!</font></p> </div>
<p>I like Kelvin's post and agree with his selections; but, would also add Heinlein and Ray Bradbury to his following list. </p><p> I have read numerous Dick stories and they are great. The joy of the Mars trilogy by Robinson is that soooo... much of what he wrote is solid science being validated both on Mars and on Earth with global warming here and the rover and polar lander findings validating Robinson's predictions.:</p><p> </p><p>Kelvinzero said:</p><p> <font color="#ff00ff">"...A.C Clarke, of course. Very qualified and realistic. He wrote about what the future could have been. He colaborated on 2001 which was far more than another SF movie.</font></p><p><font color="#ff00ff">Philip K Dick. An odd one. I never really got into his books but people keep making great movies out of them: Blade Runner, Total Recall, Screamers..</font></p><p><font color="#ff00ff">Kim Stanley Robinson. There just is no other SF series I have read that made the world as real, the characters as deep and crystal clear as his Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars series. (though I actually found it pretty hard to wade through at times.. pulp is much easier to read ).."</font></p>
).."</font></p>I also like Dick quite a bit. I will say that I think James P. Hogan is very much under appreciated. And what is the time frame for "our time"? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>Marooned - A Space Opera in the Wrong Key!</p><p><font size="2"><strong>http://www.maroonedcomic.com </strong></font></p> </div>
I find it hard also to pick a greatest as there are so many great writers who have buoyed the genre in different areas. I like stories that uses SciFi as a means to lay bare the human psyche, so love P. K. Dick. Robert Silverberg and Theodore Sturgeon have also produced great works in this vein. When I feel like hard SciFi, it is hard to beat Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov, but I think Greg Bear deserves a mention. I love the English language and few can eclipse M. John Harrison for the beauty of his writing - so he is on my list of greatest writers. For sheer story - telling wonder: Jack Vance and Peter F. Hamilton.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I find it hard also to pick a greatest as there are so many great writers who have buoyed the genre in different areas. I like stories that uses SciFi as a means to lay bare the human psyche, so love P. K. Dick. Robert Silverberg and Theodore Sturgeon have also produced great works in this vein. When I feel like hard SciFi, it is hard to beat Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov, but I think Greg Bear deserves a mention. I love the English language and few can eclipse M. John Harrison for the beauty of his writing - so he is on my list of greatest writers. For sheer story - telling wonder: Jack Vance and Peter F. Hamilton. <br /> Posted by jmilsom</DIV></p><p>In the 1990's it was the "killer B's" that were considered the top hard sci-fi writers: David Brin, Gregory Benford, and Greg Bear. Alas, they have not been as productive lately, but all have produced some of my favorite hard science fiction novels. Most notably, Brin's Uplift Series (<span style="font-style:italic" class="Apple-style-span">Startide Rising, Sundiver, The Uplift War</span>, etc.), Benford's Galactic Center series (<span style="font-style:italic" class="Apple-style-span">In The Ocean of Night, Across the Sea of Suns, Tides of Light</span>, etc.), and Bear's <span style="font-style:italic" class="Apple-style-span">Forge of God</span> series, as well as numerous stand-alone novels such as <span style="font-style:italic" class="Apple-style-span">Moving Mars</span> (my personal favorite!) <span style="font-style:italic" class="Apple-style-span">Hegira</span>, and <span style="font-style:italic" class="Apple-style-span">Blood Music</span>.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
<p>big toss up for me.....</p><p> </p><p>well i can put it to a top 3 but cant decide on who is where in the list</p><p>Ben Bova</p><p>Arthur C. Clarke</p><p>Isaac Asimov</p>
<p>I'd have to vote for these Top Ten, in no particular order: (Feel free to pick the most recent for the "our time" portion of the poll.</p><p>A.C. Clarke</p><p>Phillip K Dick</p><p>Gregory Benford</p><p>Robert Heinlein</p><p>Isaac Asimov</p><p>H.G. Wells</p><p>Jules Verne</p><p>Jonathan Swift</p><p>Edgar Allen Poe</p><p>Mary Shelley</p><p>PS - I really, really wanted to put Zelanzy in there but couldn't find a way to fit him in the list and wasn't about to kick Benford out!</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>
<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>big toss up for me..... well i can put it to a top 3 but cant decide on who is where in the listBen BovaArthur C. ClarkeIsaac Asimov <br />Posted by gawin</DIV><br /><br />I agree with the above, but not in that order.</p><p>Asimov</p><p>Clarke</p><p>Bova</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>ZenGalacticore</p> </div>
<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I agree with the above, but not in that order.AsimovClarkeBova <br /> Posted by ZenGalacticore</DIV></p><p>I'm surprised to see a couple of you list Ben Bova as one of "the greatest". Although he's won accolades as a superb editor while he was at the helm of Analog, he's never won a Nebula Award, which is the one that his peers in the science fiction world bestow. He sells a lot of books, but I've always thought of his writing as sub-par, mostly because of his poor characterizations.</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
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