I was so pleased to see this week's RED LETTER reminding us all that our favorite famous writes often have works that while not as well known as their smash hits, are often just a good as those works if not better.

For my contribution, I would like to bring up the massively gifted GREG BEAR who is not only one of my favorite writers but has also never been snything less than gracious to me when I've asked random and sometimes bizarre questions of him via his website.

Greg's big works would likely be the EON series, the SONGS OF EARTH AND POWER (although he's scored high marks for nearly everything).

What many may not know is that he wrote two fantastic shorter novels, BLOOD MUSIC and HEADS, that have not broken through the public consciousness.

 Greg is a "hard scifi" writer meaning, as often as not, his work is based upon some bit or bits of real science which he extrapolates to some extreme. Both the books I mention are cut from this cloth although HEADS is, perhaps, the more fanciful.

BLOOD MUSIC began life as a short story which was then expanded to the full novel. It tells the story of a biochemist who is working on organic, cellular computers for his company. Through no fault of his own he is fired while on the cusp of what he thinks is a huge success in his research.

Nonplussed, he opts to steal his work from the company, smuggling out samples in the only way he knows how- injecting one of his cultures into his own blood stream. This is, shall we say, a mistake.

 Without blowing the plot, let me just say that while everyone is dancing around the fun of Asimov's CHILDHOOD'S END, they might want to simmer down a bit and take a look at Mr. Bear's contribution. For my money it's a superior effort. Blasphemy, I know, but there it is. See for yourself. Even if you don't agree with me, you'll have been treated to some damned fine writing and creep-tastic story.

http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Music-Greg-Bear/dp/0759241740

HEADS is the other of his lesser-known works and, perhaps not uncoincidentally, deals with some metaphysics at its core. It involves some scientists in a lunar research facility (that is, one that is actually situated on the Moon) who are attempting to create the condition of Absolute Zero ( a physical state which bends the laws of Physics) as well as a large crate of severed heads.

If that combo doesn't whet your appetite, I'm not sure you're alive. Do yourself s favor and check it out. It is absolutely worth your time and a whole mess of science-y fun.

http://www.amazon.com/Heads-Greg-Bear/dp/0812519965/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&i...