I wonder if Will was referring to the the book about the gorilla spiritual advisor when he mentioned Ishmael? If so I agree, it's a must read, but more of a philosophy book than a sci fi one. I find Heinlen a little bit heavy in some books but a much easier read in others... As for Asimov he is good ( I just read one of his short stories recently that I really liked called "Profession") but the neatest book I ever read of his was a non-fiction( forgive me as I can't remember the title off the top of my head, i haven't read it in probably 15 years, but I have it at home) in it he discusses how to use our knowledge of the universe to design a realistic planet/universe for a novel ( or other application). Less sci-fi and more fantasy is the Sword of Truth Series by Terry Goodkind. Like many people he seems to have gone off the deep end a little after 9/11 but the books themselves are top-notch. Not for children but very good.....

Thanks for this article.