Read Star Ship Troopers and Moon is a Harsh Mistress.  Both excellent books I had never previously heard of (other than the movie). 

 

Thanks all.

 

you know how it goes. the winner gets to decide who violated what war crimes statutes.

My top pick is probably 1632, as mentioned earlier. But later in the series it goes all poly-ticky. So Joe buff's series about the USS Challenger, nuke attack sub is awesom. ww3, germany conquered africa and all that, lots of tactical nukes going off. Besides HG Wells War in the Air aint bad.

Treadgar,

 

I wouldnt classify it as military sci fi, but if you are looking for newer good books to read check out Conn Iggulden's Emperor series and Conquerer series (Roman and Genghis Khan epics).  I really enjoyed them.

 

Excellent historical fiction told in novel form.

Also, in historical fiction - Gates of Fire by Pressfield is pretty good as is most of his work.

 

Also, if you like Tom Clancy, Vince Flynn is very good.   I like him better than Clancy.  Flynn is not Military Sci Fi, but  I'm new to that Genre so dont have a lot recommendations there.

 

I'm reading a huge military sci fi epic called Illium right now.  Found it in the local library.  Its pretty good, but not great. 

 

Also, if you enjoy military sci fi, you should check out a short lived t.v. series on DVD by the name of 'Firefly.'   A great show.

 

 

Treadgar

It been mentioned several times further down this thread but I want to stress how good Peter F Hamiltons stuff is.  The "Nights Dawn" series is awesome, as is his standalone novel "Fallen Dragon"

 

Im a HUGE Warhammer 40k fan and there are some very good books set n that universe.  Some terrible ones also though!!!  Im currently reading the series set in the Horus Heresy and so far am very impressed.  And just because they are so Feckin Cool here is a pic of the greatest human soldiers to ever appear in a work of fiction.  Screw the 'Master Chief", Republic Commandos etc  these guys are the ultimate genetically engineered fearless totally indoctrinated warriors of mankind "The Adeptus Astartes" (Space Marines)

 

David Weber.. Honor Harrington series.

need good maths. last couple are too heavy or poor thought through politics though.

Mote in Gods Eye was certainly one of the best SF books I've ever read. It is one that really defines my idea of what good science fiction even more than it does MSF for me. The high level analysis of managing contact between two alien cultures was fascinating.

Judging from the publication dates of several of these books there are several people on this board who came of age in 70's or earlier.  I took some of the recommendations and read Ender's Game, Starship Troopers, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Darsai! and The Mote in God's Eye.

 

Its interesting to see the cold war influence and also the strong influence of the fear of the population bomb present in the books. 

 

I thought Ender's Game, Starship Troopers and MISAHM were far superior to Darsai! and Mote in God's Eye.  Darsai! put too much emphasis on genetic predestination and stereotypes to be believable or likeable.  A trader planet, a science planet, a warrior planet, etc.; kind of silly but overall it wasnt a bad book.  Mote in God's Eye had a decent and interesting premise (first contact with aliens set far in the future), but was just flat boring for long stretches.  I found myself skipping several paragraphs and the romance between the Senator's Daughter and the ship captain was both out of place and uninspired.  I dont think team writing makes for a good book in most cases.

 

I'm on a train currently commuting for 3 hours+ a day so any book recommendations are appreciated.