Date: Mon, 09 Jan 2006 12:34:02 -0600 (CST)
From: <samlubell at verizon.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: 5 Best Sf
To: "Mike B." <omni at omniphile.com>, WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>,
        WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>

Actually, it's a pretty good list, especially for the mainstream audience reading the Wall Street Journal.  It is, however, a list that ignores the last 30 years.

>> > 1. Stranger in a Stange Land

Some Heinlein had to be here, and this is arguably the Heinlein title that made the most splash outside the sf world.

>> > 2. Foundation

No argument here.  Again, the list had to have some Asimov and this is his most influential book (although The Gods Themselves was probably a better book)

>> > 3. Dune

Again, an obvious choice.

>> > 4. Dragonflight

In terms of popularity yes.  I'd argue that the book had far more influence in the fantasy field (especially YA) and served as the template for many other authors (substitute horses for dragons and you get the career of Mercedes Lackey).  Obviously in terms of quality, it is not up to the others.

>> > 5. I have No Mouth & I Must Scream (the collection)
I think it amazing that a short story collection was included considering the neglect of short stories today.  Again, considering this list is for a mainstream, not an sf audience, Harlan Ellison is better known than any other sf short story writer.

So my verdict is, considered as a list for mainstream audiences, this is pretty good.  There's nothing for the genre to be embarrased by and any non-sf reader who picks up one of these books will find it understandable.