This one from a classic Sci Fi Author has some fine short stories. Nice Read. Does go to the Fifties and shows older technology but some interesting insights to the future and now.
This collection of short stories were originally published in various magazines from 1941 to 1957. Some of the stories are considered part of Heinlein's future history which describes a projected future of the human race from the middle of the 20th century through the early 23rd century. I have been a fan of Heinlein ever since reading some of his juvenile fiction when I was in middle school back in the 1960s. I also read a lot of his other fiction in the 70s including STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND and STARSHIP TROOPERS, both of which I consider some of sci-fi's best.
I don't think I have ever read a compilation of his short stories and for me, this one was a little hit and miss. I really enjoyed some of them but others not so much. The book includes the following:
"The Year of the Jackpot" (1952)
This story was first published in the March 1952 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction. It is about a statistician is finding that very unusual events are happening which could portend that the earth may be near its end. I enjoyed this one with Heinlein's look at the prudishness of the times and survivalism.
"By His Bootstraps" (1941)
Published in the October 1941 issue of Astounding Science Fiction, this one was one of the most interesting in the collection about the paradoxes of time travel. A young man working on his graduate thesis is visited in his room by another young man who turns out to be himself traveling from 30,000 years in the future. Then another "self" appears but too late before the original self travels through the portal to the future. The story really boggles the mind about the paradoxes of possible time travel.
"Columbus Was a Dope" (1947)
First published in the May 1947 issue of Startling Stories, this is a rather short story where two bar patrons debate the possible travel to another star system using multiple generations to try in the attempt. So-so story for me.
"The Menace from Earth" (1957)
This one was first published in the August 1957 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. This is the titular story of the collection and to me it kind of reminded me of one of Heinlein's juveniles. It about a 15-year old girl who lives on the moon and its reduced gravity. She acts as a guide and also enjoys flying using artificial wings in the "bat cave". The reduced gravity and air pressure makes the flying possible. Then she acts as a guide for a beautiful woman from earth who may want the young girl's boyfriend. Thus she is the "menace from earth". Not what I was expecting!
"Sky Lift" (1953)
First published in Imagination magazine in November 1953. In the story, a torchship pilot lights out from Earth orbit to Pluto on a mission to deliver a cure to a plague ravaging a research station. Due to the short time needed before everyone at the research station is dead and the long distance involved, the torchship must accelerate at multiple gravities for days. The pilot is successful but is rendered an invalid due to the strain put on his body. Another so-so story for me.
"Goldfish Bowl" (1942)
First published in Astounding Science Fiction in March 1942. This was another quite interesting and compelling story about the navy investigating two pillars of water reaching to the clouds near Hawaii. What are they? Natural phenomena or are they manmade or made by some other entity? Some scientists want to find out which leads to some dire consequences and surprises. I enjoyed this one.
"Project Nightmare" (1953)
Published in Amazing Stories, May 1953 about an interesting concept of using telepathic powers to set off or stop atomic bombs. Interesting but a little tedious.
"Water Is for Washing" (1947)
Published in Argosy magazine in November 1947. This is another one that I really liked about a man who is afraid of water who then gets stuck in the below sea level desert in California when an earthquake causes the ocean to rush into the desert.
Overall, I did enjoy most of this and I'll probably read more of Heinlein's story collections in the future. I know I need to read or reread his novels!
I don't think I have ever read a compilation of his short stories and for me, this one was a little hit and miss. I really enjoyed some of them but others not so much. The book includes the following:
"The Year of the Jackpot" (1952)
This story was first published in the March 1952 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction. It is about a statistician is finding that very unusual events are happening which could portend that the earth may be near its end. I enjoyed this one with Heinlein's look at the prudishness of the times and survivalism.
"By His Bootstraps" (1941)
Published in the October 1941 issue of Astounding Science Fiction, this one was one of the most interesting in the collection about the paradoxes of time travel. A young man working on his graduate thesis is visited in his room by another young man who turns out to be himself traveling from 30,000 years in the future. Then another "self" appears but too late before the original self travels through the portal to the future. The story really boggles the mind about the paradoxes of possible time travel.
"Columbus Was a Dope" (1947)
First published in the May 1947 issue of Startling Stories, this is a rather short story where two bar patrons debate the possible travel to another star system using multiple generations to try in the attempt. So-so story for me.
"The Menace from Earth" (1957)
This one was first published in the August 1957 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. This is the titular story of the collection and to me it kind of reminded me of one of Heinlein's juveniles. It about a 15-year old girl who lives on the moon and its reduced gravity. She acts as a guide and also enjoys flying using artificial wings in the "bat cave". The reduced gravity and air pressure makes the flying possible. Then she acts as a guide for a beautiful woman from earth who may want the young girl's boyfriend. Thus she is the "menace from earth". Not what I was expecting!
"Sky Lift" (1953)
First published in Imagination magazine in November 1953. In the story, a torchship pilot lights out from Earth orbit to Pluto on a mission to deliver a cure to a plague ravaging a research station. Due to the short time needed before everyone at the research station is dead and the long distance involved, the torchship must accelerate at multiple gravities for days. The pilot is successful but is rendered an invalid due to the strain put on his body. Another so-so story for me.
"Goldfish Bowl" (1942)
First published in Astounding Science Fiction in March 1942. This was another quite interesting and compelling story about the navy investigating two pillars of water reaching to the clouds near Hawaii. What are they? Natural phenomena or are they manmade or made by some other entity? Some scientists want to find out which leads to some dire consequences and surprises. I enjoyed this one.
"Project Nightmare" (1953)
Published in Amazing Stories, May 1953 about an interesting concept of using telepathic powers to set off or stop atomic bombs. Interesting but a little tedious.
"Water Is for Washing" (1947)
Published in Argosy magazine in November 1947. This is another one that I really liked about a man who is afraid of water who then gets stuck in the below sea level desert in California when an earthquake causes the ocean to rush into the desert.
Overall, I did enjoy most of this and I'll probably read more of Heinlein's story collections in the future. I know I need to read or reread his novels!
An excellent compilation of Heinlein's short stories... definitely a must-have for any fan.
This is another of Heinlein's "Future History" books of stories including: "The Year of the Jackpot:,"By His Bootstraps","Columbus Was a Dope","The Menace From Earth","Sky Lift","Goldfish Bowl","Project Nightmare", and "Water is for Washing."
