|
|
|
Marc_a_b
Skeptic Friend
USA
142 Posts |
 Posted - 06/20/2001 : 14:15:54 [Permalink]
|
Anyone read Robert L. Forward's books? He's a PhD in physics and likes to keep his sci/fi accurate. Only read one of his books, Indistinguisable From Magic. It would have a chapter on the reality of some sci-fi topic, like anti-mater, time travel, anti-gravity, and then a short story on the subject.
Or if you are into horror/thrillers I recomend F. Paul Wilson. Got my nephew reading his books right now. Wilson happens to be a doctor, so the medical stuff in his books should be right on. Just finnished a short story by him where a lawyer that gets rich from phony malpractice suits gets just what he deserves. 
|
 |
|
|
Rift
Skeptic Friend
USA
333 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2001 : 20:29:31 [Permalink]
|
I've read two books by Forward. One was 'Future Magic', a non-fiction book at how we might really go about doing somethings in science fiction, I'd highly recommend it. Sounds like 'Indistinquisable From Magic' is a sequal to it, with fiction thrown in.
I've also read "Flight of the Dragonfly" which was a very hard science look at how we may visit another star. It was okay, I'm not sure I really like Forward's style when he writes fiction, but the aliens were really really cool... The science was really accurate and that was refreshing. :)
Megan, there is absolutely nothing wrong with fantasy, magic, and all of that stuff, as long as you realize it is just FICTION. I'm all ready anticipating the release of the "Lord of the Rings" movie this winter (Although i'm already bracing myself to be dissapointed, Elijha Wood is Frodo)
BTW I've never even heard of Elizabeth Moon, how do you guys keep up and find time to read all this stuff??? ::green with envy::
Edited by - Rift on 06/20/2001 20:30:55 |
|
|
|
Trish
SFN Addict
USA
2102 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2001 : 22:00:48 [Permalink]
|
quote:
BTW I've never even heard of Elizabeth Moon, how do you guys keep up and find time to read all this stuff??? ::green with envy::
I walk, read, and chew gum at the same time, while avoiding others walking around me. That's how I read so much (also helps to read at 525 wpm - don't ask but I was timed).
Elizabeth Moon originally worked with Anne McCaffrey on Sassinack. She wrote the Deed of Paksenarrion it is a trilogy - Sheep Farmers Daughter, Divided Allegiance and Oath in Gold. This book brought on bootcamp flash backs in the first few chapters. Militarily her books are execellent...(no I didn't know this until I read Rules of Engagement - no not the movie) She's a jarhead too.
Hunting Party, Sporting Chance, Once a Hero and Rules of Engagement are all SF. But more focused on the military aspects than the science.
Good SF author is Stephen Baxter, his degrees are in mathematics...his science is mostly sound except where he expands conventions to make the story.
He's YOUR god, they're YOUR rules, YOU burn in hell! |
|
|
|
Rift
Skeptic Friend
USA
333 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2001 : 22:49:45 [Permalink]
|
I don't read as much as I should because of the damn internet. I waste my time looking at crap I shouldn't.
Speaking of which, Hoagland is at it again :)
Three more links up at his site www.enterprisemission.org
|
|
|
|
Trish
SFN Addict
USA
2102 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2001 : 23:43:33 [Permalink]
|
My computer connection is just slow enough that I can read at least a paragraph between changing pages LOL!
He's YOUR god, they're YOUR rules, YOU burn in hell! |
|
|
|
James
SFN Regular
USA
754 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2001 : 00:06:27 [Permalink]
|
Knowing my luck, Trish, I'll be about as slow as you are by the time I head back to school in a couple of weeks.
"When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not." -Master Yoda |
|
|
|
Trish
SFN Addict
USA
2102 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2001 : 01:29:18 [Permalink]
|
Great study time tho James. But I head back to school again in 1 1/2 months, so enjoy! Doesn't the campus have faster DSL or T1 connections? Most schools I've been to do.
He's YOUR god, they're YOUR rules, YOU burn in hell! |
|
|
|
Boron10
Religion Moderator
USA
1266 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2001 : 02:22:46 [Permalink]
|
I've got to agree with all of the reccomendations. I would just like to add Neal Stephenson's name to the list. The technology in his books tends to be a little bizarre, but plausible. Of his books, I mostly reccomend "Cryptonomicon," since it deals with military cryptography and pure mathematics. It has some valid insights into a typical military mentality, and is a wonderful discussion of my favorite topic, cryptography (AND it's a great story, too).
|
|
|
|
James
SFN Regular
USA
754 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2001 : 02:23:17 [Permalink]
|
Yeah, it does. I get the feeling that my laptop gets help with the servers at school. At home, it's so slow that I cannot download something and have a few windows on the net open at the same time. So I just do the downloading at night. Let it do it's thing overnight, and by morning, I've either got something, or I don't. I'm happy either way.
"When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not." -Master Yoda |
|
|
|
Zandermann
Skeptic Friend
USA
431 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2001 : 09:16:53 [Permalink]
|
quote:
I've got to agree with all of the reccomendations. I would just like to add Neal Stephenson's name to the list. The technology in his books tends to be a little bizarre, but plausible. Of his books, I mostly reccomend "Cryptonomicon," since it deals with military cryptography and pure mathematics. It has some valid insights into a typical military mentality, and is a wonderful discussion of my favorite topic, cryptography (AND it's a great story, too).
I agree wholeheartedly, Boron...Cryptonomicon combines great plot with some really good code work and elegant maths and politics and computer technology and WWII history etc etc etc. It's a fascinating read.
It's one of the few novels I've ever found in which the math involved is one of the major plot points...and Stephenson gets it right.
But...the original request for suggestions came from Megan (who is 14)...otherwise this book would have been in my list of suggestions too.
Edited by - Zandermann on 06/21/2001 09:19:17 |
|
|
|
Rift
Skeptic Friend
USA
333 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2001 : 08:08:31 [Permalink]
|
::sounds air raid sirens::
This is not a drill, this is not a drill...
Creationist troll spotted 12 o'clock high on BA board.
|
|
|
|
Lisa
SFN Regular
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2001 : 12:57:43 [Permalink]
|
quote:
::sounds air raid sirens::
This is not a drill, this is not a drill...
Creationist troll spotted 12 o'clock high on BA board.
And it's gonna get worse. SkepticFriends address is posted about three times over there in conjunction with the current troll flame. Let's hope that particular thread disappears off the bottom before Piper sees it. Can you imagine HIM over here? Arg!
Over in the "Spirits" topic, there's a few who are "anti-imbibe". After reading some of Piper's drivel, they'll probably be tempted to slam back a few. (Just kidding! I know you won't! But these are posts you really have to see to believe)
This could get messy.
Lisa
Chaos...Confusion...Destruction...My Work Here Is Done |
|
|
|
Rift
Skeptic Friend
USA
333 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2001 : 15:26:00 [Permalink]
|
Ummm, there's a lot of people over there I hope don't come over here or we are in BIG trouble :)
It's all The Rat's fault, he posted that damn addy first!
|
|
|
|
Espritch
Skeptic Friend
USA
284 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2001 : 13:29:51 [Permalink]
|
quote:
Ah, so you have read my famous patented theorem concerning the apparent periodicity of troll incursions that is a random number based on multiples of a single constant (based on black hole and neutron star eruption intervals, with some factors added in for random human insanity).
Let me see if I'm following your logic. Ok...divide the incidence of insanity by the phase of the moon...carry the nuts...Ow!
Now look what you done! I've sprained my brain. I can feel my frontal cortex shutting down... You know, all of a sudden that Hoagland guy makes a lot of sense. Why...it is a cat box!
|
|
|
|
Rift
Skeptic Friend
USA
333 Posts |
Posted - 06/24/2001 : 01:42:34 [Permalink]
|
Who the hell is this Otomo guy? and what the hell is John Kierein's problem? "I think I'd like it a little warmer"? WTF?
|
|
|
 |
|
Topic Locked
