Books from (somewhat) long ago...

It seems to me that great books from the past decades often get buried. I realized that in talking to the new gen of college grads the odds of them coming across any of the below series was mighty slim, so I figured I'd post a list of classic sci-fi/fantasy that really shouldn't be missed that might escape other "greatest of all time" lists. Most of these are not necessarily great literature, but really fun and interesting reads none the less.

Lensmen series- Starts with Triplanetary by EE "Doc" Smith
OMG, this is a crazy awesome space opera. This series was started in 1934. That's pre-WW2. The series blows away Star Wars in every aspect. Cooler tech, cooler psionics, way better plot, way better characters. Did I mention it was written in 1934-1948???
I don't reread series, but I've reread this series at least 3 times...
Chronicles of the Lensmen, Volume 1 (Triplanetary, First Lensman, Galactic Patrol )

Amber series- Starts with Nine Princes in Amber by Roger Zelazny
Amber is a mind-blowing universe of interesting worlds, magic, intrigue and action.
The Great Book of Amber: The Complete Amber Chronicles, 1-10 (Chronicles of Amber)

Elric series- Starts with Elric of Melnibone by Michael Moorcock
Elric was goth before it was a cool. Super good swords and sorcery series. At least two Blue Oyster Cult songs are based off this fiction.
Elric: The Stealer of Souls (Chronicles of the Last Emperor of Melniboné, Vol. 1)
Elric: To Rescue Tanelorn (Chronicles of the Last Emperor of Melniboné, Vol. 2)

Vlad Taltos series- Starts with Jhereg from 1983 (series) by Steven Brust
This one is still ongoing, and it's awesome... but you might have missed it since it started so long ago.
The Book of Jhereg

Black Company series- Starts with The Black Company from 1984 by Glen Cook
Again another long running series that you might have missed since it started before you might have been born.
Super awesome tale told from the perspective a mercenary company caught in the middle of a sword and sorcery epic.
Dark, gritty, and magic.
The Black Company (Chronicles of The Black Company #1)

Xanth series (Don't read past the third!)- Starts with a Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony
Ok, it's pretty embarrassing to put this up here... but the early Piers Anthony had a certain silly charm. It's probably too juvenile for most people but
Three Complete Xanth Novels: A Spell for Chameleon; The Source of Magic; Castle Roogna

I'm sure I'll think of more...