[Bender2]

Re: “Citizen of the Galaxy” is his most Important “Juvenile”. “Stranger in a Strange Land” is his best Satire. It will be the “Gulliver’s Travels” for the late 20th Century.

Yes, I pat myself on the back often for choosing that one to begin...

However, just about any of his 'juveniles' are better than 95% of the science-fiction (juvenile or adult) written then or now...

I've never found any sci-fi writer that make me want to read his each and every published word except for Heinlein.

Isaac Asimov came close as did Arthur C. Clarke and H. Beam Piper...

Joe Haldeman's 1974 The Forever War gave me hope of a writer in Heinlein's style, but his later works did not do it for me. A friend once suggested John Varney as a Heinleinish writer, but his works were very pale in comparison.

Guess I just got spoiled early by Bob Heinlein, but I feel I am a better person for it!

[Pablo64]

I share your opinion of RAH. I have enjoyed Asimov as well (just got my wife to read his Foundation trilogy). Both are giants in the genre, but I have to say, for strictly sci-fi (not sci-fi/fantasy) Heinlein is still my favorite. The first book of his that I read was Glory Road and I've been hooked ever since.

An author that my wife and I have grown to love in the fantasy realms is Terry Goodkind. His Sword of Truth series has been excellent and we are looking forward to the release of the final book later this year (release originally scheduled for early '08, but has been moved up). The scope of this story has been incredible, the social commentary thought provoking (his message all but screams out loud "Commie Libs Suck!). Anyone who enjoys Heinlein and also has a taste for the fantasy stories should check out Terry Goodkind.

[VermiciousKnid]

Bender,

I think I’ve read all of Varley’s works, and his first three, though his most famous, disappointed me, too. However, if you have nod done so, you might enjoy “Steel Beach” and “The Golden Globe,” both of which are MUCH closer to Heinlein’s work.

Regards,

[Professional Engineer]

I've never found any sci-fi writer that make me want to read his each and every published word except for Heinlein.

Same here. Larry Niven is probably close. RAH even got me to reading shorts again. Twenty years after I had thought my hi-skruwl teechurs killed the desire.

[LexBaird]

I've never found any sci-fi writer that make me want to read his each and every published word except for Heinlein.

So, what are some recommends from the RAH fan club? Not necessarily Heinleinesque, but good authors of the genre that provoke new thought or inspire you to check out other works by the same person.

I'll start:

Neil Stephenson, Snow Crash, The Diamond Age, The Baroque Cycle, and, his best, Cryptonomicon. Brilliantly written and plotted, with wonderful characters.
Tim Powers, The Anubus Gates, Strange Tides, Last Call, Declare. Weird fantasy, different from anything else I've read.
Daniel Keys Moran, The Armageddon Blues, Emerald Eyes, The Long Run, The Last Dancer. More obscure, undeservedly so. He didn't seem to catch an audience, but I really liked his stuff. If you're out there Daniel, FINISH THE CYCLE!