David Gerrold’s Ten Essential Golden Age Science Fiction/Fantasy Books

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David Gerrold wrote The Trouble With Tribbles, and has been writing ever since. He’s a curmugeon. And he’ss been around. Here is his list of “Essential Science Fiction/Fantasy Books from the Golden Age”. That is all

  • Starship Troopers, Heinlein (runner-up, The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, Heinlein) Why? Because it was the beginning of a whole subgenre, military SF.
  • The Left Hand of Darkness, LeGuin (runner up: Venus Plus X, Sturgeon ) Examining the nature of gender.
  • Dune, Herbert (runner up: Game of Thrones, Martin) Epic political adventure.
  • Ringworld, Niven (runner up: Rendezvous With Rama, Clarke) The large big thing….
  • The Stars My Destination, Bester (runner up: Nova, Delaney or Slan, Van Vogt) Space opera.
  • The Dying Earth/Eyes of the Overworld, Vance (runner up: The City And The Stars, Clarke) Far future adventure.
  • The Fountains of Paradise, Clarke (runner up: The Web Between The Worlds, Sheffield) Orbital space elevator
  • Stand On Zanzibar, Brunner (runner up: The Sheep Look Up, Brunner) Sprawling, multi-character epic portrayal of a future world.
  • Snowcrash, Stephenson (runner up: Shockwave Rider, Brunner) Where cyberpunk began.
  • Have Space Suit, Will Travel, Heinlein (runner up: Citizen of the Galaxy, Heinlein) Classic young adult adventures.