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Robert A. Heinlein



Robert Heinlein is definitely one of the shapers of the genre, who reigned supreme during the Golden Age of Science Fiction. His most entertaining and ground-breaking period was the 40s and early 50s. Later in the 50s he wrote quite a few moderately interesting young adult space novels, and then turned to existential and pseudo-religious opuses, which steadily grew in page count, essentially destroying his reputation and fan base (or rather gained him another fan base, depending how you look at it). Such indulgence sadly obscures the fact that his Golden Age novels and stories are simply a blast and are highly recommended.

"All You Zombies..."
© F&SF, Mar 1959
The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag, 1959
--short fiction : 1971 Astounding/Analog All-Time Poll /30 (tie)
--short fiction : 1980 Balrog
--short story : 1999 Locus All-Time Poll /4

--/ third place sf story
--/ idea award
--/ style award
--/ wonder award


"...And He Built a Crooked House"
© Astounding, Feb 1941
The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag, 1959
--short fiction : 1971 Astounding/Analog All-Time Poll /21 (tie)
--novelette : 1999 Locus All-Time Poll /13 (tie)

--/ second place sf story
--/ wonder award
--/ idea award
--/ adventure award
--/ style award


"Between Planets" (nv)
© Blue Book Magazine, Sep 1951
novel: Scribner, 1951
--/ cool sf novel

"Beyond This Horizon" (nv)
(Future History)
(as by Anson MacDonald)
© Astounding, Apr 1942
Two Complete Science Adventure Books, 1948

book: Fantasy Press, 1948
--book : 1952 Astounding/Analog All-Time Poll /25
--/ cool sf novel
--/ adventure award

"The Black Pits of Luna"
(Future History)
© The Saturday Evening Post, Jan 1948
The Green Hills of Earth, 1951
--/ fourth place space sf story
--/ wonder award
--/ style award


"Blowups Happen"
(Future History)
© Astounding, Sep 1940
The Man Who Sold the Moon, 1950
--/ cool sf story
--/ style award

"By His Bootstraps"
(as by Anson MacDonald)
(also as "The Time Gate")
© Astounding, Oct 1941
The Menace from Earth, 1959
--short fiction : 1971 Astounding/Analog All-Time Poll /9 (tie)
--novella : 1999 Locus All-Time Poll /9 (tie)

--/ third place sf story
--/ idea award
--/ style award
--/ wonder award


"Citizen of the Galaxy" (nv)
© Astounding, Sep 1957
book: Scribner, 1957
--/ cool space sf novel
--/ adventure award

"Columbus Was a Dope"
© Startling Stories, May 1947
The Menace from Earth, 1959

"Common Sense"
(Hugh Hoyland)
(Future History)
© Astounding, Oct 1941
Orphans of the Sky, 1963
--/ FIRST place space sf novella
--/ wonder award
--/ adventure award
--/ idea award


"Coventry"
(Future History)
© Astounding, Jul 1940
Revolt in 2100, 1953

"Delilah and the Space-Rigger"
(Future History)
© Blue Book, Dec 1949
The Green Hills of Earth, 1951
--/ third place space sf story
--/ wonder award
--/ style award
--/ adventure award


"Destination Moon"
© Short Stories, Sep 1950
Requiem, 1992

"The Devil Makes the Law"
(also as "Magic, Inc")
© Unknown, Sep 1940
--/ cool f novella

"The Door Into Summer" (nv)
© F&SF, Oct 1956
novel: Doubleday, 1957
A Heinlein Trio, 1980
--all time novel : 1975 Locus All-Time Poll /36 (tie)
--all time sf novel : 1987 Locus All-Time Poll /29
--sf novel (before 1990) : 1998 Locus All-Time Poll /43 (tie)

--/ cool time sf novel

"The Elephant Circuit"
(also as "The Man Who Traveled in Elephants")
© Saturn Science Fiction, Oct 1957
The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag, 1959

"Elsewhen"
(also as "Elsewhere")
(as by Caleb Saunders)
© Astounding, Sep 1941
Assignment in Eternity, 1953
--/ cool sf story

"Expanded Universe" (coll)
© 1980, Ace Books
--single author collection : 1981 Locus /7

"Friday" (nv)
© 1982, Holt Rinehart Winston
--novel : 1983 Hugo
--novel : 1983 Nebula
--sf novel : 1983 Locus /3
--novel : 1983 Prometheus

--/ cool sf novel

"Gentlemen, Be Seated!"
(Future History)
© Argosy, May 1948
The Green Hills of Earth, 1951
--/ fourth place space sf story
--/ style award

"Glory Road" (nv)
© F&SF, Jul 1963
book: Putnam, 1963
--novel : 1964 Hugo
--all time fantasy novel : 1987 Locus All-Time Poll /17
--fantasy novel (before 1990) : 1998 Locus All-Time Poll /24


"Goldfish Bowl"
(as by Anson MacDonald)
© Astounding, Mar 1942
The Menace from Earth, 1959
--/ fourth place sf story
--/ wonder award

"The Green Hills of Earth"
(Future History)
© The Saturday Evening Post, Feb 1947
The Green Hills of Earth, 1951
--short fiction : 1971 Astounding/Analog All-Time Poll /2 (tie)
--short story : 1999 Locus All-Time Poll /14 (tie)
--book : 1952 Astounding/Analog All-Time Poll /8
--book : 1956 Astounding/Analog All-Time Poll /17

--/ fourth place space sf story
--/ wonder award
--/ style award


"Gulf"
© Astounding, Nov 1949
Assignment in Eternity, 1953
--/ cool sf story

"Have Space Suit - Will Travel" (nv)
© 1958, Scribners, Ace

"Heil"
(as by Lyle Monroe)
(also as "Successful Operation")
© Futuria Fantasia, Apr 1940
Expanded Universe, 1980

"I Will Fear No Evil" (nv)
© Galaxy, Jul 1970
book: Berkley, 1970
--novel : 1971 Locus /9
--foreign novel : 1978 Seiun W


"If This Goes On"
(Future History)
© Astounding, Feb 1940
Revolt in 2100, 1953

"It's Great to Be Back!"
(Future History)
© The Saturday Evening Post, Jul 1947
The Green Hills of Earth, 1951
--/ cool space sf story
--/ style award

"Jerry Was a Man"
(also as "Jerry Is a Man")
© Thrilling Wonder Stories, Oct 1947
Assignment in Eternity, 1953

"Let There Be Light"
(as Lyle Monroe)
© 1940, Super Science Stories
The Man Who Sold the Moon, 1950
(hardcover edition only)

"Life-Line"
© Astounding, Aug 1939
The Man Who Sold the Moon, 1950
--Pre-1940 short fiction All-Time Poll /14

"Logic of Empire"
(Future History)
© Astounding, Mar 1941
The Green Hills of Earth, 1951
--/ cool sf novella

"The Long Watch"
(Future History)
© The American Legion Magazine, Dec 1949
The Green Hills of Earth, 1951
--short fiction : 1971 Astounding/Analog All-Time Poll /30 (tie)
--short story : 1999 Locus All-Time Poll /27 (tie)

--/ cool sf story

"Lost Legacy"
(also as "Lost Legion")
(as by Lyle Monroe)
© Super Science Stories, Nov 1941
Assignment in Eternity, 1953
Lost Legacy, 1960

"Magic, Inc" (nv)
(also as "The Devil Makes the Law")
© Unknown, Sep 1940
Waldo and Magic, Inc., 1950
--/ cool f novella

"The Man Who Traveled in Elephants"
(also as "The Elephant Circuit")
© Saturn Science Fiction, Oct 1957
The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag, 1959

"The Menace from Earth"
© F&SF, Aug 1957
The Menace from Earth, 1959
--/ fourth place sf story
--/ wonder award

"Methuselah's Children" (nv)
(Future History)
© Astounding, Jul 1941
book: 1958, Gnome Press
--book : 1966 Astounding/Analog All-Time Poll /26
--hall of fame : 1997 Prometheus W

--/ cool space sf novel

"Misfit"
(Future History)
© Astounding, Nov 1939
Revolt in 2100, 1953

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"The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress" (nv)
© IF, Dec 1965
book: Putnam, 1966
--novel : 1966 Hugo
--novel : 1967 Hugo W
--novel : 1967 Nebula
--all time novel : 1975 Locus All-Time Poll /8
--hall of fame : 1983 Prometheus W
--all time sf novel : 1987 Locus All-Time Poll /4
--sf novel (before 1990) : 1998 Locus All-Time Poll /2


For those interested in politics, society upheavals and dynamics of power, this novel is an indispensable source to study and relish. The SF Reviews site (and most critics) gave it the highest rating as a SF classic. (read the positive review here) Classic it very well may be, but in my experience it caused a tooth ache, and put my brain on a freeze for as long as I read it. The dry, joyless narrative does not surprise or entertain (other than standard techno-SF fare and strong but one-dimensional Heinlein characters, solving the all-important questions of politics and sex) I do not deny the attraction it holds for millions of readers, I just mourn the fact that it could've been written in a much livelier and more spell-binding way, given the subject. Think of what depth Frank Herbert could've brought to this harsh and fascinating Moon mining environment. Or even Clarke, with his implied vistas of wonder. None here, only the bleak, barren wastes of petty revolts, political discussions, dry dialogues, flat military action, one-dimensional and un-inspiring, like the Moon landscape itself. (Moon landscape is actually quite inspiring, it depends on how you look at it) Heinlein wrote a book that was destined to be a classic to certain people, and a "non-event" to others. Don't read it to pass time at the dentist, it will only make you more miserable.

One disclaimer, though - by all means read it if you enjoy the long-winded politics and sturdy character development. Also read it just to get acquainted with a SF Classic. So that you could answer "Yes, I've read it" if anybody asks. Just don't expect it to be easy or inspiring reading. It is hard work among the bleak lunar lanscapes, soldier.
(review by Avi Abrams)



----------------------------------------------

"The Number Of The Beast" (nv)
© OMNI, Oct 1979
book: 1980, Berkley / Putnam
--sf novel : 1981 Locus

"Ordeal in Space"
(Future History)
© Town & Country, May 1948
The Green Hills of Earth, 1951
--/ cool space sf story

"Orphans of the Sky" (nv)
(also as "Universe" and "Common Sense")
(Future History)
© Orphans of the Sky, 1963
--novella : 1999 Locus All-Time Poll /37
--/ FIRST place space sf novel
--/ wonder award
--/ adventure award
--/ idea award
--/ emotion award


"Our Fair City"
© Weird Tales, Jan 1949
The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag, 1959
--/ cool f novella

"Project Nightmare"
(Future History)
© Amazing, Apr 1953
The Menace from Earth, 1959

----------------------------------------------




"The Puppet Masters" (nv)
© 1951, Galaxy, Sep-Nov
novel: Doubleday, 1951
--/ fourth place sf novel
--/ wonder award
--/ adventure award
--/ style award

There are a lot of ways to look at Heinlein's classic, The Puppet Masters: as a perfect example of what makes a 'Heinlein' book (a determined uberman, a fiery female, sparkling language, etc), an ideal cold-war parable (US vs relentless, soul-sucking invaders out to turn us into mindless slaves), or as an examination of classic paranoia (who can you trust?), but for this review let's take a look at The Puppet Masters as a book about hunting dragons.

No, there are no dragons in The Puppet Masters. Set in a near future US after a limited nuclear war, the book is about a covert alien invasion -- a rarity for Heinlein -- by 'slugs:' parasitic lifeforms that control their human hosts. In this way it's a perfect companion to Jack Finney's Body Snatchers: an unearthly threat not just to our world but to our sense of identity. With Finney the aliens impersonated the people around us; with The Puppet Masters the aliens control everyone around us -- two sides of a similar coin.

But while Finney approached the theme with sly terror and sneaky suspense, Heinlein puts us in the shoes of 'Sam' an opperative for a so-secret-no-one-knows-about-it-but-the-presdient organization simply called 'The Section' -- run with an iron fist by 'The Old Man' -- that discovers and then fights against the invading parasites.

This is what makes the book so interesting. Sure it has Heinlein's fun use of language, a tough-but-not-robotic hero, a flamboyant female character, and his always-interesting social commentary (some so subtle as to escape everyone but a very determined reader); absolutely it works as a Cold War analogy with its war between unique identity and faceless uniformity; and, certainly, it works as a paranoiac mind-game where you literally cannot trust anyone; but then there is the dragon.

What I mean is 'dragon' in the Nietzsche sense: "The man who fights too long against dragons becomes a dragon." Sure "Sam" is our hero but he is also a victim of his own organization's ruthlessness: he cannot remember his original face, for instance, for his so many disguises and alterations. The "Section" reads less like a 'boy's own hero' bunch of freedom fighters than it does a Kafka nightmare bureu of manipulation of everyone and everything. Sure the 'slugs' are nasty, evil, horrible creatures, but reading through the book a niggling suspicion rises that the forces that are working against them are ... well, if not as bad then are just a different flavor.

This devilish gray area of what makes the book so enjoyable -- in a dark and disturbing way. Reading The Puppet Masters you come away with the unsettling feeling that Heinlein's mind-controlling 'Masters' may mean creatures from outer space, our own ruthlessly cold determination to stop them or ... well, both.
Review by author M. Christian

----------------------------------------------

"Requiem"
(as by D.D. Harriman)
(Future History)
© Astounding, Jan 1940
The Man Who Sold the Moon, 1950
--short story : 1999 Locus All-Time Poll /11 (tie)
--hall of fame : 2002 Prometheus
--hall of fame : 2003 Prometheus W

--/ cool sf story

"The Roads Must Roll"
(Future History)
© Astounding, Jun 1940
The Man Who Sold the Moon, 1950
--short fiction : 1971 Astounding/Analog All-Time Poll /28 (tie)
--/ cool sf story

"6 X H" (coll)
(also as "The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag")
© Gnome Publ. 1959
--/ cool sf collection
--/ wonder award

"Sky Lift"
© Imagination, Nov 1953
The Menace from Earth, 1959
--/ cool sf story

----------------------------------------------



"Solution Unsatisfactory"
(as by Anson MacDonald)
© Astounding, May 1941

A seminal tract about the nuclear arms race, in which many post-war themes and ideas were explored ahead of their time, even pre-war, including prediction of the "Manhattan Project" and the following nuclear safety issues... I found the story quite dry, but readable: almost a required reading today for any serious fan of Golden Age SF. Published in the same issue with "Universe"- his best story ever.
review: 25-Dec-07 (read in 1986)

----------------------------------------------

"Space Jockey"
(Future History)
© The Saturday Evening Post, Apr 1947
The Green Hills of Earth, 1951
--/ fourth place space sf story
--/ wonder award
--/ style award


"Starship Soldier" (nv)
(also as "Starship Troopers")
© F&SF, Oct 1959
book: Putnam, 1959
--/ cool sf novella

"Starship Troopers" (nv)
(also as "Starship Soldier")
© F&SF, Oct 1959
book: Putnam, 1959
--novel : 1960 Hugo W
--book : 1966 Astounding/Analog All-Time Poll /11
--all time novel : 1975 Locus All-Time Poll /22 (tie)
--all time sf novel : 1987 Locus All-Time Poll /21
--sf novel (before 1990) : 1998 Locus All-Time Poll /24

--/ cool sf novel

"Stranger in a Strange Land" (nv)
© 1961, Putnam
--novel : 1962 Hugo W
--book : 1966 Astounding/Analog All-Time Poll /17
--all time novel : 1975 Locus All-Time Poll /4
--all time sf novel : 1987 Locus All-Time Poll /5
--hall of fame : 1987 Prometheus W
--sf novel (before 1990) : 1998 Locus All-Time Poll /5
--sf novel : 1991 Locus /6


"Successful Operation"
(as by Lyle Monroe)
(also as "Heil")
© Futuria Fantasia, Apr 1940
Expanded Universe, 1980

"That Dinkum Thinkum"
(from "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress")
© IF, Dec 1965

"They"
© Unknown, Apr 1941
The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag, 1959

"This I Believe" (nf)
© 1968, Radio speech
also in - New Destinies, Spr 1989

"The Time Gate"
(as by Anson MacDonald)
(also as "By His Bootstraps")
© Astounding, Oct 1941
The Menace from Earth, 1959
--short fiction : 1971 Astounding/Analog All-Time Poll /9 (tie)
--novella : 1999 Locus All-Time Poll /9 (tie)

--/ third place sf story
--/ idea award
--/ style award
--/ wonder award


"Tunnel in the Sky" (nv)
© 1955, Putnam / Ace
--/ cool sf novel

"The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag"
© Unknown, Oct 1942
The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag, 1959
--/ cool f novella

"The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag" (coll)
(also as "6 x H")
© Gnome Publ. 1959
--/ cool sf collection
--/ wonder award

----------------------------------------------



"Universe" (nv)
(Hugh Hoyland)
(Future History)
(part of "Orphans of the Sky")
© Astounding, May 1941
Orphans of the Sky, 1963
--novella : 1999 Locus All-Time Poll /37
--/ FIRST place space sf novella
--/ wonder award
--/ adventure award
--/ idea award


Ground-breaking and definitive "generation starship" story, which only grows better with time. Every "enclosed Universe" scenario, including Philip K. Dick's imaginary conspiracies and subliminal cages of the mind, up to the manufactured world of "The Truman's Show" owes to this classic masterpiece... The stifling atmosphere of the mutant-inhabited levels of the huge starship lost in the void, containing a speck of humanity drifting on a mission, long-forgotten - and yet discovered again in the process of an epic struggle - all condensed in a wonder-charged narrative of only 200-some pages (if you include the sequel). Life-changing novel, the best thing that Robert Heinlein had ever wrote.
review by Avi Abrams: 25-Dec-07 (read in 1988)



----------------------------------------------

"Waldo" (nv)
© Astounding, Aug 1942
Waldo and Magic, Inc., 1950
--book : 1966 Astounding/Analog All-Time Poll /24

"Water Is for Washing"
© Argosy, Nov 1947
The Menace from Earth, 1959

"We Also Walk Dogs"
(Future History)
© Astounding, Jul 1941
The Green Hills of Earth, 1951
--/ cool space sf story
--/ style award

"The Year of the Jackpot"
© Galaxy, Mar 1952
The Menace from Earth, 1959
--short fiction : 1971 Astounding/Analog All-Time Poll /35 (tie)
--/ fourth place sf story
--/ wonder award
--/ idea award


----------------------------------------------

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"SF&F Reading Experience" is part of "Dark Roasted Blend / Thrilling Wonder" family of sites. We try to highlight the most entertaining and rewarding science fiction and fantasy, with emphasis on memorable reader experience, not necessarily general acceptance by the critics. Have fun, and delve into our extensive ratings and reviews!

Most reviews are written by Avi Abrams, unless otherwise noted. Reviews also appear on our unique historical retrospective page Wonder Timeline of Science Fiction. Feel free to submit your own review, if a particular story is not listed here.


All major OFFICIAL AWARDS are highlighted in BLUE
("winner" has a letter "W" by it, otherwise it is a runner-up only)

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--/ first place :
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--/ cool : (equal to fifth place)
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--/ wonder award
sense-of-wonder, "visual intensity" and inventiveness

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outstanding literary qualities, inimitable style

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