Customer Reviews

Revolt in 2100 & Methuselah's Children

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

There are two ways to appreciate this collection of two short stories, a novella, and a novel.

First is on its own merit. The novella "Revolt in 2100" stands at the beginning of a long tradition of undergrounds battling future tyrannys. Here Heinlein gives us a Masonic cabal subverting a future American theocracy. Its protagonist gradually finds himself, for the love of a woman, transformed from guard of the Prophet to a revolutionary and questioning his own most basic beliefs. "Coventry" is one of those stories about what happens when convicts are allowed to build their own societies without supervision. Its literary critic protagonist doesn't find the liberating anarchy he expects amongst society's outcasts. In the novel METHUSELAH'S CHILDREN, a group of long-lived humans flee a resentful Earth and head out to the stars. It's neatly divided between a first half featuring a chase thriller and the more philosophical second half with its multiple alien contacts and what they say about man's purpose in the universe.

One story, "Misfit", is not that interesting in itself, but, like the entire collection, reveals a lot about Heinlein's appeal. It's detail-filled tale of a mathematical genius working on a futuristic Cosmic Construction Corps project to turn an asteroid into a space station probably inspired many a future aerospace engineer. Those familiar with the science fiction of the late thirties and forties, when Heinlein got his start, will be reminded, by these tales, why he was so appealing. His tales are filled with minutae of political thought, engineering, military tactics, biology, and human psychology. Almost as much a Renaissance man as his famous Lazarus Long, first introduced in METHUSELAH'S CHILDREN, Heinlein speculated on the future of many things.

However, as this collection shows, he was also a man of his time. Think FDR's CCC for the Cosmic Construction Corps or note the references to Freud and Alfred Korzybski's General Semantics, remnants of the days when science fiction writers were convinced social sciences would soon produce the predictability of the physical sciences.

Heinlein fans unfamiliar with this edition will appreciate notes by Heinlein on the Future History stories he didn't write and why.

Those who have categorized Heinlein as a fascist or anarchist may want to rethink their opinions after reading this collection, especially "Coventry".

These were some of Heinlein's earlier works, and as such, don't have the length and depth of some of his later, Hugo-Award winning works. Here's a short synopsis and review of each of the four stories. The first and the last are longer, multi-chaptered "short books", while the two in the middle can more appropriately be termed short-stories.

Revolt in 2100 - America is now a theocratic dictatorship ruled by the "Prophet" who is really a corrupt leader dependent upon brutal suppression of dissidents to maintain power. John Lyle, the main character, is a graduate of West Point and a young officer who, through the love of a priestess, joins the Revolution and overthrows this dictatorship. The story is somewhat shallow for those who are familiar with Heinlein's later works, but it is still entertaining. One thing Heinlein never did well was write romance. The interactions between his male and female characters are awkward - had he developed the talent for it, he could really flesh out the motives of many of his characters.

Coventry - Dave McKinnon, banished to "Coventry" for striking a man and refusing psycological adjustment, finds out just how brutal and uncivilized man can be when he enters the wall-less prison. A nice short story, but with an unresolved (and somewhat predictable) ending

Misfit - Here we are introduced to A.J. Libby, who will play a part in the next story. He is a young man working in a space construction crew, but discovers that he has a remarkable talent for mathematics. Extremely short, its more like a preview for the last story included in the collection.

Methuselah's Children - The Howard Families - 100,000 members strong, are having their civil liberties trod upon because their unnatural lifespans lead other humans to believe they possess the "fountain of youth" Lazarus Long, a rogueish character, leads the Families to steal an interstellar spaceship and pilots it to two alien planets before finally returning to earth. This was by far the best of the four, very entertaining, but in some parts, Heinlein delves a little too far into esoteric subjects that are of interest only to physicists and theoretical mathematicians - there are passages I skipped because they proved too difficult to understand for someone just looking for a fun fiction experience.

Altogether, this is a worthwhile purchase.

This volume is comprised of the two books that complete the original Future History series. More action-oriented than The Man Who Sold the Moon, and more focused than The Green Hills of Earth, the reputation of the Heinlein's Future History lies primarily with the longish story "If This Goes On -" and the short novel Methuselah's Children. "If This Goes On -" tells the story of John Lyle, a young legate in the temple guard of the army of the Prophet, head of the religious organization that has seized control of America's government. Lyle becomes enamored of Sister Judith, one of the Virgins of the Lord who personally serve the Prophet, and quickly becomes disillusioned with the politicking and corruption he discovers is commonplace there. He and his roommate, the cynical Zebediah Jones, soon find themselves embroiled in a plot to overthrow the Prophet himself. This story features plenty of action and suspense, as well as Heinlein's usual expertise in all matters military. The notion that American democracy might someday fall to religious fanatics is a powerful one, and provides a bold backdrop for Lyle's adventures. The short stories "Coventry" and "Misfit" serve to make the transition to the more mature civilization described in Methuselah's Children. This novel focuses on Lazarus Long of the Howard Families, a group which has for some generations been breeding for longevity, (i.e., longer lives). As a result, members of the Howards' bloodlines live nearly double the average expected life span. Having kept their existence secret for over a century, the Howards choose to make themselves known to the rest of humanity, with dire consequences. Only through the quick actions of Lazarus Long, the oldest living Howard, are the families able to escape with their lives, and try to find a new home among the stars. Lazarus Long is very significant in Heinlein's oeuvre, being featured prominently in the sexually charged Time Enough for Love among others. In fact, it can be argued that towards the end of his career, Heinlein himself began to identify very closely with Lazarus Long. In any case, Long is a wonderful creation - tough, crotchety, smart, but not super-smart, capable, confident, always ready for trouble, but never looking for it, sometimes crude, but always gallant with ladies, always looking out for number one, but not afraid to stand up for innocents when the odds merit the attempt - this is the Lazarus Long that Heinlein fans know and love. This book is an absolute must for Heinlein fans, and a fine selection for science fiction readers who are more interested in social patterns than in physics and engineering.

If you really want to enjoy these stories, buy 'The Past through Tomorrow', which collects most of Mr. Heinlein's connected short stories in one easy-to-read volume. I bought this book at a bookstore thinking it'd be some new stories (I really ought to have checked the back of the book!) This publisher leaves a lot to be desired in way of how they have handled and organized some of Mr. Heinlein's work.

Again, buy 'The Past through Tomorrow'. It is a much more complete/definitive book than this half-done book (with a horrible cover, too!)

Please note that this review is just about Methuselah's Children in this volume.

Someone gave me this book recently and so I reread it again for the first time in probably 25 years. I was pleased to see how well the book held up. Published in 1948, Methuselah's Children shows Heinlein's ideas about politics in the future were becoming darker and more cynical and in some ways the book presages the concepts in Starship Troopers. In Methuselah's Children, governments are not trustworthy, and even your neighbor probably isn't, which our Founding Fathers would have agreed with, which is why our system has so many checks and balances (especially the cantankerous but brilliant, cynical John Adams).

The novel also contains some of Heinlein's most interesting ideas for alien races, and the "God" race was a fascinating concept, with their technology so advanced that even Libby couldn't figure it out. Some of his earliest speculation on telepathy is also present, which he puts to good use both for the Howard families and in their contacts with at least two of the alien races. The story features Lazurus Long in one of his most dynamic and prominent roles, so fans of Long won't be disappointed there, and also Andrew Jackson Libby has an important role.

The background story of a race of Methuselahs and how that might be accomplished through genetic breeding was not too far-fetched given the science of the time, since genetic engineering was far in the future. Finally, many of the ideas about electronic banking, email, and networking that Heinlein uses in the novel have come to pass. At only about 270 pages, I think it's one of Heinlein's best stories and still holds up very well considering it's now almost 60 years old.

Revolt in 2100 & Methuselah's Children (1998) is an omnibus edition of two classic Future History volumes. It includes two short stories, a novelette, a short novel, an Introduction and a Postscript.

Revolt in 2100 (1963) is the third collection in the Future History series. It contains the following:

- The Innocent Eye: An Introduction by Henry Kuttner gives a writer's view of Heinlein's works.

- "If This Goes On" (Astounding, 1940) tells of the adventures of John Lyle during the revolt against the Prophet Incarnate.

- Coventry (Astounding, 1940) describes the changes in David MacKinnon after being remanded to Coventry.

- Misfit (Astounding, 1939) describes the discovery of an intuitive mathematician in the Cosmic Construction Corps.

- Concerning Stories Never Written: Postscript explains the reasons that the author did not write "The Sound of His Wings", "Eclipse" and "The Stone Pillow".

Methuselah's Children (1958) is the fourth SF work in the Future History series. It was originally published as a serial within Astounding in 1941. It was later expanded to a full length novel.

The Howard Foundation was established in the 1870s to lengthen the span of human life. Using well established breeding principles, young men and women with living grandparents were encouraged to marry each other. In 1875, the first child of the Howard Families was born.

At first, they were just a bunch of people trying to improve the lifespan of the members. After a century or so, however, they were forced to start the Masquerade. Many members had grown too old, so ways were found to allow them seemingly to die and then to take on other identities.

In this story, Mary is leading an emergency meeting of the Family heads and things are looking bleak. When Lazarus complains about the long and wellknown review of facts before presenting new information, Mary gets him to admit his age. As the Eldest, Lazarus is now expected to moderate the meeting.

Others point out the improbability of maintaining the Masquerade. Some members -- about ten percent of the group -- had voluntarily admitted their extended lifespan. Although the initial impact on the public was small, a sense of anger and disbelief has been growing exponentially.

All present are impressed by the facts and calculations, but their voiced opinions are not very helpful. The members are undecided and unable to agree on any approach to the problem. Lazarus has them break up into like minded groups to work out better solutions and then adjourns the general meeting until the next morning. As he later admits to Mary, they are probably not going to agree on any workable approach.

Mary is being pursued by Bork Vanning, the Minority Leader of the Federation Council. The next morning, Bork comes to press his suit. He mentions the Howard Families and states that the secret of longevity is close at hand for important officials and their wives. Mary then tells him that she is one of the victims of this witchhunt.

Bork refuses to believe her until Lazarus steps into the conversation. Although his knife convinces Bork to leave, both Lazarus and Mary know he will send proctors to arrest Lazarus. They get out barely in time and take Mary's car out to kill time until dark.

After some evasion, they reach the Families' Seat and Mary hurries to the sanctuary to send a message through the telepathic sensitives. She sends a recall to all sites run by the Howard Families. Then they hold another emergency meeting.

During the meeting, many options are discussed. Leaving the planet is brought up, but dismissed since the only really habitable planet in the Solar System is Earth. Then Lazarus remembers the ship being built in orbit for the Second Centauri Expedition.

Lazarus proposes that the New Frontiers be used to leave the System. He learns that Andy had not been involved in the design of the New Frontiers, so there are probably ways to increase the boast. But this proposal is tabled while other options are discussed.

The meeting is interrupted by a call for Zack from the Federation Administrator. Ford now knows a lot about the Howard Families from captured members, including the location of the Families' Seat. But he doesn't think that the Families have a hidden secret of longevity.

Highly recommended for Heinlein fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of possible futures, civil disorders, and Lazarus Long. For those who want more tales by Heinlein, these and other stories are also included in The Past Through Tomorrow.

-Arthur W. Jordin

This is a collection of four of Heinlein's epic 'future history' work.

The first selection "If This Goes On -" concerns Hugh, a young American soldier serving as a palace guard to the Prophet. America has become a totalitarian theocracy that Hugh discovers to be corrupt. This story is very good on it's own merit but is particularly chilling in our 21st century America confronted with totalitarian theocratic enemies and our own politically active religious right.

"Coventry" focuses on the ideas of freedom and societal responsibilities. Years after the events of "If This Goes On -" have passed society has established total freedom for all. The only restrictions are that one citizen is not allowed to harm another and even then there is no punishment only treatment and re-education. Still there are those who find even these restrictions too confining and for them there is Coventry. One such individual comes to realize that some rules exist for a reason.

"Misfit" - introduces Andrew Jackson Libby, a young member of the CCC (Cosmic Construction Corps) assigned to work in the asteroid belt while learning skills that will help him become a productive citizen. It seems that Andy, like the rest of the CCC are considered to be bad boys, troubled youth, or juvenile delinquents. It quickly becomes apparent that Andy does not conform to society for some other very interesting reasons. This character will return in many of RAH's later future history works.

"Methuselah's Children" marks the debut of Lazarus Long, perhaps RAH's best know character. Lazarus is the result of a genetic experiment on human longevity. The resulting test subjects of this experiment now number 100,000, have life expectencies two to three times that of the rest of the population. For years they have hidden their existence from the rest of humanity but now many of their group have decided that it is safe to let their presence be known. They felt that the rest of humanity is ready to accept them....they were wrong.

Lazarus Long and the Howard family figure largely in the rest of Heinlein work, and is the cental figure of the last few of RAH's novels. "Methuselah's Children" lays the ground work for these stories and is an exciting story in its own right.

This collection is a treasure trove for those unfamiliar with RAH's work and would be an excellent starting point. If it contains any that a fan has somehow missed to this point it is a must read.

I first read Revolt in 2100 when I was in seventh grade, initiating a life-long interest in science fiction. The political leanings of Heinlein were unapparent to me then. Now I see society reflecting them in general, libertarian in nature. Anyone wishing to initiate their children into a love of sf and reading in general should give this book to them, it will grab them by their imaginations and not let go. Methuselah's Children was the second book I grabbed from our library's shelves, so this double edition is the perfect gift!

if you have not surmised, you are getting two books.

in revolt, you are getting three short stories

if this goes on, details the not so distant future, where america is isolated from the remainder of the world, through the implementation of a religous police state

coventry takes place after the 'revolt'
and deals with america as it could be...with 'liberty and justice for all'...as long as the all, want such things

misfits, introduces us to a wonderful young man...and a great heinlein character...andrew jackson libby, and details the creation of a space station

methuselah's children, is the first in the tales of lazarus long

wonderful wonderful stuff
fun technological things, and interesting plot developments.
if you have not read and of the other lazarus long stuff...read this first...i read 'time enough for love' before i read this...and once i read this, i wished i had read this first.
you can do it the other way, but a lot of things are clearer if you go in order

... and this book really appealed to me for a few reasons. 1) Two stories (four, if you count the "Coventry" and "Misfit" as seperate, ("Coventry" taking place after "Revolt in 2100", and "Misfit" before "Methuselah's Children") It really is a great read ... Heinlein has a way of making his characters more than just written words on a page. When I was finished with the book, I knew John Lyle, and Zeb and Maggie... I have felt the way they had... and RAH has a way of bringing out the emotions and thoughts of his characters, not just superficial actions and words.... and who can't love Lazarus' witty reportie, or Libby's mathematical brilliance?