User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 1/3/2021 11:12:57 AM EST
Hey guys...
Just getting back into sci-fi reading. Looking for books that deal with space exploration. Dealing with exploring new worlds and the build up and journey to them. Thanks. |
|
|
|
GA, USA
|
Posted: 1/3/2021 11:27:58 AM EST
[#1]
Who all have you read?
Some of the classic authors in that genre: Larry Niven Alastair Reynolds Greg Bear |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/3/2021 11:32:37 AM EST
[#2]
The Expanse series
David Brin series with Sundiver, Uplift War, etc. (Sundiver is not that good but the rest are.) Alastair Reynolds is also great. Pushing Ice is a single novel about exploring (unwillingly) as well as "Revelation Space" series. Piers Anthony Cluster series OK and easy reading. (Sorta like comic books but in written form.) There are a bunch more classics: Heechee/Rama series, RingWorld, Mote in God's Eye, Forever War, etc. Find a few lists on Wikipedia and read the summaries and I am sure you will find something you like. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/3/2021 11:35:11 AM EST
[#3]
Thanks guys!
I will check them out. |
|
|
|
USA
|
Posted: 1/3/2021 11:51:06 AM EST
[#4]
These are probably some of the better books/papers that I've read over the course of years on what's possible with current technology.
I would recommend Robert L Forward's book series also. They had some appendices that went more into detail if I remember correctly. Robert L Forward Paper on Interstellar Exploration Program Project Solar Sail The Millennial Project |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/4/2021 8:11:07 PM EST
[#5]
Ordered Leviathan Wakes in The Expanse series and Pushing Ice.
Thanks again. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/5/2021 9:43:29 AM EST
[#6]
The "bob verse" is pretty good, AI, relativity, interstellar distances play a part but not quite HARD scifi, (there are a few "magic" fixes, "oh we have an interstellar drive now", "oh we have limited near light speed communications", "oh we have comms between solar systems" . BUT the guy tells a good story.
"All these worlds" was one. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/5/2021 1:23:37 PM EST
[#7]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By fsjdw2: The "bob verse" is pretty good, AI, relativity, interstellar distances play a part but not quite HARD scifi, (there are a few "magic" fixes, "oh we have an interstellar drive now", "oh we have limited near light speed communications", "oh we have comms between solar systems" . BUT the guy tells a good story. "All these worlds" was one. Who is the author? |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/5/2021 1:48:13 PM EST
[#8]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Kanin: Who is the author? I haven't heard of that one before. |
|
|
|
CA, USA
|
Posted: 1/12/2021 2:25:59 PM EST
[#9]
Any and everything by
Robert Heinlein Same with CJ Cherryh Downbelow Station and the rest of that series is excellent Bob- |
|
|
WA, USA
|
Posted: 1/12/2021 2:33:17 PM EST
[#10]
Frank Herbert wrote a great series with another author.
The Pandora Sequence (also known as the WorShip series)Edit Destination: Void: Serial publication: Galaxy, August 1965, as "Do I Wake or Dream?" First edition: New York: Berkeley, 1966 revised in 1978. The Jesus Incident (with Bill Ransom): Serial publication: Analog, February 1979, G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1979. The Lazarus Effect (with Bill Ransom), New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1983. The Ascension Factor (with Bill Ransom), New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1988. Also Fredrick Phol Edit HeecheeEdit Gateway (1977) —winner of the Campbell Memorial, Hugo, Locus SF, and Nebula Awards as the year's Best Novel[2][3][4] Beyond the Blue Event Horizon (1980) —second place, Locus SF Award, and finalist for the British SF, Hugo, and Nebula Awards[2] Heechee Rendezvous (1984) —third place, Locus SF Award[2][5] The Annals of the Heechee (1987) The Gateway Trip: Tales and Vignettes of the Heechee, (1990) (collection of short stories involving the Heechee, including the 1972 story "The Merchants of Venus", the first mention of the Heechee) The Boy Who Would Live Forever: A Novel of Gateway (2004), nominated for the Campbell Memorial Award[2][6] |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/12/2021 6:39:14 PM EST
[#11]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By RR_Broccoli: Dennis E. Taylor. I haven't heard of that one before. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By RR_Broccoli: Originally Posted By Kanin: Who is the author? I haven't heard of that one before. Thanks....ordered this one as well. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/12/2021 6:39:58 PM EST
[#12]
Thanks for the other recommendations too guys.
Appreciate it. |
|
|
|
OH, USA
|
Posted: 1/18/2021 1:23:25 PM EST
[#13]
Thanks for the headsup on the Bobverse. Not really hard scifi, but a great read so far.. Burned thru the first book and started on second
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/18/2021 1:24:28 PM EST
[#14]
Ringo's Live Free or Die series
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/18/2021 7:30:47 PM EST
[#15]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By strider98: Ringo's Live Free or Die series I'll add it to the list! 
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/19/2021 12:41:46 AM EST
[#16]
I will add these FWIW.
Inherit the stars by James hogan is an oldie but goodie. Forever War by Joe Haldeman, but don't read the sequels as they blow and will ruin the 1st book. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/23/2021 4:16:19 AM EST
[#17]
Arthur C Clark envisioned a lot of things before they were possible.
Stellaris is an anthology from Baen Books that explores some of the human factors involved in space travel, many of the stories are by engineers or doctors. Travis Taylor has written some books with a hard science basis. He was the tech advisor and then coauthor for John Ringo's Looking Glass series has a fair bit of high end physics. His _Warp Speed_ gets into some theories on power generation and faster than light travel, he's also got some nonfiction books. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/24/2021 9:05:17 PM EST
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By LoneWolf545: Arthur C Clark envisioned a lot of things before they were possible. Stellaris is an anthology from Baen Books that explores some of the human factors involved in space travel, many of the stories are by engineers or doctors. Travis Taylor has written some books with a hard science basis. He was the tech advisor and then coauthor for John Ringo's Looking Glass series has a fair bit of high end physics. His _Warp Speed_ gets into some theories on power generation and faster than light travel, he's also got some nonfiction books. I was coming back to recommend the Looking Glass series, beat me too it. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 4/22/2021 2:01:37 AM EST
[Last Edit: JQ66]
[#19]
I liked Mars and Return to Mars by Ben Bova
I used to read a lot of sci fi. 90% was completely forgettable. Manifold Space (or was it Manifold Origin?) was interesting but I thought depressing. By Stephen Baxter. I also liked the early stuff from David Brin. (uplift wars). |
|
|
|
NV, USA
|
Posted: 4/22/2021 4:18:57 AM EST
[Last Edit: spydercomonkey]
[#20]
https://www.amazon.com/Science-Fiction-Fantasy-Autumn-Rain-trilogy/
Awesome series. In the future (2200?) the Earth has set up a moon city + some big orbital cities. Meanwhile, the Earth has become 'The West' (US controlls the entire Western Hemisphere) + Europa + Russia + China, as the big powers. Well, someone blows up the Space Elevator, and WW3 breaks out...ultimately reaching battles in orbit and the moon. Its an awesome, gritty series. Sort of Neuromancer meets The Expanse. While Hard Sci Fi, all the elements are technologically plausible. |
|
|
|
Posted: 4/22/2021 5:32:10 AM EST
[#21]
I liked “pushing ice”, hard sci-fi with a good solid plot.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 4/22/2021 10:24:31 PM EST
[#22]
David Weber/John Ringo Empire of Man series, it's like Xenophon's Atabaxes on an alien jungle planet
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 4/24/2021 5:46:36 PM EST
[#23]
David Weber and Steve White's Starfire series is particularly good. Start with Crusade, In Death Ground, The Shiva Option, then Insurrection. I've tried moving further with the series, but it isn't as good without David Weber.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 4/24/2021 5:47:26 PM EST
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By strider98: David Weber/John Ringo Empire of Man series, it's like Xenophon's Atabaxes on an alien jungle planet It's on my list of books I read about once a year. |
|
|
|
GA, USA
|
Posted: 5/7/2021 9:36:03 PM EST
[#25]
(3B's)Brin, Bear and Bova
Niven - ringworld Dan Simmins Hyperion Universe Issac asimov Neal Stevenson Alistar Reynolds Heinlein Top writers. All of them. I'm currently enjoying Raymond E Feist : Rift war saga |
|
|
ME, USA
|
Posted: 7/30/2021 4:47:55 PM EST
[#26]
Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars Trilogy (Red/Green/Blue Mars.) Written 25-30 years ago so parts may be dated but there’s a fair amount of hard science, along with psychology and adventure. I’ve re-read it at least 5 times since getting the books as they came out.
Jack McDevitt has some good stuff, more exploration than hard science. I really like the Academy Series and the Alex Benedict Series. Greg Bear, books such as Darwin’s Radio, Darwin’s Children, and Moving Mars. |
|
|
|
Posted: 7/30/2021 6:08:06 PM EST
[#27]
The Mote in God's Eye.
Thank me later. 
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 7/30/2021 7:35:35 PM EST
[#28]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DaGoose: These are probably some of the better books/papers that I've read over the course of years on what's possible with current technology. I would recommend Robert L Forward's book series also. They had some appendices that went more into detail if I remember correctly. Robert L Forward Paper on Interstellar Exploration Program Project Solar Sail The Millennial Project If we’re going to mention Forward, Dragon’s Egg was fun. |
|
|
|
KY, USA
|
Posted: 10/11/2021 8:04:37 PM EST
[#29]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By fsjdw2: The "bob verse" is pretty good, AI, relativity, interstellar distances play a part but not quite HARD scifi, (there are a few "magic" fixes, "oh we have an interstellar drive now", "oh we have limited near light speed communications", "oh we have comms between solar systems" . BUT the guy tells a good story. "All these worlds" was one. OMG! I Loved that series! |
|
|
KY, USA
|
Posted: 10/11/2021 8:05:25 PM EST
[Last Edit: CreativeBall]
[#30]
Anything by Neil Stevenson
7 Eves is good. Depressing as shit, but good. Lois McMaster, the VorKosigan Saga is...weird. But fun. Make sure you read in chronological order, not order they are written. |
|
|
KY, USA
|
Posted: 10/11/2021 8:06:03 PM EST
[#31]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By strider98: Ringo's Live Free or Die series This!!!! |
|
|
|
Posted: 10/11/2021 8:12:30 PM EST
[#32]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Hillbilly69: The Mote in God's Eye. Thank me later. the definition of culture clash 
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/11/2021 8:23:17 PM EST
[#33]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By CreativeBall: Anything by Neil Stevenson 7 Eves is good. Depressing as shit, but good. Lois McMaster, the VorKosigan Saga is...weird. But fun. Make sure you read in chronological order, not order they are written. If you like depressing hard sci fi, try Blindsight by Peter Watts. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/11/2021 8:23:46 PM EST
[#34]
Also, see username.
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: 10/14/2021 8:11:40 PM EST
[#35]
Peter Hamilton's "Commonwealth Saga". Specifically "Pandora's Star" and "Judas Unchained".
|
|
|
|
FL, USA
|
Posted: 11/1/2021 11:30:10 AM EST
[Last Edit: Thor]
[#36]
A lot of good recommendations so far. I will state the the "Bobiverse" series is one of my favorites. Ready it twice now. While there is some "magic" fixes, they were discovered over long time periods and the "magic" tech itself also advanced over time as well, like it should. It was all done very well. No warp speed or wormholes or anything of that sort. I will say by the 4th book things got a little harder to follow due to all the characters, but that could be because there was so much time between the release of the 4th book after the first 3, so maybe I just forgot.
"Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir (The Martian) is another good one and another one of my favorites. The book was not what I expected. Not purely "hard" sic-fi, but there is a scientific approach to the "magic" that I appreciate. And it breaks just like everything else. |
|
|
|
Posted: 11/1/2021 6:10:09 PM EST
[#37]
Thanks for all the recommendations!
I've added a lot to my TBR pile. 
|
|
|
|
AZ, USA
|
Posted: 2/14/2022 2:10:14 PM EST
[#38]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By desertmoon: Peter Hamilton's "Commonwealth Saga". Specifically "Pandora's Star" and "Judas Unchained". These are awesome. |
|
|
FL, USA
|
Posted: 2/15/2022 8:54:58 PM EST
[#39]
Not fiction, exactly, but for easy reading and hard science on space exploration, I suggest The Case for Mars, by Robert Zubrin. It details a plan, including the hard science and engineering, for the manned exploration of the planet Mars. Zubrin is an astronautical engineer who, along with a team of engineers at Marietta Space Systems, developed Mars Direct, a low cost/high reward mission framework using mostly available technology to conduct a long-duration surface mission on Mars using the equivalent of two Saturn V launchers. In addition to the hardware development, he discusses long term possibilities for the transformation of Mars into a planet capable of supporting large scale habitation. Almost all of the technology required for the mission exists in operational form, requiring only integration and development to meet mission requirements (mass, volume, autonomous operation, etc).
The book was written in the late 90's, so some of the data, particularly the environmental modification suggestions, will be a bit dated and not reflecting current understanding of Mars, and I don't think that he would find a Martian society working as he envisions it, but the book's optimistic view of human achievement and its ambition are contagious. Mike |
|
|
|
Posted: 3/31/2022 10:45:32 PM EST
[#40]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By couchlord: I will add these FWIW. Inherit the stars by James hogan is an oldie but goodie. Forever War by Joe Haldeman, but don't read the sequels as they blow and will ruin the 1st book. Yes. The 'Giants' series is great. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 4/11/2022 2:57:25 PM EST
[#41]
"Galactic Center" series by Gregory Benford
I'm halfway through Alastair Reynolds' "Inhibitor Phase" and it's great. |
|
|
|
TX, USA
|
Posted: 4/13/2022 9:41:44 PM EST
[#42]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By M95Mauser: It's on my list of books I read about once a year. |
|
|
|
Posted: 4/14/2022 7:57:47 AM EST
[#43]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By NostalgiaforInfinity: Also, see username. Revelation Space is SciFi horror not world building. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 4/14/2022 8:11:16 AM EST
[Last Edit: snakesausage]
[#44]
Saturn Run
by John Sandford If you like the technical side of space then this is a great book. It is about a rush to see who can get the fastest functioning inter-solar system ship first don't want to spoil it so I can't say more. |
|
|
|
|
Posted: 4/15/2022 6:49:33 PM EST
[#45]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Skillshot: Revelation Space is SciFi horror not world building. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Skillshot: Originally Posted By NostalgiaforInfinity: Also, see username. Revelation Space is SciFi horror not world building. That's just, like, your opinion, man. |
|
|
|
USA
|
Posted: 4/15/2022 7:00:10 PM EST
[#46]
Anyone have any suggestions for the actual 'colonization' of some alien world? Like the actual landing on some completely unknown unexplored planet, exploring and building up a colony, sort of thing.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 4/15/2022 7:10:46 PM EST
[#47]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By amanbearpig: Anyone have any suggestions for the actual 'colonization' of some alien world? Like the actual landing on some completely unknown unexplored planet, exploring and building up a colony, sort of thing. The Legacy of Heorot by Niven, Pournelle, Barnes |
|
|
|
GA, USA
|
Posted: 4/22/2022 11:03:14 PM EST
[#48]
Search for the author Jerry Pournelle.
I honestly, off the top of my head, can’t think of something he was author or co-author on that was not excellent. Even in a book that is not hard Sci Fi- He will hammer in the realities of logistics, or other aspects that keep it real. A lot of his work is not available on kindle. So you will be snagging hard copies. |
|
|
FL, USA
|
Posted: 5/31/2022 2:16:56 PM EST
[#49]
Id check out Rick Partlow on Amazon. Some of his E-books are in the ballpark of what youre looking for.
He seems also churns out a high amount of content. |
|
|
|
Posted: 6/1/2022 3:19:54 PM EST
[#50]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By wingnutx: That's just, like, your opinion, man. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By wingnutx: Originally Posted By Skillshot: Originally Posted By NostalgiaforInfinity: Also, see username. Revelation Space is SciFi horror not world building. That's just, like, your opinion, man. What world is built? At the end of the fourth book, humanity is shattered and on the run from the Inhibitors. |
|
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2023 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
