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Assignment in Eternity #1-2
Assignment in Eternity
«L'uomo è più di un animale perchè ragiona; il superuomo e più di un uomo perché ragiona meglio». Ouesta frase sintetizza la tematica dei quattro romanzi brevi riuniti in questo volume, uno dei più significativi apparsi durante la cosiddetta «Età d’Oro della Fantascienza». Negli Stati Uniti dell’avvenire, le opposte forze del bene e del male si combattono sul terreno della facoltà parapsicologiche: sarà compito di una ristretta cerchia di giovani selezionati recuperare la perduta eredità dell’ESP e impostare la propria missione nel domani. Una giuria si trova a decidere su una questione di fondamentale importanza: quali sono i confini tra l’uomo e il bruto? Per viaggiare nel tempo è sufficiente «pensare» in un modo tutto particolare, che non è quello comune: certi viaggi, però, possono essere senza ritorno. L’avvenire della Terra dipende dal possesso di un microfilm: l’umanità del passato e quella del futuro se lo contendono, in una lotta senza esclusione di colpi che vede l’impiego di poteri mentali sconosciuti.
«Missione nell’eternità» è uno dei libri maggiormente celebrati di Robert Heinlein, l’autore forse più prestigioso della fantascienza mondiale, uno dei «padri fondatori» del genere: e lo presenta ai lettori di « Futuro » nel meglio delle sue qualità narrative ed inventive.
Titoli
L'eredità perduta (Lost Legacy, 1941), romanzo breve
Altroquando (Elsewhen, 1941), racconto lungo
Jerry era un uomo (Jerry Was a Man, 1947), racconto
Abisso (Gulf, 1949), romanzo breve
«Missione nell’eternità» è uno dei libri maggiormente celebrati di Robert Heinlein, l’autore forse più prestigioso della fantascienza mondiale, uno dei «padri fondatori» del genere: e lo presenta ai lettori di « Futuro » nel meglio delle sue qualità narrative ed inventive.
Titoli
L'eredità perduta (Lost Legacy, 1941), romanzo breve
Altroquando (Elsewhen, 1941), racconto lungo
Jerry era un uomo (Jerry Was a Man, 1947), racconto
Abisso (Gulf, 1949), romanzo breve
256 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1953
64 people are currently reading
1404 people want to read
About the author
Robert A. Heinlein
1,040 books10.3k followersRobert Anson Heinlein was an American science fiction author, aeronautical engineer, and naval officer. Sometimes called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was among the first to emphasize scientific accuracy in his fiction, and was thus a pioneer of the subgenre of hard science fiction. His published works, both fiction and non-fiction, express admiration for competence and emphasize the value of critical thinking. His plots often posed provocative situations which challenged conventional social mores. His work continues to have an influence on the science-fiction genre, and on modern culture more generally.
Heinlein became one of the first American science-fiction writers to break into mainstream magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post in the late 1940s. He was one of the best-selling science-fiction novelists for many decades, and he, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke are often considered the "Big Three" of English-language science fiction authors. Notable Heinlein works include Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers (which helped mold the space marine and mecha archetypes) and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. His work sometimes had controversial aspects, such as plural marriage in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, militarism in Starship Troopers and technologically competent women characters who were formidable, yet often stereotypically feminine—such as Friday.
Heinlein used his science fiction as a way to explore provocative social and political ideas and to speculate how progress in science and engineering might shape the future of politics, race, religion, and sex. Within the framework of his science-fiction stories, Heinlein repeatedly addressed certain social themes: the importance of individual liberty and self-reliance, the nature of sexual relationships, the obligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organized religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress nonconformist thought. He also speculated on the influence of space travel on human cultural practices.
Heinlein was named the first Science Fiction Writers Grand Master in 1974. Four of his novels won Hugo Awards. In addition, fifty years after publication, seven of his works were awarded "Retro Hugos"—awards given retrospectively for works that were published before the Hugo Awards came into existence. In his fiction, Heinlein coined terms that have become part of the English language, including grok, waldo and speculative fiction, as well as popularizing existing terms like "TANSTAAFL", "pay it forward", and "space marine". He also anticipated mechanical computer-aided design with "Drafting Dan" and described a modern version of a waterbed in his novel Beyond This Horizon.
Also wrote under Pen names: Anson McDonald, Lyle Monroe, Caleb Saunders, John Riverside and Simon York.
Heinlein became one of the first American science-fiction writers to break into mainstream magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post in the late 1940s. He was one of the best-selling science-fiction novelists for many decades, and he, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke are often considered the "Big Three" of English-language science fiction authors. Notable Heinlein works include Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers (which helped mold the space marine and mecha archetypes) and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. His work sometimes had controversial aspects, such as plural marriage in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, militarism in Starship Troopers and technologically competent women characters who were formidable, yet often stereotypically feminine—such as Friday.
Heinlein used his science fiction as a way to explore provocative social and political ideas and to speculate how progress in science and engineering might shape the future of politics, race, religion, and sex. Within the framework of his science-fiction stories, Heinlein repeatedly addressed certain social themes: the importance of individual liberty and self-reliance, the nature of sexual relationships, the obligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organized religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress nonconformist thought. He also speculated on the influence of space travel on human cultural practices.
Heinlein was named the first Science Fiction Writers Grand Master in 1974. Four of his novels won Hugo Awards. In addition, fifty years after publication, seven of his works were awarded "Retro Hugos"—awards given retrospectively for works that were published before the Hugo Awards came into existence. In his fiction, Heinlein coined terms that have become part of the English language, including grok, waldo and speculative fiction, as well as popularizing existing terms like "TANSTAAFL", "pay it forward", and "space marine". He also anticipated mechanical computer-aided design with "Drafting Dan" and described a modern version of a waterbed in his novel Beyond This Horizon.
Also wrote under Pen names: Anson McDonald, Lyle Monroe, Caleb Saunders, John Riverside and Simon York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
August 13, 2019
Four of Heinlein’s stories from the 1940s were collected into this surprisingly good anthology and published together in 1953.
I say surprisingly, not because I expect anything less from Heinlein, or that I think his earlier work is substandard (far from it) or that collections are an inferior vehicle (again - far from it, I am after all a fan of Bradbury, le Guin and Poul Anderson). I am very pleasantly surprised because these stories are tied together under a theme of humans reaching for superhuman advancements and a gestalt connection amongst extraordinary individuals.
Gulf is a short work first published in Astounding SF in late 1949 and sets the tone for the collection with a super spy who comes to realize he really is super. Reminiscent of several Poul Anderson stories.
“Elsewhen” is a weird little sketch, contextually fittingly placed here, about extra dimensional and time travel. Again, interestingly similar to Anderson’s work.
My personal favorite of the bunch, and one that jumped immediately high on my list of favorite Heinlein stories (by definition high in the running for favorite overall) is Lost Legacy. This gem was first published in 1941, of his earliest stories, and is a Shangri-La also ran with some fun twists.
Rounding off the good times is the most entertaining of the entries, Jerry Is a Man. Funny as hell and highlighting that this GM had a very well developed sense of humor. Heinlein explores what it means to be human in a very tongue in cheek SF legal short.
For RAH fans and for anyone who enjoys classic SF.
I say surprisingly, not because I expect anything less from Heinlein, or that I think his earlier work is substandard (far from it) or that collections are an inferior vehicle (again - far from it, I am after all a fan of Bradbury, le Guin and Poul Anderson). I am very pleasantly surprised because these stories are tied together under a theme of humans reaching for superhuman advancements and a gestalt connection amongst extraordinary individuals.
Gulf is a short work first published in Astounding SF in late 1949 and sets the tone for the collection with a super spy who comes to realize he really is super. Reminiscent of several Poul Anderson stories.
“Elsewhen” is a weird little sketch, contextually fittingly placed here, about extra dimensional and time travel. Again, interestingly similar to Anderson’s work.
My personal favorite of the bunch, and one that jumped immediately high on my list of favorite Heinlein stories (by definition high in the running for favorite overall) is Lost Legacy. This gem was first published in 1941, of his earliest stories, and is a Shangri-La also ran with some fun twists.
Rounding off the good times is the most entertaining of the entries, Jerry Is a Man. Funny as hell and highlighting that this GM had a very well developed sense of humor. Heinlein explores what it means to be human in a very tongue in cheek SF legal short.
For RAH fans and for anyone who enjoys classic SF.
September 6, 2012
The problem with Heinlein is that he's so readable. Ordinarily the ability to write compelling prose -- which is not actually a given, especially in hard SF -- would be good, but in RAH's case this often results in me being taken on journeys I really, really did not want to go on, and yet I find myself unable to stop. (See: anything involving incest, relationships with your underage future girlfriend, the entirety of Friday, and really I could keep going. And yet I am still trying to read most of his works.)
This is a collection of four of his early short stories -- Gulf, Elsewhen, Lost Legacy, and Jerry Was a Man -- and really the only horrifying thing (other than the gender roles, which, okay, mostly aren't his fault, come on, it was the 30s or 40s) was the bit where I was expected to root for the supermen with superpowers and think they should automatically get to run the lives of us lesser mortals. Actually, no, I would like more evidence, please. But "Gulf" was a good spy story when it was being a spy story -- though not so much when it was rhapsodizing about the supermen. Or the pasted-on love story. Or whatever the hell Sapir-Whorfian regurgitated... stuff... that was in there about language. Heinlein's linguistics, man, I do not like it and he never got it right. Though, to be fair, all the soft sciences get hated on, as the middle of "Lost Legacy" has a really bizarre digression about how, in order for the SF-y stuff in the story to work, all of anthropology is clearly wrong. The characters, of course, agree. Well, okay, then. Sheesh.
My favorite story was "Jerry Was a Man," which I actually hadn't heard of before reading this book; I think it was the most compelling and least pulpy of the four. Also I totally want my own genetically-engineered pegasus, and I understand that this means I have completely missed the point.
This is a collection of four of his early short stories -- Gulf, Elsewhen, Lost Legacy, and Jerry Was a Man -- and really the only horrifying thing (other than the gender roles, which, okay, mostly aren't his fault, come on, it was the 30s or 40s) was the bit where I was expected to root for the supermen with superpowers and think they should automatically get to run the lives of us lesser mortals. Actually, no, I would like more evidence, please. But "Gulf" was a good spy story when it was being a spy story -- though not so much when it was rhapsodizing about the supermen. Or the pasted-on love story. Or whatever the hell Sapir-Whorfian regurgitated... stuff... that was in there about language. Heinlein's linguistics, man, I do not like it and he never got it right. Though, to be fair, all the soft sciences get hated on, as the middle of "Lost Legacy" has a really bizarre digression about how, in order for the SF-y stuff in the story to work, all of anthropology is clearly wrong. The characters, of course, agree. Well, okay, then. Sheesh.
My favorite story was "Jerry Was a Man," which I actually hadn't heard of before reading this book; I think it was the most compelling and least pulpy of the four. Also I totally want my own genetically-engineered pegasus, and I understand that this means I have completely missed the point.
March 14, 2019
'Cita en la eternidad', contiene dos novelas cortas y un relato largo. Todas ellas están basadas en el principio del concepto del auténtico desarrollo del potencial del ser humano, con su deriva hacía la discursiva crítica de fondo. Es el Heinlein de siempre; escéptico pero idealista y con un buen puñado de ideas narradas a través de sus personajes “anti héroes”, pero que precisamente son los más humanos para llevar a cabo como precursores el principio del ‘milagro’ (o intento) de la cohesión auténtica del hombre con su verdadera naturaleza y bien inherente.
1/Abismo:
El protagonista de ésta apasionante novela corta es Joe Gileal, un agente de la OFS que viaja desde la base Luna hasta Nueva Washington con un informe secreto sumamente importante acerca de los efectos reales del proyecto “Nova”. Su micro film se desvía extrañamente y es perseguido y retenido. Una vez escapa, se dirige a su nuevo contacto, el cual forma parte de una organización que pretende acabar con las miserias humanas a través de un nuevo desarrollo del pensamiento.
Pese a que el comienzo es algo vago (tan sólo las cinco primeras páginas), enseguida se torna en toda una historia 100% Heinleniana. Su desarrollo es trepidante y atrapante en su primera parte, dotada de pura acción estratégica y misterio; cual de espías. Ésta desemboca en la segunda e intermedio de la acción, en dónde se expone la parte mixta de Ciencia pura y Social. La trama trata del efecto Nova como medio de poder (Bomba atómica “física”) y destrucción masiva e instantánea. Así que toca el problema de los tres cuerpos (tan de moda en el género actualmente), no a través de la teoría sino de la experimentación. Pero no es eso lo imperante en sí, sino la desesperación por el poder y carencia de valores morales que sume a la humanidad en el bucle del Abismo (si bien, el título tiene un significado dual aquí). Y por ahí va el propósito de “enmienda”, que le es trasmitido al protagonista una vez captado en la organización secreta de “Superhombres” (o genio natural perfeccionado), que lucha contra la mediocridad y podredumbre social futura.
Heinlein muestra una ambiciosa y valiente (y algo dudosa, todo hay que decirlo) teoría del “Superhombre”, que viene pautada por la evolución correcta del ser humano frente a las circunstancias y acciones, distinguiendo entre hechos, hipótesis y falsedades. Todo viene dado como concepto del pensamiento superior o racional puro...algo así como el “investigador” global: ver, oír, recordar, hablar y pensar es su metodología de aprendizaje. Ello lo acotado un nuevo lenguaje: el Rapiabla (que años más tarde escribiría Watson a modo derivado en su famosa “empotrados”), reducido en significado por unidades de letra (ésta parte resulta algo farragosa, pero Heinlein hace obra de toda su maestría y la lees en un plis.). No obstante, que no de a confusión, pues los personajes son de todo menos fríos. Son decididos, chulescos, descarados pero idealistas y tenaces en sus fines altruistas globales, y con sus deleite por las reuniones gregarias, la comida y el flirteo. Muy Heinlein.
Su epílogo ( o tercera parte) resulta lógico y agridulce. Es el del Héroe individualista en personalidad pero sacrificado por el bien común, el de las personas rectas en principios y actitud, libres y entregados a la causa de proteger a la estupidez humana de su propia aniquilación.
Los que hayan leído al maestro disfrutarán de ésta, y los que no, verán un resumen de sus principales debilidades temáticas: la distinción y personalidad, la libertad, el bien común, los ideales y la lucha por las causas buenas y justas.
2/ La herencia perdida:
La presente novela corta es protagonizada por un trío de Doctorados: Phil Huxley (Cirujano), Ben y Joan (psicólogos) que imparten clases en la universidad Western. Tras la operación de un estudiante de Huxley, con parte de la extirpación de materia gris de su cerebro, éste percibe que dicho alumno no poseía la capacidad de visión por medios de los órganos físicos. Mediante su descubrimiento, los colegas y amigos practican con uno de ellos la explotación de la áreas inexploradas de sus cerebros y la vinculación con los denominados ‘poderes parapsicológicos’. Cuando Phil le muestra su descubrimiento a la universidad, ésta le desposee de su cátedra temporalmente. El trío marcha indignado de viaje sabático, pero debido a un incidente sufrido en las montañas, éstos conocerán a un tipo muy peculiar que dirige una organización aldeana secreta que promueven y alecciona sobre el desarrollo inherente cerebral y sus capacidades hiper sensoriales para el bien común.
Una historia con un punto de inicio de tono erudito e introspectivo, a priori (pero con mucha enjundia de fondo, no nos engañemos). Sin embargo, y como todo lo de Heinlein, parte de una base teórica para desarrollar la parte Social científica de la biología y la antropología ( tocando varios palos e ideas, con un montón de referencias y mitología de por medio) que concluye en el discurso crítico de la “irremediable” decrepitud moral humana, con un epílogo irónico y porqué no, que da qué pensar acerca de su probabilidad en nuestra historia pasada.
La historia se basa en la teoría de los ‘superpoderes’, aprendidos y / o explotados a través de los recodos no tratados de materia gris; todo bajo una base orgánica. En la organización descubierta por el trío hay personas de toda clase y nacionalidad, con sus capacidades hiper desarrolladas: orden de emociones, Cirugía mental, visión permanente intemporal; entre otros conceptos ‘extra sensoriales’. Ellos son descendientes de los Atlantes, desviados por el mal camino y la contienda fraticida que los eliminó históricamente. El objetivo de la agrupación es que lo acaecido entre las dos corrientes del pensamiento global humano (El yo y el ahora) no vuelvan a repetirse, que no haya otra nueva Atlántida ni más sangre. Sólo el libre albedrío individual y su auto capacidad. No desean el reinado sobre los otros, tratados como unidades económicas. Por lo tanto, la herencia perdida es el principio de la total evolución de la conciencia y el alma humana (telepatía, auto y tele cinética, ética real..), todo en pro de la libertad personal completa, la dignidad y la expansión del conocimiento pleno.
En la novela prima el discurso social derivado de la mala manipulación frente al poder natural y la extra limitación de éste, tanto en el bando bueno como en el malo, en su particular contienda generacional. Mucho más ambiciosa de lo que en un principio parece, resulta una mezcla precursora de ‘Amo de títeres’ y ‘Forastero en tierra extraña’.
Lo dicho, un gran bucle de ideas con una base altamente apreciable para los que tenga debilidad por la ciencia Social y las causas perdidas (véase nosotros).
3/Jerry era un hombre:
Un matrimonio adinerado visita un centro especializado en la creación de mascotas avanzadas y a medida. El marido en cuestión está encaprichado con un Pegaso. Pero cuando la mujer habla con un cruce de antropoide primitivo- evolucionado ( éstos son creados para trabajos sociales y de servidumbre hasta que se los “jubila”), contratará los servicios de un abogado para detener tamaña atrocidad, para poder abolir ésta cruel práctica legal. Así que Marta lleva a los tribunales la causa de Jerry, para que se le considere humano, y por lo tanto, no se le elimine.
El relato largo que cierra la presente obra resulta una delicia, ya que cohesiona nuevamente sus (de Heinlein) dos debilidades: ciencia Social y Natural hilvanadas con humor, crítica a la vez que desenfado e idealismo, coraje y ternura. Aquí prima el discurso y debate en pro de las causas perdidas u minoritarias, de los excomulgados de una supuesta sociedad avanzada que no hace sino decidir quién es valioso o no, otorgándole la distinción de ser humano de pleno derecho, dejándole vivir.
Sin duda, una historia muy en la línea de ‘La bestia estelar’, juicio incluido, que rubricará la lectura del futurible con un buen sabor de ‘boca’ y de ‘corazón.
1/Abismo:
El protagonista de ésta apasionante novela corta es Joe Gileal, un agente de la OFS que viaja desde la base Luna hasta Nueva Washington con un informe secreto sumamente importante acerca de los efectos reales del proyecto “Nova”. Su micro film se desvía extrañamente y es perseguido y retenido. Una vez escapa, se dirige a su nuevo contacto, el cual forma parte de una organización que pretende acabar con las miserias humanas a través de un nuevo desarrollo del pensamiento.
Pese a que el comienzo es algo vago (tan sólo las cinco primeras páginas), enseguida se torna en toda una historia 100% Heinleniana. Su desarrollo es trepidante y atrapante en su primera parte, dotada de pura acción estratégica y misterio; cual de espías. Ésta desemboca en la segunda e intermedio de la acción, en dónde se expone la parte mixta de Ciencia pura y Social. La trama trata del efecto Nova como medio de poder (Bomba atómica “física”) y destrucción masiva e instantánea. Así que toca el problema de los tres cuerpos (tan de moda en el género actualmente), no a través de la teoría sino de la experimentación. Pero no es eso lo imperante en sí, sino la desesperación por el poder y carencia de valores morales que sume a la humanidad en el bucle del Abismo (si bien, el título tiene un significado dual aquí). Y por ahí va el propósito de “enmienda”, que le es trasmitido al protagonista una vez captado en la organización secreta de “Superhombres” (o genio natural perfeccionado), que lucha contra la mediocridad y podredumbre social futura.
Heinlein muestra una ambiciosa y valiente (y algo dudosa, todo hay que decirlo) teoría del “Superhombre”, que viene pautada por la evolución correcta del ser humano frente a las circunstancias y acciones, distinguiendo entre hechos, hipótesis y falsedades. Todo viene dado como concepto del pensamiento superior o racional puro...algo así como el “investigador” global: ver, oír, recordar, hablar y pensar es su metodología de aprendizaje. Ello lo acotado un nuevo lenguaje: el Rapiabla (que años más tarde escribiría Watson a modo derivado en su famosa “empotrados”), reducido en significado por unidades de letra (ésta parte resulta algo farragosa, pero Heinlein hace obra de toda su maestría y la lees en un plis.). No obstante, que no de a confusión, pues los personajes son de todo menos fríos. Son decididos, chulescos, descarados pero idealistas y tenaces en sus fines altruistas globales, y con sus deleite por las reuniones gregarias, la comida y el flirteo. Muy Heinlein.
Su epílogo ( o tercera parte) resulta lógico y agridulce. Es el del Héroe individualista en personalidad pero sacrificado por el bien común, el de las personas rectas en principios y actitud, libres y entregados a la causa de proteger a la estupidez humana de su propia aniquilación.
Los que hayan leído al maestro disfrutarán de ésta, y los que no, verán un resumen de sus principales debilidades temáticas: la distinción y personalidad, la libertad, el bien común, los ideales y la lucha por las causas buenas y justas.
2/ La herencia perdida:
La presente novela corta es protagonizada por un trío de Doctorados: Phil Huxley (Cirujano), Ben y Joan (psicólogos) que imparten clases en la universidad Western. Tras la operación de un estudiante de Huxley, con parte de la extirpación de materia gris de su cerebro, éste percibe que dicho alumno no poseía la capacidad de visión por medios de los órganos físicos. Mediante su descubrimiento, los colegas y amigos practican con uno de ellos la explotación de la áreas inexploradas de sus cerebros y la vinculación con los denominados ‘poderes parapsicológicos’. Cuando Phil le muestra su descubrimiento a la universidad, ésta le desposee de su cátedra temporalmente. El trío marcha indignado de viaje sabático, pero debido a un incidente sufrido en las montañas, éstos conocerán a un tipo muy peculiar que dirige una organización aldeana secreta que promueven y alecciona sobre el desarrollo inherente cerebral y sus capacidades hiper sensoriales para el bien común.
Una historia con un punto de inicio de tono erudito e introspectivo, a priori (pero con mucha enjundia de fondo, no nos engañemos). Sin embargo, y como todo lo de Heinlein, parte de una base teórica para desarrollar la parte Social científica de la biología y la antropología ( tocando varios palos e ideas, con un montón de referencias y mitología de por medio) que concluye en el discurso crítico de la “irremediable” decrepitud moral humana, con un epílogo irónico y porqué no, que da qué pensar acerca de su probabilidad en nuestra historia pasada.
La historia se basa en la teoría de los ‘superpoderes’, aprendidos y / o explotados a través de los recodos no tratados de materia gris; todo bajo una base orgánica. En la organización descubierta por el trío hay personas de toda clase y nacionalidad, con sus capacidades hiper desarrolladas: orden de emociones, Cirugía mental, visión permanente intemporal; entre otros conceptos ‘extra sensoriales’. Ellos son descendientes de los Atlantes, desviados por el mal camino y la contienda fraticida que los eliminó históricamente. El objetivo de la agrupación es que lo acaecido entre las dos corrientes del pensamiento global humano (El yo y el ahora) no vuelvan a repetirse, que no haya otra nueva Atlántida ni más sangre. Sólo el libre albedrío individual y su auto capacidad. No desean el reinado sobre los otros, tratados como unidades económicas. Por lo tanto, la herencia perdida es el principio de la total evolución de la conciencia y el alma humana (telepatía, auto y tele cinética, ética real..), todo en pro de la libertad personal completa, la dignidad y la expansión del conocimiento pleno.
En la novela prima el discurso social derivado de la mala manipulación frente al poder natural y la extra limitación de éste, tanto en el bando bueno como en el malo, en su particular contienda generacional. Mucho más ambiciosa de lo que en un principio parece, resulta una mezcla precursora de ‘Amo de títeres’ y ‘Forastero en tierra extraña’.
Lo dicho, un gran bucle de ideas con una base altamente apreciable para los que tenga debilidad por la ciencia Social y las causas perdidas (véase nosotros).
3/Jerry era un hombre:
Un matrimonio adinerado visita un centro especializado en la creación de mascotas avanzadas y a medida. El marido en cuestión está encaprichado con un Pegaso. Pero cuando la mujer habla con un cruce de antropoide primitivo- evolucionado ( éstos son creados para trabajos sociales y de servidumbre hasta que se los “jubila”), contratará los servicios de un abogado para detener tamaña atrocidad, para poder abolir ésta cruel práctica legal. Así que Marta lleva a los tribunales la causa de Jerry, para que se le considere humano, y por lo tanto, no se le elimine.
El relato largo que cierra la presente obra resulta una delicia, ya que cohesiona nuevamente sus (de Heinlein) dos debilidades: ciencia Social y Natural hilvanadas con humor, crítica a la vez que desenfado e idealismo, coraje y ternura. Aquí prima el discurso y debate en pro de las causas perdidas u minoritarias, de los excomulgados de una supuesta sociedad avanzada que no hace sino decidir quién es valioso o no, otorgándole la distinción de ser humano de pleno derecho, dejándole vivir.
Sin duda, una historia muy en la línea de ‘La bestia estelar’, juicio incluido, que rubricará la lectura del futurible con un buen sabor de ‘boca’ y de ‘corazón.
March 14, 2023
This collection of four shorter works by Heinlein were originally published in various pulp magazines from 1941 to 1949. 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.
The four stories in this collection are loosely related as speculation on what makes one a human:
"Gulf" (Astounding Science Fiction, October–November 1949).
This story is about a superspy who travels from the moon to the earth carrying some plans for a super weapon that can turn planets into novas! The spy meets up with a man who is a superbeing who may be the next step in evolution. Along the way, they must stop a madwoman from exploding the earth.
"Elsewhen", (written in 1939 and first published in 1941 in Astounding Science Fiction of September 1941 as "Elsewhere" by Caleb Saunders)
This story is a time-travel tidbit that suggests that the human mind is not bound to our here-and-now but can go voyaging into alternative timetracks of possibility.
"Lost Legacy" (written in 1939 but first published in 1941 in Super Science Stories, November 1941 as "Lost Legion" by Lyle Monroe)
This novella is about two men and a woman who discover that the brain is not using all of its potential. They eventually find that they can read minds, levitate, and actually fly using this unused brain power.
"Jerry Was a Man" (written in 1946 and published in 1947 in Thrilling Wonder Stories, October 1947 as "Jerry Is a Man")
This story is about genetically altered beings including apes that are used as workers in a factory that makes these alterations to provide exotic pets for clients. This leads to a court making a legal ruling on the human rights of these genetically engineered intelligent creatures. Should they be considered "men"?
The themes of these short works were later used by Heinlein is several of his novels including STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND and FRIDAY. I thought these stories were interesting for the most part although they were definitely dated. I need to read more of Heinlein especially his novels that I have been putting off.
The four stories in this collection are loosely related as speculation on what makes one a human:
"Gulf" (Astounding Science Fiction, October–November 1949).
This story is about a superspy who travels from the moon to the earth carrying some plans for a super weapon that can turn planets into novas! The spy meets up with a man who is a superbeing who may be the next step in evolution. Along the way, they must stop a madwoman from exploding the earth.
"Elsewhen", (written in 1939 and first published in 1941 in Astounding Science Fiction of September 1941 as "Elsewhere" by Caleb Saunders)
This story is a time-travel tidbit that suggests that the human mind is not bound to our here-and-now but can go voyaging into alternative timetracks of possibility.
"Lost Legacy" (written in 1939 but first published in 1941 in Super Science Stories, November 1941 as "Lost Legion" by Lyle Monroe)
This novella is about two men and a woman who discover that the brain is not using all of its potential. They eventually find that they can read minds, levitate, and actually fly using this unused brain power.
"Jerry Was a Man" (written in 1946 and published in 1947 in Thrilling Wonder Stories, October 1947 as "Jerry Is a Man")
This story is about genetically altered beings including apes that are used as workers in a factory that makes these alterations to provide exotic pets for clients. This leads to a court making a legal ruling on the human rights of these genetically engineered intelligent creatures. Should they be considered "men"?
The themes of these short works were later used by Heinlein is several of his novels including STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND and FRIDAY. I thought these stories were interesting for the most part although they were definitely dated. I need to read more of Heinlein especially his novels that I have been putting off.
September 26, 2024
Horroroso. He debido cogerme la peor traducción posible. Hay momentos en que parece hecho por una IA.
Aparte, presenta unas relaciones un tanto tóxicas. Todo es como muy poco actual. Mentalidad machista. Relaciones violentas: en el primer relato se prometen el uno al otro una buena paliza a modo de flirteo. No entiendo nada.
Segundo relato: no entiendo por qué de repente les da una ventolera y se suben a una montaña helada sin ningún equipo y casi mueren. Se encuentran Ambrose Bierce (sí, el escritor). Todo lo que sucede es un viaje psicodélico sin sentido para mí.
Abandono.
Aparte, presenta unas relaciones un tanto tóxicas. Todo es como muy poco actual. Mentalidad machista. Relaciones violentas: en el primer relato se prometen el uno al otro una buena paliza a modo de flirteo. No entiendo nada.
Segundo relato: no entiendo por qué de repente les da una ventolera y se suben a una montaña helada sin ningún equipo y casi mueren. Se encuentran Ambrose Bierce (sí, el escritor). Todo lo que sucede es un viaje psicodélico sin sentido para mí.
Abandono.
October 18, 2009
I have a confession to make: when I read this story at age 12 or so, I found the ending very moving. I haven't read it since then, so I can't say I've had a chance to revise my opinion. Maybe I'll just leave it that way. In case you haven't come across Assigment, here's what I can recall of it.
So, it's one of those stories where the hero discovers that he's got superhuman powers. They aren't really extraordinary as these things go, but, none the less, he finds he's one of a select group of people who can think far more quickly than normal folks, have far greater intelligence, and, at least on a good day, also possess the ability to communicate telepathically. They do the usual superhero thing of watching out for us less evolved types. The hero meets a super-chick that he develops feelings for.
Then there's this evil old multi-zillionaire lady who lives in a mansion somewhere on the Moon, and is planning to do something bad. I can't remember what it is. Destroy the human race with a swarm of radioactive killer bees, or whatever. The supermen infiltrate our hero and his not-quite-girlfriend into the evil old lady's lair, and they await their chance. The girl, who I think is posing as the old lady's maid, has to find out what the combination is to disarm the McGuffin. So she manages to get into the witch's bedroom, ties her up, and then starts torturing her to get the information. She neutralizes the doomsday device and saves the world. Meanwhile, the guy is elsewhere. I think he might be holding off the guards or something.
But, oh dear, there is some kind of failsafe which is going to trigger an explosive charge that will blow up the old lady's moon-base, and the super-chick needs to find out how to switch that off too. Unfortunately, she's a little too enthusiastic with the waterboarding, and accidentally kills the prisoner. She's now got seconds to live. Which, it turns out, is just enough time to get into telepathic contact with the the hero, whom of course she loved all along, and read through the marriage ceremony. Thus, when the bomb goes off, they die as man and wife. Her last words, I remember clearly, are "I am very happy. I -" and then they're blown to bits.
Damn! I still find it moving. What's wrong with me? I suppose I could almost certainly fix it by re-reading the story with adult eyes, but isn't that cheating?
_____________________________________
I was thinking about this on and off during the weekend, and I believe I can now be more precise about my intuitive objections to the story. In the final scene, Gail, the super-chick, has just tortured an old lady to death. For the best of reasons, I know, but none the less. It seems wrong to me that she should, literally a second later, be feeling so wildly romantic that she wants to get married.
As I said, I loved the ending when I was 12. Now, I think I'd prefer something like the following:
Gail: Oh shit. Joe, I wish we'd had more time.
Joe: I do too. I can't tell you how much I wish that.
Gail: Well, we saved the world. That's always something.
Joe: Gail, I -
And then they're blown to bits again. Maybe this just shows I'm not as highly evolved as Joe and Gail. I guess I should read more Nietzsche.
So, it's one of those stories where the hero discovers that he's got superhuman powers. They aren't really extraordinary as these things go, but, none the less, he finds he's one of a select group of people who can think far more quickly than normal folks, have far greater intelligence, and, at least on a good day, also possess the ability to communicate telepathically. They do the usual superhero thing of watching out for us less evolved types. The hero meets a super-chick that he develops feelings for.
Then there's this evil old multi-zillionaire lady who lives in a mansion somewhere on the Moon, and is planning to do something bad. I can't remember what it is. Destroy the human race with a swarm of radioactive killer bees, or whatever. The supermen infiltrate our hero and his not-quite-girlfriend into the evil old lady's lair, and they await their chance. The girl, who I think is posing as the old lady's maid, has to find out what the combination is to disarm the McGuffin. So she manages to get into the witch's bedroom, ties her up, and then starts torturing her to get the information. She neutralizes the doomsday device and saves the world. Meanwhile, the guy is elsewhere. I think he might be holding off the guards or something.
But, oh dear, there is some kind of failsafe which is going to trigger an explosive charge that will blow up the old lady's moon-base, and the super-chick needs to find out how to switch that off too. Unfortunately, she's a little too enthusiastic with the waterboarding, and accidentally kills the prisoner. She's now got seconds to live. Which, it turns out, is just enough time to get into telepathic contact with the the hero, whom of course she loved all along, and read through the marriage ceremony. Thus, when the bomb goes off, they die as man and wife. Her last words, I remember clearly, are "I am very happy. I -" and then they're blown to bits.
Damn! I still find it moving. What's wrong with me? I suppose I could almost certainly fix it by re-reading the story with adult eyes, but isn't that cheating?
_____________________________________
I was thinking about this on and off during the weekend, and I believe I can now be more precise about my intuitive objections to the story. In the final scene, Gail, the super-chick, has just tortured an old lady to death. For the best of reasons, I know, but none the less. It seems wrong to me that she should, literally a second later, be feeling so wildly romantic that she wants to get married.
As I said, I loved the ending when I was 12. Now, I think I'd prefer something like the following:
Gail: Oh shit. Joe, I wish we'd had more time.
Joe: I do too. I can't tell you how much I wish that.
Gail: Well, we saved the world. That's always something.
Joe: Gail, I -
And then they're blown to bits again. Maybe this just shows I'm not as highly evolved as Joe and Gail. I guess I should read more Nietzsche.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2018
Just about as ridiculous as the cover (of this edition: Assignment in Eternity). Sexist, in a way that harms understandings of and respect for both men and women, bad science (too much belief in the paranormal, a reference to the 'third generation of Hiroshima survivors [as] luckless monstrosities) , bad sociology*. Worse than just "dated."
Heinlein may have been one of the first to try to get pulp readers to try to think, what with statements like "Man is not a rational animal; he is a rationalizing animal," but that doesn't mean he's worth reading today. I liked what I read of his work when I was a teen, but I outgrew him, and I wish the rest of SF fans would, too.
Except for the last story. Jerry Is a Man. It's almost, in many ways, a 180 degree enlightenment from all the other Heinlein that I've tried to enjoy these last several years. If you're curious, go read it... but I don't quite recommend it.
What I do recommend is SF that is more recent and has been inspired by the 'Golden Age' masters but that actually looks to the future.
* For example: In 'Lost Legacy' the young heroine is much more excited to say, to the matriarchally uber-competent "Mrs. Draper," in the last lines of that story, "I'm going to get married!" than she is about the work she's going to be doing on behalf of the goals of the superhumans. Heinlein's women 'get' to be sexy, smart, proficient at cooking & breeding; his men have to be content to be just randomly heroic and somehow desirable as marriage partners.... Nobody actually gets a personality.
Heinlein may have been one of the first to try to get pulp readers to try to think, what with statements like "Man is not a rational animal; he is a rationalizing animal," but that doesn't mean he's worth reading today. I liked what I read of his work when I was a teen, but I outgrew him, and I wish the rest of SF fans would, too.
Except for the last story. Jerry Is a Man. It's almost, in many ways, a 180 degree enlightenment from all the other Heinlein that I've tried to enjoy these last several years. If you're curious, go read it... but I don't quite recommend it.
What I do recommend is SF that is more recent and has been inspired by the 'Golden Age' masters but that actually looks to the future.
* For example: In 'Lost Legacy' the young heroine is much more excited to say, to the matriarchally uber-competent "Mrs. Draper," in the last lines of that story, "I'm going to get married!" than she is about the work she's going to be doing on behalf of the goals of the superhumans. Heinlein's women 'get' to be sexy, smart, proficient at cooking & breeding; his men have to be content to be just randomly heroic and somehow desirable as marriage partners.... Nobody actually gets a personality.
November 30, 2022
A good example of early Heinlein
There are two major Heinlein camps and a few crossovers. This may account for the wide variation in what people think of this book. Artists in any field paint what is real, and then what is real to them. Realists like the early works that they can relate to in their daily lives and see the later works as off the deep end. Others see the early works as silly or something that they could do better and the later works as profound and insightful. They see two people instead of one in the process of transition.
Includes Gulf, Lost Legacy, Elsewhen, and Jerry Was A Man.
The reason I bought this book is for a story that deals with the transition. "Lost Legacy" (1941) I do not want to go into too much detail as it is fun to have the story unfold in its time. However, the story speculates as to what the so-called unused portion of our brain is for. Heinlein is not the first to speculate, but he does put together a great story combining many previous speculations.
While enjoying his story, look at the rudiments that will be used in later Heinlein's writing, “Stranger in a Strange Land.” Even some of the names are the same.
There are two major Heinlein camps and a few crossovers. This may account for the wide variation in what people think of this book. Artists in any field paint what is real, and then what is real to them. Realists like the early works that they can relate to in their daily lives and see the later works as off the deep end. Others see the early works as silly or something that they could do better and the later works as profound and insightful. They see two people instead of one in the process of transition.
Includes Gulf, Lost Legacy, Elsewhen, and Jerry Was A Man.
The reason I bought this book is for a story that deals with the transition. "Lost Legacy" (1941) I do not want to go into too much detail as it is fun to have the story unfold in its time. However, the story speculates as to what the so-called unused portion of our brain is for. Heinlein is not the first to speculate, but he does put together a great story combining many previous speculations.
While enjoying his story, look at the rudiments that will be used in later Heinlein's writing, “Stranger in a Strange Land.” Even some of the names are the same.
May 19, 2014
Enjoyable, but nothing special as far as Heinlein goes. The first novella bears striking similarities to Friday - not necessarily the overall thrust of the story, but many of the trappings (secret agent is followed, captured, freed, taken to a farm where s/he learns to embrace his/her full potential.)
The second novella I liked more - it had an odd touch of mysticism, for Heinlein, although many other of his common themes. And the two short stories that comprise the rest of the book were enjoyable to read, but probably won't linger in my memory.
I'd say read it if you love Heinlein. It's not disappointing, by any means. It's just that many of the same points he has made, and made better, in other books.
The second novella I liked more - it had an odd touch of mysticism, for Heinlein, although many other of his common themes. And the two short stories that comprise the rest of the book were enjoyable to read, but probably won't linger in my memory.
I'd say read it if you love Heinlein. It's not disappointing, by any means. It's just that many of the same points he has made, and made better, in other books.
October 11, 2020
Leída en 2011
Consta de tres relatos cortos.
El primero, Abismo, infumable, sobre una supuesta raza humana "superior" al resto de los humanos (¿a que os suena esto?).
El segundo, La herencia perdida, infumable, sobre todo tipo de Percepción Extra Sensorial (muy de moda en los 50´s en USA, donde intentaban como locos controlar este tipo de cosas para tomar ventaja en la Guerra Fria).
Y el tercero, Jerry era un hombre, el que salva el libro -o casi-, más ameno.
Resumen, solo para muy, muy forofos del Heinlein. (perdón por la nota, Mónica)
Consta de tres relatos cortos.
El primero, Abismo, infumable, sobre una supuesta raza humana "superior" al resto de los humanos (¿a que os suena esto?).
El segundo, La herencia perdida, infumable, sobre todo tipo de Percepción Extra Sensorial (muy de moda en los 50´s en USA, donde intentaban como locos controlar este tipo de cosas para tomar ventaja en la Guerra Fria).
Y el tercero, Jerry era un hombre, el que salva el libro -o casi-, más ameno.
Resumen, solo para muy, muy forofos del Heinlein. (perdón por la nota, Mónica)
May 20, 2021
All four stories in this book concern the common theme: what does it mean to be human? At least one (Gulf) is directly related to the later novel Friday and others look like precursors to other Heinlein novels. The stories are tightly written for the most part, enjoyable, and with interesting characters. All of them provide plenty of food for thought.
(I published a much longer review on my website.)
August 13, 2018
Love the endings to these short stories!
October 12, 2019
Not my favorite Heinlein stories, but I know some people claim they are favorites. Others say "Gulf" espouses elitism. That's arguable, but if it does, I noticed the third and longest story, "Lost Legacy," is clearly anti-elitist.
"Jerry Was A Man" reminded me distinctly of the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Measure Of A Man," in which Data was on trial and his humanity was debated. This story is about a genetically modified anthropoid rather than an android, but otherwise it's about the same issue, written some 40 years earlier.
Both "Lost Legacy" and "Elsewhen" were among Heinlein's earliest stories and the style is more similar to the early pulp fiction than his later, more polished works. "Gulf" is partly intriguing, partly theory of semantics and education that I found interesting. "Jerry Was A Man" is more satirical and subtly cynical.
"Jerry Was A Man" reminded me distinctly of the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Measure Of A Man," in which Data was on trial and his humanity was debated. This story is about a genetically modified anthropoid rather than an android, but otherwise it's about the same issue, written some 40 years earlier.
Both "Lost Legacy" and "Elsewhen" were among Heinlein's earliest stories and the style is more similar to the early pulp fiction than his later, more polished works. "Gulf" is partly intriguing, partly theory of semantics and education that I found interesting. "Jerry Was A Man" is more satirical and subtly cynical.
January 7, 2015
Assignment in Eternity is a collection of four of Heinlein’s early published works. Two of the stories are advertised as “short novels”, or what might be more accurately called in current word count designations as novellas, and two shorter works. All four of these were first published in magazine format in the 1940’s, though two were actually written in 1939.
I first became a fan of Robert A. Heinlein over a decade ago when I read his novel Friday. I went on to read Time Enough for Love and then came a long Heinlein drought, ended because of friends reading and discussing his juveniles–a designation for books published by Scribner’s between 1947 and 1958 that would now be classified as ‘young adult’.
There was something special in both Friday and Time Enough for Love that made it obvious to me while reading them why Heinlein had maintained popularity, but the novels, like others of his later work, are filled with embarrassingly juvenile (here used negatively), taboo-crushing sexual content and diatribes about his beliefs at the time. His juvenile work is wonderful, as are some of the novels published just after the Scribner’s period.
The collection The Green Hills of Earth proved Heinlein’s skill at crafting stories in the short format, so I was very curious when I put this on my Christmas wishlist to venture into some of Heinlein’s early work.
That curiosity resulted in four rewarding journeys into the early imagination of the Dean of Science Fiction, Robert A. Heinlein.
For a non-spoiler overview of the stories, please follow the link below:
http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.co...
I first became a fan of Robert A. Heinlein over a decade ago when I read his novel Friday. I went on to read Time Enough for Love and then came a long Heinlein drought, ended because of friends reading and discussing his juveniles–a designation for books published by Scribner’s between 1947 and 1958 that would now be classified as ‘young adult’.
There was something special in both Friday and Time Enough for Love that made it obvious to me while reading them why Heinlein had maintained popularity, but the novels, like others of his later work, are filled with embarrassingly juvenile (here used negatively), taboo-crushing sexual content and diatribes about his beliefs at the time. His juvenile work is wonderful, as are some of the novels published just after the Scribner’s period.
The collection The Green Hills of Earth proved Heinlein’s skill at crafting stories in the short format, so I was very curious when I put this on my Christmas wishlist to venture into some of Heinlein’s early work.
That curiosity resulted in four rewarding journeys into the early imagination of the Dean of Science Fiction, Robert A. Heinlein.
For a non-spoiler overview of the stories, please follow the link below:
http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.co...
June 18, 2009
This book has 4 short stories of Heinlein's from 1941 to 1949. The first story, Gulf, has a protagonist who seems very similar to the protagonist from Puppet Masters, a super-competent man-of-action. It deals with his interaction with a group of people that are even more super-competent than he is. However the ending is abrupt and seems like a throw-away, it left me very unsatisfied. It's easy to think that characters like this are just rip-off from James Bond, but then when you work it out this story (as was Puppet Masters) published several years before Ian Fleming's first book, Casino Royale.
The 2nd story, Elsewhen, is about a professor and his students that discover a means to travel to alternate universes. I thought this was a pretty interesting and well-done story.
The 3rd is called Lost Legacy, and I feel is the best story in the book. It's about three academics that in doing research on paranormal psychology discover that paranormal abilities such as telepathy, ESP, etc. are skills that almost anyone can learn with the right training.
The final story, Jerry Was a Man, deals with a society where humans have genetically manipulated apes into semi-intelligent servants for mankind. I thought the story and characterization was a little weak.
Overall I would recommend this book if you're a fan of Heinlein and looking to read some stories of his that don't really fit in anywhere else. Otherwise I probably wouldn't recommend it.
The 2nd story, Elsewhen, is about a professor and his students that discover a means to travel to alternate universes. I thought this was a pretty interesting and well-done story.
The 3rd is called Lost Legacy, and I feel is the best story in the book. It's about three academics that in doing research on paranormal psychology discover that paranormal abilities such as telepathy, ESP, etc. are skills that almost anyone can learn with the right training.
The final story, Jerry Was a Man, deals with a society where humans have genetically manipulated apes into semi-intelligent servants for mankind. I thought the story and characterization was a little weak.
Overall I would recommend this book if you're a fan of Heinlein and looking to read some stories of his that don't really fit in anywhere else. Otherwise I probably wouldn't recommend it.
Read
August 1, 2009 Some of my favorite reading back in the day was "golden age" science fiction that I had found a stash of in the thrift store of the tiny town I grew up in. Much of that gold was from the pen of Heinlein, and reading this was like going home for summer vacation. The themes are familiar and I have always admired the way he could write bantering dialogue of the sort good friends use. This book contains four of his best stories because of--not in spite of--its abrupt ending. I'd also like to see the story "Jerry was a man" rewritten as a Boston Legal script someday (although, I don't know how they would work in the Martian!) In retrospect, some of the stories of this era and thier predictions about the advent of telekenesis, clairvoyance, etc. like in the stories Lost Legacy and Elsewhen (another favorite author of mine, Philip K. Dick writes along these themes,too) can seem a little dated, but the human hope in these stories is as inspiring now as it was then. This was worth the second read.
March 27, 2022
Interesting to see the seeds of other ideas (and even specific lines) that ended up being the foundation for other works. However, Heinlein has never been an author that thrives on brevity and I found myself struggling to get through these short stories.
December 17, 2017
Gulf was my favourite of these 4 stories. It's a science fiction/spy thriller centred around the idea that some homo sapiens have evolved to become "homo nova", capable of superhuman intellect, speaking in an advanced language and can memorise almost anything. The group's task is to protect the world while trying to expand their secret society. It has a really tragic ending but it was great fun to read.
Elsewhen was my least favourite of them all, it's about a group of student who travelled to different dimensions following their professor's hypnoticism. Each one had a different outcome and some of them ended up being connected to each other. It's soft science fiction with rather bland characters and a predictable storyline.
Lost Legacy was similar to Gulf, but it focused on ESP which everyone could learn. The secret society the protagonists are involved in want to share this knowledge to everyone, though there's a conspiracy to stop normal people from learning about this secret power. It felt a bit like a mixture of Marquis de Sade with Ayn Rand, minus the sadism and realism. The important underlying message was that truth isn't always easy to be understood and censorship holds humanity back.
Jerry was a Man was not a bad read, it actually was the most philosophical of the 4 stories. The question the story raised was civil rights for being capable of rational thoughts, half of the story was about the trial for a genetically modified chimpanzee to prove it is a rational animal.
Elsewhen was my least favourite of them all, it's about a group of student who travelled to different dimensions following their professor's hypnoticism. Each one had a different outcome and some of them ended up being connected to each other. It's soft science fiction with rather bland characters and a predictable storyline.
Lost Legacy was similar to Gulf, but it focused on ESP which everyone could learn. The secret society the protagonists are involved in want to share this knowledge to everyone, though there's a conspiracy to stop normal people from learning about this secret power. It felt a bit like a mixture of Marquis de Sade with Ayn Rand, minus the sadism and realism. The important underlying message was that truth isn't always easy to be understood and censorship holds humanity back.
Jerry was a Man was not a bad read, it actually was the most philosophical of the 4 stories. The question the story raised was civil rights for being capable of rational thoughts, half of the story was about the trial for a genetically modified chimpanzee to prove it is a rational animal.
March 18, 2018
This is a collection of 4 novellas/short stories written by Robert A. Heinlein that are loosely related in that examines what makes one a human. The first one is Gulf (1949). It is starts out like a spy novel and is about a group of superior beings, supermen, as a new step in humanoid evolution. The second book is Lost Legacy (1939), which is the book that is the foundation for the author's Stranger in a Strange Land. Everybody has paranormal abilities that can be found through training. The third book is Elsewhen (1939) which is a book about the human mind not being bound in the here and now. This one addresses time travel, or parallel universe. The last book is Jerry was a Man (1947) which looks at genetically engineered intelligent creatures.
Heinlein annoyed me in Stranger in a Strange Land and in these books because he seems to only see women as partial equals to men with a roll of marriage and childbearing, but if you look at the dates of these works, you realize that he was ahead of his time. In these books women have equal abilities and opportunities but of course the women still want marriage and children. The story about Jerry has overtones of civil rights and the way whites treated blacks. It also is ahead in looking at Biotech.
Heinlein annoyed me in Stranger in a Strange Land and in these books because he seems to only see women as partial equals to men with a roll of marriage and childbearing, but if you look at the dates of these works, you realize that he was ahead of his time. In these books women have equal abilities and opportunities but of course the women still want marriage and children. The story about Jerry has overtones of civil rights and the way whites treated blacks. It also is ahead in looking at Biotech.
March 17, 2025
There are apparently several different editions of Assignment in Eternity around. Mine included two novellas, i.e. the Gulf (~88 p.), and Elsewhen (~38 p.). The odd thing is that it doesn't say anywhere in the book that it contains two separate stories. Thus, when Gulf ended and Elsewhen started, for a while I thought that this was where David Lynch got his inspiration to change the characters halfway through the story. Anyway, this was obviously not the case, and they are indeed two entirely separate novellas.
Gulf is an interesting espionage story in a scifi environment with a theme of superhumans, which is something Heinlein has dealt with in other works. For the most part, I liked it a lot. However, although I'm sure the ending was intentionally so ridiculously rushed, it just didn't work for me at all.
Elsewhen, on the other hand, was a much more traditional scifi story about travelling in space-time. Old-fashioned scifi, just the way I like it.
Finally, I have to mention the cover of this New English Library paperback edition. It spreads over to the back cover as well. I have no idea who made it, but it's gorgeous.
Gulf: 3.75/5
Elsewhen: 4.25/5
Gulf is an interesting espionage story in a scifi environment with a theme of superhumans, which is something Heinlein has dealt with in other works. For the most part, I liked it a lot. However, although I'm sure the ending was intentionally so ridiculously rushed, it just didn't work for me at all.
Elsewhen, on the other hand, was a much more traditional scifi story about travelling in space-time. Old-fashioned scifi, just the way I like it.
Finally, I have to mention the cover of this New English Library paperback edition. It spreads over to the back cover as well. I have no idea who made it, but it's gorgeous.
Gulf: 3.75/5
Elsewhen: 4.25/5
March 6, 2021
Este libro consta 3 novelas cortas que giran sobre el tema de las capacidades sobrehumanas, se plantea el problema de lo que se llama el hombre nuevo, el superhombre o incluso de lo que significa ser un humano.
La primera historia "Abismo" parece un thriller de espionaje, en que un hombre va de incógnito a la Luna cambiándose de identidad transportando en microfilms los planos de un arma de destrucción masiva. Le roban los microfilms y luego la organización que lo hizo lo recluta para cambiarse de bando diciéndole que ellos eran una especie de superhombres que querían evitar que esta arma se llegue a construir, ya que era un arma que podía destruir un planeta entero. Así se une a ellos para entrar en otra misión para destruir las últimas copias de los planos de esta arma, por lo que se infiltra en la casa de una millonaria de la Luna que guardaba estos documentos secretos.
La segunda historia "La herencia perdida" trata sobre dos científicos que querían probar que los humanos podían desarrollar poderes supernaturales como la telekinesis, etc. Tienen avances con una voluntaria, pero en la universidad donde trabajaba le dicen que deje esos experimentos. Se van de vacaciones los tres al interior de Estados Unidos y en el camino tienen un accidente. Por esa causa conocen a un hombre extraño que los ayuda, y sana la pierna fracturada de uno de ellos. Los tres viajantes tienen sueños extraños del pasado lejano de la época de la Atlántida y Mu, civilizaciones desaparecidas. El hombre extraño que los rescata les dice que en esa montaña donde los hospedaba habitaban una serie de humanos con poderes sobrehumanos y les enseñan a los tres a leer el pensamiento, levitar, telekinesis, etc. y demás conocimientos antiguos que debían preservarse para impedir el colapso de la humanidad, ya que serían necesarios algún día. Los científicos dicen que estos conocimientos se deberían compartir con el resto de la humanidad. Pero cuando vuelven a la universidad, son expulsados por las altas autoridades por intentar enseñar cosas irreales. Quieren llamar a la prensa y hacer exhibición pública en una plaza pública, pero la policía les prohíbe hacerlo bajo amenazas y cárcel. Frustrados vuelven a la montaña donde el maestro a explicar su situación ya que se dan cuenta que hay fuerzas muy poderosas que les van a impedir propalar ese conocimiento a la gente común. Así que desde la montaña organizan campamentos para jóvenes donde les enseñen estas habilidades, pero en otro lado hay políticos reuniéndose son un ser extraño que les indica que no deben dejar que se enseñe estas habilidades sobrehumanas a la gente. En eso el ser extraño recibe un ataque psíquico de parte de un viejo maestro chino de la montaña hasta matarlo. El viejo maestro chino también muere por el esfuerzo y le deja como líder de la montaña a uno de los científicos. Al final se ve un simio grande que empieza a tener sueños extraños y se dice que pasarían muchas generaciones para que los descendientes de este simio entendieran lo que habían dejado aquellos que ya se habían ido. El final es abierto, no se sabe si la humanidad se extinguió o avanzó tanto que dejó el planeta vacío.
La tercera historia "Jerry era un hombre" se sitúa en un futuro donde la modificación genética de animales hace que los ricos puedan comprar animales raros a pedido.
Así un millonario y su esposa, la mujer más ricas del mundo, van a visitar una de estas compañías que hacen quimeras a pedido. El millonario quiere un pegaso, aunque el vendedor le dice que tardarían varias décadas en generarlo y que no podía volar porque no era anatómicamente posible, a la esposa le ofrecen un elefante enano que podía leer y escribir. Pero en ese trayecto conocen a un Jerry, un chimpancé modificado para servir de ayudante en agricultura a los agricultores. Este antropoide era ya de avanzada edad, y la señora se entera que cuando los antropoides están muy mayores que ya no pueden trabajar son sacrificados por la compañía y sus restos son convertidos en comida para perro. Eso les escandaliza a la señora y decide llevarse a Jerry y luego llevar a juicio a la empresa por hacer eso con los antropoides. Que podían hablar aunque tuvieran aspecto de chimpancés superdesarrollados.
En el juicio se habla acerca de que el antropoide debe ser considerado humano y no se le debe sacrificar. La empresa alega el derecho a la propiedad privada y que ellos crearon al antropoide que si no sería un chimpancé común. Se trae a juicio a un extraterrestre para que dé su declaración. El extraterrestre dice que no es humano, pero que en el pacto de su planeta con a Tierra se decía que los extraterrestres serían tratados como humanos en el planeta Tierra. Aunque el extraterrestre decía ser más inteligente que los humanos, que estaba por encima de los humanos tanto como los humanos estaban del antropoide. Al final se dice que Jerry era un hombre.
Heinlein no defrauda. Aunque la primera historia no me atrajo mucho, la segunda y la tercera sí me gustaron, en la tercera se nota más humor que en las demás, algo característico de Heilein. En estas novelas cortas ya se ven ideas que usaría en "Forastero en tierra extraña", una de sus principales obras.
La primera historia "Abismo" parece un thriller de espionaje, en que un hombre va de incógnito a la Luna cambiándose de identidad transportando en microfilms los planos de un arma de destrucción masiva. Le roban los microfilms y luego la organización que lo hizo lo recluta para cambiarse de bando diciéndole que ellos eran una especie de superhombres que querían evitar que esta arma se llegue a construir, ya que era un arma que podía destruir un planeta entero. Así se une a ellos para entrar en otra misión para destruir las últimas copias de los planos de esta arma, por lo que se infiltra en la casa de una millonaria de la Luna que guardaba estos documentos secretos.
La segunda historia "La herencia perdida" trata sobre dos científicos que querían probar que los humanos podían desarrollar poderes supernaturales como la telekinesis, etc. Tienen avances con una voluntaria, pero en la universidad donde trabajaba le dicen que deje esos experimentos. Se van de vacaciones los tres al interior de Estados Unidos y en el camino tienen un accidente. Por esa causa conocen a un hombre extraño que los ayuda, y sana la pierna fracturada de uno de ellos. Los tres viajantes tienen sueños extraños del pasado lejano de la época de la Atlántida y Mu, civilizaciones desaparecidas. El hombre extraño que los rescata les dice que en esa montaña donde los hospedaba habitaban una serie de humanos con poderes sobrehumanos y les enseñan a los tres a leer el pensamiento, levitar, telekinesis, etc. y demás conocimientos antiguos que debían preservarse para impedir el colapso de la humanidad, ya que serían necesarios algún día. Los científicos dicen que estos conocimientos se deberían compartir con el resto de la humanidad. Pero cuando vuelven a la universidad, son expulsados por las altas autoridades por intentar enseñar cosas irreales. Quieren llamar a la prensa y hacer exhibición pública en una plaza pública, pero la policía les prohíbe hacerlo bajo amenazas y cárcel. Frustrados vuelven a la montaña donde el maestro a explicar su situación ya que se dan cuenta que hay fuerzas muy poderosas que les van a impedir propalar ese conocimiento a la gente común. Así que desde la montaña organizan campamentos para jóvenes donde les enseñen estas habilidades, pero en otro lado hay políticos reuniéndose son un ser extraño que les indica que no deben dejar que se enseñe estas habilidades sobrehumanas a la gente. En eso el ser extraño recibe un ataque psíquico de parte de un viejo maestro chino de la montaña hasta matarlo. El viejo maestro chino también muere por el esfuerzo y le deja como líder de la montaña a uno de los científicos. Al final se ve un simio grande que empieza a tener sueños extraños y se dice que pasarían muchas generaciones para que los descendientes de este simio entendieran lo que habían dejado aquellos que ya se habían ido. El final es abierto, no se sabe si la humanidad se extinguió o avanzó tanto que dejó el planeta vacío.
La tercera historia "Jerry era un hombre" se sitúa en un futuro donde la modificación genética de animales hace que los ricos puedan comprar animales raros a pedido.
Así un millonario y su esposa, la mujer más ricas del mundo, van a visitar una de estas compañías que hacen quimeras a pedido. El millonario quiere un pegaso, aunque el vendedor le dice que tardarían varias décadas en generarlo y que no podía volar porque no era anatómicamente posible, a la esposa le ofrecen un elefante enano que podía leer y escribir. Pero en ese trayecto conocen a un Jerry, un chimpancé modificado para servir de ayudante en agricultura a los agricultores. Este antropoide era ya de avanzada edad, y la señora se entera que cuando los antropoides están muy mayores que ya no pueden trabajar son sacrificados por la compañía y sus restos son convertidos en comida para perro. Eso les escandaliza a la señora y decide llevarse a Jerry y luego llevar a juicio a la empresa por hacer eso con los antropoides. Que podían hablar aunque tuvieran aspecto de chimpancés superdesarrollados.
En el juicio se habla acerca de que el antropoide debe ser considerado humano y no se le debe sacrificar. La empresa alega el derecho a la propiedad privada y que ellos crearon al antropoide que si no sería un chimpancé común. Se trae a juicio a un extraterrestre para que dé su declaración. El extraterrestre dice que no es humano, pero que en el pacto de su planeta con a Tierra se decía que los extraterrestres serían tratados como humanos en el planeta Tierra. Aunque el extraterrestre decía ser más inteligente que los humanos, que estaba por encima de los humanos tanto como los humanos estaban del antropoide. Al final se dice que Jerry era un hombre.
Heinlein no defrauda. Aunque la primera historia no me atrajo mucho, la segunda y la tercera sí me gustaron, en la tercera se nota más humor que en las demás, algo característico de Heilein. En estas novelas cortas ya se ven ideas que usaría en "Forastero en tierra extraña", una de sus principales obras.
February 12, 2014
"Important for their philosophical content rather than science speculation -- for values of 'philosophical' that involved speculative metaphysics and speculative anthropology. Elsewhen was in fact one of his earliest stories -- Opus 5 -- and Elsewhen -- Opus 10 -- was written even before 1939 was out" p 2. "These early stories collected together [for 1953] .. marked the intellectual pathway Heinlein was to follow" p 4 (from Intro by William H. Patterson Jr).
1 Gulf Nov-Dec 1949 Astounding - Joe Greene, disguised as Captain Gilead, steals doomsday weapon plans, fights, escapes. Enemy Mrs Keithley captures him, innocent waitress, and drawling Kettle-Belly Baldwin who engineers escape. Gail teaches him 'New Men' genius speedtalk, even telepathy. But Keithley builds nova planet killer, must be stopped.
2 Elsewhen Sep 1941 Astounding as Elsewhere written 1939
3 Lost Legacy as Lost Legion under Lyle Monroe in Nov 1941 Super Science Stories
4 Jerry Was a Man as Jerry Is a Man in Oct 1947 Thrilling Wonder Stories
(credits from Afterword by David Drake p 331-336)
4*, 1*, 2* First starts with thrills, second with laugh, both degenerates to warned metaphysical babble (Intro by William H. Patterson) that overpowers in 1* third. #4 has silly characters grow gumption amid overall con. Hodge-podge pastiche of memorable highs and forgettable lows may inspire decent later works.
1 Gulf starts thrilling. Government secret agent Joe Greene changes disguises, fights, flees. As Captain Gilead, he stole doomsday weapons plans from moon. Thugs from well-respected socialite Mrs Keithley catch him, torture innocent waitress . Fellow prisoner Kettle-Belly Baldwin deals card deck in coded messages, helps break wall to escape by his rented helicopters. Slows to moralizing philosphizing, learn fast speech, reading, even telepathy with 'supermen'. Ends sad with token mate (could be a dog for all the character).
2 Elsewhen starts with silly klutz cop Sgt Izowski babbling to Chief about Prof Arthur Frost, vanished when taken in for questioning about disappearance of five students after his study group. Prof lectures ad nauseum. Under hypnotic command to return in two hours, all but skeptical Howard Jenkins (confusingly referred to by either name), only there for pretty Estelle, vanish. Lots of tense cigarette smoking.
After boring blah-blah, each narrates adventure at remove past tense, instead of reader experiencing first-hand present. Best part could have been story itself, when Bob wakes in humanoid whose race is under attack, reminiscent of Anthony's Cluster transfer and Christopher's White Mountains invaders. Everyone has identifying qualities - slow plod Izowski, metaphysical Prof, Christian Martha, brave loyal Bob, daring clever Helen, pretty passive Estelle, single-woman Howard. End wraps up in happy-ever-after couples, doting dreamer Prof who started it all.
3 Lost Legacy Dull. Present-day same-old elder teaches mind power to students is somehow related to Ambrose Bierce, myth, fall of gods and Atlantis. Prof Dr Phillip Huxley teaches card-reading, mind-reading, telepathy tricks to student Joan and medical physician Dr Ben Coburn (again, confusingly called by both names, and title), but Western University President Brinckley refuses funding for parapsychology research. Phil's "recurring dream that I was climbing, climbing, up to some high place" p 207 gets them rescued by Ambrose Pierce, who vanished in 1913. Ben's broken legs heal overnight. They learn more mind powers from peaceful "community", but all have bad dreams, where big god Odin, Jove, or "Ahuramazda" p 223, whatever the pantheon allows man to rebel for "Twilight of the Gods .. destruction of Mu and Atlantis"
4 Jerry Was a Man Rich Martha Van Vogel indulges husband 'Brownie' Bronson's yen for genetically created Pegasus, until he tries to send Jerry, ape slave she rescued, back to factory she partly owns for normal scheduled euthenasia with all lab-designed stock past working capability. After seeing Jerry dressed in kilt, singing Scottish ballad, shyster McCoy trains ape in responses to gain freedom for him and his fellows, calls powerful snob Martian gene master manipulator as witness. Within silliness, oft-used courtroom climax, seems to be a lesson in definition of humanity.
Typo
p 324 "The McCoy had insisted" is "Then McCoy .."
1 Gulf Nov-Dec 1949 Astounding - Joe Greene, disguised as Captain Gilead, steals doomsday weapon plans, fights, escapes. Enemy Mrs Keithley captures him, innocent waitress, and drawling Kettle-Belly Baldwin who engineers escape. Gail teaches him 'New Men' genius speedtalk, even telepathy. But Keithley builds nova planet killer, must be stopped.
2 Elsewhen Sep 1941 Astounding as Elsewhere written 1939
3 Lost Legacy as Lost Legion under Lyle Monroe in Nov 1941 Super Science Stories
4 Jerry Was a Man as Jerry Is a Man in Oct 1947 Thrilling Wonder Stories
(credits from Afterword by David Drake p 331-336)
4*, 1*, 2* First starts with thrills, second with laugh, both degenerates to warned metaphysical babble (Intro by William H. Patterson) that overpowers in 1* third. #4 has silly characters grow gumption amid overall con. Hodge-podge pastiche of memorable highs and forgettable lows may inspire decent later works.
1 Gulf starts thrilling. Government secret agent Joe Greene changes disguises, fights, flees. As Captain Gilead, he stole doomsday weapons plans from moon. Thugs from well-respected socialite Mrs Keithley catch him, torture innocent waitress . Fellow prisoner Kettle-Belly Baldwin deals card deck in coded messages, helps break wall to escape by his rented helicopters. Slows to moralizing philosphizing, learn fast speech, reading, even telepathy with 'supermen'. Ends sad with token mate (could be a dog for all the character).
2 Elsewhen starts with silly klutz cop Sgt Izowski babbling to Chief about Prof Arthur Frost, vanished when taken in for questioning about disappearance of five students after his study group. Prof lectures ad nauseum. Under hypnotic command to return in two hours, all but skeptical Howard Jenkins (confusingly referred to by either name), only there for pretty Estelle, vanish. Lots of tense cigarette smoking.
After boring blah-blah, each narrates adventure at remove past tense, instead of reader experiencing first-hand present. Best part could have been story itself, when Bob wakes in humanoid whose race is under attack, reminiscent of Anthony's Cluster transfer and Christopher's White Mountains invaders. Everyone has identifying qualities - slow plod Izowski, metaphysical Prof, Christian Martha, brave loyal Bob, daring clever Helen, pretty passive Estelle, single-woman Howard. End wraps up in happy-ever-after couples, doting dreamer Prof who started it all.
3 Lost Legacy Dull. Present-day same-old elder teaches mind power to students is somehow related to Ambrose Bierce, myth, fall of gods and Atlantis. Prof Dr Phillip Huxley teaches card-reading, mind-reading, telepathy tricks to student Joan and medical physician Dr Ben Coburn (again, confusingly called by both names, and title), but Western University President Brinckley refuses funding for parapsychology research. Phil's "recurring dream that I was climbing, climbing, up to some high place" p 207 gets them rescued by Ambrose Pierce, who vanished in 1913. Ben's broken legs heal overnight. They learn more mind powers from peaceful "community", but all have bad dreams, where big god Odin, Jove, or "Ahuramazda" p 223, whatever the pantheon allows man to rebel for "Twilight of the Gods .. destruction of Mu and Atlantis"
4 Jerry Was a Man Rich Martha Van Vogel indulges husband 'Brownie' Bronson's yen for genetically created Pegasus, until he tries to send Jerry, ape slave she rescued, back to factory she partly owns for normal scheduled euthenasia with all lab-designed stock past working capability. After seeing Jerry dressed in kilt, singing Scottish ballad, shyster McCoy trains ape in responses to gain freedom for him and his fellows, calls powerful snob Martian gene master manipulator as witness. Within silliness, oft-used courtroom climax, seems to be a lesson in definition of humanity.
Typo
p 324 "The McCoy had insisted" is "Then McCoy .."
March 31, 2019
I spent some time a while back reading Robert Heinlein’s published collections of short stories - but I overlooked one, Assignment in Eternity, which was unfortunate because these four stories are among the most memorable of Heinlein’s stories in my opinion - as long as one doesn’t look at them too closely. Unfortunately, what makes them memorable is also what makes them not particularly good stories.
“Gulf” is primarily a spy thriller structured much the same way as a Bond film cold open - it’s only real purpose is to set up the proposition that forms the central part of the story, and the story then ends in a suicide mission in which both protagonists are killed. As a story, it’s rather weak on structure. As an argument, it’s just more of Heinlein’s notions of the manifestation of a superman, but this time, the superman will benevolently rule the others. What it really shows is how easy it is fo that kind of mind candy to corrupt. The punch that holds the nastiness in place is the heroic deaths of the protagonists - and that moment stayed with me for a long time.
“Elsewhen” does much the same thing with its stories of people who have learned how to walk through time. It’s so tempting, to use the power to end up when you are most suited to be. In “Elsewhen,” a man who has learned the secret of changing timelines teaches five of his students how to do the same. One lives a life at a thousand times the speed of their own time line and ends up as a saint in a land where heaven exists much as she expected it. Two end up in a world where there is war, and it’s going badly for humanity - they take military and engineering science there to save their new home. Two find themselves happily in an agrarian, quiet world with just enough technology to be comfortable. When their teacher is charged with murder after their disappearance, he closes the circles by taking some of the agrarian world’s tech to the world at war, and then settling in to spend his last years on the agrarian world, occasionally visiting his former students in the now significantly improved war world. There’s now no way for anyone on the central earth to find him. It’s the ultimate portal fantasy, that can happen for anyone who stumbles upon the trick of freeing himself from living in time. But when it’s finished, all you have left is five people enjoying that perfect fantasy, and all of the conflict is unimportant
Lost Legacy is a novella that again, tells a story that, for all its interesting ideas and wish fulfillment ideas, is not actually much of a story at all. The concept is that once everyone have superpowers. Then a bunch of elitists tried to limit whose powers would be allowed to develop, and the non-elitists, rather that fight, surrendered the field, leaving little secret notes so someday an emerging society could restore the open use of powers. One day, some energetic American discover their powers, connect with other who have been gathering, and starts the war the older nonelitists walked away from. We are given to understand that they will prevail because they are Americans, and are using Scouting to hide their training program. (But only boys, not girls in scouting, because girls don’t matter.)
The final story, “Jerry Was a Man” may have ben so cringeworthy because in it, Heinlein winds himself up to Say Something about black-white relations in America, and he always went way off line when he tried that. It’s the decadent future and wealthy people are big on genetically engineered pets. The useless boy-toy husband of a very wealthy woman wants a pegasus, so she tries to buy him one. He throws a tantrum when he discovers that a pegasus would be incapable of flight unless it were built like a condor - but while he’s negotiating for something that might please him, Mrs. Moneybags notices a sad humanoid worker named Jerry in a cage and discovers that the company euthanises all older engineered workers.
She’s appalled, and because she does own a large section of the company, tries and fails to have the policy changed. The manager and the boy-toy try to manipulate her, first by giving her the right to a permanent leasehold over Jerry, then later by trying to take Jerry back when she decides to go to court for his personhood. This results in a delightful scene where boy-toy discovers that being handsome does not trump betraying your wife and is kicked out. Mrs. Moneybags gets the best legal assistance she can afford, and Jerry sues to have himself and his people declared human enough that they can be held in guardianship but not killed. The sickening part in an otherwise rather funny court scene is when Jerry’s humanity is cinched by his dressing up in faded dungarees and singing Swanee River. Now, admittedly, artists who are powerful and unquestionably the best humanity has to offer, such as, say, the great Paul Robeson, have sung that song so that they uplifted it, rather than being pulled down by its lyrics and images, but the whole image of a genetically enhanced primate gaining a portion (maybe 3/5 ths) of humanity by mimicking a black man disturbs me greatly. Yes, the story’s intent is good. But this is a tonedeaf use of images on Heinlein’s part and it turns much of the good stuff to ashes when you read it.
This particular collection of Heinlein stories is very much one that I wish the rewrite fairy could get her hands on and turn them into the solid stories that lurk inside them.
“Gulf” is primarily a spy thriller structured much the same way as a Bond film cold open - it’s only real purpose is to set up the proposition that forms the central part of the story, and the story then ends in a suicide mission in which both protagonists are killed. As a story, it’s rather weak on structure. As an argument, it’s just more of Heinlein’s notions of the manifestation of a superman, but this time, the superman will benevolently rule the others. What it really shows is how easy it is fo that kind of mind candy to corrupt. The punch that holds the nastiness in place is the heroic deaths of the protagonists - and that moment stayed with me for a long time.
“Elsewhen” does much the same thing with its stories of people who have learned how to walk through time. It’s so tempting, to use the power to end up when you are most suited to be. In “Elsewhen,” a man who has learned the secret of changing timelines teaches five of his students how to do the same. One lives a life at a thousand times the speed of their own time line and ends up as a saint in a land where heaven exists much as she expected it. Two end up in a world where there is war, and it’s going badly for humanity - they take military and engineering science there to save their new home. Two find themselves happily in an agrarian, quiet world with just enough technology to be comfortable. When their teacher is charged with murder after their disappearance, he closes the circles by taking some of the agrarian world’s tech to the world at war, and then settling in to spend his last years on the agrarian world, occasionally visiting his former students in the now significantly improved war world. There’s now no way for anyone on the central earth to find him. It’s the ultimate portal fantasy, that can happen for anyone who stumbles upon the trick of freeing himself from living in time. But when it’s finished, all you have left is five people enjoying that perfect fantasy, and all of the conflict is unimportant
Lost Legacy is a novella that again, tells a story that, for all its interesting ideas and wish fulfillment ideas, is not actually much of a story at all. The concept is that once everyone have superpowers. Then a bunch of elitists tried to limit whose powers would be allowed to develop, and the non-elitists, rather that fight, surrendered the field, leaving little secret notes so someday an emerging society could restore the open use of powers. One day, some energetic American discover their powers, connect with other who have been gathering, and starts the war the older nonelitists walked away from. We are given to understand that they will prevail because they are Americans, and are using Scouting to hide their training program. (But only boys, not girls in scouting, because girls don’t matter.)
The final story, “Jerry Was a Man” may have ben so cringeworthy because in it, Heinlein winds himself up to Say Something about black-white relations in America, and he always went way off line when he tried that. It’s the decadent future and wealthy people are big on genetically engineered pets. The useless boy-toy husband of a very wealthy woman wants a pegasus, so she tries to buy him one. He throws a tantrum when he discovers that a pegasus would be incapable of flight unless it were built like a condor - but while he’s negotiating for something that might please him, Mrs. Moneybags notices a sad humanoid worker named Jerry in a cage and discovers that the company euthanises all older engineered workers.
She’s appalled, and because she does own a large section of the company, tries and fails to have the policy changed. The manager and the boy-toy try to manipulate her, first by giving her the right to a permanent leasehold over Jerry, then later by trying to take Jerry back when she decides to go to court for his personhood. This results in a delightful scene where boy-toy discovers that being handsome does not trump betraying your wife and is kicked out. Mrs. Moneybags gets the best legal assistance she can afford, and Jerry sues to have himself and his people declared human enough that they can be held in guardianship but not killed. The sickening part in an otherwise rather funny court scene is when Jerry’s humanity is cinched by his dressing up in faded dungarees and singing Swanee River. Now, admittedly, artists who are powerful and unquestionably the best humanity has to offer, such as, say, the great Paul Robeson, have sung that song so that they uplifted it, rather than being pulled down by its lyrics and images, but the whole image of a genetically enhanced primate gaining a portion (maybe 3/5 ths) of humanity by mimicking a black man disturbs me greatly. Yes, the story’s intent is good. But this is a tonedeaf use of images on Heinlein’s part and it turns much of the good stuff to ashes when you read it.
This particular collection of Heinlein stories is very much one that I wish the rewrite fairy could get her hands on and turn them into the solid stories that lurk inside them.
July 23, 2025
This book has 4 stories in it, which all discuss what it means to be human. If a group of humans evolved to have superpowers, how will they interact with non-superpowered humans? If a group of humans learn how to use their brains more efficiently (again making them seem like they have superpowers), will they share what they've learned with the rest of the world, and further, will the rest of the world listen and believe them? If apes are trained to act more like people, although never quite exactly like humans, can they be considered men anyway? What makes us human? The stories were interesting, if a bit odd in audio format.
July 7, 2024
A whirlwind tour with subterfuge, space and time travel, and ultimately a question of rights to freedom and life having an undertone of a commentary of slavery. The author is never one to shirk from hard topics.
October 23, 2017
Some of these stories have aged better than others. Some of them are kind of cheesy, but no more than a modern Doctor Who episode.
If you’re starting with Heinlein start somewhere else.
If you’re starting with Heinlein start somewhere else.
May 16, 2021
[Imported automatically from my blog. Some formatting there may not have translated here.]
Since I'd read some "new and uncut" versions of Heinlein novels recently, I thought I would put all the remaining Heinlein books on the to-be-read pile. Most of them I've read just once, umpty-ump years ago. As for this one: I found an Amazon pic of the same fifty-cent Signet edition I own. Yes, that's a very nekkid, albeit artfully blurry, lady on the cover. You could get away with that in those days.
Assignment in Eternity is a collection of four yarns (three longish, one shortish) originally published in SF mags between 1941 and 1949, two under pseudonyms. I had dim memories of the first ("Gulf") and the fourth ("Jerry was a Man"). Of the middle two ("Elsewhen" and "Lost Legacy") I had no recollection whatsoever.
Bottom line: they don't hold up that well, although there are some entertaining flights of fancy and prescient speculations about technology. Example: one character mentions another's "pocket phone". We have those now, Bob; they're just called "phones" though.
But one of the usual Heinlein tropes is here too: the wise and grumpy old fart who stops everything as he pedantically lectures some wet-behind-the-years young'un with some sophomoric-philosophical pseudo-scientific bullshit. Not to say it's wrong (although it sometimes is), but it's a lot less impressive to a guy in his sixties than it was to a lad in his teens.
"Gulf" starts out as an interplanetary secret agent yarn, but then detours into revelations about a secret race of "supermen", evolutionarily ahead of homo sapiens. They are opposed by an evil cabal, led by "Mrs. Keithley", who just happen to have gotten their hands on a doomsday device. Will the supermen be able to stop the Keithley Kabal?
"Elsewhen" is more than a little loopy, positing a multiverse (perhaps one of the earliest explications of that concept), which humans can traverse simply by a sort of self-hypnosis. The adventures of five college students and their professor, travelling between here-and-now earth and barely-recognizable alt-universes is kind of rollicking.
"Lost Legacy" is even more loopy; this time, the self-hypnosis gag is used by a trio of young people to gain superhuman powers (levitation, telepathy, accelerated healing, etc.) and insights. But it turns out to be old news, as they are psychically directed to Mt. Shasta, the redoubt of Ambrose Bierce (yes, that one) and similar supermen who have already gained those powers. They decide to bring their insights to the mass of humanity. Which would be cool, except (yet again) there's an evil cabal determined to keep mankind ignorant of their potential powers.
And finally, "Jerry was a Man" is a look into the future where genetic tinkering is the norm, and can be used to design fripperies like tiny elephants and unicorns. But a fantastically rich lady tycoon becomes aware of a race of chimps that have been bred to near-human intelligence, just enough to do all sorts of scut work. But they are doomed to a lifetime of chattel slavery, and a quick painless extermination when they become too decrepit to be profitable to their owners. Oooh! What follows is a legal battle, funded by the tycoon, to decide whether this arrangement can be maintained.
Bottom line: recommended only for people (like me) who are interested in revisiting their reading youth.
November 11, 2011
I borrowed this from the library because I'm writing a story that follows the basic Heileinian pattern (if it wasn't a word, well it is now). It's not far off from the classic Campbell story, but RAH has a lot of flavors of his own to add, including long, meandering discussions of political and/or personal belief systems. What better way to make the best plot possible than to read all the Heinlein I haven't yet burned through? Besides, this book of four novellas included Gulf, which he wrote as part of the famous "Time Travel" issue of... some SF magazine. Anyway.
This collection is somewhat uneven. The four stories all deal somehow with the infinite possibilities of the human mind and spirit -- as RAH saw them, which was pretty infinite. For the most part, these stories are thought experiments; a reason to take an idea and explore all the implications of it, through mostly cookie-cutter characters, with just enough plot to support the idea. Gulf is easily the strongest story, although Lost Legacy was a really fun read, as well. Jerry Was a Man was one I'd heard of before and was disappointed in. The last story, Elsewhen, was the purest "thought experiment" of the set, and came the closest to fantasy.
These were all written when Heinlein had high hopes for hypnotism in unlocking the potential of the mind (hypnosis is the key that starts things in two of the stories). If you're not already a fan of "Golden Age" stories, with their optimism, idealism, and quaint anachronisms (ubiquitous smoking being the widest example), these might be harder to take. For Heinlein fans, it's worth the time.
This collection is somewhat uneven. The four stories all deal somehow with the infinite possibilities of the human mind and spirit -- as RAH saw them, which was pretty infinite. For the most part, these stories are thought experiments; a reason to take an idea and explore all the implications of it, through mostly cookie-cutter characters, with just enough plot to support the idea. Gulf is easily the strongest story, although Lost Legacy was a really fun read, as well. Jerry Was a Man was one I'd heard of before and was disappointed in. The last story, Elsewhen, was the purest "thought experiment" of the set, and came the closest to fantasy.
These were all written when Heinlein had high hopes for hypnotism in unlocking the potential of the mind (hypnosis is the key that starts things in two of the stories). If you're not already a fan of "Golden Age" stories, with their optimism, idealism, and quaint anachronisms (ubiquitous smoking being the widest example), these might be harder to take. For Heinlein fans, it's worth the time.
July 16, 2018
Tres historias geniales que transcienden más allá de la humanidad. Un homenaje a los futuros superhombres o a los ya anónimos contemporáneos que son superhombres en silencio. La humanidad en su máxima expresión de su propia evolución.
La primera historia es un poco desconcertante, pues parece que fue escrito en su primera mitad para un género concreto y luego cambia y te razona la teoría del superhombre, así como la necesidad de permanecer ocultos y proteger a la propia humanidad de sus malos malísimos. Es un poco desconcertante, pero con la explicación final, todo se acalara.
La segunda para mi es la mejor de las tres historias, el descubrimiento del propio hombre, de dentro hacia fuera, luchando para hacer entender a la sociedad los cambios a los que nos hemos acostumbrados, imponiéndonos nuestra propia venda en los ojos, negando, ya sea por propia decisión o por conspiración de terceros. Un final terroríficamente sorprendente.
La tercera historia, ya muy tratada en otras obras, no deja de cuestionar la humanidad de las cosas y los seres vivos, así como la arrogancia del hombre al dotar de poderes aquello que económicamente le conviene y la denigrante comparación con otros seres, que nos ridiculiza y nos sitúa allí donde deberíamos ser, humildes y éticos.
Tres magníficas historias.
La primera historia es un poco desconcertante, pues parece que fue escrito en su primera mitad para un género concreto y luego cambia y te razona la teoría del superhombre, así como la necesidad de permanecer ocultos y proteger a la propia humanidad de sus malos malísimos. Es un poco desconcertante, pero con la explicación final, todo se acalara.
La segunda para mi es la mejor de las tres historias, el descubrimiento del propio hombre, de dentro hacia fuera, luchando para hacer entender a la sociedad los cambios a los que nos hemos acostumbrados, imponiéndonos nuestra propia venda en los ojos, negando, ya sea por propia decisión o por conspiración de terceros. Un final terroríficamente sorprendente.
La tercera historia, ya muy tratada en otras obras, no deja de cuestionar la humanidad de las cosas y los seres vivos, así como la arrogancia del hombre al dotar de poderes aquello que económicamente le conviene y la denigrante comparación con otros seres, que nos ridiculiza y nos sitúa allí donde deberíamos ser, humildes y éticos.
Tres magníficas historias.
January 13, 2013
Collection of shorts & novellas. The novellas relate to secret ubermensch society; the two shorts are apparent one-offs, involving respectively interdimensional travel and bioengineering. None of the stories have much intrigue, and the novellas lack schwerpunkt. The first novella is a spy narrative, wherein a master infiltrator is inducted into the secret society in order to stop some rich greasers from blowing up the earth with the ultimate weapon. The second novella involves some academics who are inducted into the society by Ambrose Bierce and are used to democratize prana-bindu techniques; they are resisted by rich greasers, who are led by a "creature" in a "wheelchair" that controls unions, commerce, and religious fundamentalists (166); not sure if that's supposed to be FDR or what. Secret society apparently is the scion of Atlantis (134), and the ancient empire was ruled by persons with pagan deity names.
Heinlein fans probably will find something redeeming here.
Heinlein fans probably will find something redeeming here.
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