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

There appear to be few people still reading this forum, but what the hell, I'll post anyway.

Have many of you read Heinlein? I've been lent practically everything he's written and I'm ploughing through them. They're fantastic! Although there are some reoccuring themes, one of my favourite things is how each book creates a different universe, from a different starting point. The one I'm currently reading charts the life of a girl born in the 1880s. It also has multiple universes, time travel and a cat who can walk though wallk, but I havn't got to that bit yet.

Has anyone else read anything by him? Any opinions?

Still subscribed - but haven't read any yet.

I've read Heinlein, and liked his books enought to read as many as I could get my hands on (luckily my local library had most of them). I don't remember any details though, because it was several years ago. I might try re-reading some of them.

I'd recommend it, partly because they're good, but partly because they're written in a language that makes it easy to whizz through them - perfect for a re-read.

I've read some Heinlein, not as much as I'd like. I've got a few of my favorites in our bookcase, so maybe I'll re-read some of them soon. If anyone mentions specific titles they particularly enjoy(ed), I'll definitely read them if I haven't already.

I've read a fair bit of Heinlein but mostly so long ago I don't remember them well. I recollect enjoying reading them, but felt some like "A Stranger in A Strange Land" were of their time and a little dated in places. They're still worth reading though, maybe I should go and reread some now you've mentioned him.

Aha - I *knew* I had a rather special Heinlein book in my book case!

Firstly, it's special because it's in English, paper back and I found it at the sale of a second-hand bookshop. It's very seldom I come across second-hand books in English here in Stockholm.

Secondly, it says 'First printing, November, 1954' making it the oldest paper back I've ever seen. Sure, the pages are a bit yellowed and some of them have lost their grip of the rest of the book, but at least they're still all there.

The title? Assignment in Eternity

He wrote a lot of books he did. some short trash style sf (Starship Troopers, Waldo, Magic inc, Have Spacesuit Will Travel) and some longer books (Stranger in a Strange Land, Time enough for Love, the Moon is a Harsh Mistress).
One that I like which is less straight SF and more alternate reality is Job: A Comedy of Justice

I've just finished To Sail Beyond The Sunset. It's the first book in ages that has really gripped me. It's sci-fi in that it has alternate timelines and TimeCops and suchlike, but the main bulk of the story is simply following the main character through her life. It's different in that he endorses polygamy and (to a limited degree) incest in a time period that did not, and the ways that the characters got around their extra-long lifespans and perfect health.

It's recommended, but not if such topics squick you out.

yep, read a fair few, although quite a while ago I have to admit.
I seem to recall enjoying them mostly although they don;t stick as much as some others do.

I'd agree with that. Whilst you can tell he really researched them, their easy going style means that it feels vry light. Easy to read, easy to forget.

Number of the Beast is one of my favorite books--I once wanted to "grow up" to be Hilda