Time Enough For Love

[Rigged]

JohnAllen,

The best fiction stories survive over time because they are basic human truths wrapped in superhuman fantasy.

Think of the works of Shakespear and Homer.

Tolkein's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Asimov's "Foundation" trilogy, Herbert's "Dune" and its offspring, the works of Heinlein and Bradbury each contain more human truths per page than most of the daily news.

The best science fiction writers take what is known to be true and extrapolate and expand on it, showing us new possibilities that often become the commonplace (television, computers, robotics, cell phones, space travel).

Sometimes good fiction stands as a warning, giving us signposts to ward us away from danger. The novels, Orwell's "1984" and Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" are two that come to mind.

Change "spice" to "oil" and the "Dune" novels (jihadists seeking to control the universe's most precious resource) become current events. All of the signs of the birth of the Taliban and the rise of Osama bin Laden are in those books.

There's a lot of truth in good fiction. And a lot of fiction being passed off as truth.

If you want pure fiction, watch the Presidential debates.

[The Wizard of BC]

JohnAllen,

If you do not own a copy of either "Stranger in a strange land" "Time enough for love", "I will fear no evil" "The moon is a harsh mistress" or any collection of RAH short stories, I would be honored to loan you a copy. I have multiples of everything Robert A. Heinlein wrote. The autographed copies however are not available. Bob gave me those from his own bookshelf and no one gets near them without gloves.

[Miah]

I may have to look these up

[Rob Wright]

Heinlein was an excellent writer tho he is not as popular today. He could be easily misunderstood because much of his writing walked a razor thin edge between acceptability and society's taboo's. I personally think that Fridayis one of his better overlooked books published during the 80's.
And please do not get me started on all the misunderstandings concerning Starship Troopers.

Rob Wright

[mcnice]

i have to read some of those. so sorry about having not much time cause i ve to write 4 assignments during next month.

the shame is that the reality is not a fiction...

[Avonlea22]

Ok, is this the same book?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...877998-1972654

Certainly is a lot cheaper if it is!

Appears to be. Now you all have me interested. I am not a fictionn reader at all, so much truth to learn but I must say I am starting to get intrigued.

Well, I ordered a copy of it in paperback for $1.00, plus shipping. Looking forward to it.

[bikercelt1]

Heinlein hid a lot of insight and valuable philosophy in his books (although you do have to deal with alot of challenges to social norms). If you don't read the books then at least look for a book of the sayings of Lazarus Long (even the name Lazarus Long is a deep pun if you think about it). Some of the things Heinlein said throught his character are truely astounding.

Jamie

[bubba]

There are lots of websites with quotes from Lazarus Long. Very good reading.

[Enzayer]

I too love all of Heinlein's books that I have read. In fact I went back to Stranger and reread it with the express purpose of grabbing the best quotes of of it. I would love to see what he dreamed for the continuation of the Long story after "The cat who walks through walls." My next read, after Terry Pratchet's "Going Postal", is going to be "Time Enough for Love" again looking for quotes.

Now, for the reason I even found this tipic. What Tartan does Lazarus wear? I don't remember it ever being mentioned, and the search I've done on Long, Lazarus, Smith, and Heinlein have all turned up with results that are different from the new cover of "Time Enough for Love." So does anyone know the official Lazarus Long Tartan? This is mostly out of shear curiosity and maybe a kilt order down the line.....

[Riverkilt]

The UK board has had a number of threads about ways of concealing a pistol in a kilt, special pockets, etc. Probably have to search back a ways to find them and the threads are cluttered with gun politics, but the ways of hiding a pistol in a kilt are there...somewhere...

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/utilikilt/

Ron