libertarian sci-fi
I'm about a third of the way into Stranger in a Strange Land--the 1961, cut edition. Is it worth it to switch to the 1991, uncut version? I read a bit of both at where I'm am in the novel. The 1991 version has more detail, but it seemed cluttered. I understand that there was no real damage to the story, only wordiness and some "objectionable material" was removed. Is the wordiness worth it (keep in mind, I love Stephen King's 1000-page 'long-winded flights of fancy')?
Recently finished books (last month or so): Anthem, The Ungoverned, The Peace War, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, The Diamond Age, Rainbows End, We Can Remember It For You Wholesale, UR, The Unincorporated Man, The Terror
Some of those were recommended to me (thanks to lizzie_borden for suggesting The Terror, it was the awesome!). Some were winners of, or nominees for, the Prometheus Award.
I'm also in the beginning of Little Brother (2009 Prometheus Award winner). I'm on chapter four, and I'm not sure I want to continue. It's ... well, it's brutal. So far, it's DHS against some teenagers. And, you should all know my opinion on the DHS. I just get angry every time I start to read it (yes, read, I do that too, I don't just listen to audiobooks :P ). If I had a physical copy of the book, I might have thrown it across the room. But, (un)fortunately, I only have a digital copy.
I plan on reading Atlas Shrugged. I enjoyed Anthem (which is similar to 1984 and, supposedly, We), but it was short. I'm not sure I could deal with OVER 9000 pages of Randian hammer-blows. I have some problems with her philosophy, but, those may just be small details I'm hung up on (she seems to reject altruism, as in you never help without getting an equal something in return) compared to the larger picture.
I'm trying to find a copy of The Machinery of Freedom for less than a kajillion dollars. I found an html version--which I will probably end up reading--but, I want a real copy. And, yes, I realize the irony here (if you bothered to see what the book is about).
I keep trying to convince myself to read Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, Animal Farm, Ulysses, The Demon-Haunted World and The Naked Lunch. Some, or all, of those seem to be on every "required reading" list I've ever seen. I made it through, and rather enjoyed, 1984, Metamorphosis, I Am Legend, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Snow Crash; all of which are, usually, on those same lists.
Recently finished books (last month or so): Anthem, The Ungoverned, The Peace War, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, The Diamond Age, Rainbows End, We Can Remember It For You Wholesale, UR, The Unincorporated Man, The Terror
Some of those were recommended to me (thanks to lizzie_borden for suggesting The Terror, it was the awesome!). Some were winners of, or nominees for, the Prometheus Award.
I'm also in the beginning of Little Brother (2009 Prometheus Award winner). I'm on chapter four, and I'm not sure I want to continue. It's ... well, it's brutal. So far, it's DHS against some teenagers. And, you should all know my opinion on the DHS. I just get angry every time I start to read it (yes, read, I do that too, I don't just listen to audiobooks :P ). If I had a physical copy of the book, I might have thrown it across the room. But, (un)fortunately, I only have a digital copy.
I plan on reading Atlas Shrugged. I enjoyed Anthem (which is similar to 1984 and, supposedly, We), but it was short. I'm not sure I could deal with OVER 9000 pages of Randian hammer-blows. I have some problems with her philosophy, but, those may just be small details I'm hung up on (she seems to reject altruism, as in you never help without getting an equal something in return) compared to the larger picture.
I'm trying to find a copy of The Machinery of Freedom for less than a kajillion dollars. I found an html version--which I will probably end up reading--but, I want a real copy. And, yes, I realize the irony here (if you bothered to see what the book is about).
I keep trying to convince myself to read Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, Animal Farm, Ulysses, The Demon-Haunted World and The Naked Lunch. Some, or all, of those seem to be on every "required reading" list I've ever seen. I made it through, and rather enjoyed, 1984, Metamorphosis, I Am Legend, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Snow Crash; all of which are, usually, on those same lists.