George R.R. Martin! I have read 5 (out of what will be 7 volumes) in the series: A Song of Ice and Fire. His writing is stunning! Finally some originality! No elves or orcs! Thank Heavens! I think Martin's work is as relevant to this generation as the works of the "other" RR to the past generation of readers. Anyone picked up his stuff? What do you think? (Those who have not read his stuff, Amazon up "A Game of Thrones" the first volume in the series. You WILL be hooked!