h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Wow, this guy seems quite incredible. I don't think I have ever read any of his stuff. Wasn't he also booh'ed out from the Hugo Awards for saying that war was necessary to keep population down?

That thing about the decline of civilization seems pretty interesting. When is it from, because it really fits today.

I'm not sure exactly which one you're referring to, but most of the quotes were taken from To Sail Beyond the Sunset, which was written/published in 1988.

I was thinking about that whole long one regarding the decline of civilisation as measured on public toilets. I guess 1988 is quite recent. Especially the idea of treating athletes and entertainers as great leaders. I remember seeing an ad for the Omega watch where you see Pierce Brosnan wearing it. Made me wonder what an actor would know about watches, but people take their advice for everything.

I also like what he says about democracy. Do you perhaps know of places where I can find some critical stuff about the "sacred" idea of democracy

I know he wrote a book about it. A nonfiction book, so all the critical stuff isn't neatly concealed in plot. I can't remember what it's called off the top of my head, although I'll try to find out.

I was in a bookstore the other day looking at the Heinlein books. I didn't know which one to start with. I'd like to read about Lazarus Long, which one would be best to start with there? They had the one about his mother, can that be read independently or should it be read after the whole series?

I think Time Enough for Love is an excellent starting place. It sets the stage for several other books, including the one about his mother. Looking around my library I can't figure out where my wife has the Heinlein books.

An excellent book, as a stand alone, is The Moon is Harsh Mistress. That was a great book. Really good. I mean it's first rate.

It has some really interesting political ideas in it.

If you continue reading the books that follow Time Enough for Love, I highly recommend that you read Starship Troopers and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, and possible a few others that I can't think of off the top of my head before you get too far into the series. I'll start looking through my stuff and give a better order shortly.

Oh I loved Heinlein when I was younger. Storytelling magnificent. Actually still love him, but find him sometimes a bit uncomfortable to read. I get cross with his impossible women

But my favourite Lazurus Long book was Number of the Beast. He wasn't in it much, but hey. I think it might not be the place to start though, cos the whole LL bit in it is a bit confusing if you don't know the back story.

And I highly reccommend most of the books he wrote for teenagers, which sometimes I prefer over his adult books, which can get a bit preoccupied with sex.

Still, with very little provocation, I'll start reeling off a list of his books which (depite preoccupation) are just too good to miss, and then where would we be? Especially as he did write quite a lot...

I must admit that as a fully paid up member of the wishy washy liberals club, it was never his political slants that got to me. In fact I credit the man for giving me a lot to think about, and to be honest I find myself in agreement with him on a lot of things, which always worried me a bit after I heard about the right wing fashist allegations. I think it is his 'personal responsibility' stance I liked, though.

Oh, I'll stop now, but it is nice to find someone writing well about someone I like! Can I stay and cheer you on Vidmaster? This is a work in progress, isn't it?

It is a work in progress, although progress has been halted for the time being, as I have way too much to do in RL.

I would definately recommend Stranger in a Strange Land. It has some extremely interesting views in it, and it's a great story. LL isn't in it, but that's not really important.

The Green Hills of Earth and The Door Into Summer were another two of my favorites. Of course, they're all good.

when anyone has more time, i've been posting heinlein at A849080, 'cuz i didn't find this place at first. "expanded universe" is the man himself, chatting, commenting.
i have 39 titles on my bookshelf, stupidly let 'grumbles' fall thru my fingertips, and does anyone know if chasing down 'the notebooks of lazarus long' is worth the effort? thanks.

The notebooks of Lazarus Long are seriously kick a**. Well worth tracing down if you like miscellaneous quotes and food for thought. The calligraphy is also very cool. I've got Grumbles, but haven't read it yet.

thanks, Vid. in response to Xanatic, looking for quotes on government, i've always liked the opening and closing of 'farnham's freehold' and, before that 'revolt in 2100.'
jubal harshaw's mutterings in 'stranger' have been posted on walls in our city hall.