https://discoverscifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/c05c9163-4f70-46d5-a6f1-0e3c5fc20c23_large.png9011600Discover Sci-Fihttps://discoverscifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/discover-scifi.pngDiscover Sci-Fi2021-05-26 04:53:572021-05-27 05:49:42Time to Decide: What Are the Best First Contact Books of All Time?
6replies
Randy J. Jost says:
I’ve read all of these books except the Expeditionary Force Series by Craig Alanson, so will have to put that one on my reading list. They all have much to recommend them as first contact stories. I chose Live Free or Die for my vote because first, John Ringo is a favorite author of mine, and although he does suffer from a case of “Weberitis” (n. – the condition of starting a new series without finishing previous series begun earlier in a mad frenzy of creativity.) he is far from the worst case, although darn close. Rather, his book Live Free or Die captures the Zeitgeist of many in today’s culture, as well as a possible attitude of aliens who might be saying, “I came all of the way here, for this? I’m not even going to Disney World!”
I would highly recommend the Expeditionary Force series. It doesn’t seem to be as popular of a reading book, but it is a hugely popular number one seller on Audible thanks to the excellent narration by R.C. Bray.
I have to post an 11th-hour (13th-hour?) write in… Just finished Andy Weir’s “Project Hail Mary: A Novel”. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! Weir’s style, humour, and powerful imagination references the best of the classics, and combines it with his uniquely science-based, humour-leavened approach! As a First-Contact novel (which, I wasn’t expecting, frankly!) it was one of the BEST I have read! Food for thought, as you are waiting for the next Interstellar Bypass…
Sorry, none of these I found really interesting or compelling as a first contact story. There are a LOT of other books and authors out that weren’t included. I’m going to abstain from voting rather than voting for a book I don’t particularly like.
I will not vote though I read and enjoyed many of these books. I think none of them broaches the topic of first contact as well as “Existence” by David Brin. BTW, many of the books by Peter Cawdron give interesting and original views of this topic. The strangest (though credible) work I remember is a short story by Bruce Sterling that was included in “Crystal Express” (I forgot the name of the story).
What Are the Best Sci-Fi Books of 2021 (so far)?
I’ve read all of these books except the Expeditionary Force Series by Craig Alanson, so will have to put that one on my reading list. They all have much to recommend them as first contact stories. I chose Live Free or Die for my vote because first, John Ringo is a favorite author of mine, and although he does suffer from a case of “Weberitis” (n. – the condition of starting a new series without finishing previous series begun earlier in a mad frenzy of creativity.) he is far from the worst case, although darn close. Rather, his book Live Free or Die captures the Zeitgeist of many in today’s culture, as well as a possible attitude of aliens who might be saying, “I came all of the way here, for this? I’m not even going to Disney World!”
I would highly recommend the Expeditionary Force series. It doesn’t seem to be as popular of a reading book, but it is a hugely popular number one seller on Audible thanks to the excellent narration by R.C. Bray.
The best is not listed. Countless awards Anne McCaffery has first contact books. Dragonsong is one. Damia is another. Damias Children another.
I have to post an 11th-hour (13th-hour?) write in… Just finished Andy Weir’s “Project Hail Mary: A Novel”. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! Weir’s style, humour, and powerful imagination references the best of the classics, and combines it with his uniquely science-based, humour-leavened approach! As a First-Contact novel (which, I wasn’t expecting, frankly!) it was one of the BEST I have read! Food for thought, as you are waiting for the next Interstellar Bypass…
Sorry, none of these I found really interesting or compelling as a first contact story. There are a LOT of other books and authors out that weren’t included. I’m going to abstain from voting rather than voting for a book I don’t particularly like.
I will not vote though I read and enjoyed many of these books. I think none of them broaches the topic of first contact as well as “Existence” by David Brin. BTW, many of the books by Peter Cawdron give interesting and original views of this topic. The strangest (though credible) work I remember is a short story by Bruce Sterling that was included in “Crystal Express” (I forgot the name of the story).