Re: Douglas said it best.
Two of the best books I've read for creating an impression of the distances involved are Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon the Deep and A Deepness in the Sky. Both talk about stellar empires being born, growing and dying without ever contacting any others. A Deepness.. talks about how you might attempt to grow an interstellar civilisation when FTL Travel is not possible.
The final part of the last chapter of A Fire.. is particularly poignant. I also think the whole concept of Zones of Thought is pretty awesome.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
