User Guide

A NEW SUN
APPENDIX 5
229
ANVIL OF STARS Greg Bear
What if the universe is filled with alien races sometimes even more sinister and
diabolical than humanity at its worst? To what depths of deception and atroc-
ity will a species descend in order to secure its survival?
SLANT Greg Bear
A near future earth where information technology has continued to make
quantum advances. I find suspension of disbelief very easy with Greg Bear,
because his worlds are coherent and his characters’ motives are so plausible.
THE MOTE IN GOD’S EYE Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
The best book I’ve read on the classic “first contact” concept. A really in-depth
study of what makes an alien race tick.
THE REAL STORY Stephen R. Donaldson
The first in a series of five. Mostly notable for the amount of sleep I lost read-
ing it. Donaldson is the only author I know who can keep me addicted and on
the edge of my seat through five straight books.
RED MARS Kim Stanley Robinson
The characters can get a little thin, but this is the story on terraforming anoth-
er world. Extremely well-researched. Hard science fiction at its hardest.
THE YEAR’S BEST SCIENCE FICTION Ed. Gardner Dozois
An annual collection. Extremely well-chosen and well-edited. My favorite
source of science fiction short stories. I take one with me on summer vacation.