Need some classic (old) sci-fi/fantasy recommendations

[TheAuldGrump]

Almost everyone listed above.

Also:
Eando Binder
James Blish
Poul Anderson
Anthony Boucher
Fletcher Pratt
Karl Edward Wagner
Fredric Brown
Henry Kutner
Harlan Elison
Lester DelRey


The Auld Grump, who knows that he has forgotten some....

 

[Pozatronic]

anything by Leigh Brackett

Samuel R. Delaney: esp. "Nova" and his "Neveryon" titles.

 

[Mallus]

Samuel R. Delaney: esp. "Nova"

Great book! And so slim.

I'll add "anything by Cordwainer Smith", which basically means the Instrumentality of Mankind short stories and the one novel set in that universe, Norstrilia.

 

[Croesus]

Gordon R. Dickson
Dragon and the George (the series is mostly fantasy, lots of fun)
Dorsai (part of his Childe Cycle series, outstanding sci-fi

Robert Adams
Coming of the Horseclans (post-apocalyptic series)

Timothy Zahn
Blackcollar (sci-fi, Earth has been conquered by aliens)

Larry Niven
Neutron Star (collection of sci-fi stories in same universe as the ringworld)
Dream Park (live roleplaying with technology and murder)
Mote in God's Eye (humans bump into aliens with a secret - outstanding)

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

Gordon R. Dickson
Dragon and the George (the series is mostly fantasy, lots of fun)

Got the entire series and have to say it's a very fun read even if far more fantasy than SF

 

[YourSwordIsMine]

I will definitely echo others for Burroughs. I would recommend his Carson of Venus series. I liked it above the Carter of Mars books actually. All of (except Tarzan IMHO) are very good.

While not Sci-Fi but fantasy, one of my favorite series is rather hard to find most often is these books by Barry Hughart

Bridge of Birds: A Novel of an Ancient China that Never Was
The Story of the Stone
Eight Skilled Gentlemen

 

[replicant2]

Seconded on Poul Anderson. If the owner has a copy of The Broken Sword or Hrolf Kraki's Saga available, snap them up.

 

[JiffyPopTart]

The Riverworld series by Phillip Jose Farmer - everyone who ever lived* is reincarnated at the same time along a big river.

Enders Game by Orson Scott Card - psychological abuse of a kid learning to fight a war with alien.

Neither is ancient but both are good and could possibly be considered "old" depending on who you are.

DS

*as of when the book was written