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I love the vivid artwork on the golden age covers.

Nice haul, esp the Tanith Lees. Glad the book made it to you.

Good review. I read it long long ago, and I don't remember the sex part. But I was reading a lot of sci-fi back then, including Heinlein. Some of it seemed like it was written by outsiders who'd once witnessed a hippie free-love festival and done a lot of drugs but not really understood what was going on. Others were written as if the author didn't understand sex and had never actually had it. And older sci-fi (except for the 'Amazon Babes From Venus' type of pulp) was clearly written by people who had never even talked to a girl, couldn't imagine them in any position of significance, and therefore didn't include them, or sex, at all in their stories. Classic sci-fi is kind of amusing that way. You have to let go of modern sensibilities a little. There's an old quote that says "When was the Golden Age of sci-fi? Twelve." Imagine yourself as a 12 year old boy reading it back when it was written. Then you can at least understand how it might have seemed exciting and interesting. Even if it does now seem silly, awkward, or even a little off-putting or disgusting.

Thanks for the review. I just finished the book myself and wanted to hear someone else's view on it. I'm not at all into military fiction but since it is considered a sci-fi classic I wanted to give it a shot. I can't say that I loved it but I did enjoy his return to earth sections. I feel that if this was written today, with the proliferation of book series, there might be an expansion of those sections going into much more detail, basically making each time jump (earth time) a separate book unto itself. I find it interesting how in some ways we have surpassed many sci-fi author's predictions and in others we are unfortunately stuck in archaic societal behaviors.

I'm 66 years old now, and primarily because of Covid and early retirement I have begun reading again after many years consuming stories in other ways (tv, movies, and gaming). During my peak reading years back in high school and college I was into mostly speculative fiction and magic realism, so I recently put a list together of science fiction books that are considered the best of the genre, and I decided to read them in roughly chronological order. This was the first book on my list and I enjoyed it far more than I expected to. My research into the best science fiction books has also resulted in my discovery of online book reviewers such as yourself and it is enjoyable to hear different individual's opinions on the books I have read. You are doing and excellent job, and I appreciate your inclination to review without spoilers. I know that has to be difficult.

I cannot walk in your shoes so commiserating with you about this heart wrenching story may come off as disingenuous, but just listening to you and seeing the pain on your face as you talk about it brought back just how impactful this book was when I read it many years ago. Thank you for the review.

Bob; got your shipment. As always, extremely fast. An Old Friend of the Family by Fred Saberhagen looks like it is super cheese; but I am grateful I got to support you and get something that has limitless possibilities. . . . .until i read it lol. Flow my tears looks stunning. . . .watching this vid again; while stream of thoughting. I also reflected on the advice that I solicited to you about making "Top" youtube videos and I have decided to put my money where my mouth is by making some book videos as well as my other hobbies. I hike, camp, explore, DIY a lot. I have a business that eventually I will be making videos for so I also thought this would be a way to dip my toes into Y.T. I am currently reading Orbitsville by Bob Shaw. That maybe my first video. Second Dracula / Friend of the family from you, and 3rd Joyleg, by Ward Moore & Avram Davidson, 1962 First Printing Pyramid probably . . . the last one comes on high recommendation from @PulpMortem . C. L. Moore is one the list too as I have a Northwest of Earth in the mail enroute

!!Hellspark spotted in background!! I love Janet Kagen's writing

Ooh, lovely. Be on the look-out for some Christmas In July. 😁

The OG SF Masterworks used to be numbered too :)

Great video! Old books definitely have a certain charm.

I bought a copy of Fury last week...snap! I only know his horror/weird tales, so am looking forward to reading him writing SciFi.

Rendezvous with Rama is a wonderful novel!

Lots of amazing finds😊💐always love seeing Miss Moxie😊💐

Love jeff vandermeer! Nice signed copy ❤❤the fourth southern reach book will be released october 22! Love your channnel

Golden Age Masterworks. I've never seen those before.

You are most welcome I’m so happy you like it😊❤️💐🥳

The only person who calls me Doctor is my mother 🤣 and sometimes my DnD group =] Nice haul! Absolutely wild!

Super. Was at a Stewart Copeland gig last night in Galway, Ireland fkr the International Arts Festival. Slightly hungover and on holidays. Perfect video to watch on the couch.

C.L. Moore is one of my new favorites. Read that first Northwest Smith story and you’ll be hooked!

Cool pick-ups, especially those Paradys hard covers!

Matt made me read 80 SF books last year 🫡

Happy belated birthday!!!! Your incredible

Hhhwwwhiiitteeeee!!!!

Thanks for the excellent overview of Tau Zero. I'm acquiring the book now. And, subscribed. :)

Also try books without raccoons...😅

ehh ehh

Oooh, you have freckles!. It is proof that freckles make you smarter, at least. And they make me smarter too, as I read most of the books you propose.

I'm currently reading Star Splitter (Matthew J. Kirby) and .....are you ready? It's YA. ......and it's very good! Love the channel and the Mayberry RFD vibe.

I think you are right about starting with a difficult Disch. I’d suggest ‘Echo Round His Bones’ (a weird take on teleportation) or ‘The Genocides’ (a harsh biological apocalypse). Of course the books may be difficult to find.

I’ve only read his On Wings Of Song, that was enough Dish for me. Seems to have a chip on his shoulders about being raise catholic. Which is fine, but he’s also not very entertaining.

Would you say you Disched it out, but couldn't take it?

Ayn rand is my favorite writer too

Happy Birthday! 🥳 Somehow I knew that book would be teal when you said you loved the colour 😮 nice books, Robert is a very generous person 🥰

I'm enjoying this book, about 1/3 through, and I probably enjoyed it because I was in the military.

Interested in your thoughts on C J Cherryh, I've done about 5 of her books, always enjoyed them but nothing has quite blown ne away, so dubious about starting further series

Covers of Circle of Light are awesome. The artist, Gallardo, did covers for the fantasy series published by ballantine in the 60's (Macdonald, Morris, etc). I think he did Last Unicorn.

my memory of these books is that not great writing stylistically, BUT what matters is that NH caught something mythopoeic and set an atmosphere that blew me away. I've recently got the set again and then found a second set of the books in my office cabinet!and am nervous to reread it but am curious. This video will probably set me to take the plunge and revisit them!

Happy belated birthday!

happy birthday and very cool to see the outlander books in hardcover. even though the original covers are my favorites i do kinda like the different colors and symbols of the newer covers

Happy Birthday BOB! May you have a blessed remainder of the year and I hope you continue to find treasures while sourcing!

Happy Birthday! I always manage to miss these Whatnot sales 😅

I have various Horseclans up to No. 18. I think it's fantasy disguised as SF.

Happy Birthday. Looks like someone learned a lesson from my previous gifting. 😁 I have some ideas, but they'll take a bit of time.

❤Have a happy birthday! Eat some cake!

Thank you to everyone that came to the auction. I am humbled and it was a stunning way to spend part of my birthday. <3

Happy birthday!

Happy Expulsion remembrance day and good morning. Bob auction woot!

Happy birthday!!!

Congratulations on reaching another birthday. May there be plenty more and that you can gather enough breath to blow out all the candles.