In SCIENCE FICTION, here are some I would recommend:
"Dorsai" (1959) by Gordon R. Dickson
(the first book of “The Childe Cycle”)
Deals with genetic drift and specialization, and there effects on humanity as a whole.
Nominated for the Hugo award.
"The Forever War" (1974) by Joe Haldeman
Deals with the effect of time dilation, on those involved in an interstellar war.
(Won the Hugo and Nebula Awards.)
"Forever Free" (1999) by Joe Haldeman
(the sequel to “The Forever War” (1974) which won the Hugo and Nebula Awards)
"Foundation" (1951) by Issac Asimov
(the first book of the "Foundation Series")
Postulates the societal change, which would accompany the expansion into the stars.
The seiries won the one-time Hugo Award for "Best All-Time Series" in 1966.
(One of the other books in the series also won a Hugo Award.)
“Dune” (1965) by Frank Herbert
(the first book of the “Dune Series)
(Won the Hugo and Nebula Awards.)
"I Robot” (1950) the book of early short stories by Issac Asimov on the subject of ROBOTS in which he postulates the "Three Laws of Robotics" should be read as a basis before reading the
"The Caves of Steel" (1954) by Issac Asimov
(the first of the "Robot" series / Lije Bailey mysteries)
These books are the source from which the movie "I, Robot" is drawn.
“On Basilisk Station” (1993) by David Weber
(the first book in the "Honor Harrington" series)
This Space Navy series has FEMALE lead character. Beyond the Technology of the spacecraft and weapons, the story revolves around interpersonal relationships with which you will be able to identify.
"Warriors Apprentice" (1986) by Lois McMaster Bujold
(the first book of "The Vorkosigan Saga")
After being genetically "damaged" by a bio weapon in his mother's womb, Miles Vorkosigan overcomes prejudice to claim his birthright.
"Cross Time Engineer" series - (aka the "Conrad Stargard" series)
by Leo Frankowski
which begins with "The Cross Time Engineer" (1993)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Frankow…
Its even better if you are POLISH as the main character is as well!
This was an eye opening look at how technology could transform a society, and gave some very good descriptions of simple improvements that lead to our own industrial revolution.
I guess you can tell I loved these books.
"The Forge" (1991) by S.M. Stirling.
(the first book of "The General" series)
"An Oblique Approach" (1998) by Eric Flint
(the first book of the "Belisarius" series)
"Hammer's Slammers" (1979) by David Drake
(the first book of the "Hammer's Slammers" series)
“With the Lightnings” (1998) by David Drake
(the first book of the “Republic of Cinnabar Navy (RCN)”/ “Lt. Leary” series)
"Sten" (1982) by Chris Bunch and Allen Cole
(the first book of "The Sten Chronicles")
Sten is orphaned and then recruited into the Eternal Emperor's "Mantis" covert intelligence corps.
"The Man Who Never Missed" (1985) by Steve Perry
(the first book of "The Matador" series)
"The Planet Savers" (1958) by Marion Zimmer Bradley
(the first book of the "Darkover" series)
"Weyr Search" (1967) by Anne McCaffrey
(the first book in the "Dragonriders of Pern" series)
“For Love of Mother-Not” (1983) Alan Dean Foster
(the first book in the “Humanx” series - featuring Pip and Flinx)
“1632” (2000) by Eric Flint
(first book of the “Ring of Fire” alternate history series)
“The Last Legion” (1999) by Chris Bunch
(the first book of “The Last Legion” series – Space/Military)
“The Ship Who Sang” (1969) by Anne McCaffrey
(the first book of “The Brain & Brawn Ship” series)
"Sassinak" (1990) by Anne McCaffrey
(the first book of “The Planet Pirates trilogy”)
Has a FEMALE lead character.
"Bolo" (1976) by Keith Laumer
(first book of the "Bolo" series – about self aware tanks)
"Island in the Sea of Time" (1998) by S.M. Stirling.
(the first book of the "Nantucket" series)
“Mutineers' Moon” (1991) by David Weber.
(the first book in the “Dahak trilogy”)
“Insurrection” (1993) by David Weber & Steve White
(the first book in the “Starfire” series)
“Prince of Sunset” (1998) by Steve White
(the first book in the “Prince of Sunset” series)
“Once a Hero“ (1997) by Elizabeth Moon
(first book of the “Esmay Suiza” trilogy)
Another Space Navy series with a FEMALE main character.
Beyond the Technology of the spacecraft and weapons, the story revolves around a personal struggle for identify with which you will be able to identify.
“In the Balance” (1994) by Harry Turtledove
(Aliens invade in the middle of World War II)
(first book of the “Worldwar” Sci-Fi/Alternate History Series)
“Gateway” (1977) by Frederik Pohl.
(won the Hugo and Nebula Awards)
“Rendezvous with Rama” (1972) by Arthur C. Clarke
(won the Hugo and Nebula Awards)
“The Ayes of Texas” (1982) by Daniel Da Cruz
(the first book of the “Republic of Texas” series)
About commercial space exploration.
Source(s):
almost 40 years