Posted on 01/31/2013 11:27:48 AM PST by EveningStar
So much of science fiction's core topics intersect with war, one way or the other. Rapid social change and technological innovation both get supercharged during wartime, and some of our greatest explorers are also warriors. So it's not surprising that many of science fiction's most well-known authors served in the military at some point — especially during the era when we had a compulsory draft.
But how did serving in the military shape these writers' books? Here's a look at 15 of the authors who served in the armed forces, and how their work reflects that experience.
(Excerpt) Read more at io9.com ...
ping
This article, I think, forgot to mention Rod Serling, whose experiences in war as a paratrooper in combat profoundly affected his writings and stories, many portrayed in the Twilight Zone episodes
I’m glad they cite Gene Wolfe. It would be interesting to know if the authors of sci/fantasy that served fall on more of the conservative side of things or more liberal, or an even distribution.
Jack Vance served in the merchant marine in the pacific, I think Theodore Sturgeon was as well.
Freegards
Yeah they didn’t mention Issac Anstirov also Rod Serling and Gene Roddenberry I THINK he serve too
Another more contemporary writer is former naval officer John Hemry..aka Jack Campbell. His Lost Fleet series is one of the most (IMHO) scientifically realistic description of space battle and for that matter just a plain old fashion great read.
If you've never read Starship Troopers, do so. It bears no resemblance whatsoever to the film of the same name.
Apparently the Navy made L. Ron Hubbard want to become a megalomaniac cult leader?
Robert Heinlein, L. Sprague de Camp, and Isaac Asimov, Philadelphia Navy Yard, 1944. All three worked at the Philadelphia Navy Yard during the War. De Camp is the only one in Uniform. De Camp had an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Caltech and an MS from Stevens. He served as a Lt. Cmdr during the War, although he is a Lt. SG in this picture.
I <3 Heinlein!
The Alaskan Radio Experimental Expedition and the Caribbean Motion Picture Expedition showed such tendency was already there.
I love Heinlein’s work too, but not without some reservations. His later work seemed to be all about sexual freedom, which is a topic that interests me little.
The "Church" of "Scientology" is running TV ads in the Washington, DC area touting ElRon's great achievements as a naval officer (navel ossifer?), explorer, scientist, and inventor.
It's pathetic, amusing, and disgusting ...
And it makes me want to steam some clams.
Gene Roddenberry was a bombadier on a B-17 Flying Fortress with a 10 man crew in the SW Pacific in WWII. I think that is why the dynamics of how starship crews interact is such a dominant theme in his woirk.
I love Heinlein’s work too, but not without some reservations. His later work seemed to be all about sexual freedom, which is a topic that interests me little.
Very Much true!
I think Heinlein’s prophecy about the moon (The Moon is a Harsh Mistress) may eventually come true.
I think someday the overbearing spcialist earth gov may find itself facing down some rocks moving towards it at 25,000mph... :)
Glad to see J.R.R. Tolkien topped the list!
Yeah, I loved Starship Troopers and its ideals. Maybe someday they will become a reality.
Is that the book where only farmers can be citizens, because wihtout them the world would starve?
Nah, it’s the novel where only military veterans can vote because they’re the only one’s that have proven they will sacrifice themselves for their country.
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