Heinlein novel imagines a future America patterned on Alberta

CBC News ^ | 12/9/03 | Robin Rowland

[jalisco555]

Something for the Heinlein fans among us. He was my favorite writer when I was growin up.

[bert]

He's still among my top 3 or 4.

[George W. Bush]

Never liked Heinlein. He was always a transparent pinko. I've reviewed some of his writing in recent years and noticed even more of it now that I'm older.

He fed socialist communitarian philosophy to several generations of young readers.

Frank Herbert was a far better thinker and writer.

[Jaxter]

For me it was a toss-up between Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke.

[Jaxter]

OMG. I can't believe I left out Asimov.

[jalisco555]

My big three were Heinlein, Clarke and Asimov as well. Frank Herbert is right up there as well but I discovered him a bit later in life.

[Wonder Warthog]

"He fed socialist communitarian philosophy to several generations of young readers."

Balderdash. His change to libertarianism came long before his novels became popular (I think somewhat after he married Virginia). In that, he was much like Reagan, whose philsophy underwent a change after marrying Nancy). His novels have ALL fostered individual freedom and liberty---not "communitarianims".

The only novel I can think of that even comes remotely close to a sort of "communitarian" point of view is "Starship Troopers", in which the right to vote is restricted to those citizens who have voluntarily served a term of "government service".

[Wonder Warthog]

"OMG. I can't believe I left out Asimov."

Neither Clark nor Asimov was worthy to shine Heinlein's shoes. There is a reason that Heinlein was selected as THE "Grand Master" of SF writers.

[Paul Ross]

I am afraid I was one of those as a youngster who actually liked Heinlein, for the kids books, R is for Robot, Have Spacesuit Will Travel, Starship Trooper, then onto The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, et al. I later moved on to Asimov and Simak, etc. But then Heinlein in his geriatric years went messianic in a couple of novels, and blatantly libertine, by which time I had formed a moral conscience and rejected him. And Asimov as well.

In general, I find that certain authors works have stood the test of time and maturation: Poul Anderson's work still intrigues me, as does the late Keith Laumer's work, particularly his Retief series. David Brin is also a favorite.

[Lazamataz]

I have to disagree. Heinlein is a libertarian, at least what I have read of his works.

[RightOnline]

Always favored Zelazny..........although I often wondered what he smoked to come up with his stories (ever read 'Jack of Shadows'?? whew................).

[Restorer]

Heinlein as commie?

Pull the other one!

He was a classic libertarian in most ways, with an amazingly fierce hatred for socialist and other enslaving ideologies.

Although Starship Troopers has been believe by many to be fascistic. Mostly by those who don't really understand it.

As others have pointed out, his morality (and his writing) deteriorated drastically in his later years.

[Dallas59]

I liked Larry Niven..

[Lazamataz]

I liked Larry Niven..

Larry Niven kicked butt.

In his short stories, he'd always take a piece of technology and watch as society changed because of it.

[Lazamataz]

As others have pointed out, his morality (and his writing) deteriorated drastically in his later years.

In the spirit of Heinlein, he'd probably observe that morality is for politicians to pretend they have, and secretly-horny nuns to embrace as a life preserver.

[corkoman]

R is for Robot

That was a collection of short stories written by Ray Bradbury

[Paul Ross]

The late Roger Zelazny passed away in 1995. Actually, I have read a lot of his stuff, but after reviewing his bibliographic info, it looks like there are a number of other works I have missed. I may have read Jack of Shadows, and all the Amber series. I really like a lot of Zelazny's short stories, and collaboritive works, such as in the Berserker series.

[truthandjustice1]

""Starship Troopers", in which the right to vote is restricted to those citizens who have voluntarily served a term of "government service"."

that which is given has no value.

[George W. Bush]

He was a classic libertarian in most ways, with an amazingly fierce hatred for socialist and other enslaving ideologies.

I think he was mostly an anarchist libertine.

Of course, he kept switching.

I always disliked his idea of associating voting with military service. That's much closer to the ancient Roman model for the power of the legions.

The American tradition was to enfranchise only the property-owners.

As others have pointed out, his morality (and his writing) deteriorated drastically in his later years.

Repellent. The work of sick old pervert sucking money out of what remained of his reputation. Reminds me of Norman Mailer in his later career. I bought that last one used for, like, 25 cents. I was robbed.

And Asimov shouldn't have written the last Foundation book either.

I'll echo the bumps for Niven and Poul Anderson.

[George W. Bush]

I really like a lot of Zelazny's short stories, and collaboritive works, such as in the Berserker series.

Wo-ah! I'd forgotten the Berserker series. Gotta dig up those e-books on IRC!

They'd make really good movie scripts too.