TechSource: Best Science Fiction Books for Geeks

Posted: 23 Mar 2012 05:07 PM PDT

Whether you're a scientist, a space enthusiast, or a plain old geek, you very well know how amazing the world of science fiction is. From wise Jedi to nefarious aliens, these fictional characters have shaped our popular culture in many ways. Be it movies or books, science fiction has always filled our minds with space-invasion dreams, and yes, a fear of being invaded.

While we've already written a lot about the best science-fiction or even geeky movies out there, we haven't touched upon one of the most popular and powerful medium of storytelling, that is books. For centuries, this genre has been putting people in distant galaxies without giving up the comfort of their living rooms.

The sheer pleasure of perusing a good science fiction book is something that cannot be described; hence, instead of blabbering on about the awesomeness of this genre, we've compiled a list of some of the best science fiction books out there.

War Of The Worlds by H.G Wells

If you've had to sit through the shrill screams of Dakota Fanning, you'll realize that War Of The Worlds is a book that is thousand times better than the movie. Written in 1868, the classic is a first-person narrative of an unknown protagonist's adventures in London as Martians invade the Earth. In this 'scientific romance' masterpiece, the author struggles to return to his wife as the Martians ravage London. Instantly a classic, the book was so well written that when the legendary Orsen Welles read it out on radio, many people panicked thinking all of it was real.

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Foundation by Isaac Asimov

Hari Seldon, a brilliant mathematician spends his life developing a branch of mathematics called psychohistory, which, thanks to the laws of mass action, can predict the future on large scale. Using this new invention, Seldon predicts the imminent fall of the Galactic Empire, which encompasses the entire Milky Way, and a dark age lasting thirty thousand years before a second great empire arises. Seldon's psychohistory also foresees an alternative where the intermittent period will last only one thousand years. To ensure his vision of a second great Empire comes to fruition, Seldon creates two Foundations—small, secluded havens of all human knowledge—at "opposite ends of the galaxy".

The series revolves mainly around the First Foundation and it attempts to overcome various obstacles during the formation and installation of the Second Empire, all the while being silently guided by the unknown specifics of The Seldon Plan.

Winner of Hugo Award for best all-time series, Foundation is one of the most profound yet entertaining science fiction novels of all time.

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The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

The science fiction comedy series by Douglas Adams has a sort of a cult following. A Hitchhiker's fan breaks out into a subtle smile every time he or she sees the number 42, for they know that it's the answer to everything. This tome of a book contains six zany, out-of-this-world adventure stories by this incomparable novelist. From the very first to the very latest this collection includes The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; The Restaurant at the End of the Universe; Life, the Universe and Everything, So Long and Thanks for all the Fish; Young Zaphod Plays it Safe; and Mostly Harmless.

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1984 by George Orwell

1984 presents to us a technologically advanced world where fear is used for manipulating and controlling individuals who do not conform to the political orthodoxy. Orwell, eloquent as ever, paints a chilling picture of dystopian world thrown into decadence by a failed search for utopia.

A classic novel in content, plot, and style, many of its terms and concepts, such as Big Brother, doublethink, thoughtcrime, Newspeak, and memory hole, have become contemporary vernacular since its publication in 1949. Moreover, Nineteen Eighty-Four popularized the adjective Orwellian, which refers to official deception, secret surveillance, and manipulation of the past in service to a totalitarian or manipulative political agenda.

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I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

Many of those who have seen the Will Smith starrer haven't yet read the book on which the movie was based. Basically a collection of nine science fiction short stories by Asimov, I,Robot chronicles the experiences of Dr. Susan Calvin, chief robopsychologist at U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men, Inc. It depicts a time in the future where humans have become excessively dependent on robots. The book is also known for the popular 3 laws of robotics:

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey any orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.