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Tyrol
May 17th, 2004, 11:03 AM
I want to have cooler Sci-Fi experiences so I am asking for ideas from you guys and gals.
First. Is the Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton worth going to?
Second. I like to read adventure stories in my trailer and I have almost run out of Wilbur Smith and Douglas Preston/Child. I was looking at the Star Wars series. a) are they worth reading and b) I would want to start at the beginning but it is hard to tell which is the beginning so where do I start?
Third. Any thoughts on other really fun adventure writers? I like pirates and old time stuff and sci-fi stuff more than modern day stories.
Thank you for the ideas. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

Soulmage
May 17th, 2004, 11:21 AM
Are you interested in sword and sorcery stuff too, or just sci fi?

kitty
May 17th, 2004, 11:30 AM
If you like books that have a humourous content, Terry Pratchett is a must. He wrote (and still does) The Disc World series, which are Sci-fi/fantasy. They are very funny and interesting. That is if you can understand the English sense of humour! I do not know if its available over your side of the pond, but over here there is a big following.

Tyrol
May 17th, 2004, 11:38 AM
Soulmage. Absolutely. grown up Harry Potter stuff is very cool.
I will go look for Pratchett right now.
thanks

kitty
May 17th, 2004, 11:41 AM
If you do read Pratchett, let me know how you get on with it.
It would be interesting if colonials understand the humour.
Cor, it almost sounds like I am throwing down the gauntlet there! :D

Tyrol
May 17th, 2004, 11:46 AM
I grew up on and have honed the humor through Python, Benny Hill, SCTV, Peter Sellers, Police Squad, Airplane, Red Dwarf, Faulty Towers, Are you being served?, etc... so I should 'get it"...hopefully

Rowan
May 17th, 2004, 11:46 AM
Aaron for reading material have a look at this thread it might give you some ideas:D

http://www.colonialfleets.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6584

ernie90125
May 17th, 2004, 11:50 AM
Hi Tyrol,

I have a few suggestions for sci-fi books, although some might seem odd, you can't judge a book by its cover !!!!

There is a children's scifi trilogy of books called Colsec by Douglas Hill. This is going to sound strange, but as an adult I still find these books fantastically enjoyable. This is't a 'children's book' but rather an adventure that has been aimed at the children's market.

There was a UK TV series called 'The Tripods' the book from that is excellent. 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' is also an excellent 'from the UK' book - but again you need to understand the British sense of humour !!!!!

The film Terminator 2 is a fantastic film - but the book believe it or not is better !!!!!


The problem with Star Wars books is that they have all be written by different people, yet are all trying to please in their own ways. Too many of the books tried to do too much - for example one has Luke going over to the Dark Side etc - if you buy some at random, you'll end up thinking you've won some and lost some......

The first one ever written was by Alan Dean Foster - Splinter of a Mind's Eye.

I'll have a think some more about what 'hidden gems' I know of.....

Ernie90125

kitty
May 17th, 2004, 11:55 AM
I grew up on and have honed the humor through Python, Benny Hill, SCTV, Peter Sellers, Police Squad, Airplane, Red Dwarf, Faulty Towers, Are you being served?, etc... so I should 'get it"...hopefully
Well, if you watched all that, then I am sure you will.

Is Red Dwarf, big over your way?
I love that series, I hear that they might be doing it as a movie.
Would you consider a part if they added a character?
who was your favourite character?

cranky1c
May 17th, 2004, 01:03 PM
If you like British humor, scifi and adventure in the same book, consider "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy."

As for Star Wars books, it varies. I like Micheal Stackpole and the Trilogy by Tim Zahn.

CommanderTaggart
May 17th, 2004, 02:12 PM
Aaron... I'm a SciFi guy, and not a horror guy AT ALL. I never got off on Freddy, Jason, Chucky, any of those cats. But I've got to tell you that I have never enjoyed a series of novels as much as I have enoyed the original 5 volumes of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles: Interview With The Vampire, The Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Damned, Tale of the Body Thief, and Memnoch The Devil. The film version of Interview was so-so, but didn't begin to do the novel justice, and the film franchise was killed off when they STUPIDLY tried to combine elements of The Vampire Lestat with elements of Queen of the Damned, and ended up with a useless, poorly cast mishmash that did neither novel the least bit of justice.

Rice wrote a couple of additional Vampire Chronicle novels after Memnoch, but none of them had the same heart. Memnoch was truly Ms. Rice's treatise on religious doctrine.

I don't know if you've read much Robert Heinlein, but while some of his tech may be outdated, all of his stories are timeless. I particularly recommend Job: A Comedy of Justice which also blends hard-core SciFi with a bit of religion (in a most charming, humourous way), and his earlier The Door Into Summer, which is a timeless and classic tale of betrayal and revenge set against a backdrop of cryogenic freezing and time travel. With a cat thrown in for good measure.

Anyhow... those are the recommendations that come off the top of my head.

gmd3d
May 17th, 2004, 02:28 PM
Originally Posted by Tyrol
I grew up on and have honed the humor through Python, Benny Hill, SCTV, Peter Sellers, Police Squad, Airplane, Red Dwarf, Faulty Towers, Are you being served?, etc... so I should 'get it"...hopefully
they are a great list Tyrol and Terry Pratchett is very humerous the first book is "The colour of magic" I have read the all and have just finished one. my fav is "Guards,Guards" I laughed so much almost burst a lung,
An other set of book I like are called 1.ANATRES DAWN 2. ANTARES PASSAGE
3. ANTARES VICTORY. by Michael McCollum and to move around intersteller space they use fold points simular to your show, but you have to order the books over the net. http://www.scifi-az.com/ this is the web site have a look.
The Tim Zahn Star Wars book are as close a your going to get to the movies style
stories I have read them a number of times infact if George Lucas was thinking of making a follow up the the orignal story with old Han and Luke the script is right there ready to go.
Or the Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula Le Guin also a good read
Thats all I can think of at the minute

gmd3d
May 17th, 2004, 02:37 PM
oh yes the http://www.scifi-az.com/ has a download site for short stories
that are free here is the link http://www.scifi-az.com/sfaz-03.htm


A quote from Sci Fi-Arizona
Sci Fi-Arizona specializes in technologically sophisticated science fiction novels. If you like Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, or Tom Clancy, you will probably like Michael McCollum. If your taste runs to fantasy, stylistic experiments, or stream-of-consciousness fiction, you may not.

No need to risk your hard earned money if you aren't sure. The stories on this page are free. Download them and enjoy!
I like all kind of sci-fi

kingfish
May 17th, 2004, 02:39 PM
Aaron one of the best books that I have read is To Dream In The City of Sorrows by Kathryn M. Drennan. It is a Babylon 5 novel that deals with what happened to Jeffrey Sinclair after he was assigned to the Minbari homeworld.

Dawg
May 17th, 2004, 05:53 PM
If you want fun reads, there are three sci-fi books I recommend without reservation.

Two of them are Star Trek books - TOS series. John M. Ford wrote "How Much For Just The Planet?" - I think you, of all people, will appreciate it.

The other is by Janet Kagan, called "Uhura's Song". It's a fine adventure story, and if you're fond of housecats - well, nevermind. It's fun, it's exciting in all the right spots, and it's a well told story.

The third book is also by Janet Kagan, and it's one of my favorite books of all time - "Hellspark". You'll probably have to look for that one in a used book store, though.

Unfortunately, I can't recommend any pirate stories (the space pirate story I'm writing isn't done yet ;) ) - since the last one I read was the brief, young-reader oriented novielization of the Disney movie "Bluebeard's Ghost" back when I was 7 or 8. They'd just switched from papyrus then.....

I am
Dawg
:warrior:

amberstar
May 17th, 2004, 05:55 PM
A star wars book that I read was "The courtship of Princess Leigh."
It was Fantastic, a really good book that picks up right after the celebration on Endor from Return of the Jedi. Author is Dave Wolverton. :thumbsup:

I also bought the three books by Timothy Zahn, Heir to The Empire , Dark Force Rising , and The Last Command.......... I've only managed to read part of Heir to the Empire, so far it looks like it will be an interesting trilogy.

Not to mention Hatch's books on BSG, inspite of a few typing flaws the story lines are pretty good;) :duck:

Hope that helps!
Amberstar

thomas7g
May 17th, 2004, 06:06 PM
hey Aaron!

I went on the Trek Experience a few years ago. I thought it was fun. It was a bit outdated by modern ride technology. Its one of those get in this big moving cart and watch a movie as you are tossed around. But the film I saw was getting kinda old, and I don't know if they replaced it.

The best parts of the ride was all the set dressing. You really want to bring a camera. :D The que line has lots of actual props and rebuilt props from the entire trek history. It had a replica of that Nomad robot, plenty of phasers and costumes and a few roaming klingons.

One of my favorite parts of the ride was the bridge set. they rebuilt it to exactness. You don't have much time, but if you are fast you can take a few pics of you and your friends on it.

its definitely going on at least once while you are there. :D

:D :thumbsup:

Just be careful of the few really really scary trekkies! I had a weird "trekkie experience" walking out of the ride.
;)

jewels
May 17th, 2004, 06:39 PM
I would ditto the Star Trek experience being worth it. I got to hear the Trek archivist from Paramount talk about maintaining it at a con last summer. She changes the props in the que line several times a year. I think they have a second ride now too. Being on the bridge set is the best part. All the props and costumes are VERY cool though.

I'm no expert on good sci-fi books but I do remember Alan Dean Foster's "Splinter of the Mind's Eye" being very good, good enough that it and some of the Larson/Thurston Galactica novels are among the handful of childhood paperbacks I saved.

Fantasy, I tend toward kid's series, cause I tend to not like things all sexed up. If you've already read Tolkien, you might like his friend C.S. Lewis. His Space Trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength) is more grown-up but you have to remember that it was written in the 1930s and '40s before there was even a space program; he's most known for The Chronicles of Narnia: truly a fantasy world to escape into. Madeline L'Engle's Murray family series (starts with a Wrinkle in Time) is pretty cool. Science theory and fantasy intermingled.

If you like Arthurian legend I have author recommendations: T. H. White and Stephen Lawhead. T. H. White wrote the Once and Future King and The Book of Merlin. Lawhead wrote a 3 or 4 book series in the early '90s centered around the tale from Merlin's perspective and more grounded in an actual historical setting. I think the book titles were Taliesin, Merlin, Pendragon and their might be one more.

Jewels

Stray Viper
May 17th, 2004, 08:02 PM
I've read the Thrawn Trilogy (Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command) and highly recommend it if you want to read Star Wars books. Timothy Zahn did a good job of giving it the movie feel. I've never read any of the other Star Wars EU books.

amberstar
May 17th, 2004, 08:16 PM
I've read the Thrawn Trilogy (Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command) and highly recommend it if you want to read Star Wars books. Timothy Zahn did a good job of giving it the movie feel. I've never read any of the other Star Wars EU books.

Thanks Stray, looks like I need to pick that book back up! :D

Jayworld
May 17th, 2004, 09:10 PM
Hi, Aaron:

Here is a short list of thing you will like:

1. Someone has already mentioned the Timothy Zahn trilogy Star Wars books. They are quite good, and pick up after Return of the Jedi.

2. The best Star Trek novel I ever read was "Imzadi" by Peter David. It is a "Next Generation" book. Fantastic reading.

3. For older stuff, and I'm definitely a 19th century to turn of the century afficionado, try "The Oxford Book of English Detective Stories." copyright 1990, so a new one will cost about $35 (from amazon.com). Try the library for that one.

4. Look for some interesting short stories by Cornell Woolrich....

5. The Star Trek Deep Space Nine novel "A Stitch in Time" is excellent, by actor Andrew J. Robinson (played Garek in DS9)

6. Of course, Asimov's "Foundation" sci-fi series was/is the best sci-fi series you'll ever read...critically acclaimed for many, many years.

Hope that helps,
Jayworld

Ethan
May 17th, 2004, 11:03 PM
Aaron,

I don't claim to be an expert on Sci-Fi, but from my personal library, I would recommend:

The Apprentice Adept Series (3 Volumes) by Piers Anthony

"Friday" by Robert Heinlein

The Batman and Daredevil Series Graphic Novels by Frank Miller

and "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams

Thats a starter list at least.

Ethan :cool:

Sci-Fi
May 17th, 2004, 11:07 PM
The Las Vegas Hilton recently added "Borg Invasion 4-D" to go along with the "Klingon Encounter" and the original "Star Trek: Experience". Not bad for $25 USD, even though the hotel is one block off the strip. Don't know if the Hilton stills offers a room upgrade to business suite if you ask when you check in for the same price. The business suite was a very large room that had 2 king sized beds, sofa with matching chairs and coffee table, wet bar (empty..lol) with stools and coffee/tea (supplied) maker, office area by the window with extra phone jacks for internet connection, etc. etc.

As far as books, try some of the recent stuff: Lisa DuMond's "Darkers", Lyda Morehouse's "Archangel Protocol", Neil Gaiman's "American Gods", Lois Bujold McMaster's or David Gerrold's books, etc etc

ojai22
May 17th, 2004, 11:33 PM
I want to have cooler Sci-Fi experiences so I am asking for ideas




Have your read the Battlestar Galactica books written by Richard Hatch? Also try The Romance of Atlantis by Taylor Caldwell.

Trevor Angelus
May 18th, 2004, 01:15 AM
I want to have cooler Sci-Fi experiences so I am asking for ideas from you guys and gals.
First. Is the Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton worth going to?
Second. I like to read adventure stories in my trailer and I have almost run out of Wilbur Smith and Douglas Preston/Child. I was looking at the Star Wars series. a) are they worth reading and b) I would want to start at the beginning but it is hard to tell which is the beginning so where do I start?
Third. Any thoughts on other really fun adventure writers? I like pirates and old time stuff and sci-fi stuff more than modern day stories.
Thank you for the ideas. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.


I read more comics than anything, and this month is a good time to star reading Xmen as an excellent writer is helming the new title Astonishing Xmen. #1 comes out on the last wed of the month. Another writer I enjoy does both comics and books, Peter David. He spent 12 years on the Hulk and redefined the character. he has done Babylon 5 novels and star trek TNG novels, most notably the best Star Trek story ever, in my opinion, Imzadi!

Another good writer is Mark Waid, who is currently on Fantastic 4, and is having the best run ever on the title. I would check that out as well.

Hope I was helpful.

CrysWimmer
May 18th, 2004, 02:39 AM
Third. Any thoughts on other really fun adventure writers? I like pirates and old time stuff and sci-fi stuff more than modern day stories.
Thank you for the ideas. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

I always love stories with that thread of realism. For Sci Fi, I'm a Martin Caiden fan - most people know him from Cyborg (yes, he wrote the basis for the "Six Million Dollar Man") but don't hold that against him... you KNOW what hollywood can do to a good story. He also wrote one called Four Came Back that is my absolute favorite. He was an AF pilot, advisor, all sorts of NASA connections, half his books are nonfiction... fascinating man. Heard him speak a few years back...

I loved Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (although I must admit to not understanding all of the humor - again brittish) and while I'm not into Stephen King (horror - eww) my husband got me reading The Green Mile and it became a huge issue in the marriage... "where is book three", "I'm ready for five", "I'm not DONE yet", "well, rip it in half and give me the front!" I understand it's now one book <g>, and it's worth your time. ;)

Let me see... sci fi... sadly, I don't read much of the genre. I know you wouldn't be interested in what Justine Davis writes - while Lord of the Storm and it's sequel (the name escapes me at the moment) are most definitely sci-fi- some great space battles and such... well, let's just say there's more romance than action (which works for me ;)).

Finally - have you read all the old BSG books by Glen Larson and Robert Thurston? I liked the shows, but the books were a hell of a lot better - more character development, plot development, explaination for the inexplicable... you get the drift. Most of them are available on half.com.

I have two books on the way now, both in the Terminator 2 series - there's a 3 part John Conner Series that HOPEFULLY will put some explanation on what happened between the kick-ass kid we had in Judgement Day and the rather wimpy, whiny, annoying brat he grew into for Rise of the Machines... because that just annoyed me. :)

I love to read, but of late I spend more time writing than reading - it's just more fun. If you want some ideas as to where your FANS are taking your series-to-come, we have an archive at www.geocities.com/bsg03fanfic/main.html

There's action, adventure, romance, original characters... some of the guys took off on a couple of OTHER surviving battlestars and are having their own little adventure. Some of us are playing with the characters still aboard... we have 78 stories up there, many of them at or near novel length... so give it a try if you like. The mostly Action/Adventure stories are by Dean Thomas & Kevin Hallesy - and they even work to coordinate their universe. Good quality too, considering neither are published authors (that I know of). If you're into humor, anything by Kathy Brennan is amazing - Romance, well there's lots of that (heck, the Lee/Kara page gets more hits than anything) and I'm a "relationship" type writer - much drama and character development, although not a great deal of sex... after all, lots of guys on the list . :) Have to cater at least slightly to your audience.

I'm actually looking forward to seeing just how far we've wandered from Ron Moore's vision of the universe.

OH - and so you know - the archive will be moving to www.bsg03fanfic.com - just as soon as my web-buddy and I get together and she teaches me how to upload and link things... Geocities was one thing - they walk you through it - but a "real" website has been... well... a nightmare. :( I'm working on it, though. Learning new things is a wonderful thing (she says as she curses at the computer).

:salute: Happy reading! :
-Crys-

CommanderTaggart
May 18th, 2004, 04:38 AM
Jayworld... agreed... Imzadi was probably the best Trek novel I ever read!

CrysWimmer
May 18th, 2004, 07:38 AM
2. The best Star Trek novel I ever read was "Imzadi" by Peter David. It is a "Next Generation" book. Fantastic reading.


And I'll third that recommendation - beautiful novel! It explained so very much that the series didn't bother with!

-Crys-

Rowan
May 18th, 2004, 11:16 AM
Hey Aaron

If you want to save a little money on all of these books everyone is recomending...Are you familiar with Tanglewood Books? They have a large selection of second hand Sci-Fi books they are located on West Braodway close to Granville Street. (not too far from that chapters)
2932 W. Broadway 604-731-8870 :D

warhammerdriver
May 18th, 2004, 07:29 PM
I would recommend Michael Stackpole's Warrior trilogy and his Blood of Kerensky trilogy. Both are set in the BattleTech universe. They might be hard to find.

Another good author (IMHO) is Dale Brown. He wrote Flight of the Old Dog, among others. His work tends to be technothrillers bordering on sci-fi.

Imagination
May 18th, 2004, 11:37 PM
My favorites - (by the way, I endorse all the Star Wars books already mentioned)

Fantasy - Patricia McKillip (Riddle of Stars trilogy)- anything by Anne McCaffrey, especially the Pern series - Marion Zimmer Bradley - especially the Darkover series
Katherine Kurtz (Camber of Culdi, etc)
Raymond Feist

Humor
Wacky, full of puns, fantasy type: Piers Anthony (great for backpacking and plane flights)
humor and wizards - John Morrisey
Brooks

Mary Stewart - great King Arthurish

"hard scifi" - especially like the combo of Larry Niven with Jerry Pournelle, such as the Mote in God's Eye

...gosh, the memories this list brings back. Ever since my eyes went (I HATE reading glasses), I don't read anymore (and I was known as bookworm in my youth)

Ian_W359
May 19th, 2004, 02:38 PM
If you like Arthurian legend I have author recommendations: T. H. White and Stephen Lawhead. T. H. White wrote the Once and Future King and The Book of Merlin. Lawhead wrote a 3 or 4 book series in the early '90s centered around the tale from Merlin's perspective and more grounded in an actual historical setting. I think the book titles were Taliesin, Merlin, Pendragon and their might be one more.

Jewels

I have 4 of the 5 books of the Stephen Lawhead series (Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon, and Grail) - I'm still on the first book though!

One Arthurian series I can really recommend is the trilogy by Bernard Cornwell (the author of the 'Sharpe' series). The books are - The Winter King, Enemy Of God & Excalibur. It's told from the point of view of a young man in ancient Britain who grows to become one of Arthur's most trusted friends, and a formidable sword/spearsman.

As for English humor, I enjoy the novels of Robert Rankin - extraordinary events happening to the unlikeliest of people, involving beer, the occult, religion, aliens, magic, technology, time travel, rock music & the end of the world (although not all in the same book!)

All the best,
Ian W359
:)

gmd3d
May 20th, 2004, 02:12 PM
One Arthurian series I can really recommend is the trilogy by Bernard Cornwell (the author of the 'Sharpe' series). The books are - The Winter King, Enemy Of God & Excalibur. It's told from the point of view of a young man in ancient Britain who grows to become one of Arthur's most trusted friends, and a formidable sword/spearsman.
I read them, great reading

hey Tyrol
have you ever read THE STAINLESS STEEL RAT books by Harry Harrison
They are fast pace humours book the main character is Slippery Jim diGriz who start out as a thief and ends up as ...well I won't ruining it.

here is the list
*THE STAINLESS STEEL RAT IS BORN
*THE STAINLESS STEEL RAT FOR PRESIDENT
*THE STAINLESS STEEL RAT GET DRAFTED
*THE STAINLESS STEEL RAT WANTS YOU
*THE STAINLESS STEEL RAT'S REVENGE
*THE STAINLESS STEEL RAT SAVES THE WORLD
I hope the is useful :salute:

DarkJedi
May 21st, 2004, 02:03 AM
Aaron,

Being a travel agent, I tested out the Vegas experience earlier this year. The StarTrek Experience is worth it in my opinion. When I went they were just about ready to release the new Borg ride/simulation. I have heard from friends and clients both that it is a must see along with the new Sirens over at the Treasure Island and the water fountains at the Bellagio. (hint they hit every 1/2 hour till 8pm then they are every 15 minutes... each show is different from the other and the air near it is 10degrees colder than the rest of the strip)

Books... I am a MAJOR fan of Stackpole and Zahn's in the SW universe. Just finished Zahn's "Survivors Quest" and LOVED it :love: (probably because it was dedicated to the 501st and I am part of them :wink: lol) But seriously... Zahn is an awesome writer!
Other books, the Harry Potter books are great, and I am an avid Anne McCaffrey fan. I love her Pern series!!!!!! :love: Then again there is the LOTR books by Tolkien.

unowhoandwhy
May 21st, 2004, 09:48 AM
Aaron,
If you like deeply involved and very well-written sword and (not so much) sorcery, I would give George R. R. MArtin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series a try. The books are:
A Game of Thrones, Bantam Books, 1996
A Clash of Kings, Bantam Books, 1999
A Storm of Swords, Bantam Books, 2000
A Feast for Crows, forthcoming/Bantam Books
A Dance with Dragons, forthcoming/Bantam Books
The Winds of Winter, forthcoming/Bantam Books

Also, if you like Arthurian tales with an eye to stark realism (and lots of action) then two authors you should try are:
Jack Whyte
Bernard Cornwell (who also writes the "Sharpe's series, which are excellent historical fiction/adventure books as well)

unowhoandwhy
May 21st, 2004, 09:55 AM
And for good suspense without quite as much gore as Steven King, how about Dean Koontz?

Stray Viper
May 22nd, 2004, 07:54 PM
Nobody recommended the Dune series?

Winemaster
May 23rd, 2004, 06:43 AM
Ken Follett's novel The Pillars of the Earth is a good historical novel. It is similar to Wilbur Smith's style, although not set in Africa.

Second hand I can tell you Las Vegas Hilton's Star Trek: the Experience is really fun, also the new Borg Invasion 4D. A friend had a great time there in April.

Trevor Angelus
May 23rd, 2004, 05:19 PM
Nobody recommended the Dune series?

Hasn't everybody read it already? :P lol

It is an excellent series I agree. Brian is working on his father's manuscript to create the conclusion of the series in 2 novels.

conconcv66
May 31st, 2004, 08:24 AM
Hi Aaron If your looking for something diffrent to read try these by Harry Harrison its and alternitive reality seris about england getting involved in the cival war. very goog read.
Stars and Stripes Trilogy
1. Stars and Stripes Forever!
2. Stars and Stripes in Peril
3. Stars and Stripes Triumphant
One of my favorite novels is Guns of the south by Harry Turtledove. here is what the back cover says
January 1864-General Robert E. Lee faces defeat. The Army of Northen Virgina is ragged and ill-equipped. Gettysburg has broken the back of the Confederacy and decimated its manpower.
Then Andries Rhoodoe. a strange man with an unplaceable accent, approaches Lee with an extraordinary offer. Rhoodie demostrates an amazing rifle: its rate of fire incredible, its lethal efficiency breathtaking-and rhoodie guarantees unlimited quantities to the confederates.
The name of the weapon is the AK-47 :eek:

unowhoandwhy
June 3rd, 2004, 10:15 AM
I just started the first book in Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series (I have been meaning to read them for ages now) and am enjoying it so far. I am biased towards sword & sorcery tales, of course, so am not sure what other opinions on the series would be.

shiningstar
June 5th, 2004, 09:38 AM
I want to have cooler Sci-Fi experiences so I am asking for ideas from you guys and gals.
First. Is the Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton worth going to?
Second. I like to read adventure stories in my trailer and I have almost run out of Wilbur Smith and Douglas Preston/Child. I was looking at the Star Wars series. a) are they worth reading and b) I would want to start at the beginning but it is hard to tell which is the beginning so where do I start?
Third. Any thoughts on other really fun adventure writers? I like pirates and old time stuff and sci-fi stuff more than modern day stories.
Thank you for the ideas. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

The convention in Las Vegas is most definately worth going to.
Second .......the star wars series is a good read, as are the BSG novels.
I haven't had time to read much lately so on the really fun adventure writers;
I think it's best to let the other members fill you in there.

Laura
June 7th, 2004, 04:20 PM
I want to have cooler Sci-Fi experiences so I am asking for ideas from you guys and gals. . .
Any thoughts on other really fun adventure writers? I like pirates and old time stuff and sci-fi stuff more than modern day stories.
Thank you for the ideas. I look forward to seeing what you come up with. My husband says you should look into anything by David Weber, especially his "Honor Harrington" series. It is a future space epic but it is based on historical action in the 1700's and is extremely believable and fun to read. Plus, if you know any of that history you can follow the references and feel like you are "in the know".

Archangel
June 29th, 2004, 07:01 PM
The Star Wars novels are all linked together (Which makes it kind of unique in publishing) and all follow a timeline which is printed at the beginning of each book. In my opinion, the best installments are the X-Wing novels by Michael Stackpole and Aaron Allston and the New Jedi Order series by various authors.