I thought there would be more mention of Douglas Adams. He's definitely the most amusing of all Sci-Fi writers. Perhaps he isn't taken seriously because of the humor, but let's not forget that Twain was a humorist AND the greatest American novelist. Most of us are familiar with Adams' "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series but his novels featuring Dirk Gently, Holistic Detective are equally great and feature my all-time favorite title for a book: "Long Dark Teatime of the Soul". How can you see that title and not want to pick it up and read it? He also did some writing for Dr. Who and hung out with the Monty Pythons. A real shame he died so young.