E. E. Doc Smith, known as the "Father of Space Opera," pioneered science fiction with thrilling adventures among the stars. His famous Lensman and Skylark series inspired generations of readers with imaginative worlds and heroic characters.
If you enjoy reading books by E. E. Doc Smith then you might also like the following authors:
Isaac Asimov is a science fiction writer famous for blending interesting ideas about science and society into accessible, imaginative stories. If you enjoyed E. E. Doc Smith's expansive and adventurous storytelling, Asimov's Foundation might appeal to you.
It's a novel about the rise and fall of vast galactic empires, filled with smart characters and fascinating speculation about humanity's future.
Robert A. Heinlein is known for crafting enjoyable, thoughtful stories that explore characters and ideas within grand adventures. Readers who appreciate E. E. Doc Smith's bold narratives and exciting plots will likely also enjoy Heinlein's Starship Troopers.
This classic explores society, duty, and leadership with imagination and insight, all centered around futuristic warfare and gripping action.
Arthur C. Clarke specializes in contemplative science fiction rooted in believable science and visionary concepts about exploration and discovery. If you are drawn to the big, sweeping narratives of E. E. Doc Smith, Clarke's Childhood's End might resonate with you.
Clarke uses imaginative scenarios to explore questions about our place in the universe and how humanity evolves when confronted with mysterious alien forces.
Poul Anderson blends adventurous plots with a keen understanding of human nature and politics. If you enjoyed E. E. Doc Smith’s larger-than-life worlds and heroes, you'll probably appreciate Anderson's Tau Zero.
It is a gripping tale about starship explorers traveling to the far reaches of space, facing challenges that test human limits, courage, and cooperation.
Larry Niven tells entertaining stories with imaginative worlds and creative technology. If you like the scope and inventiveness of Doc Smith, you'll likely enjoy Niven's Ringworld.
This novel transports you to a fascinating artificial world, filled with mysteries, adventure, and clever ideas about alien societies and future technologies.
Jack Williamson writes exciting science fiction adventures full of action, imagination, and big ideas. His stories often feature amazing advanced technologies and dramatic cosmic battles.
If you enjoy E. E. Doc Smith's energetic storytelling in space, you'll likely appreciate Williamson's The Legion of Space, a classic space opera about courageous heroes defending humanity against alien threats.
Edmond Hamilton creates grand stories of cosmic adventure, packed with daring action and thrilling discoveries on distant worlds. Readers who love the expansive universe-building and epic battles of E. E. Doc Smith will enjoy Hamilton's style.
Try his novel The Star Kings, an exciting tale about an ordinary man transported into the body of a distant prince, thrust into galaxy-spanning conflicts.
Leigh Brackett is known for vivid worlds and character-driven adventures, blending science fiction with elements of fantasy and adventure. Her narratives mix mystery, suspense, and unforgettable characters.
Fans of E. E. Doc Smith's space-faring heroes will find much to enjoy in Brackett’s classic The Sword of Rhiannon, an adventurous tale set on an exotic, ancient Mars filled with danger and discovery.
A. E. van Vogt creates intriguing and imaginative science fiction, weaving together intricate plotlines and mind-expanding concepts. Like E. E. Doc Smith, van Vogt explores humanity's place in vast universes with advanced civilizations and mysterious forces.
Check out van Vogt’s The Voyage of the Space Beagle, featuring humanity boldly facing cosmic mysteries on an exploratory mission.
Jack Vance offers colorful, imaginative worlds filled with fascinating cultures, inventive societies, and adventures filled with humor. While slightly more whimsical than E. E. Doc Smith, readers who like Smith's sense of wonder and exploration will find Vance's style appealing.
Try his imaginative work The Demon Princes, a series following one man's quest for vengeance across chartered and uncharted spaceways.
If you love sweeping space operas like E. E. Doc Smith's, David Weber will suit you perfectly. Weber creates rich worlds and exciting interstellar warfare. His stories feature detailed military strategy and engaging characters.
A great place to start is On Basilisk Station, which kicks off the popular Honor Harrington series. It follows Honor Harrington, a captain in the Royal Manticoran Navy, as she navigates politics, battles, and personal courage.
Peter F. Hamilton writes ambitious and imaginative science fiction that explores the future of humanity and advanced technology. His novels are epic in scope, blending complex plots with vivid world-building. A standout is Pandora's Star, the first book in the Commonwealth Saga.
It introduces a galactic civilization connected by wormholes and facing threats from enigmatic alien forces. Fans of Smith will appreciate Hamilton's big ideas and grand cosmic scale.
Jerry Pournelle crafts classic science fiction tales filled with political intrigue, military conflict, and exploration. Like E. E. Doc Smith, he focuses on humanity's interaction with space and alien civilizations.
One of his best-known books, co-written with Larry Niven, is The Mote in God's Eye. It tells the story of humanity's first contact with an alien species, thoughtfully considering both the scientific and cultural impacts of such an encounter.
Alastair Reynolds delivers science fiction loaded with hard science concepts, realistic technology, and vast, thought-provoking settings. Readers who enjoy Smith's adventure and sense of wonder will find resonance here.
A great introduction to Reynolds is Revelation Space, a gripping story about humans in the distant future uncovering cosmic mysteries and threats that span millions of years. It's epic, intriguing, and satisfying.
Fans of Smith looking for storytelling filled with imagination, philosophical twists, and mythology-inspired adventures will enjoy John C. Wright. His writing blends classic science fiction elements with rich ideas and deep narratives.
Check out his novel The Golden Age, set in a far-future society of immortality and near-limitless potential—where a protagonist discovers a gap in his memories leading to intrigue, betrayal, and mystery.