Author: timothyimholt

Hugo and Nebula Award Winning Novel Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card gets thrown around as a name among the best sci fi books ever. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t, but it does have an interesting story line and really interesting history if you are a writer, or just someone who is a writing enthusiast.

First, it won both the Hugo and Nebula awards in 1986 for best novel, but first appeared as a short story in 1977. Wait? What?

That’s right. It originally appeared in a 1977 edition of Analog Magazine as a short story, and didn’t even rate a mention on the cover.

 

 

I happen to have a copy of that issue of Analog, and take a look for yourself!

The book itself is a military science fiction novel set at some point in Earth’s future when all of humanity may be destroyed by an alien invading horde called “the buggers.”

The book is unique because it raises the question of morality. What would people to, what would humans do, if pushed with extinction. Could we destroy an entire civilization? Some people wouldn’t. But how would you?

This society decides that taking children from a very young age and training them to be commanders that make those decisions could be the right answer. The book really doesn’t focus on technology of the future, which is probably why it ages well. It focuses on morality and questions morality. Which is unique in the sci fi world, and let’s face it human morality hasn’t changed a lot in hundreds of years.

The book has been turned into a film, a video game, comic books, you name it, the thing has been done that way. I don’t think the movie was amazing, but the book was pretty solid.

As a writer myself it is interesting to me that Orson Scott Card wrote it as a short story and kept working on it for years to get it the way he wanted it. I myself am just finishing a story that I have been at for a very long time, attempting to get it just the way I see it in my head.

This also gives something to the other authors out there. If you have an idea, and you want it a specific way, sometimes that doesn’t happen fast. Sometimes you have to edit, expand, work through, think through and overcome the doubt of yourself and others. The result might just be a book that stays in that “best of list” for four decades.

If you haven’t read it, find a copy of the book. Give it a shot. You will find something different from the rest of the science fiction genre.

Yes, I have a few copies of it including the leather bound one by Easton Press, and kind of show them off here throughout this post…But, I have an extensive book collection that never seems to shrink. I may need a larger home soon.

 

WarGames

I remember watching the movie War Games as a kid and being fascinated by a few things in it. First, that some kid (like me) could go out and hack into a government lab. Second, that it could be an accident as he was really just trying to break into a video game company (more likely the real desire) and it just kind of happened on accident.

When he did break in he found that the government did have some games, so he played. In the process the government guys over at Cheyenne Mountain in charge of our nuclear arsenal didn’t realize they were looking at a simulation and almost launched nukes in response.

That movie caused me to take my interest in computer technology to the next level. I became obsessed in a way (teenager level) and wanted to dive deep. I may not have become a computer scientist, but I did become a scientist (Physicist) and in a modern sense, anyone in science or engineering depends on computers like they depend on oxygen. In fact, anyone living in a first world nation has that same dependency if they realize it or not.

It even has a lesson in it that I appreciate more and more as I get older. Sometimes when it comes to high conflict situations or people…The only winning move, is not to play.

This book, while just a seemingly unassuming little book, has a story in it that really helped shape my life in ways. That is the power that fiction has, to shape people’s lives. As a writer myself I do hope someday to shape the life of someone for the better.

Warbots by G. Harry Stine

I first found these books in the really late 80s and read them along with my father. I found them interesting because a future military that had become so dependent on drone and robotic technology they forgot how to fight.

Then one day they came across an enemy and a battle that could not be fought by these mechanized warriors and had to learn how to fight again. When we got to modern warfare with drones, I went to go find copies of these books and they were out of print.

I spent two years getting them back in print for people to enjoy. But, the original covers were lost to time. (The legal rights to use them). I do have the originals, and the re-released version is available in print and e-book formats.

But…Let’s discuss what these books really are. All twelve are now available again over on Amazon.

From the back cover:

In the high-tech laboratories of tomorrow a brutal new breed of super-soldier is born!

The brutal face of warfare has been dramatically altered. Armored giants now roam the explosive fields of battle. Massive instruments of devastation with computer minds inseparably linked with the brainwaves of their human masters. They are the Warbots. Men and machines combined to create the most lethal warriors in the history of armed conflict.

But a monstrous challenge emerges for the mechanical gladiators emanating from a country that technology forgot. As Captain Curt Carson leads his robot infantry in a daring attempt to rescue 105 hostages from the sadistic clutches of a bloodthirsty terrorist army, the soldiers of tomorrow face the butchers of yesterday in a battle for the future of the free world.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q4FZD68?binding=kindle_edition&qid=1672093108&sr=8-1&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn

Mickey & Minnie Storybook Collection

I think reading is a big part of how we learn the details of different subjects. We can hear someone say something, but if we aren’t equipped to read we miss nuance.

I also think that in the fictional space reading gives deep insight that other mediums do not. For instance, have you ever seen a movie and read the book and thought the movie was better?

I actually have but it is rare.

I also think that kids as well as adults are not reading like they once did.

Why is that?

Well, certainly home entertainment options have increased over the years. But also as my generation grew up reading, then video games showed up we slowed our reading. As adults streaming hit and we don’t read as often.

Kids do what they see their parents doing. So if you don’t read, and your kids don’t witness that they likely won’t.

My kids are now 9, 11, and 13 and are somewhat avid readers. When they were little I made a real effort to read to and in front of them. When reading to them I tried to keep it interesting, I tried to get them books they would appreciate.

One of those books I got for them a number of years ago was a Disney Storybook Collection. The artwork is amazing, the stories are predictable Disney and all about Mickey and Minnie, but it was a nice bonding moment to see the art, and the story and it helped them image the words.

Even now as I write this one of them is actually starting to do some creative writing of their own, and you can see the influence of the books he has read over the years.

I do believe that reading has influenced their creativity, and certainly helped them greatly in school. If I could give any advice to new parents, it would be read to, and in front of your kids. Not things you “have” to read, but things you want to read. It will bring them a lifetime of learning, and enjoyment, and you will find joy yourself.

World of Greyhawk Novels – Rose Estes

In my opinion one of the overlooked authors from the TSR days is Rose Estes. She was a journalist as well as writing novels.

She worked for TSR for a while, and worked to bring about a series of books called “The Endless Quest” These turned out to be best sellers for months. Last I looked the Endless Quest books had been translated into more than 20 languages and sold more than 16 million copies.

She has books in multiple series, and one of the names/authors I remember fondly from the late 80s and early 90s. Every single time I came across one of hers I knew it wouldn’t disappoint. She was truly one of the female pioneers of this genre along with Margaret Weis and others I’m sure I’ll remember and post about at some later date.

In the Greyhawk books you will find an adventure novel in the World of Greyhawk game setting. Greyhawk itself began as just a simple dungeon under a castle designed by Gary Gygax himself, but it was expanded into a multi-layered dungeon, then added a city, and eventually expanded into an entire world with some novels set in that space.

Please enjoy them if you come across a copy as I have.

 

 

Conan by Robert E Howard

The Conan series of books is one that has been seen in an enormous number of formats from comics to novels to short stories to movies starring Ahhhhnold.

What makes them so popular? They are fast-paced and suck you in. They are blunt, brutal, and its like the reading equivalent of getting punched in the face, it happens fast. It is very much one for someone that doesn’t want to have to pick through the politics of a George RR Martin book or keep track of what esoteric little hint of a thing someone said somewhere 150 pages ago.

According to the author it depicts Barbarism at its finest. And according to him barbarism is a natural state of mankind, it is civilization that is unnatural. Civilization is a whim of circumstance, and barbarism will always triumph.

While I don’t agree with that statement, it does come through in his writing. If you want to see civilization torn to pieces, this is a series of books for you.

I think there are 12 books in the original series, but like the more modern-day publications DragonLance there are many beyond the originals. I think there are 83 books in the series now. If you enjoy them, you certainly won’t run out anytime soon.

It is one for the fantasy lover out there. Even those who are not into Tolkein level fantasy may enjoy this series. The upside is they don’t tend to be very long, grab the first book in the series and see what you think for yourself!

I have a number of them that once belonged to my father that are from the old Ace Books printings. If you have time to read one you can probably do it across a single weekend. Great entertainment awaits!

 

 

 

 

Frank Frazetta The Death Dealer

Set at a time with the world was rife with sorcery and violence one man the Gath of Baal stood between peace and eternal war. Gath must throw down against the will of the Gods and in order to win he has to put on The Horned Helmet which turns him into death become human. The Helmet twists his soul until he becomes the ultimate destroyer, but can he escape the helmet.

And that is just book one.

This is a fantasy series, originally 4 books, but in the early 2000s there was a fifth released. These books are not just fantasy, they are action thriller or action-adventure books. These are not plot twisting political dramas, these are pure adventure and action. Lots of blood and guts in this series!

They are fast moving, fun reads. The four books in the original series are:

  • Prisoner of the Horned Helmet
  • Lords of Destruction
  • Tooth and Claw
  • Plague of Knives

The artwork is from one of the most well known elite fantasy artists of the time, Frank Frazetta. It is just amazing Cover Art. These are a personal favorite on my bookshelf and in the first release form like I have getting very hard to find.

I hope you get the chance to read them someday! They will not let you down.

 

The Death Gate Cycle – Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

The Death Gate Cycle is a series from the masters of modern Fantasy Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. It is a seven book series containing the following titles:

  • Dragon Wing
  • Elven Star
  • Fire Sea
  • Serpent Mage
  • The Hand of Chaos
  • Into the Labryinth
  • The Seventh Gate

 

Many books in the fantasy genre are written in some distant past and commonly in some fictional world other than Earth. The Death Gate Cycle is a different story. It is written in the future after some nuclear war nearly destroyed the planet. Yes this planet has elves and dragons.

It is a fictional world, but it is the one we know. It has however been divided into four different realms, that of fire, water, sky and stone. Not everyone is aware of all four realms, that is held to a select few who have survived the dreaded Labyrinth.

Like all the books I have ever read by this duo it sucks you in. It is well written, the characters come to life, if you pick up one you will want to read all seven. Yes, they are from the early 90s but they hold up perfectly. The emotion leaps off the page, and everyone who reads it will find a character to identify with. We all have our favorites, admit it!

I highly recommend this series, and anything at all by these two authors. As an author and avid reader myself I see the genius in their work. As an added bonus if you order them from Margaret Weis’ website, they will come to your house autographed. I have all seven on my shelf! You will not be upset if you put a set on yours.

 

 

 

 

 

Double-Spiral War by Warren Norwood

Today’s blast from the fiction past is The Double Spiral War by Warren Norwood.

It is actually a trilogy, although I only have the first two. The books in the War are Midway Between, Polar Fleet and Final Command. I have read the first two, but not the third. Someday I will go find a copy of that third one and finish out the set, but to date as you can see from the pictures of the cover art, I only have two of the three.

It is an action packed book, but it basically makes mankind into people who want to go into space to find new worlds…to conquer. It doesn’t necessarily paint us in a picture that is historically incorrect because that is what has happened (think European expansion into the Americas, or Roman empire for that matter).

I would write it differently as I’m not that into the conquering hero kinds of stories, but I guess Star Trek already did that and it worked out better than it did for this particular trilogy.

I like the authors writing style, and have read a few others by them. This one is entertaining but be prepared for some late 70s early 80s gender stereotypes. They are there, and while I don’t agree with that sort of thing if you skip over and ignore it the rest of the story is ok. It isn’t great but it is ok.

One of the things I do really like about my collection of fiction novels from this era, especially the pulp fictiony sorts of things is the artwork.

I will leave it at that, if you have a copy someplace and haven’t read it, and are looking for something to do. It is fine for that, but I can probably recommend 50 better sci fi books if you are looking. Just drop me an email or comment if you want those recommendations!

V – Visitors, the original series and books

When the original miniseries V hit television in the mid 1980s it was seen by hundreds of millions of viewers. It was also turned into a novel by A.C. Crispin.

It was the story of these strange Alien Visitors to earth who came here claiming they would solve all of the Earth’s problems. Shortly after they started “helping” the truth was revealed and they weren’t here to help, they were here to harvest. But, given the way they appeared not everyone believed they were up to some nefarious deeds. Many people turned a blind eye.

It was up to a small band of resistance fighters to solve the problem. Humanity hung in the balance. They had to fight to stand up to the visitors to save the human race. They don’t have many people willing to take up the fight and are even hunted by their fellow humans.

If you remember the miniseries, you will enjoy the book. It isn’t the only one in the series, they are quick reads, and thoroughly enjoyable.

The picture below is a behind the scenes photo from the filming of that original miniseries.