Robert A. Heinlein : A Reader's Companion [Paperback]

J. Daniel Gifford (Author), James Gifford (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0967987407 | ISBN-13: 978-0967987408 | Publication Date: May 8, 2000 | Edition: 1

2001 Hugo Nominee!

This complete guide to the works of science fiction grand master Robert A. Heinlein is sure to delight fans and scholars. Readers will find complete details on every known work of Heinlein's, including the rare and obscure items along with his well-known short stories and novels such as "The Green Hills of Earth" and Stranger in a Strange Land.

A complete set of cross-references and dual indexes help readers locate specific works and information among the more than 200 entries. Subsections cover Heinlein's major works as well as film and television works, book reviews and forewords, and more. There's even information about the known never-completed works.

Based on more than six years of research using Heinlein's own working papers and manuscripts, this is the authoritative yet readable reference fans, readers and scholars have been waiting for.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...comprehensive and thorough, the product of painstaking research and attention to detail. But it's also a fascinating read..." -- SciFi.com, 12 June 2000

"...could easily become an essential tool for critics...an entertaining read for almost any Heinlein fan." -- Space.com, 1 June 2000 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Nitrosyncretic Pr; 1 edition (May 8, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967987407
• ISBN-13: 978-0967987408
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,202,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The first excellent book ever written about Heinlein, July 3, 2000

By 

Robert James (Culver City, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Robert A. Heinlein : A Reader's Companion (Paperback)

Finally, somebody has written a truly useful book about that most important of American science fiction authors, Robert A. Heinlein. In the past, sloppy criticism and the grinding of personal axes have ruined every single attempt to produce a book discussing Heinlein's works (I have the misfortune of having read them all). Gifford has produced what has to be the groundwork for all future studies of Heinlein: a basic categorization and numbering of every single published and unpublished work in the canon, along with the insiders' story on each entry. Readable from cover to cover, or as a reference work, Gifford has also performed the one invaluable goal of every reader's companion: he's sent me back to rereading the original works, but with fresh perspectives and insights. A perfect score, after twenty years of utter failures in Heinlein scholarship. Bravo!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The One Essential Book about Heinlein, March 10, 2001

By 

John B. Andrews (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Robert A. Heinlein : A Reader's Companion (Paperback)

Many of us waited over 5 years for this book to be published. It was well worth the wait. The author is the pre-eminent Heinlein scholar in the known multiverse ; ) and the information presented is both authoritative and fascinating, without being pedantic. Anyone with more than a very casual interest in the work of Robert A. Heinlein would do well to order this book ASAP. We can only hope that we won't have to wait another 5 years for further work in this area from Mr. Gifford. Anyone seriously interested in Heinlein may also want to check out sff.net. Mr. Gifford frequents the Heinlein oriented discussions there. The book has fascinating commentary about all of the major and many of the minor works of RAH, and Mr. Gifford's included New Heinlein Opus List is the definitive list of the Grand Master's work (and is used and cited by other scholars working in the field.)

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-Have for Heinlein Fans, July 8, 2000

By 

thorvald (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Robert A. Heinlein : A Reader's Companion (Paperback)

I fancy myself quite knowledgeable in Heinlein's works yet I learned a tremendous amount in just the first five minutes flipping through this book (with many things making me chuckle--like "Heinlein 3:16"). Each of Heinlein's works is itemized and described, with insights about what went into its creation. There are many fascinating tidbits of information you probably wouldn't otherwise know, with inside information provided by Mrs. Heinlein, among others.

The format is very readable--either straight-through, or to jump around through the book. The writing style is very clear and readable. This is a first-rate piece of Heinlein scholarship that avoids the trap of being ponderous. Well worthwhile for both the casual and serious Heinlein reader.