re: RAH on women/Dirty Old Man: My head understands these things. My gut reactions though, swing wildly between "You condescending sack of shit!" and doe-eyed and clad in a pretty blue dress, running to answer "FRONT!". Some feminist I am, huh? ;D
And I'll freely admit, my library's pub dates start at 1970 (Mary Stewart's The Crystal Cave), and most of the collection are authored by women, and almost none of it is even vaguely hard SF. You want a quick peek into Jess's psyche? Pick up Anne McCaffrey's Rowan , Damia, and To Ride Pegasus. I love the characters, but I honestly have no idea how accurately she writes men. And that's an odd thought to have now, because those books were formative for me. Read 'em when I was 6, 8, and ~10, respectively.
So here's to vintage SF from male authors, for perspective. I've got one by Ben Bova going now that was minted in 2000 but scans like vintage so far; I figure something by Asimov's next. Suggestions? Anyone?
Re: How to grok RAH
And I'll freely admit, my library's pub dates start at 1970 (Mary Stewart's The Crystal Cave), and most of the collection are authored by women, and almost none of it is even vaguely hard SF. You want a quick peek into Jess's psyche? Pick up Anne McCaffrey's Rowan , Damia, and To Ride Pegasus. I love the characters, but I honestly have no idea how accurately she writes men. And that's an odd thought to have now, because those books were formative for me. Read 'em when I was 6, 8, and ~10, respectively.
So here's to vintage SF from male authors, for perspective. I've got one by Ben Bova going now that was minted in 2000 but scans like vintage so far; I figure something by Asimov's next. Suggestions? Anyone?
Never thirst, Mike.
~*J.