Customer Reviews

The Day After Tomorrow

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This novel is now in print with it's original title of "Sixth Column", but I don't think the text has changed. What I remember from my readings over the years is that RAH cleaned up the story, and reduced much of the racism present in the original concept developed by Campbell.

Overall, an excellent novel with good characterizations, and a (then) plausible presentation of an implausible invention to save the nation's bacon.

It was a great to find an excellent copy of a sci-fi classic that had been out of print for years.

This story of life and rebellion in post-nuclear America is driven by an entertaining and fast-moving plot. It contains many of Heinlein's favorite themes: religion, mass psychology, indefatigable American optimism and ingenuity in the face of adversity and oppression. Not to mention the usual undertones of sexism and racism. Recommended for Heinlein fans who can't get enough from this flawed, but undeniably masterful, storyteller.

After America is taken over, a military intellingence group attempts to reclaim their country, masking their plans from the enemy by creating a new religion.

The ideas presented in this book definately give you something to think about. While this book was at times rather boring, it did have a fast-paced plot laced with mystery and intrigue. Not for 1st time Heinlein readers, though. Don't expect too much from this book, but rather look at it as a journey into the other ares of the Master's mind.

Four years after we burned a quarter million Japanese alive at Hiroshima and Nagasaki Heinlein exploits Americans' hate for the "Japs, slants and little yellow men" to make a quick buck with this poorly crafted racist hack job of a story pretending to be a novel.

Yup, just five years after a war that killed 100 million souls, with our fellow Japanese American citizens returning home to pick up the pieces of their lives after being freed from America's very own concentration camps that's just what Americans needed---yet another jingoistic pulp novel about the "Japs" murdering and raping Americans.

Pulled out of the dustbin and republished in 1970 by Signet (sadly, still in business) with a psychedelic cover and a new title, it was still the same racist, moronic bore. Had blacks been the villains, they never would have dared, but it was still open season on "Japs," it seems.

Heinlein peaked early with Puppetmasters and went downhill from there. With his annoying folksy slang, endless pontificating and later, sex drugs and rock and roll shtick, he was never a great writer, but this makes me think much less of him... as a writer... and a man.

If its good golden age sci fi you seek, skip this drivel and try Campbell, Simak and Leinster.

PanAsians have conquered the American continent; invaded the US and swept away all resistance. There are six men left who are attached to a super-secret scientific installation under the research facility hidden in the Colorado mountains. They are all that remains of the US army in any organised fashion. How to fight back? Miracles of scientific breakthroughs are developed; wonders. Superstition is applied through rise of majestic Mote temple to bring word of new God to the new rules and to fellow countrymen who are kept as numbered slaves. Moral of the invaders must be shattered first and new religion provides the cover.

This is tightly written story which was prophetically written 1941 just before Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. The struggle between the remnants of the US installation and the methodical conquerors is played out in an almost third person view, adding to the horror of the situation as we imagine ourselves in the story and attempt to gauge our reactions.

Two (2) stars. Action, action and yet more action is the trademark of early Heinlein. The faster, the better. Scientific wonders are developed in weeks. Breaking beyond Einstein physics happens by two super people. The calculations succeed with paper and pencil. There are few cheerful remarks made of the mentality of the Asians; their code of honor cause suicide effects and breaks in the command chain. Their moral collapses if they can't look up to their superiors. The man in command is ordinary honor-and-glory army man, who plays by the ear as the resistance against millions of invaders is planned. Fascinating read, but light and unbelievable on content.

Heinlein whisks up some very disturbing post-apocalyptic dessert in this book depicting the rapid unravelling of society immediately following The Nuclear War ("glory be to the bomb"). The Baby Boomers who spent their development beneath the protective umbrella of the Big Boomers know the dread of impending Doomsday. Heinlein finely exploits the overt and innate fears the bomb instills in all who have the understanding of its true god-like power. All this in the context of a fast-paced adventure. Excellent read.

A great book. all of the things a sci fi book should be.

I believe that this was later released as "Sixth Column".

This is a must read for lovers of classic sifi