Last and First Men
by Olaf Stapledon (1930)

The two billion year history of the 18 races of humanity as told by one of the Last (18th) Men. The First Men (us) hit high points while Socrates and Jesus were around. Subsequent races terraform Venus and develop genetic engineering. Lacks conventional narrative style, but philosophically brilliant nonetheless. Worth seeking out.

Earth Abides
by George R Stewart (1949)

Classic disaster story in which most of humankind is wiped out by a virus. Isherwood Williams, a survivor living in California, finds a mate and goes about helping to repopulate the earth. He becomes the last vestige of the old civilisation. The character's name paid homage to Ishi, a famous California Native American. A good read.

The Dying Earth [S1]
by Jack Vance (1950)

A series of linked stories about a far-future Earth where the sun is dying and magic is the science of the day. Critical opinion of the book varies, with some rating it as a genuine science fantasy classic. Others, however, think its time has come and gone. A short novel and a harmless quick read. All the Dying Earth stories are now available in an omnibus edition.

Fahrenheit 451
by Ray Bradbury (1954)

Near-future 'firemen' are charged with the responsibility of burning all books in order to wipe out dangerous and subversive ideas. Wall-to-wall TV satiates the masses, while fireman hero Montag secretly reads books. He finally flees the city and takes refuge with a group of 'memorisers' - quite literally people who memorise books. Timeless classic.

The Drowned World
by J G Ballard (1962)

Ballard was the New Wave master of post-disaster surrealism. This one kicked off a trio of books on the theme, which also includes The Burning World (1964) and The Crystal World (1966). Drowned sees solar activity melt the polar ice caps, turning cities into swamps in the process. A group sets out to discover their distant past.

Planet of the Apes
by Pierre Boulle (1963)

Boulle's original novel gave rise to a series of feature films. A couple of interstellar tourists find a story floating in a bottle. It tells of three French astronauts who find an Earth-like planet where apes dominate human beings. A literate and compelling story of human rights and social justice, ending with a twist that is somewhat different to the one presented in the first feature film.

The Shadow of the Torturer
by Gene Wolfe (1980)

Astonishingly complex, though eminently readable, far-future science fantasy set on a dying Earth - or Urth as it has become known. The first of four volumes of The Book of the New Sun - it is a journey of self-discovery chronicling the rise of an apprentice Torturer who in later volumes becomes the planet's enlightened Autarch.

Parable of the Sower
by Octavia E Butler (1993)

With society out of control in a dystopian America of the future, a hyperempathetic young woman sets out from her ravaged home and spreads the 'Earthseed' faith. The simple message that "God is change" strikes a chord with others. A beautiful and compassionate book from one of most accomplished female sci-fi writers around.