Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : A CENTURY OF LIONS/THE 20TH CENTURY TOP 100 -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Neocon who wrote (1712)	11/16/1999 9:39:00 AM
From: Bill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 3246

Looking good. I especially like your top 5.

To: Neocon who wrote (1712)	11/16/1999 2:29:00 PM
From: Raymond Clutts	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 3246

Well the order of the first four choices has improved but could still be bettered by switching Roosevelt and Thatcher's positions. Still, even though he was gulled by Stalin, the magnitude of the crisis that confronted Roosevelt exceeded anything that Thatcher was obliged to confront during her tenure. I can live with these top four choices in this order. However, I must offer an alternative to Isaac Asimov at #66 or, perhaps an addition that would displace some other author. I propose that we substitute Robert A. Heinlein in place of Isaac Asimov or some other author. This should not be deemed to be implicit criticism of Asimov's place on the list just a reflection on his relative importance by comparison with Heinlein. During the 20th Century the genre of Science Fiction developed into a literary form unique to this century in its ability to reflect the accelerating impact of science and technology on everyday life. It also became the popular art form most likely to offer an informed expression of popular cultural concerns and beliefs. Robert Heinlein was and is still the single author that offered the most mature and provocative writing in this field. Finally, I feel that Heinlein best expressed the American belief that we are not yet finished with that manifest destiny that compels us as a people to seek to colonize other planets and ultimately other solar systems. He also had a unique ability to express that curious American combination of patriotism and libertarian disgust with all forms of government. I doubt that there is another author on this list whose works are read as often or as thoroughly as are Heinlein's novels.