OK, this is a tough one... A series with ships that use light sails...

[Deathbliss]

I am so glad I found your forums! You even have the exact section I needed!

OK... Sometime back in the 90's when I was reading hard SF by authors like James P. Hogan, and enjoying the heck out of the Rama series, I found some unknown author writing about the first ships to, get this, sail out amongst the stairs. They used some sort of solar sail or light sail, and they sailed on the galactic winds, or something like that. If this rings a bell at all could you give me the author's name? Than all I have to do is hope the library here has them!

Oh yeah, if you have any suggestions for good science fiction adventure/exploration type series or books, like Rama (for example), post the author's name and the book or series title. I'm also looking for good fantasy like that, none of this, "dark forces gathering..." or "evil wizard..." crap. Just epic adventure, exploration-themed stuff. Another series I loved, that falls right in between science fiction and fantasy, was the Myst series by Rand and Robyn Miller. Man I wish there were more books like that out there...

I appreciate your help!
- Deathbliss

[JimF]

The opening of Niven and Pournel's Mote in God's eye (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mote_in_God%27s_Eye) opens with an alien using a solar sail to reach a human planet. It has always been one of my favorites, but may not be what you are looking for.

The Legacy of Heorot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legacy_of_Heorot) and Beowulf's Children (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beowulf%27s_Children) Niven Pournel and Barns may scratch your exploration itch.

Jim

[Majst0r]

IIRC in Hyperion by Dan Simmons the old guy (can't remember his name) mentions that the first ships that left Earth were powered by solar sails. Oh yeah, and the 'mutated humans' (forgot their name) also use a form of solar sailing in order to propel themselves through space.

[chaunur]

Allen Steele's Coyote series is a pretty good take on the exploration theme and Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars series is a very in depth look at terraforming Mars.