Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books

Titles in bold are on the Classics of Science Fiction v5 list.

Title Author/Editor Year Citations↥ Reviews
The Moon is Hell John W. Campbell, Jr. 1951
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
The Portable Novels of Science Donald A. Wollheim 1945
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
Science Fiction Omnibus Everett F. BleilerT. E. Dikty 1952
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
Sinister Barrier Eric Frank Russell 1948
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
A Treasury of Science Fiction Groff Conklin 1948
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
The Weapon Makers A. E. van Vogt 1947
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
… And Some Were Human Lester del Rey 1948
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1987Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 3rd Edition by Neil Barron
The Astounding Science Fiction Anthology John W. Campbell, Jr. 1952
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1956Astounding Magazine, The Twenty-Six All-Time Best SF Books
Beyond This Horizon Robert A. Heinlein 1948
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
2003The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction edited by Edward James and Farah Mendlesohn
Gray Lensman Edward E. Smith 1951
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1977"A Basic Science-Fiction Library" from The Road to Science Fiction by James Gunn
2016Sci-Fi Lists Top 200 - novel
2016Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction: A Basic Science Fiction Library
The Green Hills of Earth Robert A. Heinlein 1951
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1956Astounding Magazine, The Twenty-Six All-Time Best SF Books
1999The Internet Top 100 SF/Fantasy List
2003The Internet Top 100 SF/Fantasy List
The Man Who Sold the Moon Robert A. Heinlein 1950
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1956Astounding Magazine, The Twenty-Six All-Time Best SF Books
1966Analog All-Time Favorite Science Fiction Poll
2016Sci-Fi Lists Top 200 - novel
Seven Famous Novels H. G. Wells 1934
1949The Seventeen Basic SF Titles - Arkham Sampler
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1956Astounding Magazine, The Twenty-Six All-Time Best SF Books
1966Analog All-Time Favorite Science Fiction Poll
The Short Stories of H.G. Wells H. G. Wells 1927
1949The Seventeen Basic SF Titles - Arkham Sampler
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1987Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 3rd Edition by Neil Barron
1994The Ultimate Guide to Science Fiction by David Pringle
The Best of Science Fiction Groff Conklin 1946
1949The Seventeen Basic SF Titles - Arkham Sampler
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1976Anatomy of Wonder: Science Fiction, 1st Edition by Neil Barron
1977"A Basic Science-Fiction Library" from The Road to Science Fiction by James Gunn
2003The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction edited by Edward James and Farah Mendlesohn
2016Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction: A Basic Science Fiction Library
Who Goes There? John W. Campbell, Jr. 1948
1949The Seventeen Basic SF Titles - Arkham Sampler
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1956Astounding Magazine, The Twenty-Six All-Time Best SF Books
1976Anatomy of Wonder: Science Fiction, 1st Edition by Neil Barron
1987Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 3rd Edition by Neil Barron
1996The Best 105 Books Since the Invention of the Field in the Twenties - Age of Wonders by David G. Hartwell
The World Below S. Fowler Wright 1929
1949The Seventeen Basic SF Titles - Arkham Sampler
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1976Anatomy of Wonder: Science Fiction, 1st Edition by Neil Barron
1979A Reader's Guide to Science Fiction by Baird Searles, et al.
1987Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 3rd Edition by Neil Barron
2004Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 5th Edition by Neil Barron
Adventures in Time and Space J. Francis McComasRaymond J. Healy 1946
1949The Seventeen Basic SF Titles - Arkham Sampler
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1956Astounding Magazine, The Twenty-Six All-Time Best SF Books
1966Analog All-Time Favorite Science Fiction Poll
1976The World of Science Fiction by Lester Del Rey
1976Anatomy of Wonder: Science Fiction, 1st Edition by Neil Barron
1977"A Basic Science-Fiction Library" from The Road to Science Fiction by James Gunn
1994The Ultimate Guide to Science Fiction by David Pringle
2003The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction edited by Edward James and Farah Mendlesohn
2004Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 5th Edition by Neil Barron
2016Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction: A Basic Science Fiction Library
The Humanoids Jack Williamson 1949
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1956Astounding Magazine, The Twenty-Six All-Time Best SF Books
1976Anatomy of Wonder: Science Fiction, 1st Edition by Neil Barron
1977"A Basic Science-Fiction Library" from The Road to Science Fiction by James Gunn
1979A Reader's Guide to Science Fiction by Baird Searles, et al.
1987Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 3rd Edition by Neil Barron
1996The Best 105 Books Since the Invention of the Field in the Twenties - Age of Wonders by David G. Hartwell
2002Strictly Science Fiction: A Guide to Reading Interests by Diana Tixier Herald and Bonnie Kunzel
2004Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 5th Edition by Neil Barron
2016Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction: A Basic Science Fiction Library
2016Easton Press Masterpieces of Science Fiction
The Illustrated Man Ray Bradbury 1951
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1956Astounding Magazine, The Twenty-Six All-Time Best SF Books
1987Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 3rd Edition by Neil Barron
1994The Ultimate Guide to Science Fiction by David Pringle
2003The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction edited by Edward James and Farah Mendlesohn
2011NPR Top 100 Science-Fiction, Fantasy Books
2012AbeBooks: 50 Essential Science Fiction Books
2016Goodreads Best Science Fiction & Fantasy 200
2016Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction: A Basic Science Fiction Library
2016Goodreads Best Science Fiction 100
2019Worlds Without End: Most Read Books of All-Time
The World of Null-A A. E. van Vogt 1948
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1956Astounding Magazine, The Twenty-Six All-Time Best SF Books
1966Analog All-Time Favorite Science Fiction Poll
1976The World of Science Fiction by Lester Del Rey
1977"A Basic Science-Fiction Library" from The Road to Science Fiction by James Gunn
1979A Reader's Guide to Science Fiction by Baird Searles, et al.
1987Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 3rd Edition by Neil Barron
1996The Best 105 Books Since the Invention of the Field in the Twenties - Age of Wonders by David G. Hartwell
2004Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 5th Edition by Neil Barron
2016Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction: A Basic Science Fiction Library
2016Easton Press Masterpieces of Science Fiction
Lest Darkness Fall L. Sprague de Camp 1941
1
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1956Astounding Magazine, The Twenty-Six All-Time Best SF Books
1976The World of Science Fiction by Lester Del Rey
1976Anatomy of Wonder: Science Fiction, 1st Edition by Neil Barron
1977"A Basic Science-Fiction Library" from The Road to Science Fiction by James Gunn
1987Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 3rd Edition by Neil Barron
1996The Best 105 Books Since the Invention of the Field in the Twenties - Age of Wonders by David G. Hartwell
1999The Internet Top 100 SF/Fantasy List
2003The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction edited by Edward James and Farah Mendlesohn
2004Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 5th Edition by Neil Barron
2016Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction: A Basic Science Fiction Library
2016Easton Press Masterpieces of Science Fiction
Slan A. E. van Vogt 1946
2
Hugo Award - Novel Winner
1949The Seventeen Basic SF Titles - Arkham Sampler
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1956Astounding Magazine, The Twenty-Six All-Time Best SF Books
1966Analog All-Time Favorite Science Fiction Poll
1976Anatomy of Wonder: Science Fiction, 1st Edition by Neil Barron
1976The World of Science Fiction by Lester Del Rey
1987Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 3rd Edition by Neil Barron
1996The Best 105 Books Since the Invention of the Field in the Twenties - Age of Wonders by David G. Hartwell
2002Strictly Science Fiction: A Guide to Reading Interests by Diana Tixier Herald and Bonnie Kunzel
2003The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction edited by Edward James and Farah Mendlesohn
2016Golden Age Sci-Fi: 75 Best Novels of 1934-1963 by Josh Glenn
2016How Great Science Fiction Works by Gary K. Wolfe
2016Easton Press Masterpieces of Science Fiction
2016Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction: A Basic Science Fiction Library
I, Robot Isaac Asimov 1950
2
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1956Astounding Magazine, The Twenty-Six All-Time Best SF Books
1966Analog All-Time Favorite Science Fiction Poll
1976The World of Science Fiction by Lester Del Rey
1987Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 3rd Edition by Neil Barron
1996North American College Courses in Science Fiction, Utopian Literature, and Fantasy edited by Arthur B. Evans
2003The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction edited by Edward James and Farah Mendlesohn
2004Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 5th Edition by Neil Barron
2006100 Must-Read Science Fiction Novels
2011Internet Top 100 SF/Fantasy List
2011NPR Top 100 Science-Fiction, Fantasy Books
2016Ranker: The Greatest Science Fiction Novels of All Time
2016Amazon: 100 Sci-Fi & Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime
2016Goodreads Best Science Fiction 100
2016Golden Age Sci-Fi: 75 Best Novels of 1934-1963 by Josh Glenn
2016Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction: A Basic Science Fiction Library
2016How Great Science Fiction Works by Gary K. Wolfe
2016Sci-Fi Lists Top 200 - novel
2016Goodreads Best Science Fiction & Fantasy 200
2019100 Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time - Reedsydiscovery
2019Worlds Without End: Most Read Books of All-Time
Brave New World Aldous Huxley 1932
3
1949The Seventeen Basic SF Titles - Arkham Sampler
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1956Astounding Magazine, The Twenty-Six All-Time Best SF Books
1974Modern Science Fiction edited by Norman Spinrad
1976The World of Science Fiction by Lester Del Rey
1976Anatomy of Wonder: Science Fiction, 1st Edition by Neil Barron
1977"A Basic Science-Fiction Library" from The Road to Science Fiction by James Gunn
1984The Science Fiction Source Book edited by David Wingrove
1987Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 3rd Edition by Neil Barron
1994The Ultimate Guide to Science Fiction by David Pringle
1996North American College Courses in Science Fiction, Utopian Literature, and Fantasy edited by Arthur B. Evans
2002Strictly Science Fiction: A Guide to Reading Interests by Diana Tixier Herald and Bonnie Kunzel
2003The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction edited by Edward James and Farah Mendlesohn
2004Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 5th Edition by Neil Barron
2006100 Must-Read Science Fiction Novels
20091000 novels everyone must read (science fiction section)
2011NPR Top 100 Science-Fiction, Fantasy Books
2011Internet Top 100 SF/Fantasy List
2012AbeBooks: 50 Essential Science Fiction Books
2012Locus Poll Best 20th Century Science Fiction Novels
2016Radium Age Sci-Fi: 100 Best Novels of 1904-1933 by Josh Glenn
2016Amazon: 100 Sci-Fi & Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime
2016Goodreads Best Science Fiction 100
2016Ranker: The Greatest Science Fiction Novels of All Time
2016Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction: A Basic Science Fiction Library
2016Sci-Fi Lists Top 200 - novel
2016Best-Sci-Fi-Books: 31 Best Literary Science Fiction Books
2016Goodreads Best Science Fiction & Fantasy 200
2019Worlds Without End: Most Read Books of All-Time
2019100 Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time - Reedsydiscovery
2019The Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time - Penguin Random House
2020Top 100 Sci Fi Books - Movie Death Cult
2022The 50 Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time - Esquire Magazine
2024SciFiScavenger's 2024 Poll of All-Time Favorite SF Books
The Foundation Trilogy Isaac Asimov 1951-53
3
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1956Astounding Magazine, The Twenty-Six All-Time Best SF Books
1966Analog All-Time Favorite Science Fiction Poll
1975Locus Poll Best All-Time Science Fiction Novels
1976The World of Science Fiction by Lester Del Rey
1976Anatomy of Wonder: Science Fiction, 1st Edition by Neil Barron
1977"A Basic Science-Fiction Library" from The Road to Science Fiction by James Gunn
1979A Reader's Guide to Science Fiction by Baird Searles, et al.
1984The Science Fiction Source Book edited by David Wingrove
1987Locus Poll Best All-Time Science Fiction Novels
1987Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 3rd Edition by Neil Barron
1996North American College Courses in Science Fiction, Utopian Literature, and Fantasy edited by Arthur B. Evans
1998Locus Poll Best All-Time Science Fiction Novels
1999The Internet Top 100 SF/Fantasy List
2002Strictly Science Fiction: A Guide to Reading Interests by Diana Tixier Herald and Bonnie Kunzel
2003The Internet Top 100 SF/Fantasy List
2004Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 5th Edition by Neil Barron
2006100 Must-Read Science Fiction Novels
20091000 novels everyone must read (science fiction section)
2011Forbidden Planet: The 50 Books You MUST Read
2011Internet Top 100 SF/Fantasy List
2011NPR Top 100 Science-Fiction, Fantasy Books
2012AbeBooks: 50 Essential Science Fiction Books
2012Locus Poll Best 20th Century Science Fiction Novels
2016Goodreads Best Science Fiction 100
2016Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction: A Basic Science Fiction Library
2016Ranker: The Greatest Science Fiction Novels of All Time
2016Easton Press Masterpieces of Science Fiction
2016How Great Science Fiction Works by Gary K. Wolfe
2016Sci-Fi Lists Top 200 - novel
2016Goodreads Best Science Fiction & Fantasy 200
2016Golden Age Sci-Fi: 75 Best Novels of 1934-1963 by Josh Glenn
2019Worlds Without End: Most Read Books of All-Time
2020Top 100 Sci Fi Books - Movie Death Cult
202129 of the Best Science Fiction Books Everyone Should Read - WIRED UK
2024SciFiScavenger's 2024 Poll of All-Time Favorite SF Books
The Martian Chronicles Ray Bradbury 1950
1
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1956Astounding Magazine, The Twenty-Six All-Time Best SF Books
1966Analog All-Time Favorite Science Fiction Poll
1974Modern Science Fiction edited by Norman Spinrad
1975Locus Poll Best All-Time Science Fiction Novels
1976Anatomy of Wonder: Science Fiction, 1st Edition by Neil Barron
1976The World of Science Fiction by Lester Del Rey
1977"A Basic Science-Fiction Library" from The Road to Science Fiction by James Gunn
1979A Reader's Guide to Science Fiction by Baird Searles, et al.
1984The Science Fiction Source Book edited by David Wingrove
1985Science Fiction: The 100 Best Novels by David Pringle
1987Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 3rd Edition by Neil Barron
1987Locus Poll Best All-Time Science Fiction Novels
1994The Ultimate Guide to Science Fiction by David Pringle
1996The Best 105 Books Since the Invention of the Field in the Twenties - Age of Wonders by David G. Hartwell
1996North American College Courses in Science Fiction, Utopian Literature, and Fantasy edited by Arthur B. Evans
1998Locus Poll Best All-Time Science Fiction Novels
2002Strictly Science Fiction: A Guide to Reading Interests by Diana Tixier Herald and Bonnie Kunzel
2003The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction edited by Edward James and Farah Mendlesohn
2004Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 5th Edition by Neil Barron
2006100 Must-Read Science Fiction Novels
2011NPR Top 100 Science-Fiction, Fantasy Books
2011Internet Top 100 SF/Fantasy List
2012Locus Poll Best 20th Century Science Fiction Novels
2016Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction: A Basic Science Fiction Library
2016Easton Press Masterpieces of Science Fiction
2016Ranker: The Greatest Science Fiction Novels of All Time
2016Goodreads Best Science Fiction 100
2016Golden Age Sci-Fi: 75 Best Novels of 1934-1963 by Josh Glenn
2016How Great Science Fiction Works by Gary K. Wolfe
2016Amazon: 100 Sci-Fi & Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime
2016Sci-Fi Lists Top 200 - novel
2016Goodreads Best Science Fiction & Fantasy 200
2019Worlds Without End: Most Read Books of All-Time
2019100 Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time - Reedsydiscovery
2020Top 100 Sci Fi Books - Movie Death Cult
2022The 50 Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time - Esquire Magazine
2024SciFiScavenger's 2024 Poll of All-Time Favorite SF Books
Nineteen Eighty-Four George Orwell 1949
3
1952Astounding Magazine, the Twenty-Eight All-Time Best SF Books
1956Astounding Magazine, The Twenty-Six All-Time Best SF Books
1974Modern Science Fiction edited by Norman Spinrad
1975Locus Poll Best All-Time Science Fiction Novels
1976Anatomy of Wonder: Science Fiction, 1st Edition by Neil Barron
1977"A Basic Science-Fiction Library" from The Road to Science Fiction by James Gunn
1984The Science Fiction Source Book edited by David Wingrove
1985Science Fiction: The 100 Best Novels by David Pringle
1987Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 3rd Edition by Neil Barron
1987Locus Poll Best All-Time Science Fiction Novels
1994The Ultimate Guide to Science Fiction by David Pringle
1996North American College Courses in Science Fiction, Utopian Literature, and Fantasy edited by Arthur B. Evans
1998Locus Poll Best All-Time Science Fiction Novels
1999The Internet Top 100 SF/Fantasy List
2002Strictly Science Fiction: A Guide to Reading Interests by Diana Tixier Herald and Bonnie Kunzel
2003The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction edited by Edward James and Farah Mendlesohn
2003The Internet Top 100 SF/Fantasy List
2004Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction, 5th Edition by Neil Barron
2006100 Must-Read Science Fiction Novels
20091000 novels everyone must read (science fiction section)
2011NPR Top 100 Science-Fiction, Fantasy Books
2011Internet Top 100 SF/Fantasy List
2012Locus Poll Best 20th Century Science Fiction Novels
2012AbeBooks: 50 Essential Science Fiction Books
2016Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction: A Basic Science Fiction Library
2016Goodreads Best Science Fiction & Fantasy 200
2016Goodreads Best Science Fiction 100
2016Golden Age Sci-Fi: 75 Best Novels of 1934-1963 by Josh Glenn
2016Amazon: 100 Sci-Fi & Fantasy Books to Read in a Lifetime
2016Easton Press Masterpieces of Science Fiction
2016Best-Sci-Fi-Books: 31 Best Literary Science Fiction Books
2016How Great Science Fiction Works by Gary K. Wolfe
2016Sci-Fi Lists Top 200 - novel
2016Ranker: The Greatest Science Fiction Novels of All Time
2018The Great American Read - PBS
2019The Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time - Penguin Random House
2019100 Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time - Reedsydiscovery
2019Worlds Without End: Most Read Books of All-Time
2020Top 100 Sci Fi Books - Movie Death Cult
2022The 50 Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time - Esquire Magazine
2023My 25 Favourite Sci-Fi Books of All Time - Words in Time
2023Your Top Science Fiction Books Of All Time (Survey Results) - Media Death Cult
2023The 25 Best Science Fiction Books I've Ever Read (Parts 1 and 2) - Outlaw Bookseller
2024SciFiScavenger's 2024 Poll of All-Time Favorite SF Books
Books: 28