What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedStartide Rising
David Brin · Book · 1972
If you loved Startide Rising, start with Star Trek (Gene Roddenberry, 1966) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Startide Rising across media.
You loved Startide Rising because it blends the grand scale of galactic mystery with the intimate struggles of specialized interstellar crews.
Films on the same thread
Starship Troopers
Paul Verhoeven · Film · 1997
Shares a thread with Startide Rising: Space Opera.
Like the desperate survival scenarios in Startide Rising, this film explores the high stakes of military service and the complex societal pressures faced by those on the front lines.
2001: A Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick · Film · 1968
Shares 2 threads with Startide Rising: Hard Science Fiction, Space Opera.
This film mirrors the sense of cosmic wonder found in Startide Rising, focusing on the profound evolutionary implications of humanity encountering ancient artifacts and the mysteries of deep space.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Robert Wise · Film · 1979
Shares 2 threads with Startide Rising: Space Opera, Hard Science Fiction.
Much like the crew of the Streaker in Startide Rising, this story centers on an existential threat that forces a dedicated crew to confront the unknown through diplomacy and science.
The Right Stuff
Film · 1983
Explores: Pioneering Spirit, Heroism and Ego, Technological Advancement.
The pioneering spirit and technical challenges depicted here echo the scientific exploration and rigorous problem-solving that define the crew's journey in Startide Rising.
Series on the same thread
Star Trek
Gene Roddenberry · Series · 1966
Shares 2 threads with Startide Rising: Space Opera, Hard Science Fiction.
The core themes of first contact and exploration in this series provide the same sense of curiosity and discovery that drives the narrative of Startide Rising.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Gene Roddenberry · Series · 1987
Shares a thread with Startide Rising: Space Opera.
This series captures the intellectual approach to encountering the unknown that you enjoyed in Startide Rising, focusing on diplomacy and the ethical challenges of interacting with unfamiliar alien cultures.
Star Trek: Enterprise
Brannon Braga · Series · 2001
Shares 2 threads with Startide Rising: Space Opera, Hard Science Fiction.
The early days of space exploration and first contact missions presented here resonate with the foundational world-building and interstellar curiosity found in Startide Rising.
Star Trek: Voyager
Jeri Taylor · Series · 1995
Shares a thread with Startide Rising: Space Opera.
The intense focus on a stranded crew needing to survive against overwhelming odds mirrors the primary conflict of the neo-dolphins and humans aboard the ship in Startide Rising.
Podcasts on the same thread
StarTalk Radio
Neil deGrasse Tyson · Podcast · 2026
If the scientific speculation in Startide Rising intrigued you, this program offers a similar passion for understanding the mechanics of our universe through an engaging and accessible lens.
Revolutions
Mike Duncan · Podcast · 2025
Explores: societal collapse, power dynamics, cyclical history.
The analytical breakdown of societal shifts and power dynamics provides a historical parallel to the complex evolutionary and political hierarchies explored within the pages of Startide Rising.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the premise of Startide Rising?
Startide Rising follows a crew of humans and uplifted neo-dolphins aboard the starship Streaker. These genetically engineered dolphins and their human counterparts are on a mission to discover information regarding the first Galactic race that existed billions of years ago.
What does the term uplift mean in Startide Rising?
In Startide Rising, uplift refers to a process of genetic engineering. This procedure is used to increase the intelligence of animals, creating more intelligent siblings from other species, such as the neo-dolphins featured in the story.
Who are the primary crew members in Startide Rising?
The crew of the starship Streaker in Startide Rising consists of humans and neo-dolphins. These neo-dolphins have undergone the uplift process to reach higher levels of intelligence, allowing them to work alongside their human companions on their deep space mission.
Is Startide Rising focused on space exploration?
Yes, Startide Rising is a science fiction story centered on the starship Streaker. The crew explores space to uncover historical information about the first Galactic race, which inhabited the galaxy billions of years before the events of the book.