[jaylord]

I'm sort of surprised that no one has mentioned any books by Robert Heinlein. I think two of his books (at least) are must reads: 'Starship Troopers' (forget what you saw in the movie) and 'The Moon is a Harsh Mistress' (strange title for one of the best books ever written!)

Other sci-fi books I could recommend (not mentioned already) are W. Michael Gear's Spider trilogy, Larry Niven's Known Space books which include the Ringworld novels, and Poul Anderson's Polesotechnic League and Dominic Flandery books. The later have a definate SEIV feel to them.