Heinlein’s 100th
Amy Sturgis on Jul 24th 2007
This month marks the 100th birthday of the Grand Master himself, Robert A. Heinlein.
One of my favorite quotes from his work comes from the mouth of the “rational anarchist” Professor Bernardo de la Paz, a character based on real-life libertarian and founder of the Freedom School, Robert LeFevre:
“May I ask this? Under what circumstances is it moral for a group to do that which is not moral for a member of that group to do alone?”
“Uh…that’s a trick question.”
“It is the key question, dear Wyoming. A radical question that strikes to the root of the whole dilemma of government. Anyone who answers honestly and abides by all consequences know where he stands - and what he will die for.”
- Prof. Bernardo de la Paz in Robert Heinlein’s The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
If I could choose one contemporary author to name the “new Heinlein” - that is, a writer capable of writing military, hard-science-based SF, yet who focuses the imagination on the social, economic, and political ramifications of future change, and its relationship to liberty - I would pick Lois McMaster Bujold, whose Vorkosigan series especially is “must read” material.
That said, there was and is only one Heinlein!
Recent articles of interest:
* “Heinlein at 100″ by Brian Doherty (Reason)
* “100 Years of Heinlein” by Scott Van Wynsberghe (National Post)
* “Heinleiniana” by John Derbyshire (National Review)
* “’We must ride the lightning’: Robert Heinlein and American spaceflight” by Dwayne A Day (The Space Review)
* “In A Strange Land” by John J. Miller (National Review)
* “Heinlein’s Ghost” by Dwayne A. Day (The Space Review)
* “Robert Heinlein at One Hundred” by Ted Gioia (Blogcritics)
For additional information:
The Heinlein Society
The Robert A. Heinlein Page
Robert A. Heinlein Centennial Website
TANSTAAFL!
Filed in The Basement
[...] * You may recall that I recommended Lois McMaster Bujold’s fiction here: her award-winning novella “The Mountains of Mourning” is available for download from the Baen Free Library. [...]