Customer Reviews

Sixth Column

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I do not think that Heinlein in any way meant to promote a racist viewpoint. This conclusion comes from a careless reading of the novel and knee jerk reactions to some of the racism presented in the novel.

If anything Heinlein seems to criticizing racism and any subtle government encouragement of racism. Early in the book, one of the characters states,

"But from my standpoint they are simply human beings, who have been duped into the old fallacy of the state as super entity".

The citizens of the PanAsian Empire are not the only ones that have been duped; it is clear that we ourselves our products of deception by our own government. White superiority was encouraged in the forties and to an extent is still encouraged in our minds. Those who think that modern day military men would not speak as the ones in the novels do, are wrong. The majority of people in the US are white; the majority of politicians are white. For politicians. it benefits them to encourage the idea that whites are superior in order to keep them in power. This is why every election year, blacks are reminded that they are victims and can get no where without a white man in office interceding for them.

Finny';s comment on a racial inferiority complex is an astute observation not blantant racism. Just as the white culture sometimes encourages a stifling superiority complex, it has in other cultures, created an inferiority complex , a desire to one up arrogant white people by showing them they are just as good. Much of the focus in the idealogy in the Communist Revolution in China, was on creating a viable alternative to Western culture just as good if not better than Western Culture. They wanted something that was an unique product of Asian will, in no way similar to the culture of arrogant Westerners(a reputation we probaly rightly deserve). This is not mindless racism, but a conclusion reached by examination of modern Asian history.

As reviewers have stated previously, Heinlein's point is that our fears stem not from any different biological differences, but from differences in culture. His other point is that no matter how different a culture, there is always one thing similar in all cultures- that of assumed superiority. The whites and PanAsians in the novel are both guilty of that.

In the end however, the human spirit transcended all races and rose to the occation , for as someone pointed out, the hero was not white, nor was he wholly asian. He was not a champion of any cause held by one race, but was a hero because he adhered to a cause that should be held in high esteem by all...he helped his fellow man regardless of race.

Heinlein's simple message is that racist fear is not productive or rational. It quite simply is stupidity of the highest order.

Just a few other commentaries I have.

I'm surprised that no one mentioned that the hero, Mitsui was married to a black woman. Quite a revolutionary idea for 1941.

That makes me further question how anyone could determine that Heinlein was promoting racism. Do not give in to knee jerk reactions I take it that some of you rather pretend racism does not and never did exist instead of having an open and honest dialogue about it. That is not a solution. That only ensures that racism will grow in our collective concious and rear its ugly head in the future when we have long forgotten about it and the grief and horror it caused.

Another bit of commentary...Heinlein's prediction that Asia would become a major player on the world chess board in the future was a pretty accurate prediction. All Asian countries are rapidly growing, politically, militarily and economically. Though it is far in the future, Asia will one day be able to challenge Western dominance if it continues to proper the way it has been currently.

As for my last commentary, I find Heinlein's reflectioons on the state of US Intelligence to be quite amusing especially in light of recent events. On page 17 of the paperback, Heinlein states," A rediculously inadequate militarry intelligence had been the prime characteristic asa power all through its history.The most powerful nation the globe had ever seen-but it had stumbled into wars like a blind giant."

My how little things change. Heinlein was quite the astute observer of history.

Maybe I am a simpleton or view things far differently then the other reviewers do but I loved this book. I do not feel that the rather straightforward and unencumbered nature of the storytelling distracted from the tale being told. Just the opposite. This book inspired me and invigorated me with a sense personal freedom that I am sure was part of Mr. Heinlein's intent.

I do not agree that the Asian references were racist. These references were merely plot mechanisms and devices. Readers should remember that Heinlein was a product of the World War II generation and his life was greatly shaped by the events surrounding that war and they are reflected in many of his works.

A great novel with shades of Libertarianism shining through. A definite recommend on my part.

I hate to pick up this book, because I have so much fun reading it that I can't stop until I am done. THIS BOOK SHOULD BE MADE INTO A MOVIE!! The book explores an area of science that no other science fiction movie, book, or series has used for its main focus. The book brings me into the story because it involves the United States being defeated in a single day by the Chinese Army using standard technology. But the Americans, using a new discovery that they found, battle back. Heilein uses the social structure of a defeated country to bring a plan into play that keeps my interest.

Sixth Column (1949) (AKA: The Day After Tomorrow) is a standalone SF novel set in a future that didn't come to be. The PanAsians had severed relations with the West and the USA passed the Noninterference Act in retaliation. Two generations later, the PanAsians have conquered half the world and are invading the USA.

In this novel, Major Whitey Atdmore comes to the Citadel with special orders for the commander. He finds the underground research facility filled with dead personel and a few shocked survivors. The remainding soldiers insist that the deaths were not caused bt the PanAsians, but by an experiment gone awry.

Apparently the researchers have found a Unified Field Theory that expands their capabilities into other spectra. Unfortunately, the Ledbetter effect quickly and silently killed off most of the base personnel. It would make a great weapon, but only six men are left alive to carry on the fight.

Major Ardmore takes command as the highest ranked line officer. His first task is to overcome the depression resulting from the dual shocks of the invasion and the accident. He puts them back to work and then sets out to discover the military situation.

Jeff Thomas is a former lawyer who has spent the past ten years enjoying the life of a hobo. He had stumbled upon the Citadel and then was put to work as the cook's assistant. Now Ardmore sends him outside to scout the sitution.

Returning to the base, Thomas brings a discouraging picture of terror, suppression and regimentation. He does establish working relationships with the local hobos and is soon gathering more information through this informal network. Yet he leaves Ardmore with a conviction that the available military force will not suffice.

The enemy has a fixed policy of retaliating against attacks by killing innocent civilians. The death of a single soldier is punished by the deaths of multiple men, women and children. Obviously the base must organize in secret and then surprise the enemy with a mass revolt.

After discussing the situation with his men, Ardmore comes up with one way to avoid enemy attention while organizing a revolution. The only meetings allowed by the enemy are religious gatherings, so Ardmore starts a new religion. Naturally, new scientific capabilities will allow them to perform a few miracles as needed.

In this story, Ardmore and his men create the religion of Lord Mota in his six attributes. PFC Edward Graham -- the cook and a forner artist -- designs the clothing and props. Tech Sergeant Herman Scheer makes the staffs and other equipment. Captain Robert Wilkie designs the main temple and, with the help of Scheer, builds it over the base.

The new building is reported to the PanAsians and a patrol comes to investigate. When the patrol leader tries to enter the temple, the door field renders the PanAsians unconscious, but doesn't effect the impressed guide. Ardmore recruits Alex Howe -- the guide -- into the conspiracy, then wakes the patrol and sends them back to report to their superiors.

Later, Thomas and Howe start a branch temple in Denver. They feed the hungry, provide a sleeping place for the homeless, and allow the parishioners to enjoy privacy from the enemy. No PanAsian can enter the temple without the stun field knocking him unconscious.

This tale is very outdated, but presents several pertinent points. For one thing, it makes clear a few differences between oriental and occidental cultures. Despite our good relationships with oriental nations, such differences still exist. This is obviously -- and trivially -- demonstrated by the removal of dog from the menus of designated restaurants during the Olympic Games in China.

Highly recommended for Heinlein fans and for anyone else who enjoys classic tales of military occupation, covert operations, and the element of surprise.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Robert always writes an entertaining story. However, this one is unusual in the fact that he did not start this story. He did finish it. His story is basic: another country takes over America through limited nuclear strikes, mass invasion, and complete surprize. A small research lab in the rockies developes a "super" weapon and the people use a "unique" plan to retake America.

The charge of racism is false. He has white villians and asian heros and asian villians and white heros. The key element to understand is that he shows the cultural difference from American to China/Japan. His cultural ideas come from a well traveled and educated individual, himself. If you look at the world today, we see a growing threat from China, and a culture that scorns human life (forced abortions, mass killings, mass imprisonments for political reasons, mass slavery, etc.). Therefore, Robert did not present a book that hides, lies, nor denies differences. He shows differences in culture and attitude based on fact, not world politics, or racist hatred. He makes it clear that these are NOT racist but cultural differences. A point in fact, one hero he has in the book is an American of asian ancestry (his parents/grandparents are from an asian country). This hero gives his life to stop a mad white man who was about to destroy the headquarters of the American Army (what remained). The weapons and technology did not ONLY KILL asians, the technology could kill anyone or everyone depending on the settings. The technology also could be used to heal, transmute, and protect.

Overall, a good book but not a "normal" Heinlien book.

The SIXTH COLUMN is one of Robert Heinlein's earliest works and reflects the fears and concerns of the time period he wrote the book. I found it a refreshing change from the goose-stepping conformity mind-set that is so much part of science fiction today. The story is told with feeling and conviction and the plot is fast-paced and complex, but not hard to follow, much like the novel "The Falin Crisis."

America is conquered by a limited nuclear attack and then invaded by Asian that Heinlein refers to as Panasaians, which is probably meant to refer to China. Considering the growing threat the China represents in the 21st century this book is actually far-sighted and revlevant to the times we live in today.

Heinlein reveals a unique insight into the cultural divide that the world faces today, and threat of the "Clash of Civilizations" that we must deal with in the 21st century.

In ways the SIXTH COLUMN is like the movie, "Red Dawn," and has the quality of a good old-fashion war movie. If you like your books politically correct - then stay away from it. But if you enjoy a good read, then Heinlein's SIXTH COLUMN is for you.

"Sixth Column" by Robert A. Heinlein is an entertaining, short, novel.

The USA and the rest of the world has been conquered by the PanAsians. There is, however, a hidden research base that holds hope of a resistance effort. Unfortunately, just before Whitey Ardmore arrives to assess the potential of any research successes for a resistance effort, there is an accident that kills almost all of the staff. Yet, there was a success in finding an added "spectrum" of energy that might be of help. But, the total number of people available for the resistance effort is five men.

They found a fake religion that can do actual miracles, due to their secret scientific discoveries. And, we are off on a tale of psychological warfare.

The plot is simple. The story may or may not have come about after some thought on how The Prophet would come to power in Heinlein's Future History series of stories.

I like this story. However, one has to be careful about many comments and discussions concerning race. The heros are not racist. However, they must take advantage of cultural and ethnic differences to further their psychological warfare. So, Heinlein must walk a rather thin line in how these heros behave and some folks have made incorrect accusations on Heinlein's own beliefs. In real life, Heinlein was never prejudiced about race or ethnicity or sex. However, he felt free to comment on beliefs that might be associated with one group or another. Thus, folks would assume that he was commenting on the group. This is a very bad error in logic.

As I said, the heros are not racist. However, they are pragmatic. And, they accomplish a psychological hold (headlock?) that forces a retreat of the invaders.

This is a good, clean, straight-forward story. I like it.

Heinlein is as relevant today as he was when this story was originally written. The only difference between then and now is the take over is more in the nature of finanicial than fanatical. His point, directed at the "yellow menace", was that patriotisim relies on action not on talk or posturing. No matter the source of the "menace" it was the actions that counted. Don't be put off by words that this is a racist work. It has more to do with freedom than anything. Heinlein's argument is that the price is worth paying. Don't be scarred away by people who feel sullied by an anachronistic name. Many great works or literature are now considered racist, because at the time of their writing they forced people to think in other terms. Maybe that was why they were written in the first place to change others points of view. This is a good story and a good lesson needing to be learned and valued today. Aside from all that it is a fine adventure story that moves you along at a terrific rate to a satisfying conclusion.

I read this book as a kid. It had a new title which I can't remember where Sixth Column was the original title. I see the book is no longer in print. Perhaps it is available with the new title. The is an excellant book and I look forward to reading in again after all these years.

This is not your typical RAH book. It does not fit into the Long Family script. But it is a wonderful, although short, read. From the start of the book onwards, you are pulled into the occupation of the US. I've seen several movies done primarily in the 70s/80s that tried this scenario and flopped. This succeeds through the typical RAH flair for the unusual. Don't miss this book.