Who are the best science fiction/fantasy authors?

5/22/ | Myself

[NewJerseyJoe]

The three greatest fantasy authors of all time, without question, are:

Al Gore
L. Ron Hubbard
Joseph Smith

[pillut48]

Stephen Donaldson’s 3 Thomas Covenant series (First Chronicles, Second Chronicles, Final Chronicles)—3 books in each set. Lots of sci-fi/fantasy along the lines of Tolkien, but with a modern twist...he also wrote futuristic sci-fi space operas, which I really didn’t care much for, but some people seem to like it.

Anne McAffrey’s PERN/Dragon Riders series (many many books) which her son has now taken over writing. Again, sci-fi, some space opera stuff, fantasy stuff. Very good series too!

Of course, pretty much everything by Ray Bradbury.

[2ndDivisionVet]

The recently departed Robert Jordan (The Eye of the World series and others).

[GSWarrior]

I recommend this book...if you can find it.

[night reader]

Asimov had some pretty good characters, such as those in the “Foundation” and “I, Robot” series of books. Too bad the man was a raving, Kool-Aid drinking leftist... atheist!!!

[shempy]

I agree with many of the names listed so far. I would add Gene Wolfe. His Book of the New Sun series is among my favorites.

[rivercat]

The Forever War by Joe W Haldeman is a fantastic book

The Amber Series by Zelazny is great too.

[Noumenon]

David Weber, for his strongly themed stories of the struggle of good against evil. He’s not afraid to describe evil in terms of collectivism and tyranny. And he does a damn good job of it.

Plus, nobody does space battles as well as he does, IMHO.

For sheer wonder, try Sean Williams and Shane Dix’ Geodesica series. Greg Bear, with his Eon/Eternity series is also one of my favorites.

Most anything by Charles Stross makes for great reading.

[Squawk 8888]

I’m partial to Heinlein. Job is one of the best SF works ever IMO.

[allmendream]

George R.R. Martin's series that starts with “A Game of Thrones”.

Edgar Rice Burroughs “A Princess of Mars”, “The Gods of Mars” and “The Warlord of Mars” (ERB is more famous for Tarzan, but John Carter of Mars is one of the best SciFi series ever, very anti-Communist, anti-racist, very “this is what it means to be a MAN.”).

Also Scott Lynch's “The Lies of Locke Lamorah”, an amazing first book by a promising new author. Check it out!

[nina0113]

If you like military science fiction, try the Honor Harrington series by David Weber. The first one is On Basilisk Station, available FREE! at www.baen.com. There are many other books in the Baen Free Library, and sample chapters from the current line are available too.

[Squawk 8888]

Asimov is a great storyteller but I find his penchant for social engineering to be more than a little off-putting.

[Unassuaged]

Neal Stephenson.

I cannot recommend him highly enough.

CyberPunk and historical fiction/fantasy.

A solid conservative!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neal_Stephenson

[Noumenon]

Oops - can’t leave out Iain M Banks.

Against a Dark Background
The Player of Games
Consider Phlebas
Look to Windward
Use of Weapons

Home runs, all of them. Just re-read Consider Phlebas - every bit as goos as the first time around.

[The Louiswu]

"Honor Harrington series"
I got through 9 of them before I gave up (took a break) - really good but I needed something a little lighter...

[Squawk 8888]

I haven’t read any of his SF titles, but Harry Turtledove’s alternate histories are quite good.

[The Louiswu]

James P. Hogan
Inherit the Stars and Gentle Giants of Ganymede - a very good read with a happy ending. Reminded me of Clarke or old Heinlein.

[latina4dubya]

C.S. Lewis.. “Screwtape Letters” is the ultimate Sci-Fi..

a friend and i were just discussing Screwtape Letters yesterday... she is reading it for the first time... C.S. Lewis was certainly ingenious... so creative and clever in this writing...

[chesley]

I hated “The moon Is a Harsh Mistress”.. However, “Glory Road” in great. And, if I were to be limited to ONE SF Book on a desert island, “Starship Troopers” would have to make the short list.

[GSWarrior]

I loved Lucifer’s Hammer, Footfall, and The Mote In God’s Eye but I hated the Gripping Hand...only read the first 100 pages and had to set it aside.