[Mithfânion]

do you rate the highest and why?

Frank Herbert
Isaac Asimov
Iain Banks
Dan Simmons

[SusF]

I can't give a fair rating since I've only read Herbert and Asimov. Of those two, I prefer Asimov by far. Though I loved Dune, I didn't like ANY of the sequels.

Susan

[trentdick2882]

definitely philip k. dick, the other authors on the list don't even compare.

[cgw]

Hard to compare.
Frank Herbert - 1 great book, a few good books, several fair books.
Isaac Asimov - 1 great series, several good books, I did not lke the Robot books.
Iain Banks - Have not read.
Dan Simmons - Only read Hyperion so far.
Of the first two I would give Asimov the edge.

Best book list does not equal best author list. It is harder to compare authors.


It' like the Beatles and the Stones. The Stones had better albums and songs but overall I would say the Beatles.
Disclaimer - I am not saying the Beatles and the Stones are the only groups on the list anymore than I would say the above authors are the only ones on a best of list.

[toriphile]

Rating those (although I don't like that "rate these authors" stuff much) is easy ;) :
1. Frank Herbert
2. Iain M. Banks
3. Asimov
4. Dan Simmons

It would've been much harder if among the suggestions were names like PKD, Silverberg or Delany.

[trentdick2882]

ohhhhh delany is awesome as well, hmm delany or dick...

[ezchaos]

Hmmm

1.Iain Banks-He's a personal favorite of mine
2.Isaac Asimov-A close second
3.Frank Herbert-I agree with SusF.
4.Dan Simmons-I've only read the first book in the Hyperion Cantos and need to read the rest.

[fortytwo]

Out of the twelve books of Herbert's I've read, only Dune was outstanding, the rest just average.On the other hand I consistently enjoyed Asimov's writing especially Nightfall and the Foundation series.
The only books of Simmonds I've read are the four books of the Hyperion Cantos which were terrific but I would like to read more to give a judgement on him.
I am a huge fan of Banks too, and I have enjoyed most of his novels.
For consistently writing stories which I have enjoyed though I'd have to say Asimov gets my vote.

42

[Hobbit]

Can't decide on this one, Mith!

The impact of Dune is very high even if the rest of Herbert's work is not as good. The images and depth in this story (despite being space-opera) are still vivid and very influential.

Asimov - what can I say about the polymath? The breadth of his work is phenomenal. His ability to create stories with a precision in words and humour are also of merit. His influence on Sf is easily the biggest of all those named in the list. Yet his work is clearly of a previous age, and is dated.

Simmons's books are excellent and much more contemporary - more on AI's, more developed characterisation and some good lterary touches, well crafted too but not as influential.

Banks is contemporary, highly readable and is an influence on many modern (and British writers).

I enjoy all four for different reasons, and each has a reason to be essential reading.

If I HAD to order them (despite all my reservations!)
then:

Asimov
Simmons
Herbert
Banks

[Pirate Jenn]

Hmmm. Haven't read Simmons or Banks, so... that leaves me to choose between H and A.

As for Herbert....I enjoyed Dune (not the sequels), but even Dune didn't hold together for me. There's a story shift near the end of the novel where everything changes and doesn't hold pace with the rest of the book--somewhat sloppy writing to me, but I'm a little picky. :P ;)

So, that leaves me with Asimov. Certainly, Asimov is the most creative and prolific of the two. Dune was influential over SF, but Asimov was not only influential over SF but also over modern science. You can't help but respect that. :)

Although, Dune was far more vivid than anything of Asimov's that I've read....