Classic Science Fiction discussion

Larry Niven came from a well-to-do family but chose to write science fiction stories as a career. He started in the late 60s with award winning short stories of hard SF bent before his novel Ringworld swept SF awards in 1976.
In the foreword to Ringworld, Niven describes his conception as a more practical form of Dyson sphere. Later on fans would point out that the Ringworld design was unstable and needed continuous use of attitude jest to remain in position with respect to its sun. The first edition of Ringworld also featured an error in the direction of the earth's rotation, later corrected in further editions.
But the wonder of Niven's creation is not in the least diminished by these minor technical glitches but by how it took hold of the fancy of many of that generation, this poster included, with his vision of longevity and space travel and technology yet to come. And of course, he populated his novel with aliens that looked like puppets or large cats, and humanoids that have bred to ecological niches.
Ringworld is written in the then-unique Niven style, action oriented prose, sparse and terse as a Nature article. It reflects the mores of its times, promiscuity, drugs, and yet, rigidly logical, as if Spock was in Clockwork Orange rather than Star Trek.
This is indeed the idealized world of Larry Niven. He has carried these themes throughout his career. Can he remain relevant to the present and future generations of readers?

I prefer the works he did with Jerry Pournelle. I read the first Ring World some years ago. I haven't followed it up lately.

Have Lucifer's Hammer, any good?

I like it. I think Footfall may be my favorite but Lucifer's Hammer is good.

I know I read it but just don't remember enough of the story to be able to make a recommendation.

Post-apocalyptic, asteroid hit earth...thus "hammer". As I recall the astronomer who first spotted it was named "Hamner" so the news changes it a little and gets Lucifer's Hammer.

I just bought those two books recently.Only read Niven's Ringworld. The first one.Lucifer's Hammer sounds interesting,will be first..Afterwards,Footfall...

Footfall is a near future thriller as I recall. When I finished the paperback I went hunting for another copy to make sure I wasn't missing the final pages. A neat narrative trick there.

Yeah sort of a (view spoiler)["lady and the tiger"....possibly. (hide spoiler)]

I like it. In the era it was written the "nice friendly aliens" were all in vogue. This "good old straight forward invaders from outer space" book was sort of refreshing.

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "I prefer the works he did with Jerry Pournelle. I read the first Ring World some years ago. I haven't followed it up lately."

I certainly rated The Mote in Gods Eye that they co-wrote

Jim wrote: "I certainly rated The Mote in Gods Eye that..."
This is the Niven-Pournelle book I enjoyed the most. The rat infestation --- a nightmare memory.

I'll chime in and agree. It was some time ago I read The Mote in God's Eye but it's a good book and shows a well thought out alternate species with a completely original..."problem" for when it was written.

I always felt it was one of the most believable 'first contact' books