>Alan, out of curiosity, have you read Robert Heinlein?
>
>Kevin

I was many moons ago. I started with this "Future Histories" anthology, and then I gobbled up his stuff until "Time Enough for Love" and "Friday" - neither of which I could stomach. I got the impression that he felt passed by by the 60's and wanted everybody to know what a cool guy he would have been had he known then what he knew now.

Some of his work will stand forever as shining examples of what a great book should be. Obviously, "Stranger in a Strange Land", "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress", "PodKayne of Mars" a few others. In fact, "Stranger..." is pretty much a landmark in SF, probably on a par with Clarke's "Childhood's End", LeGuin's "Left Hand of Darkness", and Dick's "The Man in the High Castle".

One of those rare books that actually changed some people's lives. Of course, you have to overlook the fact that Heinlein was a military man and a "man's man" in some of what he says (he did like to pontificate), but great writing is great writing. I just don't know what happened to him. Somewhere in the 70's he justs seemed to lose it (at least for me).

IMHO, Phil Dick is still the greatest SF writer that ever was. Followed closely by Gene Wolf and Alfred Bester. Then maybe Heinlein, LeGuin and a few others. A newer one who has come on strong for me is Richard Morgan. "Altered Carbon" may be the best SF I've read in a decade.