Dr. Ben Bova wrote more than 120 futuristic novels and nonfiction books, and was involved in science and high technology since the very beginnings of the space age. President Emeritus of the National Space Society and a past president of Science Fiction Writers of America, Dr. Bova received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation in 2005, "for fueling mankind's imagination regarding the wonders of outer space." His 2006 novel TITAN received the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for best novel of the year. In 2008 he won the Robert A. Heinlein Award "for his outstanding body of work in the field of literature."
Bova was born in Philadelphia and worked as a newspaper reporter for several years before joining Project Vanguard. His articles, opinion pieces and reviews appeared in Scientific American, Nature, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and many other newspapers and magazines.
Genres: Science Fiction, Historical, Thriller
Series
Orion
1. Orion (1984)
2. Vengeance of Orion (1988)
3. Orion in the Dying Time (1990)
4. Orion and the Conqueror (1994)
5. Orion Among the Stars (1995)
6. Orion and King Arthur (2012)
1. Orion (1984)
2. Vengeance of Orion (1988)
3. Orion in the Dying Time (1990)
4. Orion and the Conqueror (1994)
5. Orion Among the Stars (1995)
6. Orion and King Arthur (2012)
Grand Tour
1. Powersat (2005)
2. Privateers (1985)
3. Empire Builders (1993)
4. Mars (1992)
5. Moonrise (1996)
6. Moonwar (1997)
7. Return to Mars (1999)
8. The Precipice (2001)
9. Farside (2013)
10. Jupiter (2000)
11. The Rock Rats (2002)
12. The Silent War (2004)
13. The Aftermath (2007)
14. Saturn (2003)
15. Leviathans of Jupiter (2011)
16. Titan (2006)
17. Mercury (2005)
18. Mars Life (2008)
19. Venus (2000)
20. The Return (2009)
21. New Earth (2013)
22. Tales of the Grand Tour (2004)
23. Earth (2019)
1. Powersat (2005)
2. Privateers (1985)
3. Empire Builders (1993)
4. Mars (1992)
5. Moonrise (1996)
6. Moonwar (1997)
7. Return to Mars (1999)
8. The Precipice (2001)
9. Farside (2013)
10. Jupiter (2000)
11. The Rock Rats (2002)
12. The Silent War (2004)
13. The Aftermath (2007)
14. Saturn (2003)
15. Leviathans of Jupiter (2011)
16. Titan (2006)
17. Mercury (2005)
18. Mars Life (2008)
19. Venus (2000)
20. The Return (2009)
21. New Earth (2013)
22. Tales of the Grand Tour (2004)
23. Earth (2019)
Asteroid Wars
1. The Precipice (2001)
2. The Rock Rats (2002)
3. The Silent War (2004)
4. The Aftermath (2007)
1. The Precipice (2001)
2. The Rock Rats (2002)
3. The Silent War (2004)
4. The Aftermath (2007)
Novels
The Weathermakers (1967)
Out of the Sun (1968)
Escape! (1970)
THX 1138 (1971)
As on a Darkling Plain (1972)
The Winds of Altair (1973)
When the Sky Burned (1973)
Gremlins, Go Home! (1974) (with Gordon R Dickson)
The Starcrossed (1975)
City of Darkness (1976)
The Multiple Man (1976)
Colony (1978)
Test of Fire (1982)
Peacekeepers (1988)
Cyberbooks (1989)
The Trikon Deception (1992) (with Bill Pogue)
Triumph (1993)
Death Dream (1994)
Brothers (1995)
The Green Trap (2006)
The Immortality Factor (2009)
Able One (2010)
The Hittite (2010)
Transhuman (2014)
Rescue Mode (2014) (with Les Johnson)
Space Station Down (2020) (with Doug Beason)
Out of the Sun (1968)
Escape! (1970)
THX 1138 (1971)
As on a Darkling Plain (1972)
The Winds of Altair (1973)
When the Sky Burned (1973)
Gremlins, Go Home! (1974) (with Gordon R Dickson)
The Starcrossed (1975)
City of Darkness (1976)
The Multiple Man (1976)
Colony (1978)
Test of Fire (1982)
Peacekeepers (1988)
Cyberbooks (1989)
The Trikon Deception (1992) (with Bill Pogue)
Triumph (1993)
Death Dream (1994)
Brothers (1995)
The Green Trap (2006)
The Immortality Factor (2009)
Able One (2010)
The Hittite (2010)
Transhuman (2014)
Rescue Mode (2014) (with Les Johnson)
Space Station Down (2020) (with Doug Beason)
Omnibus
Collections
Forward in Time (1973)
Maxwell's Demons (1978)
Escape Plus (1984)
The Astral Mirror (1985)
Prometheans (1986)
Battle Station (1987)
Future Crime (1990)
Challenges (1993)
The Future Quartet (1994) (with Frederik Pohl, Jerry Pournelle and Charles Sheffield)
Twice Seven (1998)
The Towers of Titan (2010)
Science Fiction Gems, Volume Four (2012) (with Poul Anderson, Hugh B Cave, Randall Garrett, Fritz Leiber, Frank Belknap Long, Kris Neville, Jack Sharkey and Walt Sheldon)
The Callahan Kids: Tales of Life on Mars (2013) (with Michael Carroll, Jim Denney, Marianne Dyson, Brian Enke, Tom Hill and Rebecca K Rowe)
New Frontiers (2014)
Science Fiction Gems, Volume 9 (2015) (with Marion Zimmer Bradley, Mark Clifton, Randall Garrett, John Jakes, David H Keller, Frank Belknap Long, Rog Phillips, Jack Sharkey, Robert Sheckley and Evelyn E Smith)
Mercury and Prometheans (2015)
The Best of Bova: Volume 1 (2016)
The Golden Age of Science Fiction - Volume XV (2016) (with Karen Anderson, Poul Anderson, Eando Binder, Jerome Bixby, Robert Silverberg, Clifford D Simak, C E Smith, Evelyn E Smith and F L Wallace)
The Best of Bova: Volume II (2016)
aka The Best of Bova: Volume ll
The Best of Bova: Volume lll (2017)
The Science Fiction Collection 3 (2018) (with Alan Arkin, Alexander Blade, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Algis Budrys, Harry Harrison, Frank Herbert, Raymond F Jones, Fritz Leiber, C C MacApp, William P McGivern, Frederik Pohl and Weaver Wright)
2020 Vision 50th Anniversary Edition (2020) (with Poul Anderson, Harlan Ellison, Diane Girad, Dave McDaniel, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, Norman Spinrad and AE van Voyt)
2020 Vision Science Fiction: A 50 Year Prediction of the Future from 1970 (2020) (with Poul Anderson, Harlan Ellison, Diane Girard, Dave McDaniel, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, Norman Spinrad and AE Voyt)
My Favorites (2020)
Maxwell's Demons (1978)
Escape Plus (1984)
The Astral Mirror (1985)
Prometheans (1986)
Battle Station (1987)
Future Crime (1990)
Challenges (1993)
The Future Quartet (1994) (with Frederik Pohl, Jerry Pournelle and Charles Sheffield)
Twice Seven (1998)
The Towers of Titan (2010)
Science Fiction Gems, Volume Four (2012) (with Poul Anderson, Hugh B Cave, Randall Garrett, Fritz Leiber, Frank Belknap Long, Kris Neville, Jack Sharkey and Walt Sheldon)
The Callahan Kids: Tales of Life on Mars (2013) (with Michael Carroll, Jim Denney, Marianne Dyson, Brian Enke, Tom Hill and Rebecca K Rowe)
New Frontiers (2014)
Science Fiction Gems, Volume 9 (2015) (with Marion Zimmer Bradley, Mark Clifton, Randall Garrett, John Jakes, David H Keller, Frank Belknap Long, Rog Phillips, Jack Sharkey, Robert Sheckley and Evelyn E Smith)
Mercury and Prometheans (2015)
The Best of Bova: Volume 1 (2016)
The Golden Age of Science Fiction - Volume XV (2016) (with Karen Anderson, Poul Anderson, Eando Binder, Jerome Bixby, Robert Silverberg, Clifford D Simak, C E Smith, Evelyn E Smith and F L Wallace)
The Best of Bova: Volume II (2016)
aka The Best of Bova: Volume ll
The Best of Bova: Volume lll (2017)
The Science Fiction Collection 3 (2018) (with Alan Arkin, Alexander Blade, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Algis Budrys, Harry Harrison, Frank Herbert, Raymond F Jones, Fritz Leiber, C C MacApp, William P McGivern, Frederik Pohl and Weaver Wright)
2020 Vision 50th Anniversary Edition (2020) (with Poul Anderson, Harlan Ellison, Diane Girad, Dave McDaniel, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, Norman Spinrad and AE van Voyt)
2020 Vision Science Fiction: A 50 Year Prediction of the Future from 1970 (2020) (with Poul Anderson, Harlan Ellison, Diane Girard, Dave McDaniel, Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle, Norman Spinrad and AE Voyt)
My Favorites (2020)
Novellas
Series contributed to
Science Fiction Hall of Fame
2. The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume 2A (1973)
2. 5. The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume 2B (1973)
2. The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume 2A (1973)
2. 5. The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume 2B (1973)
Anthology series
Anthologies edited
Non fiction
The Milky Way Galaxy (1961)
Giants of the Animal World (1962)
Reptiles Since the World Began (1964)
Uses of Space (1965)
Planets, Life and LGM (1970)
In Quest of Quasars (1971)
The Amazing Laser (1971)
The New Astronomies (1973)
Man Changes the Weather (1973)
Starflight and Other Improbabilities (1973)
The Fourth State of Matter (1974)
Analog Science Fact Reader (1974)
Workshops in Space (1974)
Notes to a Science Fiction Writer (1975)
Science: Who Needs It? (1975)
Through Eyes of Wonder (1975)
Viewpoint (1977)
Closeup: New Worlds (1977) (with Trudy E Bell)
The Seeds of Tomorrow (1977)
The High Road (1981)
Vision of the Future (1982)
Assured Survival (1984)
Star Peace: Assured Survival (1986)
Welcome to Moonbase (1987)
Interactions (1988) (with Sheldon Glashow)
The Beauty of Light (1988)
Immortality (1990)
First Contact (1990) (with Byron Preiss)
Are We Alone in the Cosmos? (1992)
The Craft of Writing Science Fiction That Sells (1994)
Aliens and Alien Societies (1996) (with Stanley Schmidt)
World Building (1996) (with Stephen Gillett)
Space Travel (1997) (with Anthony R Lewis)
The Story of Light (2001)
The Living Universe (2002)
Faint Echoes, Distant Stars (2004)
Giants of the Animal World (1962)
Reptiles Since the World Began (1964)
Uses of Space (1965)
Planets, Life and LGM (1970)
In Quest of Quasars (1971)
The Amazing Laser (1971)
The New Astronomies (1973)
Man Changes the Weather (1973)
Starflight and Other Improbabilities (1973)
The Fourth State of Matter (1974)
Analog Science Fact Reader (1974)
Workshops in Space (1974)
Notes to a Science Fiction Writer (1975)
Science: Who Needs It? (1975)
Through Eyes of Wonder (1975)
Viewpoint (1977)
Closeup: New Worlds (1977) (with Trudy E Bell)
The Seeds of Tomorrow (1977)
The High Road (1981)
Vision of the Future (1982)
Assured Survival (1984)
Star Peace: Assured Survival (1986)
Welcome to Moonbase (1987)
Interactions (1988) (with Sheldon Glashow)
The Beauty of Light (1988)
Immortality (1990)
First Contact (1990) (with Byron Preiss)
Are We Alone in the Cosmos? (1992)
The Craft of Writing Science Fiction That Sells (1994)
Aliens and Alien Societies (1996) (with Stanley Schmidt)
World Building (1996) (with Stephen Gillett)
Space Travel (1997) (with Anthony R Lewis)
The Story of Light (2001)
The Living Universe (2002)
Faint Echoes, Distant Stars (2004)
Anthologies containing stories by Ben Bova
Rod Serling's Devils and Demons (1967)
Partners in Wonder (1971)
Again Dangerous Visions Book 2 (1973)
The Best Science Fiction of the Year 2 (1973)
100 Great Science Fiction Short Short Stories (1978)
Dragons of Darkness (1981)
Top Science Fiction (1984)
Random Access Messages of the Computer Age (1984)
Commando Brigade 3000 (1994)
Tombs (1994)
Tales in Space (1995)
Nebula Awards 30 (1996)
The Williamson Effect (1996)
Intergalactic Mercenaries (1996)
The Year's Best Science Fiction Seventeenth Annual Collection (2000)
Partners in Wonder (1971)
Again Dangerous Visions Book 2 (1973)
The Best Science Fiction of the Year 2 (1973)
100 Great Science Fiction Short Short Stories (1978)
Dragons of Darkness (1981)
Top Science Fiction (1984)
Random Access Messages of the Computer Age (1984)
Commando Brigade 3000 (1994)
Tombs (1994)
Tales in Space (1995)
Nebula Awards 30 (1996)
The Williamson Effect (1996)
Intergalactic Mercenaries (1996)
The Year's Best Science Fiction Seventeenth Annual Collection (2000)
Short stories
Answer, Please Answer (1962) | |||
The Next Logical Step [short story] (1962) | |||
The Perfect Warrior (1963) (with Myron R Lewis) aka The Dueling Machine | |||
Men of Good Will (1964) (with Myron R Lewis) | |||
Test in Orbit (1965) | |||
Stars, Won't You Hide Me? (1966) | |||
The Weathermakers [short story] (1966) | |||
Fifteen Miles (1967) | |||
The System (1968) | |||
Blood of Tyrants (1970) | |||
Brillo (1970) (with Harlan Ellison) | Hugo (nominee) | ||
A Slight Miscalculation (1971) | |||
Zero Gee (1972) | |||
Vince's Dragon (1981) | |||
Love Calls (1982) | |||
A Small Kindness (1983) | |||
Born Again (1984) | |||
Beisbol (1985) | |||
Brothers [short story] (1987) | |||
To Touch a Star (1987) | |||
Crisis of the Month (1988) | |||
The Man Who Hated Gravity (1989) | |||
Fitting Suits (1990) | |||
World War 4.5 (1990) | |||
Bushido (1992) | |||
Sepulcher (1992) | |||
Conspiracy Theory (1993) | |||
Interdepartmental Memorandum (1993) | |||
The Mask of the Rad Death (1993) | |||
Re-Entry Shock (1993) | |||
Thy Kingdom Come (1993) | |||
Inspiration (1994) | Nebula Awards (nominee) | ||
Delta Vee (1995) | |||
In Trust (1995) | |||
Life as We Know It (1995) | |||
Appointment in Sinai (1996) | |||
The Great Moon Hoax or A Princess of Mars (1996) | |||
Legendary Heroes (1996) | |||
Risk Assessment (1996) | |||
The Babe, the Iron Horse, and Mr McGillicuddy (1997) (with Rick Wilber) | |||
The Cafe Coup (1997) | |||
Lower the River (1997) | |||
Remember Caesar (1998) |
Awards
|
Ben Bova recommends

To Leuchars (2000)
Rick Wilber
"Science fiction at its unnerving, thought-provoking best, To Leuchars throws a laser-sharp light on our past, present and future."

The Free Lunch (2001)
Spider Robinson
"You get much more than you bargained for in this fun-filled-yet-serious novel. Spider's the antidote for entropy, the blahs, and the pernicious notion that humour and good grace are absent from the SF field."

Smoking Mirror Blues (2001)
Ernest Hogan
"...the most original voice to hit science fiction since Harlan Ellison."

Glass Dragons (2004)
(Moonworlds, book 2)
Sean McMullen
"Sean McMullen is one of the rare ones who can combine high technology, daring visions of future societies, and strong characters into first-rate science fiction."

Awakenings (2011)
(Guardians of Aandor, book 1)
Edward Lazellari
"A weird, wild adventure... Lazellari is a talent to watch with high expectations."

Deep Black Sea (2014)
(Deep Black Sea, book 1)
David M Salkin
"Spine-tingling terror. An exciting read!"

InterstellarNet: Enigma (2015)
(InterstellarNet, book 3)
Edward M Lerner
"A breathtakingly richly realized vision of what tomorrow's civilization may look like..."

The Children's Game (2018)
Max Karpov
"A tight, gripping tale of the men and women who face death in the hidden conflicts of superpower politics. Startlingly believable."

Venus Remembered (2020)
Ray Bradbury and Jason J Marchi
"Those benighted souls who claim that science and the arts are two separate things should read Jason Marchi’s remarkable work."
Visitors to this page also looked at these authors