2007-10-28 04:45:02 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Isaac Asimov.
He wrote very interesting and deep scifi stories, but he also wrote tons of other stuff - popular science, mystery novels, chemistry texts, biblical commentary, and even newspaper columns. That he could write so prolifically, well, and knowledgeably outside of the science fiction genre has always told me that he was the best of the science fiction writers.
Other favorites are Larry Niven and Arthur C. Clarke.
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Edit: for ianhad ... David Niven was great, but he was an actor not a scifi writer :-)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Niven
2007-10-28 10:00:33 · answer #1 · answered by 62,040,610 Idiots 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My favorite science fiction writer overall is Harry Harrison. However, the most influential science fiction writers were probably H. G. Wells, Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein.
Also, why is this question in the astronomy & space category?
2007-10-28 13:25:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My personal favorite is Jack Vance. The man has a wonderful command of the language. His alien worlds are intricately drawn and unique. His characters are less than perfect, but read any paragraph of a Vance novel and you can guess who wrote it. Unfortunately he's gone almost totally blind and he's not likely to be writing any more. I'm also quite pleased by the works of Jack McDevitt. An absolute master of believable science fiction. All of his novels are set in the same, believable universe. Many are good procedural mysteries. And while some share the same characters, each novel is a separate entity. He is not one of those authors who produce an endless stream of sequels. And both authors use the single character point of view, not jumping from character to character.
2007-10-28 14:13:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been reading these oldies but goodies
"The Stone God Awakens", by Philip Jose Farmer
"The Planet Strappers", by Raymond Z. Gallum
"The Green Brain", by Frank Herbert
For current writers I like James Hogan his books include
Thrice upon a time
The Gentle Giants of Ganymede
etc, about 25 more
He also does non fiction like, "Kicking the Sacred Cow"
has a great website and newsletter.
2007-10-29 00:06:33 · answer #4 · answered by andyg77 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not easy to pick a winner but I'd say Isaac Asimov. Not only does he write entertaining sceince fiction but he manages to combine this with a deep insight into human nature as well. "The Gods Themselves" written long before the current debate on global warming is not only about someone who invents a new method of energy production but is also a sinister tale about the politics of energy consumption. Another one of my favourites is "The Robots of Dawn". Its a science fiction story about robots and space travel that also explores the reactions of someone to a society very different from his own and it's a brilliant detective story with a stunning surprise ending when the murderer is revealed.
2007-10-28 12:05:05 · answer #5 · answered by alan P 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'll vote for Asimov also. As far as the number of SF books and science non-fiction books he's easily the champion.
2007-10-28 13:12:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Impossible question, People can only really say who they like. I doubt that anyone has read every thing.
Some times I like Heinlein, but Jules Verne and H.G. Wells were good. Some like Ray Bradbury, I find him to poetical. Then you have David Niven. The list is endless.
2007-10-28 12:04:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hard to say. My vote would be for Heinlein, Bradbury, or Asimov. Although Van Vogt wrote a lot of very good stuff as well.
Doug
2007-10-28 12:29:18 · answer #8 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd nominate Edgar Pangborn. Not many have heard of him, but he profoundly influenced my life when I first read his books as a teenager.
2007-10-28 12:17:50 · answer #9 · answered by GeoffG 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋