Brin's stories are highly political - not in the sense as for instance Greg Bear's stories, which feature politics as a strong method of plot advancement, but in the sense that David Brin has a definite message to deliver, and he delivers it with resounding confidence. These are not polemic tracts, and he never seems to slip into a didactic mode. The stories are entertaining front to back. If you want an idea of what that message is without reading any fiction, you might try Brin's entry into non-fiction, with The Transparent Society. This is a well written explanation of why Brin thinks that looking for security behind encryption algorithms is not a solution. I've written a book review of that book.
- Uplift War series: The Uplift War,
- Sundiver,
- Startide Rising,
- Brightness Reef,
- Infinity's Shore (did I miss any?) - what a great concept! Imagine humanity finally discovered by an inter-galactic civilization, and we're special! Somehow we're the only sentient species in five galaxies that has managed to evolve by themselves, without the help of more advanced aliens. Of course, this doesn't sit well with many of the aliens, and they do everything in their power to discredit us... I just finished Infinity's Shore which is the second in a series of three books, and can't wait to read the next one!
- Update: Heaven's Reach came out. Maybe one day I'll post some of my comments. I paid hardcover price for it, and I'm not too sure but that Brin didn't disappoint me a little.
- Earth,
- The Postman,
- Heart of the Comet (with Gregory Benford),
- The Practice Effect
- Kiln People - all great yarns.
Apparently Brin likes Costner's version of The Postman - critical reviews not withstanding. (Well, no, actually he explained at the 1998 CONduit science fiction convention that he was being a good team player. The most he was willing to say for the movie was that it was not evil, as compared to the first seven or so scripts that he rejected.) Interestingly he does contrast this movie with "Starship Troopers", as well he should! You can read what I thought of "The Postman" in my movie review.
David Brin has his own homepage.