I read the first Foundation book. I was shocked at how good a wordsmith Asimov was at such a young age. I think he was only 24 or so when he wrote that. Most authors don't write well until their middle years, but that book read as though it was written by a 50 year old. What I didn't like was all the space politics. I know if we ever did colonize other worlds that politics would be important to them, but I'm just not a very political person.
 
I loved Rama the first time I read it. I read it again about two years ago and didn't care for it as much, but it was still good. I didn't like the sequel at all. I think that was when Clarke started using a co-author. it just wasn't the same. Another book of his I liked was one where a rover on the moon sunk down into the dust and trapped people inside. I can't remember the name of that one for the life of me, but I think it had the word "dust" in the title.
 
Haven't read Niven. I'll look him up.
 
Bill