Classic Science Fiction: The Golden Age

    

The golden age of science fiction, a period from the late 1930s through the 1940s, created modern science fiction as writers like Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, A.E. Van Vogt, and Theodore Sturgeon published many of their classic novels and short stories.  Golden age writers valorized science, optimism, heroic problem solving, and a sense of wonder.  Some of the stories now seem dated, but golden age writers helped envision the future, and most of their work is still enjoyable and well worth reading.  Listed below are some golden age works that every science fiction fan should read.

Decade, the 1940s edited by Brian W. Aldiss & Harry Harrison
Classic Science Fiction: The First Golden Age edited by Terry Carr
These two collections contain dozens of short stories that demonstrate the imaginative diversity of classic science fiction.

The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov
A series of thoughtful adventure tales set in the far future when a galactic empire breaks apart, and a group of scientists named psychohistorians attempt to preserve civilization.

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov
Asimov portrays the future development of Robots through a series that depicts robot politicians, mad robots, and robots that read minds.  A Will Smith movie is loosely based on the book.

The Puppet Masters by Robert Heinlein
Robert Heinlein’s adventure novel depicts secret agents battling mind-control aliens, and is a commentary on cold war paranoia.

The Ultimate Egoist: the complete stories of Theodore Sturgeon by Theodore Sturgeon
This large collection includes superb stories by one of the genre’s most imaginative writers.

The Voyage of the Space Beagle by A.E. Van Vogt
The crew of the Space Beagle explores the galaxy and encounters many threats, including the alien cat-like predator Coeurl, a telepathic race of aliens, and the hostile survivor of a race that ruled the previous universe before the Big Bang.  This novel has influenced movies as diverse as Star Trek and Alien.

- Robert B.