"The Golden Age" by John C. Wright - just awesome, and I agree with the values of the main character "Chronicles of Amber" by Roger Zelazny - for imagination and badassery Favorite short story is "Understand" by Ted Chiang - mind-expanding ;) Also in general the lesser known Heinlein books are amazing. Not a fan of Stranger in a Strange Land. Named my current company after a reference to The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.
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