And to add to Doug's answer, I think it depends on what level of sci-fi you want. I think Player of Games is a weak book, compared with the rest. Excession is very high tech and is my favorite, but it was also my first. CP is interesting as is Look to Windward. Both have technology but are also character driven like PoG. Inversions is best after those three, because you will then know what is going on. Then again, I read it and still don't know what happened. (You'll see). Use of Weapons is the best book, but save it for last if you can.
I place CP at the top of the list with UoW, Inversions and LtW very close behind. I need to reread Excession. I enjoyed it, but it was a complex story with many, many ships to keep track of. I agree that PoG is the weakest except for maybe State of the Art. I read CP first Inversions second, and have reread both.
And by the way... not a git.
-- Doug _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
