I'll skip over the classics (Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, Philip K Dick) as they've already been covered.
Peter F Hamilton is incredibly good, I'd suggest starting with the Confederation Universe series. Very long, and can get a little heavy, but in my opinion, absolutely superb hard sci fi. The universe is similar in size and scope to that of Tolkien's, the science is detailed and well constructed, the space combat is awesome, and I found the characters believable and easy to empathize with. Judging from your criteria, I have a feeling that this series may be just what you're looking for.
As others have suggested, Alastair Reynolds is an absolute stand-out in today's sci fi line-up. His Revelation Space universe is complex, engaging and has some of the best science theory I've read. He also includes a lot of biotechnology / biological themes in his work - which is a refreshing change from the nanomachines / cyborg / tech-heavy staples that seem to dominate a lot of modern sci-fi. There's an incredible sense of tension that is maintained for the entire series, more-so than any other modern anthology I've read.
Richard Morgan is another of my personal favorites. If you want action-heavy, quality sci fi, look no further. I'd recommend starting with the Kovacs series, (Altered Carbon, Broken Angels, Woken Furies) they're equal parts Noir / Drama / Action / Sci-Fi / Awesome. Not much space combat, but the ground combat is really, really good.
If you haven't read Robert Heinlen's original Starship Troopers (Don't judge it by the movie; seriously) I'd highly recommend it. Not much you can say about it, except that the movie cut entirely too much of the thought provoking content out.
John Steakley's Armor is superficially similar to Starship Troopers, but it's far more weighted on the psychological trauma of war; the action is almost ancillary - in fact, where Starship Troopers tends to glorify war a touch, Armor tends to question the validity and purpose of war in an advanced society.
Finally:
I'm not going to say anything other than: "Do yourself a favor and read Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash."
Seriously. No space combat, but without doubt one of the most entertaining fiction I've read in any genre, and a superb example of dystopian sci-fi. For god sakes, the hero - Hiro Protagonist (I know, right?!) - is a Hacker / Samurai that works for the mafia. Delivering pizzas. Trust me on this: Go with it, you won't be sorry.
Hope that helps and wasn't a Great Wall of Boring Text :-)
There is only the one book. The movie only used the book as a premise and went off on its own. Anyone who has read the book pretty much doesn't like the movie. I don't think the 2nd and 3rd made it to theaters...
If you like bug killing adventures, look at Armor. If you like a more engrossing story look at Ender's Game.
I read this book around age 15, and trust me when I say that this is a heavy read, from an emotional perspective. This simple phrase was one of those things that stuck with me, and I've found new depth in it over the years. I chanted it to myself before I proposed to my wife. I've used it when talking to a friend facing death, and another who was ready to commit suicide. It definitely stuck with me.
ALL of John Ringo's Posleen War series. I always recommend people start with Gust Front even though it's #2 in the series. You can decide for yourself whether you want to follow the Cally O'Neal story arc - I didn't care too much for it personally, but there are plenty of other stories in that universe (Ringo's nothing if not prolific) to keep you busy.
Once you're grounded in the 'verse you can branch out to the books he wrote with other authors; Watch on the Rhine features rejuved Waffen SS soldiers fighting to defend a limp-wristed Germany from the invading aliens. Yellow Eyes chronicles the defense of the Panama Canal.
Ringo is far & away my favorite military sci-fi author. He has another series in a different universe that begins with March Upcountry and is also awesome (written with David Weber btw).
Other authors... have you read David Feintuch? Midshipman's Hope is the first one I think. After the 3rd or 4th book in that series they get a little stale but I enjoyed them for a while. The Starfist series is kind of fun if you can handle a formulaic approach to the prose (more or less the same story in every book IMO).
I didn't care too much for Kratman's A Desert Called Peace but my dad (retired Air Force) did. I'll second the Scalzi & Haldeman recommendations too, and not just the books already listed - their entire bibliography (both guys) is solid.
I'd be furious with myself if I didn't include Steakley: Armor is one of my all-time favorite books and I try to re-read it once a year.
I'll keep thinking - I know there is more out there.
No book will prepare you for law enforcement, it has to be touched, smelled, heard, and seen. If you're already a cop then the best thing you can do to be better is to be a well rounded human being and books can help with that.
Here's the recommended reading from some of the prior threads I was able to find in the sub.
I've read a good portion of the above listed. I highly recommend Emotional Survival and going to see one of Gilmartin's talks if he's in your area. Below are a few of my personal suggestions.
I addition to The Forever War and Old Man's War, let me throw Armor out there. It gets into the psychology of an individuals war pretty heavily. I put it up there close to Starship Troopers, and slightly above The Forever War.
I'm not certain about the time slowdown. In fact it probably didn't seem to, because I remember being amazed at how incredibly fast I moved my arms. They were a little sore afterwards.
btw, if you are interested, here is the link for Armor.
First I'll tackle your query regarding one of my favorite novels:
>Read The Forever War, thought it was O.K. I've heard the sequels were bad, would like confirmation on this?
There's one sequel to Forever War, and it's Forever Free. It goes in a weird direction and has an unsatisfying ending. There's a short story that tells the end of the forever war from Mary Gay's point of view, called "A Seperate War". It's pretty good if only for the fact that it just retreads the novel.
Haldeman has a book called Forever Peace, published in 1998, which tackles the same basic concept of never-ending war... But in no way is it actually connected to The Forever War in a narrative sense.
Armor by John Steakley. When it comes to military science fiction, in my head there are three books that complete a trilogy of three different takes on the subject matter. Starship Troopers, which holds that service is noble. Forever War, regarding the pointlessness of war. And then Armor, which is about the human spirit in such a horrific space war.
Armor John Steakley. Sooo good. I wish they would make it into a show on scifi (: I know i know people are scared of that but scifi can do good shows too.
Although it is about combat in power armor, the real conflict is in the mind of the guy inside the suit as he is thrown into battle after pointless battle.
Yeah, no I don't think so. I've read the entire Ringworld series. The ring structure seems like the only similarities to me.
From what I know of Halo, the armor and Master Chief character seem inspired by John Steakley's Armor I've read this twice now, it is a really fun read.
You really need to read John Steakley's "Armor". It's a little older now, but the book itself won't seem dated, and you should be able to get it on Amazon.
I liked it, but I was introduced to it by my dad (sci-fi nerd) when i was 14 or something. It is a fast, fun read, but it will not change your life or anything. I read it a second time a few years ago. I still liked it.
It is basically the same setting as starship troopers, but there isn't much time dedicated to social philosophy or whatever. It reads faster, more like Ender's Game. it mostly focuses on the specific missions and the obstacles the main character must overcome in order to survive. It goes into a lot more detail about power armor and fighting bug-like aliens.
The story is told in two perspectives (through two main characters) and I think one of them is more interesting than the other. So like 1/3 of the book kind of drags a bit (relatively) and I just want to read through to get back to the other guy. I think it's worth it, but some people (in reviews on amazon, etc) hate it. Some parts of it are really cool though.
I don't think this book rivals Neal Stephenson or William Gibson or anything, but it totaly kicks Terry Goodkind's ass. Also, it has half a star more on Amazon than either Snow Crash or Neuromancer. That's kinda bs, but ARMOR is a good, fast read.
EDIT: Seems like major retailers usually carry it (Barnes&Noble, Hastings, etc), and I often notice copies of it at used bookstores.
I'll skip over the classics (Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, Philip K Dick) as they've already been covered.
Finally:
Seriously. No space combat, but without doubt one of the most entertaining fiction I've read in any genre, and a superb example of dystopian sci-fi. For god sakes, the hero - Hiro Protagonist (I know, right?!) - is a Hacker / Samurai that works for the mafia. Delivering pizzas. Trust me on this: Go with it, you won't be sorry.
Hope that helps and wasn't a Great Wall of Boring Text :-)
There is only the one book. The movie only used the book as a premise and went off on its own. Anyone who has read the book pretty much doesn't like the movie. I don't think the 2nd and 3rd made it to theaters...
If you like bug killing adventures, look at Armor. If you like a more engrossing story look at Ender's Game.
Armor - by John Steakly
Heh, at the moment Amazon says it is frequently bought together with Starship Troopers and The Forever War
Read Armor.
"You are what you do when it counts."
-Armor, by John Steakley
I read this book around age 15, and trust me when I say that this is a heavy read, from an emotional perspective. This simple phrase was one of those things that stuck with me, and I've found new depth in it over the years. I chanted it to myself before I proposed to my wife. I've used it when talking to a friend facing death, and another who was ready to commit suicide. It definitely stuck with me.
ALL of John Ringo's Posleen War series. I always recommend people start with Gust Front even though it's #2 in the series. You can decide for yourself whether you want to follow the Cally O'Neal story arc - I didn't care too much for it personally, but there are plenty of other stories in that universe (Ringo's nothing if not prolific) to keep you busy.
Once you're grounded in the 'verse you can branch out to the books he wrote with other authors; Watch on the Rhine features rejuved Waffen SS soldiers fighting to defend a limp-wristed Germany from the invading aliens. Yellow Eyes chronicles the defense of the Panama Canal.
Ringo is far & away my favorite military sci-fi author. He has another series in a different universe that begins with March Upcountry and is also awesome (written with David Weber btw).
Other authors... have you read David Feintuch? Midshipman's Hope is the first one I think. After the 3rd or 4th book in that series they get a little stale but I enjoyed them for a while. The Starfist series is kind of fun if you can handle a formulaic approach to the prose (more or less the same story in every book IMO).
I didn't care too much for Kratman's A Desert Called Peace but my dad (retired Air Force) did. I'll second the Scalzi & Haldeman recommendations too, and not just the books already listed - their entire bibliography (both guys) is solid.
I'd be furious with myself if I didn't include Steakley: Armor is one of my all-time favorite books and I try to re-read it once a year.
I'll keep thinking - I know there is more out there.
Mandatory pointer to Armor, by John Steakley.
Unfortunately it isn't available as an ebook anymore.
Click the link under "Tell the publisher" and try to change that
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0886773687/ref=kinw_rke_rti_1
Armor. I empathize with the Engine.
I would rather see the book Armor turned into a movie. It's a fantastic read.
Here's the link to the book.
Jack Campbell's The Lost Fleet
John Steakley Armor
John Scalzi Old Man's War
Joe Haldeman The Forever War
Armor is also a great book in the vein of Starship Troopers.
Armor, by John Steakley is a good one.
No book will prepare you for law enforcement, it has to be touched, smelled, heard, and seen. If you're already a cop then the best thing you can do to be better is to be a well rounded human being and books can help with that.
Here's the recommended reading from some of the prior threads I was able to find in the sub.
I've read a good portion of the above listed. I highly recommend Emotional Survival and going to see one of Gilmartin's talks if he's in your area. Below are a few of my personal suggestions.
Some of my favorites:
I tried to get as many different authors as possible in there. Many of those authors have plenty of really good books you shouldn't miss.
Try:
Hmm, apparently anything written by a John something or the other will work...
Armor by John Steakley. It's what I wanted Starship Troopers to be.
Also The Forever War by Joe Haldeman. Ship to ship space combat at relativistic speeds!
I addition to The Forever War and Old Man's War, let me throw Armor out there. It gets into the psychology of an individuals war pretty heavily. I put it up there close to Starship Troopers, and slightly above The Forever War.
If you've never read Armor by John Steakley, I'm gonna go ahead and recommend you read the fuck out of that.
https://www.amazon.com/Armor-John-Steakley/dp/0886773687
Awesome Work! Cant wait for your next one!
Try Armor by John Steakley. An older book, but includes several scenes with soldiers in powered exo-skeleton suits fighting in low-g.
Armor by John Steakley. I am not a big sci fi fan, but I picked this up at a used book store 20 years ago and loved it.
Armor by John Steakley
Ex Heroes by Peter Clines
14 by Peter Clines
And everything by William Gibson. Seriously, just all the things by him but start with Neuromancer
I'm not certain about the time slowdown. In fact it probably didn't seem to, because I remember being amazed at how incredibly fast I moved my arms. They were a little sore afterwards.
btw, if you are interested, here is the link for Armor.
Isn't this the plot of Armor
First I'll tackle your query regarding one of my favorite novels:
>Read The Forever War, thought it was O.K. I've heard the sequels were bad, would like confirmation on this?
There's one sequel to Forever War, and it's Forever Free. It goes in a weird direction and has an unsatisfying ending. There's a short story that tells the end of the forever war from Mary Gay's point of view, called "A Seperate War". It's pretty good if only for the fact that it just retreads the novel.
Haldeman has a book called Forever Peace, published in 1998, which tackles the same basic concept of never-ending war... But in no way is it actually connected to The Forever War in a narrative sense.
Second:
Some books that I read and enjoyed are...
http://www.amazon.com/Armor-science-fiction-John-Steakley/dp/0886773687
This may not be it, but it has certain elements similar. Especially following the survival of that soldier.
Armor John Steakley. Sooo good. I wish they would make it into a show on scifi (: I know i know people are scared of that but scifi can do good shows too.
Try this one out. Armor by John Steakley. Had kind of Halo/Starship Troopers feel to it.
One of them is bound to finish me off. Just not that one. Or that one.
I recommend Armor: http://www.amazon.com/Armor-John-Steakley/dp/0886773687.
Although it is about combat in power armor, the real conflict is in the mind of the guy inside the suit as he is thrown into battle after pointless battle.
Armor
The bugs from Armor were good as well in terms of sheer numbers/tenacity.
http://www.amazon.com/Armor-science-fiction-John-Steakley/dp/0886773687
Armor
Yeah, no I don't think so. I've read the entire Ringworld series. The ring structure seems like the only similarities to me.
From what I know of Halo, the armor and Master Chief character seem inspired by John Steakley's Armor I've read this twice now, it is a really fun read.
http://www.amazon.com/Armor-John-Steakley/dp/0886773687
BTW this was published in 1984, well before any Halo stories.
Edit: I really have to recommend the audio book too, the narration and voice acting are awesome. (listen to a sample here)
I suggest you read the book Armor
How about
Armor?
Could go with Armor
I love Ender's Game. Its my favorite book but I have to admit I think Armor is the better book.
Armor
Armor
http://www.amazon.com/Armor-science-fiction-John-Steakley/dp/0886773687/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1303873711&sr=1-1
A version of the same characters also appear in Vampires which is much better than the movie
http://www.amazon.com/Vampires-John-Steakley/dp/B002HRELFE/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2
You really need to read John Steakley's "Armor". It's a little older now, but the book itself won't seem dated, and you should be able to get it on Amazon.
Edit: Here's the link.
I liked it, but I was introduced to it by my dad (sci-fi nerd) when i was 14 or something. It is a fast, fun read, but it will not change your life or anything. I read it a second time a few years ago. I still liked it.
It is basically the same setting as starship troopers, but there isn't much time dedicated to social philosophy or whatever. It reads faster, more like Ender's Game. it mostly focuses on the specific missions and the obstacles the main character must overcome in order to survive. It goes into a lot more detail about power armor and fighting bug-like aliens.
The story is told in two perspectives (through two main characters) and I think one of them is more interesting than the other. So like 1/3 of the book kind of drags a bit (relatively) and I just want to read through to get back to the other guy. I think it's worth it, but some people (in reviews on amazon, etc) hate it. Some parts of it are really cool though.
I don't think this book rivals Neal Stephenson or William Gibson or anything, but it totaly kicks Terry Goodkind's ass. Also, it has half a star more on Amazon than either Snow Crash or Neuromancer. That's kinda bs, but ARMOR is a good, fast read.
EDIT: Seems like major retailers usually carry it (Barnes&Noble, Hastings, etc), and I often notice copies of it at used bookstores.
EDIT2: He also made the list of finalists: http://www.npr.org/2011/08/07/138938145/science-fiction-and-fantasy-finalists
You might like this book.
I just finished Armor by John Steakley. He only wrote two books that I know of and I really enjoyed them both.