*gasp* never read a multi-Hugo, multi-nebula, multi-locus award, John W. Campbell ... winning SF author ? Not even the Heechee ones that may have inspired Stargate franchise (http://booklikes.com/gateway-frederik-pohl/book,502411 )? The Way the Future Was? Star child? Space Merchants? Editor of Galaxy magazine? Co authoring with the likes of Author C. Clarke?
Oh, it's not directly Stargate with all the mythology elements. But lots of same technology, gates found left by mysterious aliens and without thought of consequences explored and used to get resources, disappearance or death of wife .. Not an author I reread now although a favorite, just because some intense books that would lose something because I know "what happens next."
Considered a "hard science fiction" writer and can take you down some technical and political rabbit holes; some books verge on horror and others on space opera spoof. Not sure how would hold up on a contemporary re-read actually. Probably not cutting edge technological ideas anymore -- certainly then "shocking" things like same sex relationships and some of the political shockers are hardly uncommon.
Old enough likely some bundled deals or in collected works ones are out there. If Open Road re-issued any might be available via kindle borrow programs for free.
This description in Gateway/Heechee book 2 always reminds me of Daniel in star gate series (although it's creepier) -- "...But even as he gambles on the breakthrough technology, he is wracked with the guilt of losing his wife, poised forever at the "event horizon" of a black hole where Robin had abaondoned her. As more and more information comes back from the expedition, Robin grows ever hopeful that he can rescue his beloved Gelle-Klara Moynlin. After three and a years, the factory is discovered to work, and a human is found aboard. Robin's suffering may be just about over...."
Pohl only tweaked around 1% of the book...In most of Kornbluth's work we can see that his stories were a cover, or a frame, for discussion of many real issues which were hardly open to serious consideration in any other popular genre: issues such as the nature of science, business, greed, government, the limits of loyalty, the power of social norms to affect individual perception (e.g., "The Space Merchants"). It was this I felt I couldn't get anywhere else. Kornbluth, and Pohl, to a lesser degree, were doing it when almost no one else did. I've an interesting personal story with "The Heechee saga", but I'll save it for another occasion...
@Troy, if you want to start reading Pohl's stuff, "Man Plus" is a good place to start. His autobiography "The Way the Future Was" is also very interesting. His relationship with the Heinleins, particularly with Virginia, is a must...
Hie thee to the library quickly ... or at least the website -- http://www.thewaythefutureblogs.com
Considered a "hard science fiction" writer and can take you down some technical and political rabbit holes; some books verge on horror and others on space opera spoof. Not sure how would hold up on a contemporary re-read actually. Probably not cutting edge technological ideas anymore -- certainly then "shocking" things like same sex relationships and some of the political shockers are hardly uncommon.
Old enough likely some bundled deals or in collected works ones are out there. If Open Road re-issued any might be available via kindle borrow programs for free.
@Troy, if you want to start reading Pohl's stuff, "Man Plus" is a good place to start. His autobiography "The Way the Future Was" is also very interesting. His relationship with the Heinleins, particularly with Virginia, is a must...