Posted on 10/25/2010 10:07:29 AM PDT by oldtimer2
The first was Rocket Ship Galileo, next The Red Planet. I was hooked and have read everything he ever wrote. What an education!
False premise. Patriotism and strong support for the military are not opposed to libertarianism.
Page at a glance reader, a kid from th sticks who could calculate complicated things in his head, Waldos, fencing, I grokked it all as a kid. Heinlein is not #3 when it comes to science fiction writers, he is the #1 in my book.
His political concepts in the novel are intriguing as well.
I’ve always been a huge fan, but it’s a real stretch to call him conservative in any meaningful sense of the term.
Libertarian crossed with militarist and pervert seems more appropriate, especially in his later books, which were unreadable in large part.
Socially, Heinlein was liberal. His books advocated, or showed as okay to do, quite a few things social conservatives would hate. But he was definitely a limited-government conservative who favored individual responsibility.
As far as rank, I think the above said that we can all agree on the top three — in no particular order. You will have a day-long argument as soon as you try to put them in any order.
Yeah, except Heinlein’s work also has strong pedophilia undertones as well.
So maybe not a great guy to reference as a fine example of conservatism.
Whatever Heinlein would be classified as does not matter. What matters to me is that I read his works and became a conservative.
There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch!
Because of Heinlein, I will always carry a lingering sense of guilt at not being able to wield a slide rule. On the plus side, I learned that I didn’t have to give up my femininity to be kick-a$$, long before any brainwashers got to me....
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In the very early 70s, I began reading all his works. I steadfastly gobbled up his works thereafter. I think I’ve read everything he wrote that was published (at least the stuff that’s original and not edited, revised or added-to post death.
His great ones? For me it was TMIAHM, TEFL, SIASL (mildly, but his fame opener), FNE (liked and it had good premise)...however, in TEFL ala Lazarus Long, while the story was largely enrapturing - I saw a hint of his penchant for the wierder side of sex....incest, namely. His further works, Job, a Comedy of (something), Cat who could WTWs, etc. just didnt’ cut it anymore....
“Clarke kept politics out of his novels”
Clarke was hard on religion, which he thought was pretty infantile.
Heinlein is a better writer than Clarke or Asimov, in my opinion. But Jack Vance could mop the floor with pretty much any of ‘em, I reckon.
Freegards
However, the most unique thing about Starship Troopers is you can read as both a SiFi novel (it is very good) and as a political science text (it is even better).
I first read it in Junior High School, the school library had a hard back copy, and bought a paperback copy through the school's book club. Six years late I read the same book in a Pol-Sci course. It made an excellent counter point to the other political systems we looked into.
BTW, at one time my personal library contained six paperback copies, I am down to three and am beginning to suffer some anxiety pains.
It’s not too late! Google “Oughtred Society” and hit eBay for a Pickett. Used ones in pretty good condition (not NIB) can be had for $30. Alas, my Pickett model 300P-ES is lost somewhere in the past, in the midst of my 10 active duty moves and 4 post-service moves.
Where the hell did that come from?
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