Top Ten Mind-Blowing Science Fiction Books

When I went to write my top ten list of science fiction books, I thought about why I read science fiction. Most of the time, I want the fantasy - a belief in another world so strong that I feel certain that I'm learning something about myself, society, the world and universe. If I haven't learned something from a book, I tend not to remember having read it afterward. These books will stand the test of time because they meet that criteria. Because the list is so short, it doesn't include all my favorites or all the authors I like to read. It merely acknowledges existing research and long-range understanding put into fiction form and an enjoyable read.

Included on my lists are books many called Utopians or Dystopians-political systems or societies where the best features of a society are present as well as the worst. Thought books at their best, but they don't preclude an enticing plot or emotional character development.

1) Evolution by Stephen Baxter and of course related, Charles Darwin's non fiction books.

This book has an awesome meteor collision that starts the book. From then on, the chain of evolution is followed up to present times. Alternatively Manifold Time follows the human species changes. To know ourselves from out cells up, we must see ourselves against the span of time and understand the effects of evolution on the life that exists on the planet. The process of evolution is still controversial but proven to have provided valuable insights into life.

2) Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

This book tracks the training of a young gamer taught war games to protect us from alien invasion. The mentality of us versus strangers or aliens will continue unabated into the future because our genetic makeup, our immune system, and our basic instincts cue us to the differences we observe in the world. This novel brings out this conflict. This is still my favorite by Orson Scott Card but I typically read his books because I'm sure to have presented some issue about morality and society embedded inside his work. The current war in Iraq showcases war fought through machines. The interesting part of this novel warns of the effect of how too strong of a protection against aliens prolongs war, prevents understanding, prevents communication and ultimately leads to destruction.

3) The Source by James Michener

When I mentioned I thought the Source could be considered science fiction I heard a lot of arguments out of a book club. This book goes into great detail about how scientists uncover history using archaeology methods and techniques in the Middle East. It also discusses finds of the writings that form the foundation of our knowledge of myth, religion and culture in this region. Without understanding who we are, it is very difficult to understand who we as a society can become.

4) 1984 by George Orwell

This story tracks a young man who wishes privacy and the effects invasion of his privacy by the political system has on him. Ever since George Orwell wrote this book about Big Brother watching us, the issues about the use of technology and their ability to invade our personal privacy has grown. New technology on satellites and in personal communications show this is an issue of real concern. Many oppressive political systems continue to use the same tactics that Hitler used that brought about World War II.

5) The Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov

At the start this story tracks a young man into the center of the galaxy to a trial held against the Psychohistorians, then later documents how they redefine history with their Encyclopedia project. Covered are the different ways political systems, economic systems and society relate.

6) The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin

This story made me cry when I first read it. It tracks a alien diplomat's entry into a world divided politically and his attempts to create a treaty. It deals with what it means to be human in the face of social differences. It also proposes a society with an alternate form of sexuality.

7) Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

This story shows a young man discovering how his world is operated. It raises the questions about any life and human life especially being produced by mass production systems, and grown for specific purposes and the likely affect on culture. It discusses whether society can continue without being ultimately selfish in a world of slaves. Continued discussion of social Darwinism and working with human DNA keeps this in the limelight.

8) Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson

In Red Mars, scientists set to work creating a community on Mars and all the factions that result as personal, corporate and government plans conflict with each other. This is one of the expansion oriented stories that discuss the science and technology used by humanity to move off our planet. As resources are used up on Earth and population expands, this will be the likely direction we take.

9) Walden Two by B. F. Skinner

This story starts with a young man visiting a Utopian society and follows the residents attempts to convince him to join. This book explored applying the idea that we could predict all human behavior so could ensure everyone was happy. The Utopian society created was an eerie change to the way our society exists and bares some resemblance to cults.

10) Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

This story is about a young man with a low IQ who is offered treatment that will make him smart and the resulting affects on how he sees himself and society. This book dealt with the consequences of using medicine to alter human intelligence. Research continues to understand how the human brain operates and to develop mechanical and biological enhancements that people with limitations related to the brain can operate effectively in the real world.