Heinlein Fans here?

**fluter** · 30th June 09, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by thescot

(I can't believe I remember all this stuff after two or three decades since reading his works. Guess it's back to my long buried library to bring out a few copies to work on.)

For those who have not revisted RAH recently, be aware that the original text of Stranger in a Strange Land was published when the copyright was renewed (1991 edition). As you probably know, it was cut considerably for publication...

**SingleBarrelBourbon** · 30th June 09, 05:00 PM

Been one since grade school. I travel quite a bit for my job and always make sure to have a science fiction book or three when I fly. I am always checking out new authors, but not many are as good as Heinlein. Guess it's about time to start reading his works again!

**Sir William** · 30th June 09, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by fluter

For those who have not revisted RAH recently, be aware that the original text of Stranger in a Strange Land was published when the copyright was renewed (1991 edition). As you probably know, it was cut considerably for publication...

I need to check that out. Stranger in a Strange Land was my favorite of Heinlein's books.

**Geoff Withnell** · 30th June 09, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by Standard

Yes, very much a fan here. While I wouldn't let my kids read/listen to the books when they were younger due to some of the "adult" content in most of his books, I think he was a very good writer. He certainly had a way of drawing you into his stories and making you forget about everything else that is going on in the world. Just finished re-reading "The Cat Who Walks Through Walls" for the 3rd or 4th time.

Are you aware of RAH's juvenile novels? Many written for Boy's Life magazine in the 50's. The science and cosmology are a bit dated, as is only to be expected, but they are cracking good stories, suitable for children and adults. Many credit these stories with the success of NASA, since just about every NASA astronaut and space scientist grow up on them.

Geoff Withnell
Heinlein fan and former rocket scientist

**Sionnach** · 30th June 09, 05:39 PM

Been awhile since I read one, I have moved my oldest son toward Heinlein's novels, grok is a part of my vocabulary.

**Standard** · 30th June 09, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by Geoff Withnell

Are you aware of RAH's juvenile novels? Many written for Boy's Life magazine in the 50's. The science and cosmology are a bit dated, as is only to be expected, but they are cracking good stories, suitable for children and adults. Many credit these stories with the success of NASA, since just about every NASA astronaut and space scientist grow up on them.

Geoff Withnell
Heinlein fan and former rocket scientist

Geoff I'd never heard of these stories. I'll have to do some searching and see if I can come up with some of them. If RAH inspired the early astronauts growing up in the 50's it sure crossed well into the 60's and early 70's to inspire a whole other generation to want to explore space too.

**Piper** · 1st July 09, 04:46 AM

If memory serves (and it's a terrible servant these days), "Podkayne of Mars" was one of his juvenile stories, as well as "Rocket Ship Galileo". There certainly were more, but those are the only two titles that come to mind. I read them more years ago than I care to own up to, and then moved on to his other titles.

**irishrob** · 1st July 09, 06:48 AM

I, too, grocked Heinlein for over 45 years.

Rob

**The Wizard of BC** · 1st July 09, 07:27 AM

I had just returned to Hawaii from my first tour in Viet-Nam and needed to spend some time with normal people so went to walk along Waikiki beach.

Sitting on the beach by himself was RAH. So I went over to a small kiosk nearby, bought two cups of coffee. I sat one down next to him and quietly sat down beside him. As I sat down I pulled out the worn and dogeared copy of TEFL that was in my back pocket and laid it between us. I didn't say anything, but sat there with him and watched the girls walk by for about a half hour.

After a while I got up, picked up my book, held it up and said to him, "Thank you for this".

He then said to me "Thank you for being quiet and not pestering me", pulled out a small notebook and wrote his home address and phone no. in it. He said that if I was ever in his neck of the woods we could share another cup of coffee.

About six months later I found myself in California on medical leave so called him up. He gave me directions to his house and I took a taxi out.
He invited me in and we sat in his kitchen drinking coffee and talking about the world, the military, and his writings.
It was one of the afternoons that will live forever in my memory.
As I was leaving he reached onto a bookshelf and pulled down a copy of SIASL. signed it and handed it to me.

That book is one of my most prized possesions. The memories of the man himself make the reading and re-reading of his works all that more special.
Much of who I am today comes from the eloquent way he put thoughts down on paper.

**Charlie Mc.** · 1st July 09, 08:00 AM

I started reading Heinlein in high school. I don't agree with all of his views, but he has been hugely influential in the way i think of a lot of things. When I was in the Marine Corps I was happy to find Starship Troopers on the Commandants Reading List recommended for all Marines to read. It is really neat to hear the stories of those who got a chance to meet him. Thanks for sharing those.