I have a midterm break coming up, and I’ve been reading the Heinlein threads here these past few weeks.
I had never heard of this guy outside of his credit on that godawful Starship Troopers movie. (I’m just a kid! I’m just a kid! Don’t hurt me!!!) But these books sound great and I want to give them a try.
Which one do I read first?
If your a kid and into sci-fi, I suggest you try out Frank Herbert’s Dune, if you haven’t yet.
I’m preferential towards Stranger in a Strange Land although its inherent homophobia and mysogyny piss me off more and more with each re-reading (repeat after me, “Heinlein is a product of his era, Heinlein is a product of his era”. It’s a great read (gotta admire Heinlein’s ability to spin an amusing yarn) but has a lot more depth than some of his other works that I’ve read.
Also, I really enjoyed Job
How old of a kid? You might try some of the juveniles like “Space Cadet”, “Podkayne of Mars”, or “Rocket Ship Galileo”. (I read “Space Cadet” the first time at about 13 or 14 and loved it. I still love it.)
And be sure to give some the short story anthologies like “The Green Hills of Earth”, or “The Menace from Earth” a try. “Assignment in Eternity” has one of my all time favorite short stories, “Lost Legacy” (not really that short, more like a novella, but a great story.) The title story in the “Green Hills of Earth” never fails to move me, and “The Long Watch” in the same anthology is a wonderful story of how one ordinary person, caught up in extra-ordinary circumstances, stays loyal to his oath and principles, and makes a huge difference.
Heinlein’s early stuff is faster to read than some of his later works, and mostly a little lighter going. “The Door into Summer” is one of my all time favorite books, and “Glory Road” is just way too much fun. “Orphans of the Sky” is a classic, and one I read to my wife a chapter at a time. She is not a science fiction fan, but she enjoyed it immensely.
Don’t give up on “Starship Troopers”, the movie didn’t share much with the book beyond the title and some character names. It’s really a great book. Ditto for “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress”, and “The Rolling Stones”.
The list is too long to mention them all, but check out this site (among others):
http://www.wegrokit.com/reviews.htm
Again, especially if you’re short of time, start with some of the early stuff, or the short stories. You can read an entire volume in an afternoon, and they are great fun!
Ugly
Having read almost (but not quite) all of his fiction I have to go with his juveniles. Have Spacesuit Will Travel is my favorite. Citizen of the Galaxy is second. Then there is Space Cadet, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, The Rolling Stones, Starship Troopers, and all the others. Leave Stranger, Fear No Evil, and his later works for after you are familiar with him. Don’t forget [Glory Road, Waldo, or Double Star, not juveniles but also not as “adult” as his later works.
Of his later works, I think Job: A Comedy of Justice is the best. Followed by To Sail Beyond The Sunset, Friday, and The Cat Who Walked Through Walls.
Just a few thoughts you might find worthwhile.
The juveniles are a great place to start. (I hope you don’t think we’re suggesting them because you’re a “kid,” by the way – the juveniles are among Heinlein’s tightest and best-written books.)
The best, in my opinion, are the last few: Have Spacesuit – Will Travel, Tunnel in the Sky, Citizen of the Galaxy and Time for the Stars. They all feature younger protagonists, which might either be interesting (you being younger yourself) or annoying (if you think of them as “kiddy” books). Starship Troopers was originally written to be part of that sequence of juvenile novels, but his editor rejected it. It’s an interesting book in a lot of ways (and a generally pleasant read), but many readers find themselves arguing with certain loud-mouth characters (who may or may not be mouthpieces for the author). It has almost nothing, besides the title, in common with the movie.
A good rule of thumb when starting to read Heinlein is that short=good and long=bad. It’s not quite true, and his long late novels do have some fans, but, generally, it’s a good rule, and can help you decide what books to read first.
If you want a list of his works (so you can see all of the things that people are throwing at you), go to his page at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database.
Troopers is long on beat-you-over-the-head philosophy, but it also has bombs and bugs and stuff, so if you’re up for some lectures, it’s a good place to start.
If you’re more interested in action and adventure, start out with a juvie–my favorite is probably Red Planet. (Or maybe Podkayne of Mars 
) I personally think that the juvies are great for any reader, and I reread them all the time, but if you’d prefer something more grown-up, but still exciting and low on the preachiness, try Double Star* or The Puppetmasters*.
I think all those are easy introductions, but still characteristic. If you really want to dive in head first, my hands-down recommendation of the book that contains Everything That Makes Heinlein Great, get The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. It’s got action, intrigue, some nice hard science, and speculation on artificial intelligence, plus lots of political nattering on–something for every taste.
Actually, maybe it’s easiest to say which books to avoid.
Do not start off with The Number of the Beast, The Cat Who Walks Through Walls or To Sail Beyond the Sunset. These feature re-occurring characters, and are for hard-core fan-boys, primarily. (If find you enjoy Heinlein, then give 'em a shot after you’ve read more of his work.)
IMHO, Job and Glory Road are not very representative of his work–but still good reads. Beyond This Horizon and The Sixth Column are early novels, not typical of Heinlein’s work, and rough and unpolished.
Books that typically pop up as controversial are Starship Troopers (FASISM!), Farnham’s Freehold (RACISM!) and Friday (SEXISM!). I will say no more.
<sob> Everyone’s beaten me to the punch!
Having read every word of fiction that Heinlein wrote, and being a huge fan, I’m not entirely objective here. But…
For Juvies:
Have Spacesuit, Will Travel
Red Planet- Uncut version (unless you go to a used book store, it’ll be the uncensored version. If you do go to a used book store, get a copy published by Baen only, or it’ll be expurgated)
Tunnel in the Sky. If you’ve ever read the awful Lord of the Flies, this is Heinlein’s refutation of it.
For Action/Adventure
NOT Starship Troopers which is only about 1/4-1/6 battle stuff. Think of the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman” with space-bugs. It’s much more of a character-driven piece than it’s given credit for.
Glory Road
The Moon is a Harsh Misteress (lots of intrigue, “dirty tricks” and action, along with some political philosophy and some of Heinlein’s best characterization)
For short stories:
The Past Through Tomorrow most of Heinlein’s “Future History” stories in one massive volume (it’s missing one).
The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathon Hoag (my Fav: includes the title story, “The Man Who Travelled in Elephants” (which always makes me tear up) “All You Zombies” (the weirdest time-travel story, ever) and others.
I agree with Podkayne on which books to avoid, with the (very minor) quibble about the part where she said Job isn’t representative. I felt that it was a return to the style he used in the stories he wrote in his UNKNOWN WORLDS days (and it ties (very, VERY, VERY loosely) into "Unpleasant Profession)! And I agree, it’s a good read.
If you want more info, just lemme know!
Fenris
Oops…add Puppet Masters to the Action-Adventure group. It also comes in a censored/uncensored version. Stick with the current edition and you’ll get all the text.
Thanks!
I’ll get right on it.
Thanks!
I’ll get right on it.
I think I’m going to start with The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. I’ll check the library tonight.
Very good, Daowajan. Your book report is due Monday. 
I’ll second Fenris’s suggestion of The Past Through Tomorrow. That’s what got me into Heinlein. I like short stories, anyway.
Good choice, my favorite of them all is Moon is a Harsh Mistress.
TANSTAAFL!!
As a young man this book gave me my own personal philosophy that I still hold today some twenty years later. That is of course, rational anarchy. I am moral enough to act within society without rules, however I don’t trust anyone else to have my own high standards, therefore they need rules to govern their behavior!!
I think it’s my favorite of the RAH I’ve read. (Which
is only Stranger in a Strange Land, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Starship Troopers, and Glory Road.) Don’t take the political philosophy too seriously in it. I think my
take on it was, “Well, RAH is a dirty old man, but
his books are a fun distraction.” It’s a good novel,
but not a very good political tract. (And I say that as someone with Libertarian leanings.)
Same is true, though about times ten, for Starship Troopers. Really not a book to base your life philosophy off, but lots of fun to read. If you’re a mecha-head, the descriptions of the suits are just sweet.
Have fun, and let us know what you think.
-Ben
STARMAN JONES
A farm kid heads for the stars, or has a head for the stars, or something like that. I’m always surprised that more people don’t recommend it, it is his finest juvenile, I think.
Sir Rhosis
Just for the heck of it, here’s a (more or less complete) list of what I’ve read from Heinlein, and what I thought of each:
Stranger In A Strange Land: Didn’t enjoy it at all. Almost completely turned me off to his books before I ever got started. Very preachy about religion, relationships, and sex. The odd thing is that there seems to be a really big discontinuity between the first and second halves of the book. They have the same characters, but the story fundamentally changes. It’s like it was originally two books that were fused together with the names changed to match. Weird.
Starship Troopers. Loved it. My second favorite. It will make you think a lot about politics and the way things are, then it will blow stuff up.
The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress: Loved it. It’s not as flowing and fast-paced as Troopers or some of the others, but really good. Also really big on politics.
Citizen Of The Galaxy: A very simple “orphan becomes king” kind of story. Interesting, lots of shifts to keep you reading. Liked it a lot.
Puppet Masters: LOVED it. Probably my favorite of all his books that I’ve read. Somewhat close to the movie, but different enough to be significantly better. But I still picture Donald Sutherland as the main character.
Friday: Enjoyed it a lot. I didn’t really see it as sexist, just a different take on sexuality. Most of his stuff is a very different take on something.
Time Enough For Love: Couldn’t get through it. I plan to pick it up again one of these days, but it didn’t hook my attention.
Job: Didn’t really like it. Too heavy on the weird religion stuff for me.
The Door Into Summer: the last of my top three. This one is great. Backstabbing, Revenge, True Love, Pirates, Fencing…um, no, that’s The Princess Bride. This one has no Pirates (at least not that kind) and no fencing. But it’s excellent.
And that about sums it up. I’m ready to be attacked by all the rabid Stranger in a Strange Land fans.
Don’t forget his very first piece, the short story “Lifeline”
Does so have fencing. Sorta. Remember the scene with Belle vs Pete?
Inigo and the Man in Black NEVER had a fight like that one!
Fenris