Harry Harrison has died - Page 2

Paul W · 16th August 2012, 11:54 AM

I’ve just been out to the playpen (aka “study” or “office”) to check on my stock of Harry Harrison books – about a foot of them on the shelf. I think I’ll re-read them, one series at a time.

A loss to sci-fi – but he has left a lot of provoking ideas. I particularly like the Stainless Steel Rat.

Again, goodbye Harry

dudalb · 17th August 2012, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Garrison

I love much of HH's work but with 'Stars and Stripes' he let whatever issues he had with Britain get the better of him.

Not to mention as a hard core Civil War Buff I find it hard to beleive that the North and the South would have kissed and made up that quickly..........

As much as I loved most of Harry's work, he did not do alternate history very well. Should have left that field to Turtledove.

I have to add "Bill The Galactic Hero" to my list of Harrison's best....

Between Bradbury and now Ray, this has been a bad year for losing great Sci Fi authors.

NightStar76 · 17th August 2012, 02:45 PM

The first historical fiction books I ever read were the Hammer and the Cross trilogy. Really underrated. If strange.

Esperdome · 19th August 2012, 03:40 PM

He was the one that got me reading sci-fi. I read the Deathworld Trilogy when I was in sixth grade, one of the selections when I joined the Science Fiction Book Club. I thought it wise to order trilogies, you got three books for the price of one! (I got the Foundation Trilogy at the same time.)

So long, old friend, my salute to an atheist that changed my life for the better.

Brainster · 20th August 2012, 12:36 AM

I happened to read Captive Universe first, and loved it. As it happens, I re-read it earlier this year along with the first SSR novel.

CriticalSock · 20th August 2012, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by aggle-rithm

"Star Smashers of the Galaxy Rangers" is one of my favorites. Perfect send-up of the sci-fi genre.

"Before the gun could come up, the decadent enemy jaw felt the full impact of a good American fist in all its fury, and that was the end of the ball game." - Star Smashers of the Galaxy Rangers.

One of my favourite quotes of all time.

Dave Rogers · 20th August 2012, 07:38 AM

Like Paul W, I felt that the most appropriate way to respond to this news was to take "The Stainless Steel Rat" down from the shelf and re-read it. This has turned out to be a good decision, and I'll be reacquainting myself with the rest of the series in due course. So long, Harry, and many thanks.

Dave

Multivac · 21st August 2012, 04:29 AM

Very sad news, but will use it as an excuse for re-reading his books.

Couldn't find a sad smiley. :-(

ETA: Is a sad smiley an oxymoron? Like military intelligence.

Brian-M · 21st August 2012, 05:27 AM

Originally Posted by Multivac

Couldn't find a sad smiley. :-(

Multivac · 4th September 2012, 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by Brian-M

Thanks, but isn't that a frown, rather than a sad face?

AvalonXQ · 4th September 2012, 07:22 AM

Time to try a Stainless Steel Rat book.

16th August 2012, 11:54 AM	#41
Paul W Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 468	I’ve just been out to the playpen (aka “study” or “office”) to check on my stock of Harry Harrison books – about a foot of them on the shelf. I think I’ll re-read them, one series at a time. A loss to sci-fi – but he has left a lot of provoking ideas. I particularly like the Stainless Steel Rat. Again, goodbye Harry
Paul W Critical Thinker Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 468

17th August 2012, 12:37 PM	#42
dudalb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 22,803	Originally Posted by Garrison I love much of HH's work but with 'Stars and Stripes' he let whatever issues he had with Britain get the better of him. Not to mention as a hard core Civil War Buff I find it hard to beleive that the North and the South would have kissed and made up that quickly.......... As much as I loved most of Harry's work, he did not do alternate history very well. Should have left that field to Turtledove. I have to add "Bill The Galactic Hero" to my list of Harrison's best.... Between Bradbury and now Ray, this has been a bad year for losing great Sci Fi authors.
	Last edited by dudalb; 17th August 2012 at 12:39 PM.

17th August 2012, 02:45 PM	#43
NightStar76 Thinker Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 172	The first historical fiction books I ever read were the Hammer and the Cross trilogy. Really underrated. If strange.
NightStar76 Thinker Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 172

19th August 2012, 03:40 PM	#44
Esperdome Remedial Humorist Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,066	He was the one that got me reading sci-fi. I read the Deathworld Trilogy when I was in sixth grade, one of the selections when I joined the Science Fiction Book Club. I thought it wise to order trilogies, you got three books for the price of one! (I got the Foundation Trilogy at the same time.) So long, old friend, my salute to an atheist that changed my life for the better.
	__________________ "My Ed, but you are perhaps the most perplexing poster this forum has ever encountered." Rob Lister Junior Tosser, Loose popgun below decks. Visit The Dome "If it keeps on raining, the levee's going to break." Led Zeppelin

20th August 2012, 12:36 AM	#45
Brainster Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 10,426	I happened to read Captive Universe first, and loved it. As it happens, I re-read it earlier this year along with the first SSR novel.
	__________________ My new blog: Recent Reads. 1960s Comic Book Nostalgia Visit the Screw Loose Change blog.

20th August 2012, 07:30 AM	#46
CriticalSock Graduate Poster Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: In a little costwold stone cottage. Posts: 1,993	Originally Posted by aggle-rithm "Star Smashers of the Galaxy Rangers" is one of my favorites. Perfect send-up of the sci-fi genre. "Before the gun could come up, the decadent enemy jaw felt the full impact of a good American fist in all its fury, and that was the end of the ball game." - Star Smashers of the Galaxy Rangers. One of my favourite quotes of all time.

20th August 2012, 07:38 AM	#47
Dave Rogers Bandaged ice that stampedes inexpensively through a scribbled morning waving necessary ankles Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: In a world lit only by fire. Posts: 17,894	Like Paul W, I felt that the most appropriate way to respond to this news was to take "The Stainless Steel Rat" down from the shelf and re-read it. This has turned out to be a good decision, and I'll be reacquainting myself with the rest of the series in due course. So long, Harry, and many thanks. Dave
	__________________ "We will punish the murderer together. Our punishment will be more generosity, more tolerance and more democracy." - Fabian Stang, Mayor of Oslo SSKCAS, covert member

21st August 2012, 04:29 AM	#48
Multivac Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,927	Very sad news, but will use it as an excuse for re-reading his books. Couldn't find a sad smiley. :-( ETA: Is a sad smiley an oxymoron? Like military intelligence.
	Last edited by Multivac; 21st August 2012 at 04:32 AM.

21st August 2012, 05:27 AM	#49
Brian-M Daydreamer Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Downunder Posts: 4,264	Originally Posted by Multivac Couldn't find a sad smiley. :-(
	__________________ "That is just what you feel, that isn't reality." - hamelekim

4th September 2012, 07:13 AM	#50
Multivac Graduate Poster Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 1,927	Originally Posted by Brian-M Thanks, but isn't that a frown, rather than a sad face?

4th September 2012, 07:22 AM	#51
AvalonXQ Guest Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 11,853	Time to try a Stainless Steel Rat book.
AvalonXQ Guest Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 11,853