Any genre or just science fiction? I recommend Aasimov's Foundation Series, Herbert's Dune Series and Arthur C. Clarke as his is the most scientific of science fiction.
Those are great recommendations for science fiction. One more recent series I would add to that list is the Hyperion series by Dan Simmons. It is worthy to be included on the same level as the other epic authors and works of science fiction you listed above. Here are a few links to some the first book in three of these series on Amazon: Foundation - Isaac Asimov Dune - Frank Herbert Hyperion - Dan Simmons
With regards to the classics, three I would recommend are as follows: Moby Dick - Herman Melville War and Peace The Grapes of Wrath (This one is especially relevant now during the current economic recession) These books are more difficult to read than the science fiction books listed above. If you are in the process of trying to develop a habit of reading, these books may not be the ones you want to start with. But once you get to the point where reading fiction is a natural and ordinary thing for you to do, these books are really special.
Everything Tom Clancy has ever written would be a good start. The Hunt for Red October was brilliant, as was Rainbow Six.
I've only read two Tom Clancy novels all the way through and my opinion is that while he's got some great info on military organization and technical capabilities his geo-political understanding is too far out there.
This thread has morphed itself into a rather pleasant learning experience with posters exchanging ideas and knowledge to help the OP as well as each others! Now, isn't it more fun and clean than flinging poo at one another?
Sometimes being ignorant is a blessing! It is away of avoiding many of the worldy stresses! Most News publications and TV reports cover only bad news and arn't worth listening to or reading about. Most financial publications are to help the geedy to become even more rich and greedy. If you want to stop being ignorant develop your God given intellegence on pure subjects, which will benifit mankind.
As an aside, it is my sense that the forum description, with its reference to "monkey's throwing poo at each other" probably contributes more than some people think to the unfortunate conduct demonstrated by more than a few posters here. In fact, that board authorized description may effectively serve as an encouragement to some people to behave rudely in the "debate and discussion" forum.
C'mon Mr capitalist, cough up $10 for the site. Think of it as a cap and trade balance for all the sewage you dump here.
