This is only about 1% complete. Before long I'll have to add some fancy code to make it manageable.
This classic book expands understanding of the evolution and nature of life by looking at it all from the "viewpoint" of genes. This is also the book where Dawkins proposes the idea of memes, the gene-like elements of culture.
This short and beautiful book explores the aspect of the evolution of genes within the context of the other genes they must cooperate with because they keep winding up sharing the same bodies. Another mind expanding trip.
Rationalism and evolutionary biology (as if there's any other kind). A brilliant collection of short pieces: essays, forwards, reviews and eulogies. Insightful and delightful.
Hard Science Fiction is that sub-genre of Science Fiction which uses known or possible science in interesting ways to create the story. As Stephen Hawking said: It’s really the only fiction that is realistic about our true position in the universe as a whole.
Especially Blood Music and Moving Mars .
All of Cory's books are available free on the Web. I've bought physical copies of my favorites for the pleasure of lending and re-reading. If you want a really great fast read, check out Little Brother .
Forward is not the best writer, but his ideas are extraordinary!
Especially Diamond Age and Snow Crash.
An extraordinary and diverse writer! I particularly like Singularity Sky and Accelerando. The latter is available as a free download. I can't believe how much I'm liking his geeky, lovecraftian "laundry" stories, starting with The Atrocity Archives .
An extraordinary stylist. I especially like his short stories, which are always out of print because publishers never print enough. The collections of his stories are The Persistence of Vision, Picnic on Nearside and Blue Champagne. If you can find 'em, buy 'em, otherwise borrow 'em.
Vernor Vinge is God. I read everything he writes and can't believe how good it is.
Especially The Left Hand of Darkness and The Dispossessed .
Especially his short stories and the two novels Venus Plus X and Godbody