Reading Classic Science Fiction in 2025

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[@ScienceFictionRetroactivis-j1w]

I hope you will enjoy "The Voyage of The Space Beagle!" It is one of van Vogt's fix up from related short stories novels, and it works very well. The first part of the novel is from the July 1939 Astounding. "Black Destroyer" is considered by many to have begun "The Golden Age of SF."

[@charliedogg7683]

I must say that Future Roger looks even more lively than Present Roger. "The Forever War" is from 1974, "Forever Free" and "Forever Peace" are both late 90s. And yes, I too hear nothing about the sequels and nothing but praise for the original. "The Book Of Skulls" is very intriguing and I really need to re-read it to get everything straight in my head about what happens and how and why. I like all your choices here Michael, a fine batch of SF for 2025.

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Really looking forward to your take on The Forever War! Great reading project Michael!

[@AlansReads]

For a minute there I thought that was Roger’s Mummy 😮

[@ChristopherEvenstar]

lol

[@leematthews6812]

OK, that's a good one!

[@constancecampbell4610]

😂

[@BenderBrains]

It's good to hear that you planning to read more Science Fiction. Future Roger looks very excited to visit you at this pivotal momentous occasion. Apparently fashion hasn't changed much in 300 years.

[@Don-nl1ec]

My wife and I were in Davenport, Iowa recently and I was able to pick up a handful of Ace double books for less than a dollar each. I also picked up 8 paperback Doc Savage novels for a few bucks. I got these bargains at the Book Rack in Davenport, Iowa.

[@dalehoustman4737]

Hello, Michael. I’m a SF enthusiast from way back so it was nice to see all those books. Forever War is superb, and is a critical response to the Vietnam War, which I believe Haldeman was involved in… and none too happy with. But definitely worth reading. Also - in reading out the list of authors in one of the anthologies you mentioned Don A. Stuart - don’t know if you’re aware but that’s the pen name of John W. Campbell, one of the giants of SF, who wrote “Who Goes There?” the basis for the Thing movies. Say hello to Doppelroger for me…

[@tonygriego6382]

Great Scott! Two Rogers cannot exist at the same exact space and time without serious compromise to the space-time continuum!

[@johncarroll4946]

Not counting that ace double as 2 books toward the 500 book challenge is a bold move, Michael. Respect.

[@jeffmanjarrez1087]

Glad to hear that you are going to read the Forever War in February. It will compel me to read a-long with you.

[@rolpaw4371]

Thx you from a french follower. Roland.

[@PaulSaether]

I don't think Roger is very happy sharing the limelight with Future Roger. Just look at him. He's beside himself!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@PaulSaether 😫😅

[@DavidWiley7]

What a wonderful plan! The Forever War is absolutely excellent. Berserker is also really enjoyable! I'll have to assess my collection to see which of these I might be able to join you in reading!

[@kdj3000]

Heinsplaining is my new favorite term.

[@marjoriedonnett5467]

I have an unread copy of The Forever War sitting on my bookshelf. It's ready for February and I'm looking forward to it.

[@curtvile]

So... Roger, Roger and Roger (Zelazny). Roger that.

[@bookssongsandothermagic]

I love this video and can't wait for you to read The Forever War - you'll love it! Mike, I am so tempted to do my own version of this. I will be reading a load of vintage science fiction books in 2025, so I could pick one a month like you have.....plagiarism is the new black....or something...haha

[@MasterMalrubius]

Excellent idea!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@bookssongsandothermagic ha!

[@secretfirebooks7894]

"This is getting out of hand! NOW THERE ARE TWO OF THEM!!"

[@leematthews6812]

If Michael's married, I'm sure Mrs Vaughan was *overjoyed* to welcome another Roger into the house!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@leematthews6812 absolutely overjoyed.

[@alancarr7718]

Good Evening Sir Michael, Roger, Roger and Mister Clock. Roger that for a great show! Mr Clock has a bemused look on his dial. And I have to say these older Science Fiction Writers had great names! Cheers Al TheGoldketfourcolorkidownunnda

[@YetAnotherytc1234]

I got a copy of The Voyage of the Space Beagle too but it has a different cover with space men walking on a desert like plain with a long tube like space craft above. My copy is from 1950.

[@Scottlp2]

Forever War is great as are most works by Haldeman. He has a book of short stories which is great fun including one called “the Hemingway hoax” (time travel). Eric Frank Russell is wonderful as is Randal Garrett.

[@glockensig]

Roger......A man for all ages!!!!

[@ChristopherEvenstar]

I am jealous of your future! I have a vulgar question: Was Future Roger able to keep you animated long enough to finish the five hundred book challenge?

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@ChristopherEvenstar I was afraid to ask

[@angelaluz405]

Future Roger looks amazing. We need his self care routine and tips.

[@macavitymacavity]

Nice to see Future Roger visiting for the holidays.

[@Holabirdsupercluster]

I just finished Blish's Black Easter and have moved on to The Day After Judgment in the nice Valancourt caseback editions, he's so good, definitely going to be looking for more of his stuff.

[@disshelvedwithadamwhite8731]

Future Roger looks like he has put on a few pounds. I guess a couple of centuries of eating house servants can do that…

[@PaperbackWarrior]

Berserker is a collection of shorts culled from the 1960s that is within the framework of the overall “berserker” arc. Your version is the 1985 Ace edition. Cool.

[@douglasreynolds7903]

I plan on joining you on this journey. I have all but two or three. I may have to substitute the Silverberg Anthology. I think i get more excited when you talk genre fiction. Whether its SF or Westerns or Horror, i just get enthused when you discuss certain vintage genres.

[@tonette6592]

My first thought? You cloned Roger. My second thought? Time travel. I need to talk to Future Roger,(heck, I need to talk to Present Roger .) Looks like he puts on a little weight in the next 300 years.

[@Yesica1993]

My immediate first thought was that Roger had cloned himself.

[@constancecampbell4610]

I notice that the “new” Roger has a much bigger skull. Or is it just more bandages? Further investigation is definitely in order.

[@tonette6592]

@@constancecampbell4610 Annswers! We need answers!

[@jelkel25]

The Tomorrow People rings a bell. I wonder how those space underpants worked as a space suit on the other cover? You'll have to tell us when you've finished that book.

[@stevezeidman7224]

That random anthology could be pretty good. I read many of those. I read “Empire of the Atom”. I kinda liked it too. You certainly don’t have the usual suspects except perhaps “The Forever War” and Heinlein.

[@w.adammandelbaum1805]

Looks like future Roger still goes to a British dentist. I want to read the voyage of the space dachshund.VOR- he's a jolly good fellow

[@mediumjohnsilver]

That is a good Space Age plan, Michael. I have two of those books in the same edition - _Vor_ and _The Legion of Space._ I read _The Legion of Space_ earlier this year, and would say it is kind of an old school space opera. I read _Vor_ back in the 1970s, I believe, and remember that the alien was quite formidable. I’ll be rereading it with you in September. If you want to pick out a book with a cool cover, you might want to dig into the Vault and pull out _The Daleth Effect_ by Harry Harrison (the one that shows a Danish submarine returning from the Moon).

[@vortimer2351]

Got Space Beagle on audio queue, so I guess I'll read it January!

[@donaldb1]

_The Forever War_ is only sort of a trilogy. Haldeman did write a book, long afterwards, called _Forever Peace._ But it doesn't have any connection to _The Forever War_ except the title (and, you know, it's about war, and peace.) Unfortunately, I thought it was rubbish, but I won't say any more about that. There is also a direct sequel to _War_ called _Forever Free._ I haven't read that, but I don't hear much good about it. So there is no need to read any of them except the first one, which I do recall being really good.

[@bernardjohnson8093]

A “vintage science fiction project” reboot?

[@warrengilson1835]

Snap! The Forever War is in my December 2024 pile!

[@wouter-janrooswinkel158]

Forever War is also one of the greatest belgian graphic novels ever by Marvano. Great read!

[@sleepyreader666]

Awesome year ahead! Makes me wonder why i don’t just read classic science fiction exclusively!

[@ellesse3862]

Oh my giddy aunt, two Rogers .. Andromeda deja vu all over again, Trance and future Trance, they look similar but different .. freaky. Mm vintage plans 2025, sounds good to me but when did Heinlein think he could impersonate Murray Leinster and get away with it, the dean of science fiction indeed, codswallop.

[@NZAnimeManga]

Hey Michael, I was wondering if you had any plans to do a tour of your Library of America editions? I think you mentioned the possibility of one in one of your LOA showcase videos - thanks for another great video!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@NZAnimeManga did I not do that? Now I can’t remember.

[@dqan7372]

Future Roger's looking good. Kind of him to stop by(?) Looking forward to updates on these books.

[@GenreBooks23]

Yes! Tip-top selection!

[@nedmerrill5705]

Seeing Roger of the Future is like looking in the mirror.

[@tearren1]

Looks like some interesting picks on your list, ill check them out. Thanks.

[@bookfantastic]

I believe The Pocket Book of Science Fiction is the first book ever to have the term Science Fiction in the title.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@bookfantastic interesting. I didn’t know that.

[@PeculiarNotions]

Does this mean one Roger will be at the rustic Vaughan Lodge? I'm excited to see your take on The Forever War.

[@DDB168]

Hmmm, you appear to have some mummy issues 🤭 Vor sounds interesting, I like first contact scifi. A Fire Upon the Deep is one of the best in that genre 🤔

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@DDB168 I know! I have to read that book!

[@MylesNewman-cc1tx]

The good news is there is a future.

[@JereWilkerson]

The Puppetmasters is a good one also.

[@wburris2007]

I have my 25 SF books picked out for next year. Now I have to see if I can remember how to make a video.

[@The_Crime_Machine]

You should worry that future Michael didn't make the trip back in time eith future Roger.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@The_Crime_Machine apparently I was eaten by lions in 2036.

[@wbbartlett]

Can you ask Roger from the future if you have finished your 500 book challenge by 2324?

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@wbbartlett I wouldn’t dare

[@The_Crime_Machine]

If I might Heinsplain: it was Murray Leinster who was the Dean of Science Fiction.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@The_Crime_Machine I believe they were both referred to as The Dean. Perhaps Grammaticus needs to do a death match video!

[@WarrenHarris-w4o]

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 It seems that just about every old male writer was called the Dean. I still vote for the guy who wrote "The Runaway Skyscraper".

[@gavinmcintosh5716]

I'm doing something similar for 2025. I'm picking a sci fi writer and reading a book a month by them. It will be Arthur C.Clarke for 2025.😊

[@chefeddie6164]

You haven't read The Forever War??!! I hope future Roger doen't spoil the ending to all those books you haven't read. That would be a cruel, evil thing to do. Right future Roger? 😜

[@MourningConstitution]

Thanks!

[@JereWilkerson]

I read Berserker. I think you will like it.

[@nonautomaton6230]

hello Future Roger, you have not aged badly at all! 🥰

[@michaelsamerdyke108]

Berserker is terrific. I really, really like Berserker Planet. Don A. Stuart was John W. Campbell's pseudonym. Voyage of Spage Beagle contains "Black Destroyer" and is sort of a candidate for the story that "Alien" ripped off. I'm not a fan of "The Puppet Masters."

[@stretmediq]

A book published in 1958 is old? I was born in 1958!

[@Morfeusm]

But you are not a book, I presume. It works differently with humans!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@stretmediq er…did I say old!?

[@johncarroll4946]

On the subject of science fiction, do ya’ll have any suggestions for Star Trek novels? Wanting to read one, but don’t know where to start. I prefer the original series, but I like TNG too. This is absolutely open to anybody, I’d love to hear y’all’s thoughts.

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@johncarroll4946 I haven’t had very good luck with Star Trek novels. I’m going to keep trying them though.

[@johncarroll4946]

⁠@@michaelk.vaughan8617Gotcha! I appreciate the response!

[@torres870rem]

Do you have a collection of the Analog magazine? Or Any

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

@@torres870rem just a few. I have more issues of Astounding.

[@redwawst3258]

💃🏼🦇🕺🏻