Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors Who Served in the Military, and How it Changed Their Work

io9 ^ | January 30, 2013 | Charlie Jane Anders

[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.

[Hetty_Fauxvert]

bookmark

[Lee N. Field]

I'm sure it's not at my Dad's anymore, but back in high school ('72-ish) I had that exact pairing as an Ace Double (2 books, bound back to back. Flip it over for the other.)

[Ransomed]

Yeah, the ace doubles are great. I have several for Vance, but not the Dragon Masters/Last Castle split.

Freegards

[Lee N. Field]

I was beginning to wonder if I'd misremembered, but Wikipedia's list of Ace Doubles shows: "16641 SF Jack Vance The Dragon Masters / The Last Castle (April 1973)". So, I even got the time right.

I'll have to root through Dad's attic, to see if it turns up. So much has wandered away, over the years.

[texas booster]

BTTT

[tbw2]

Black Tide Rising: Volume 1 Graphic Novel
New York Times Bestseller John Ringo’s Epic Zombie Series, Adapted by Comics Legend Chuck Dixon!
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/black-tide-rising-volume-1-graphic-novel

[tbw2]

Black Tide Rising: Volume 1 Graphic Novel
New York Times Bestseller John Ringo’s Epic Zombie Series, Adapted by Comics Legend Chuck Dixon!
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/black-tide-rising-volume-1-graphic-novel

[zeugma]

Thanks for the heads up. Having read through the entire series (more than once), I may very well pick this up. John Ringo is freaking awesome.