To Don Firth,

Fascinating post, Don!

I was a great Niven fan for many years - but I could never stand Pornelle's politics, I'm afraid. I also think that Niven has lost his way a bit recently - his work doesn't seem to have the wild exuberance that it once had; those early 'Known Space' stories that he did mainly for Fred Pohl's magazines ('Galaxy', 'Worlds of If' etc.), back in the 60s, are incredible.

I don't suppose you've met Jack Vance, have you?

Sorry about the thread creep ...