Larry Niven

American writer · United States · On the map · Writers · Born 1938 · age 88

Laurence van Cott Niven is an American science fiction writer. His 1970 novel Ringworld won the Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards. With Jerry Pournelle he wrote The Mote in God's Eye (1974) and Lucifer's Hammer (1977).

Larry Niven is read about 307 times a day, in 37 languages.

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A life in dates

2015Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master AwardAward2010“Massive success and massive inertia are two sides of a coin.”In their wordsNovember 2010Chapter 1, “The Barsoom Project” (p. 19)Read the whole statement

“We go and pray! Gods must help,” Alura said almost calmly.“Have they ever helped before?” Max asked hopefully.“No.” Her shaggy blond head gave a mournful wag.”In their wordsNovember 2010Chapter 3, “The Tower of Night” (p. 38)Read the whole statement

“Perhaps the lines of nationalism and factionalism and every other goddamn “ism” in the world had reduced the chances for this weary planet. Or not.”In their wordsNovember 2010Chapter 4, “The Psychology of Engagement” (p. 49)Read the whole statement

“Ah…if it’s not a glitch, and Welles seems certain that it’s not a glitch, then…what is it?”“A glitch.”In their wordsNovember 2010Chapter 10, “I've Had Dates Like You” (p. 108)Read the whole statement

“I want a scotch and water. If I can’t have that, leave out the water.”In their wordsNovember 2010Chapter 12, “Breakfast Eggs” (p. 124)Read the whole statement

“What’s it like being dead?” Hebert asked.“Not bad, really,” Wood Owl answered after a moment’s consideration. “Like waiting for a tax refund, only slower.”In their wordsNovember 2010Chapter 17, “Butterflies” (p. 167)Read the whole statement

2001Locus Award for Best Short StoryAward1985Locus Award for Best Science Fiction NovelAward1980Locus Award for Best CollectionAward1979Inkpot AwardAwardSeiun Award for Best Translated Long WorkAward1976Hugo Award for Best NoveletteAward1975Hugo Award for Best Short StoryAward1971Hugo Award for Best NovelAwardLocus Award for Best NovelAwardNebula Award for Best NovelAward1967Hugo Award for Best Short StoryAward1938Born30 April 1938

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Niven at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, 2007

Niven at Stanford University in 2006

Ringworld

In their own words 4

Larry Niven

4 statements, newest first

Mankind had come so far in some ways, and in others remained up in the trees, chittering and throwing rocks at each other. If only the trees weren’t so close together.
November 2010 · Chapter 1, “The Barsoom Project” (p. 21), Own words
She may look like a flake, but there’s somebody home in that head.
November 2010 · Chapter 3, “The Tower of Night” (p. 39), Own words
Two thousand years of civilization does not undo a million years of genetics.
November 2010 · Chapter 11, “High Finance” (p. 117), Own words