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Future History or "Heinlein Timeline" #19
If This Goes On—
"If This Goes On—" is a science fiction novella by American writer Robert A. Heinlein, first serialized in 1940 in
Astounding Science-Fiction
and revised and expanded to novel length for inclusion in the 1953 collection Revolt in 2100. The story shows what might happen to Christianity in the United States with mass communications, applied psychology, and a hysterical populace. The story is part of Heinlein's Future History series. At the 2016 WorldCon the story won the 1941 Retro-Hugo Award for Best Novella of 1940.
67 pages
Published January 1, 1940
1 person is currently reading
623 people want to read
About the author
Robert A. Heinlein
1,040 books10.4k followersRobert Anson Heinlein was an American science fiction author, aeronautical engineer, and naval officer. Sometimes called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was among the first to emphasize scientific accuracy in his fiction, and was thus a pioneer of the subgenre of hard science fiction. His published works, both fiction and non-fiction, express admiration for competence and emphasize the value of critical thinking. His plots often posed provocative situations which challenged conventional social mores. His work continues to have an influence on the science-fiction genre, and on modern culture more generally.
Heinlein became one of the first American science-fiction writers to break into mainstream magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post in the late 1940s. He was one of the best-selling science-fiction novelists for many decades, and he, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke are often considered the "Big Three" of English-language science fiction authors. Notable Heinlein works include Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers (which helped mold the space marine and mecha archetypes) and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. His work sometimes had controversial aspects, such as plural marriage in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, militarism in Starship Troopers and technologically competent women characters who were formidable, yet often stereotypically feminine—such as Friday.
Heinlein used his science fiction as a way to explore provocative social and political ideas and to speculate how progress in science and engineering might shape the future of politics, race, religion, and sex. Within the framework of his science-fiction stories, Heinlein repeatedly addressed certain social themes: the importance of individual liberty and self-reliance, the nature of sexual relationships, the obligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organized religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress nonconformist thought. He also speculated on the influence of space travel on human cultural practices.
Heinlein was named the first Science Fiction Writers Grand Master in 1974. Four of his novels won Hugo Awards. In addition, fifty years after publication, seven of his works were awarded "Retro Hugos"—awards given retrospectively for works that were published before the Hugo Awards came into existence. In his fiction, Heinlein coined terms that have become part of the English language, including grok, waldo and speculative fiction, as well as popularizing existing terms like "TANSTAAFL", "pay it forward", and "space marine". He also anticipated mechanical computer-aided design with "Drafting Dan" and described a modern version of a waterbed in his novel Beyond This Horizon.
Also wrote under Pen names: Anson McDonald, Lyle Monroe, Caleb Saunders, John Riverside and Simon York.
Heinlein became one of the first American science-fiction writers to break into mainstream magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post in the late 1940s. He was one of the best-selling science-fiction novelists for many decades, and he, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke are often considered the "Big Three" of English-language science fiction authors. Notable Heinlein works include Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers (which helped mold the space marine and mecha archetypes) and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. His work sometimes had controversial aspects, such as plural marriage in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, militarism in Starship Troopers and technologically competent women characters who were formidable, yet often stereotypically feminine—such as Friday.
Heinlein used his science fiction as a way to explore provocative social and political ideas and to speculate how progress in science and engineering might shape the future of politics, race, religion, and sex. Within the framework of his science-fiction stories, Heinlein repeatedly addressed certain social themes: the importance of individual liberty and self-reliance, the nature of sexual relationships, the obligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organized religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress nonconformist thought. He also speculated on the influence of space travel on human cultural practices.
Heinlein was named the first Science Fiction Writers Grand Master in 1974. Four of his novels won Hugo Awards. In addition, fifty years after publication, seven of his works were awarded "Retro Hugos"—awards given retrospectively for works that were published before the Hugo Awards came into existence. In his fiction, Heinlein coined terms that have become part of the English language, including grok, waldo and speculative fiction, as well as popularizing existing terms like "TANSTAAFL", "pay it forward", and "space marine". He also anticipated mechanical computer-aided design with "Drafting Dan" and described a modern version of a waterbed in his novel Beyond This Horizon.
Also wrote under Pen names: Anson McDonald, Lyle Monroe, Caleb Saunders, John Riverside and Simon York.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 11, 2022
Prophet Or Just Profit! Secular Holy Man Shocker! "Well, if we just came out and said that 'Our God is Money,' could we actually tell the difference with how our society actually operates?" - Asking For A Friend Files
Imagine if, Warren Jeffs, the infamous cult leader and child abuser detailed in the Netflix show Keep Sweet: Pray & Obey succeeded in establishing his cult as the sole political power in the United States - and then fast forward 60 years...
Revolution beckons against an absolute tyranny with the sole aim of restoring the constitutional republic and a free people subject only to their own self-governance.
On one level, this is an excellent story of conspiracy, battle and revolution, as an everyman, 'John Lyle,' progresses from devout devotee to a free man. On a deeper level, it is a stark warning of the propensity of humanity to reach for soul-crushing tyranny as a default way of being.
For me this story rang true on a deep level.
We live in the age of the secular prophet, where religious fervour and fundamentalist certitude are venerated as supreme virtues. Where each and every human mind convinced of its own righteous entitlement to determine for others what they shall believe, say and do, threatens to usher in a nightmare world of utter intolerance.
A world where tolerance is deemed an act of violence and humility is a dirty word.
There is no difference between religious fundamentalism and secular political fundamentalism. Both are terrified of doubt, humility, faith, tolerance and difference.
As for the quiet, the humble, and the tolerant people, who are comfortable with our many differences as we all sit under the broad tent of our shared and common humanity, we are shouted down by those obsessed with their own certitude of and conformity with the 'unquestionable irrefutable truth!'
For they can tolerate but one voice - their own.
Strongly Recommended. 5 'We Shall Be Free,' stars.
Imagine if, Warren Jeffs, the infamous cult leader and child abuser detailed in the Netflix show Keep Sweet: Pray & Obey succeeded in establishing his cult as the sole political power in the United States - and then fast forward 60 years...
Revolution beckons against an absolute tyranny with the sole aim of restoring the constitutional republic and a free people subject only to their own self-governance.
On one level, this is an excellent story of conspiracy, battle and revolution, as an everyman, 'John Lyle,' progresses from devout devotee to a free man. On a deeper level, it is a stark warning of the propensity of humanity to reach for soul-crushing tyranny as a default way of being.
For me this story rang true on a deep level.
We live in the age of the secular prophet, where religious fervour and fundamentalist certitude are venerated as supreme virtues. Where each and every human mind convinced of its own righteous entitlement to determine for others what they shall believe, say and do, threatens to usher in a nightmare world of utter intolerance.
A world where tolerance is deemed an act of violence and humility is a dirty word.
There is no difference between religious fundamentalism and secular political fundamentalism. Both are terrified of doubt, humility, faith, tolerance and difference.
As for the quiet, the humble, and the tolerant people, who are comfortable with our many differences as we all sit under the broad tent of our shared and common humanity, we are shouted down by those obsessed with their own certitude of and conformity with the 'unquestionable irrefutable truth!'
For they can tolerate but one voice - their own.
Strongly Recommended. 5 'We Shall Be Free,' stars.
Read
July 28, 20162-2.5 stars.
Read as a nominee for Best Novella in the 1941 Retro Hugo Awards.
Read as a nominee for Best Novella in the 1941 Retro Hugo Awards.
March 23, 2023
Повесть примерно о том, как человек проснулся, собрался на работу, пошел, по пути че-то произошло, но в принципе не критично... ну и пришел на работу, получается.
August 9, 2024
The Skinny: A quick, enjoyable, and unique dystopian novella.
The Good: Picked this up after The Economist highlighted it a few weeks back. Wild that it is from 1940. In these divisive times, it is an apt read to understand what a Civil War might look like, especially with regards to the governing organizations versus the underground. Love the sci-fi focus and detail on psychological warfare, censorship, mass media, and subconscious / unconscious messaging. Its focus on personal freedom is a good reminder for anyone who has had doubts about where the US is headed and what it should be.
The Bad: The flow was kind of annoying, with an unfortunate mix of page turning action, rushed action (especially the ending), and some slogs. I think this should be a 200+ page novel to really bring everything to life.
The Good: Picked this up after The Economist highlighted it a few weeks back. Wild that it is from 1940. In these divisive times, it is an apt read to understand what a Civil War might look like, especially with regards to the governing organizations versus the underground. Love the sci-fi focus and detail on psychological warfare, censorship, mass media, and subconscious / unconscious messaging. Its focus on personal freedom is a good reminder for anyone who has had doubts about where the US is headed and what it should be.
The Bad: The flow was kind of annoying, with an unfortunate mix of page turning action, rushed action (especially the ending), and some slogs. I think this should be a 200+ page novel to really bring everything to life.
February 8, 2017
I've read this several times over the years, but only in the version that is part of the collection, "Revolt in 2100", not the original Astounding Magazine version. I continue to enjoy it each time I pick it up although I tend to skim over it until I get to the more philosophical areas. As a polemic against religious extremism it still holds up well, but it tends to trip over its own feet, because it also supports extremism in other directions. This aside, it still serves as a morality tale for our times, in which extremist views of all sorts hold more and more sway. Another story in the above-mentioned collection acts as a nice counter-balance to this one: Coventry tells of the actions of man who, after being banished from civil society, discovers a plot against it and risks his life to warn of the danger, thus redeeming himself. Taken together as a form of Yang and Yin, the clear message comes through: the actions of individuals will always matter.
February 21, 2017
Book #19 out of #22.
This was Heinlein's first published novel, released in 1940. This is densely huge and a really brutal read. It was amazing, but droneish at the same time. Deals with tons of shit: Religious themes, Police-states, Sexual discovery, and Revolution!
The best way to read this is to get the collection "Revolt in 2100" which contains books #19 #20 and #21. (If this goes on, Coventry, and Misfits.).
Highly recommended! This is the seeming climax of the entire Future History series (or at least what the past #1-#18 stories were leading to)!
This was Heinlein's first published novel, released in 1940. This is densely huge and a really brutal read. It was amazing, but droneish at the same time. Deals with tons of shit: Religious themes, Police-states, Sexual discovery, and Revolution!
The best way to read this is to get the collection "Revolt in 2100" which contains books #19 #20 and #21. (If this goes on, Coventry, and Misfits.).
Highly recommended! This is the seeming climax of the entire Future History series (or at least what the past #1-#18 stories were leading to)!
January 27, 2025
18/ Si esto continúa..(1940)
Periodo en el que está basada: 2070
John Lyle es un joven centinela de ‘Los ángeles del señor’ (la guardia del profeta encarnado). Está asignado a vigilar los exteriores de los aposentos del templo del profeta, en dónde cada noche una guardia femenina entra a la habitación para ser ‘ escogida’ como ayudante nocturna de la reencarnación de la divinidad en la tierra. El Hermano John entabla amista, y posteriormente, siente afecto hacía la hermana Judith. Una noche ella es elegida para entrar a los aposento y se producirá un incidente, que conducirá a John, a través del amor por Judith, a la pérdida de fe y rebelión contra la que hasta ahora, era su doctrina y modo de vida. Eso le llevará a una fuga conjunta y posterior reclutamiento en ‘ La Cábala’ un operativo rebelde en contra de la dictadura del profeta, que planea la caída del tirana dictadura religiosa actual...
Con éste relato nos situamos en una corriente establecida hace ya unos años en la costa Este (que dio comienzo a principios de siglo 21, como se comentan en ‘Lógica del imperio’). EEUU vive bajo una dictadura religiosa, fanática y opresora, llena de manipulación y del deber y devoción hacía el puritanismo.
En la figura de Lyle, vemos como ha nacido bajo ésa estela y se ha formado religiosamente en una escuela y posterior academia religiosa - militar, que los adiestra para los fines del profeta. John es un ser puro y ciego, bajo los años de manipulación social y mental del gobierno residente, hasta que un día despierta y conoce otras realidades, que han sido manipuladas a través de décadas de enseñar una falsa historia del pasado. A la figura del profeta, se une, como no, una nueva inquisición: con crueles y hábiles modos de substracción de la información de los integrantes rebeldes de ‘La cábala’ en la plantilla del profeta.
Un relato ACERCA DEL PODER DE LA RELIGIÓN ( y su INTOLERANCIA y cuestionables hábitos llevados a cabo), UNIDO A LA POLÍTICA ,E INDISOLUBLE, QUE LLEVA A LA CORRUPCIÓN INHERENTE DEL SER HUMANO, EL ABUSO, LA TIRANÍA Y LA GUERRA. HEINLEIN NO DICE QUE LA RELIGIÓN SEA MALA EN SI, SINO QUE LO ES EL USO CASI SIEMPRE ES DADO: LA MANIPULACIÓN, PROHIBICIÓN Y OCULTACIÓN (con el exterminio de libres pensadores) Y UNA INEVITABLE FUENTE DE CONFLICTOS. POCO AMIGO DEL FASCISMO Y LA OPRESIÓN, EL AUTOR REFLEJA EL INEVITABLE DESTINO, DEBIDO A LOS MALOS TIEMPOS, QUE DERIVA EN EL AGARRE DEL FANATISMO POR PARTE DE LOS HABITANTES Y LA EXTORSIÓN Y CRUELDAD DE LOS QUE BAJO LA ‘ LUZ’ DIVINA SE APODERAN DE TODO Y SOMENTEN A LOS DEMÁS.
Heinlein, nos HABLA DE LA IMPORTANCIA DEL LIBRE PENSADOR y LA DIGNIDAD HUMANA, QUE NO HAY QUE CONFUNDIR CON LA ESTRUCTURA Y DISCIPLINA DE UNA SOCIEDAD Y GOBIERNO.
Además de esto, es UNA HISTORIA DE ESPIONAJE Y CONTRAESPIONAJE Y DE UNA REVOLUCIÓN, CON SU OPERATIVO MILITAR Y TÁCTICO EN DETALLE, CON MUCHAS Y DURAS (a la par que delicadas, de contenido) REFLEXIONES ACERCA DEL INDIVIDUO: como la pasividad que lleva a la continuación de ciertas acciones que rechazamos (doble moral), o la delgada línea entre lo correcto y lo extremo.
Avances y/ o predicciones Tecnológicas:
- Armas desintegradoras
- Bombas paralizantes
- Interfono con pantalla
- Coches aéreos (‘ las carreteras deben rodar’, historia del futuro I. Pero en ésa ocasión estaban limitados a los ingenieros técnicos)
Avances y / o predicciones sociales:
- Tercera guerra mundial previa , tiempo incierto, seguramente de corta duración y a causa del profeta (de rabiosa actualidad, desgraciadamente)
- Dictadura religiosa en US: Nueva Jerusalem, situada en la costa Oeste, nación y núcleo central de la figura dictadora de ‘ El profeta encarnado’
- Desarrollo en psicometría y psicodinánica (control y manipulación mental de masas a nivel social llevado a cabo por los religiosos)
- Primeros Alimentos sintéticos (como restricción de placeres)
Periodo en el que está basada: 2070
John Lyle es un joven centinela de ‘Los ángeles del señor’ (la guardia del profeta encarnado). Está asignado a vigilar los exteriores de los aposentos del templo del profeta, en dónde cada noche una guardia femenina entra a la habitación para ser ‘ escogida’ como ayudante nocturna de la reencarnación de la divinidad en la tierra. El Hermano John entabla amista, y posteriormente, siente afecto hacía la hermana Judith. Una noche ella es elegida para entrar a los aposento y se producirá un incidente, que conducirá a John, a través del amor por Judith, a la pérdida de fe y rebelión contra la que hasta ahora, era su doctrina y modo de vida. Eso le llevará a una fuga conjunta y posterior reclutamiento en ‘ La Cábala’ un operativo rebelde en contra de la dictadura del profeta, que planea la caída del tirana dictadura religiosa actual...
Con éste relato nos situamos en una corriente establecida hace ya unos años en la costa Este (que dio comienzo a principios de siglo 21, como se comentan en ‘Lógica del imperio’). EEUU vive bajo una dictadura religiosa, fanática y opresora, llena de manipulación y del deber y devoción hacía el puritanismo.
En la figura de Lyle, vemos como ha nacido bajo ésa estela y se ha formado religiosamente en una escuela y posterior academia religiosa - militar, que los adiestra para los fines del profeta. John es un ser puro y ciego, bajo los años de manipulación social y mental del gobierno residente, hasta que un día despierta y conoce otras realidades, que han sido manipuladas a través de décadas de enseñar una falsa historia del pasado. A la figura del profeta, se une, como no, una nueva inquisición: con crueles y hábiles modos de substracción de la información de los integrantes rebeldes de ‘La cábala’ en la plantilla del profeta.
Un relato ACERCA DEL PODER DE LA RELIGIÓN ( y su INTOLERANCIA y cuestionables hábitos llevados a cabo), UNIDO A LA POLÍTICA ,E INDISOLUBLE, QUE LLEVA A LA CORRUPCIÓN INHERENTE DEL SER HUMANO, EL ABUSO, LA TIRANÍA Y LA GUERRA. HEINLEIN NO DICE QUE LA RELIGIÓN SEA MALA EN SI, SINO QUE LO ES EL USO CASI SIEMPRE ES DADO: LA MANIPULACIÓN, PROHIBICIÓN Y OCULTACIÓN (con el exterminio de libres pensadores) Y UNA INEVITABLE FUENTE DE CONFLICTOS. POCO AMIGO DEL FASCISMO Y LA OPRESIÓN, EL AUTOR REFLEJA EL INEVITABLE DESTINO, DEBIDO A LOS MALOS TIEMPOS, QUE DERIVA EN EL AGARRE DEL FANATISMO POR PARTE DE LOS HABITANTES Y LA EXTORSIÓN Y CRUELDAD DE LOS QUE BAJO LA ‘ LUZ’ DIVINA SE APODERAN DE TODO Y SOMENTEN A LOS DEMÁS.
Heinlein, nos HABLA DE LA IMPORTANCIA DEL LIBRE PENSADOR y LA DIGNIDAD HUMANA, QUE NO HAY QUE CONFUNDIR CON LA ESTRUCTURA Y DISCIPLINA DE UNA SOCIEDAD Y GOBIERNO.
Además de esto, es UNA HISTORIA DE ESPIONAJE Y CONTRAESPIONAJE Y DE UNA REVOLUCIÓN, CON SU OPERATIVO MILITAR Y TÁCTICO EN DETALLE, CON MUCHAS Y DURAS (a la par que delicadas, de contenido) REFLEXIONES ACERCA DEL INDIVIDUO: como la pasividad que lleva a la continuación de ciertas acciones que rechazamos (doble moral), o la delgada línea entre lo correcto y lo extremo.
Avances y/ o predicciones Tecnológicas:
- Armas desintegradoras
- Bombas paralizantes
- Interfono con pantalla
- Coches aéreos (‘ las carreteras deben rodar’, historia del futuro I. Pero en ésa ocasión estaban limitados a los ingenieros técnicos)
Avances y / o predicciones sociales:
- Tercera guerra mundial previa , tiempo incierto, seguramente de corta duración y a causa del profeta (de rabiosa actualidad, desgraciadamente)
- Dictadura religiosa en US: Nueva Jerusalem, situada en la costa Oeste, nación y núcleo central de la figura dictadora de ‘ El profeta encarnado’
- Desarrollo en psicometría y psicodinánica (control y manipulación mental de masas a nivel social llevado a cabo por los religiosos)
- Primeros Alimentos sintéticos (como restricción de placeres)
July 7, 2023
A left-wing theocracy tyrannizes America, though much like the benighted Mormons, the best fit is the modern Biden administration. With Biden as the Prophet, Merritt Garland as the Grand Inquisitor, and the FBI and the soon to be armed IRS agent gestapo as the proctors. Just substitute Agents of Satan for Ultra Maga Republicans. Add big tech colluded censorship, fanatical climate and trans cultists, finally, Jan. 6th pariahs to complete the parallel.
Note: beware chap. 10 where it becomes very verbose and sophomoric. A taste of things to come?
Note: beware chap. 10 where it becomes very verbose and sophomoric. A taste of things to come?
April 18, 2018
This was a very early example of a theocratic dystopia (published 1940) and this might explain why although a good part of the future History series, this story just didn't feel as it fit in as well as most of the other stories did. This story can be read on its own, or as part of Heinlein's Future History collection.
No. 19 in the Future History series
No. 19 in the Future History series
January 10, 2025
Una vez más el futuro como espejo del pasado
En esta ocasión, la religión y su fanatismo ciego que lleva a cometer atrocidades aceptadas por el pueblo. El gobierno que solo puede sostenerse con la aceptación de la mayoría de gente y todo eso, campañas de desinformación, bla bla bla, también hay bastante uso de hipnosis y drogas para someter o arrancar información de los individuos.
La historia del joven que cambia de bando y se une a la rebelión mientras lucha contra sus propias creencias se vuelve densa con diálogos explicativos y situaciones de huidas, secretismo y administración de la propia rebelión.
Algunos pasajes son buenos, pero son pocos, y el final con todo el ataque se cuenta de forma muy poco entretenida o interesante.
La historia se me hizo eterna y rozó la puntuación más baja.
Los cuentos cortos (por lo menos los primeros) de Heinlein están bastante obsoletos hoy en día (todo esto ya se vio mucha veces y de forma mucha más pulida) y su narrativa fue superada hace tiempo.
Heinlein debe ser de esos autores que hay que leer sus mejores obras primero y tal vez solo esas obras.
En esta ocasión, la religión y su fanatismo ciego que lleva a cometer atrocidades aceptadas por el pueblo. El gobierno que solo puede sostenerse con la aceptación de la mayoría de gente y todo eso, campañas de desinformación, bla bla bla, también hay bastante uso de hipnosis y drogas para someter o arrancar información de los individuos.
La historia del joven que cambia de bando y se une a la rebelión mientras lucha contra sus propias creencias se vuelve densa con diálogos explicativos y situaciones de huidas, secretismo y administración de la propia rebelión.
Algunos pasajes son buenos, pero son pocos, y el final con todo el ataque se cuenta de forma muy poco entretenida o interesante.
La historia se me hizo eterna y rozó la puntuación más baja.
Los cuentos cortos (por lo menos los primeros) de Heinlein están bastante obsoletos hoy en día (todo esto ya se vio mucha veces y de forma mucha más pulida) y su narrativa fue superada hace tiempo.
Heinlein debe ser de esos autores que hay que leer sus mejores obras primero y tal vez solo esas obras.
November 3, 2019
If This Goes On by Robert A. Heinlein is a science-fiction story set in a future theocratic American society. This society is governed by fundamentalist Christian “Prophets”. The story centers around John Lyle, a junior army officer under the Prophet. He rescued one of the Prophet’s Virgins, Sister Judith, who fainted when she was informed of her role in the vocation (because she was new to it). Through the twists and turns, the ending can leave readers satisfied with what happened to the society.
July 23, 2024
Overall rating B BUT the latter part is rated (B -) only.
SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT
The story comes to a rather rushed conclusion, the political stuff ~foolish, then a quick military wrap-up.
SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT
The story comes to a rather rushed conclusion, the political stuff ~foolish, then a quick military wrap-up.
July 22, 2019
There isn't much here for a casual, modern reader. If that's what you are, skip it. The characters are flat and the plot stale at best. Frankly, Heinlein has many other stories that are much better written. Go read the Red Planet if you want a fun throwaway adventure story. However, in terms of history, context, and analysis this is a fascinating piece.
This is a perfect example of "Golden Age" SF. You can really see the roots of modern SF and multiple of the popular sub-genres in this story. Military SF and Hard SF are especially apparent. You can also see how the modern genre is emerging from the pulps thought the characters. Comparatively, the characters are becoming more complex, as in they break the pulp mold of "the perfect" hero (think John Carter of Mars). But you still have some of the bizarre pulp conventions. For example, about 3/4 of the way through the story psychics show up with little explanation.
This is a perfect example of "Golden Age" SF. You can really see the roots of modern SF and multiple of the popular sub-genres in this story. Military SF and Hard SF are especially apparent. You can also see how the modern genre is emerging from the pulps thought the characters. Comparatively, the characters are becoming more complex, as in they break the pulp mold of "the perfect" hero (think John Carter of Mars). But you still have some of the bizarre pulp conventions. For example, about 3/4 of the way through the story psychics show up with little explanation.
May 25, 2024
Very similar to Starship Troopers: negligible twist-free plot interspersed with technical, often irrelevant, notes on the novel’s world. Are all Heinlein’s books like this? I will never know.
July 28, 2016
If this goes on--- by Robert A. Heinlein is a short story by Heinlein. There’s three major arcs in his story, the first of man’s journey in space, the second is life on the moon, and finally Earth’s politics a couple hundred years in the future.
If this goes on--- begins the third major arc, and it is actually one of the more interesting arcs, and yet one of the (hopefully) most unrealistic. The story starts with America being taken over by a religious cult revolving around the physical embodiment of the reincarnated leader.
The story feels deceptively short at the beginning, a simple love story between a boy and a girl, who are in a religious cult, but rather than being a simple short story, this is a far deeper story, which fully realizes not just the meaning but the depth of challenges that come from the idea of a revolution, especially a revolution from a religious form of government.
While Heinlein glosses over a few areas of the revolution, he also shows a number of the perils which feel both true, and not just the typical tripe that most authors write about. Rather than just have a series of battles, the revolution is actually a multi-faceted affair where direct conflict is to be avoided. Imagine that, when fighting a larger number, you should avoid conflict.
I won’t talk about the second or third act further but both are quite brilliant, and the entire time I read and read to find out what happened next. It took quite a number of nights to read it, but I can say that this is definitely part of Heinlein’s masterwork.
Overall I would say this is the third best story in Future History, only bested by Timeline, and Methuselah's Children.
If this goes on--- begins the third major arc, and it is actually one of the more interesting arcs, and yet one of the (hopefully) most unrealistic. The story starts with America being taken over by a religious cult revolving around the physical embodiment of the reincarnated leader.
The story feels deceptively short at the beginning, a simple love story between a boy and a girl, who are in a religious cult, but rather than being a simple short story, this is a far deeper story, which fully realizes not just the meaning but the depth of challenges that come from the idea of a revolution, especially a revolution from a religious form of government.
While Heinlein glosses over a few areas of the revolution, he also shows a number of the perils which feel both true, and not just the typical tripe that most authors write about. Rather than just have a series of battles, the revolution is actually a multi-faceted affair where direct conflict is to be avoided. Imagine that, when fighting a larger number, you should avoid conflict.
I won’t talk about the second or third act further but both are quite brilliant, and the entire time I read and read to find out what happened next. It took quite a number of nights to read it, but I can say that this is definitely part of Heinlein’s masterwork.
Overall I would say this is the third best story in Future History, only bested by Timeline, and Methuselah's Children.
March 26, 2023
Хайнлайн довольно бодро начинает с описания быта религиозных фанатиков в Новом Иерусалиме (легаты! пророк! девственницы! инквизиция!). Но потом бросает тему на самом интересном месте (примерно на трети книги) и дописывает еще 10 глав будней военных по типу его службы на флоте (от которых ему самому решительно скучно). Обидно.
В общем, лучше почитать у того же Хайнлайна:
-про военщину -- «Звёздный десант»
-про революцию -- «Луна — суровая хозяйка»
-про религиозные культы и сексуальную свободу -- «Чужак в стране чужой»
В общем, лучше почитать у того же Хайнлайна:
-про военщину -- «Звёздный десант»
-про революцию -- «Луна — суровая хозяйка»
-про религиозные культы и сексуальную свободу -- «Чужак в стране чужой»
December 4, 2022
The longest of the three stories included in "Revolt in 2100" - though not set in 2100, it is the only one to feature any revolting.
I don't know how much difference there is between the 1940 and 1953 versions. I read the latter. I was impressed by how many different elements Heinlein managed to fit into one story. His depiction of a United States ruled by hypocritical "Prophets" prefigures modern trends. The story then features a thrilling escape across America, and a final battle for "New Jerusalem". It also throws in some of Heinlein's ideas about inter-personal relationships.
Highly recommended.
I don't know how much difference there is between the 1940 and 1953 versions. I read the latter. I was impressed by how many different elements Heinlein managed to fit into one story. His depiction of a United States ruled by hypocritical "Prophets" prefigures modern trends. The story then features a thrilling escape across America, and a final battle for "New Jerusalem". It also throws in some of Heinlein's ideas about inter-personal relationships.
Highly recommended.
January 13, 2024
This won the retro Hugo award for 1941. So far the retro hugo award stories have been mostly duds for me. I thought the first half / two thirds of the story was pretty good, but I found the last portion was really tedious to get through. The male/ female roles felt very dated and stereotypical which dates the time it was written. I'm starting to think that these old RAH stories at the beginning of his career are just not for me. I'll give it a 2.5 star rounded up to 3 because I liked the beginning.
June 15, 2021
It astounds me how prescient some of the Sci-Fi writers of my childhood were. Heinlein describes a United States of America like what we are sinking into at present with no freedom of speech (FB, Twitter, banned books), designated victims to be attacked at will (cancel culture), a holier-than-thou hierarchy that will protect itself at the expense of the populace, and more. I shivered as I read it.
January 9, 2022
A creative future spun with the fabric of modern American Christian fundamentalism. A story of revolt against a society built on the buffoonsh hypocrisy of religious conglomerate.
Fantastic work conceptually, though falls into many traps of poorly written women, and an equally characterless protagonist. A step ahead for Heinlein, following the empty-vessel reader surrogate of "For Us, the Living", but flawed in its own context.
Fantastic work conceptually, though falls into many traps of poorly written women, and an equally characterless protagonist. A step ahead for Heinlein, following the empty-vessel reader surrogate of "For Us, the Living", but flawed in its own context.
April 14, 2018
It was okay, but started in one direction and ended differently than I thought the book might go.
It follows the exploits of our hero and the regime change ongoing around him. Typical of the writing of the time, there are a few outdated stereotypes that glare out during the reading. It is somewhat reflective of society in the 1960's.
Have a GoodReads.
It follows the exploits of our hero and the regime change ongoing around him. Typical of the writing of the time, there are a few outdated stereotypes that glare out during the reading. It is somewhat reflective of society in the 1960's.
Have a GoodReads.
January 9, 2017
Much more coherent in the original Astounding version, though a crucial bit was obviously censored. The book version was to some extent a repudiation of the original with, of course, some gratuitous sex.
Read
May 24, 2018Второй рассказ, после которого мне хочется сказать "типичный Хайнлайн". Главный герой - с виду обычный, но по фактам супер. Скромный сексуальный опыт, но любовь штука непредсказуемая, военное положение лишь подстегивает либидо. Революция и Секретная Служба, США, вот только собак не хватает.
June 16, 2019
A weird faux religion story with no real ending. Going by my own writing, this feels like a story he had as a dream then woke up from, not resolving the story. It's got plenty of detail, the characters are okay, it just peters out into nothing, which is sad, and quite annoying for the reader.
February 17, 2012
A good story, but not one of Heinlein's best. If you're looking to back-fill your Heinlein reads, this is worthwhile.
October 31, 2014
I got a little scared how real this fiction book is in our times in Brazil.
October 20, 2017
Приятна и доста плашеща книжка за това какво ще стане, ако в Щатите се възцари религиозно управление.
February 3, 2021
slightly marred by american exceptionalism, but otherwise solid
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews