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The Year of the Jackpot
A statistician attempts to make sense of a world gone mad in an apocalyptic sci-fi scenario from the Hugo Award–winning author of Starship Troopers.
Multiple Hugo Award winner Robert Heinlein earned countless fans, accolades, and honors with groundbreaking novels such as Starship Troopers and Stranger in a Strange Land. But it was shorter works like his brilliant novella, The Year of the Jackpot, that solidified Heinlein’s position among sci-fi’s greatest.
Potiphar Breen puts his trust in numbers to make sense of the world. An unassuming, middle-aged bachelor, he has been carefully noting a rise in odd behaviors all around him in order to determine some pattern or meaning in these bizarre recent events. Then one day, he comes upon a beautiful young woman at a bus stop who is taking off all her clothes.
Meade Barstow has no idea what compelled her to disrobe in public, and she is grateful when Potiphar comes along to save her from herself. Needing some time and a place to recuperate, she
accompanies him home. Soon, a relationship develops that is warm, mutually supportive, and sane—in dramatic contrast to the growing madness of the world outside.
But “Potty’s” house won’t be a refuge forever. Because once Breen clearly identifies the cycle that humanity is undergoing, he and his newfound friend will have to run for their lives.
Originally published in the early 1950s, Heinlein’s The Year of the Jackpot is a story of love, trust, and volatile human nature that still retains its wonder and unique philosophical edge.
Multiple Hugo Award winner Robert Heinlein earned countless fans, accolades, and honors with groundbreaking novels such as Starship Troopers and Stranger in a Strange Land. But it was shorter works like his brilliant novella, The Year of the Jackpot, that solidified Heinlein’s position among sci-fi’s greatest.
Potiphar Breen puts his trust in numbers to make sense of the world. An unassuming, middle-aged bachelor, he has been carefully noting a rise in odd behaviors all around him in order to determine some pattern or meaning in these bizarre recent events. Then one day, he comes upon a beautiful young woman at a bus stop who is taking off all her clothes.
Meade Barstow has no idea what compelled her to disrobe in public, and she is grateful when Potiphar comes along to save her from herself. Needing some time and a place to recuperate, she
accompanies him home. Soon, a relationship develops that is warm, mutually supportive, and sane—in dramatic contrast to the growing madness of the world outside.
But “Potty’s” house won’t be a refuge forever. Because once Breen clearly identifies the cycle that humanity is undergoing, he and his newfound friend will have to run for their lives.
Originally published in the early 1950s, Heinlein’s The Year of the Jackpot is a story of love, trust, and volatile human nature that still retains its wonder and unique philosophical edge.
62 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 1952
74 people are currently reading
472 people want to read
About the author
Robert A. Heinlein
1,055 books10.5k 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 69 reviews
July 23, 2024
2024 ad hoc SF read
Well I spotted this cheap on Kindle and despite already buying way more than I shall ever read already this month, I decided as it was RAH (and up until a certain point in his career he is one of my favourite authors) I would splash out on the 78p or whatever it was to buy it.
And to be honest it wasn’t a waste. It is obviously an early story and so is in, what I class as his normal period, and as such is well written, with believable characters and a really interesting situation.
This short story stars two people, Potiphar Breen , a mathematician who looks at the trends in occurrences for insurance companies, and Meade Barstow, a woman he meets at the bus stop as she is stripping off her clothes !!
Managing to convince a police officer not to arrest her, Potiphar rescues Meade and is interested in what made her strip off.
It transpires that Meade is not the first to want to disrobe in the street and Potiphar tells her it is part of just one cycle of earthly behaviour that seems to peaking. Explaining about all the differing cycles that he is monitoring, Potiphar believes that things are coming to a head for the human race.
A fun read and certainly worth 78p.
Well I spotted this cheap on Kindle and despite already buying way more than I shall ever read already this month, I decided as it was RAH (and up until a certain point in his career he is one of my favourite authors) I would splash out on the 78p or whatever it was to buy it.
And to be honest it wasn’t a waste. It is obviously an early story and so is in, what I class as his normal period, and as such is well written, with believable characters and a really interesting situation.
This short story stars two people, Potiphar Breen , a mathematician who looks at the trends in occurrences for insurance companies, and Meade Barstow, a woman he meets at the bus stop as she is stripping off her clothes !!
Managing to convince a police officer not to arrest her, Potiphar rescues Meade and is interested in what made her strip off.
It transpires that Meade is not the first to want to disrobe in the street and Potiphar tells her it is part of just one cycle of earthly behaviour that seems to peaking. Explaining about all the differing cycles that he is monitoring, Potiphar believes that things are coming to a head for the human race.
A fun read and certainly worth 78p.
April 1, 2017
The Year of the Jackpot is a story centered around a crusty statistician who looks for macro-cycles in life broadly and avoids being the paradigmatic nut by turning out to be right. It's also a sweet love story. As Heinlein stories go, it is probably bottom third, but that's still pretty darned nice.
March 16, 2013
A fun, quick read that becomes downright eerie at times. Heinlein didn't need to see the future to write this novella: he simply understands statistics, the recurrence of trends, and the herd mentality. Even so, I was taken aback at how "here, now, today" his vision seems to be. The decline of intellectualism and extreme political division are pretty easy predictions looking from the 1950s toward the future, agreed, but his description of the rise of the "American Rally" political movement (the protagonist refers to them as the "No-Nothings") had me murmuring "You betcha!" under my breath. The penultimate scene of the book was a bit unsatisfying to me, but overall, this was definitely a worthwhile read.
March 15, 2013
This short story is an excellent intro to Heinlein. Although science has overtaken his technological premise, it can never overtake his morality. A mathematician with the unlikely name of Potiphar Breem has been earning a living as a general advisor to business, politicians and individuals about cycles, business, fashion and even astronomical. When an otherwise sensible girl strips herself naked right before his eyes, he becomes convinced that the "Lady Godiva" cycle heralds something really big.
To tell you how much I like it I can only say that I very shortly realized that I had read it before, but still don't regret paying for it. It's mystery, adventure and love story in 20 minutes. Just right for your bus or subway commute.
To tell you how much I like it I can only say that I very shortly realized that I had read it before, but still don't regret paying for it. It's mystery, adventure and love story in 20 minutes. Just right for your bus or subway commute.
dnf
April 26, 2020I was curious whether this influenced Wm Gibson’s Peripheral novels since they both have a J/jackpot at their centre. Perhaps the use of the word, but it looked to me like that was all they have in common.
April 16, 2022
Reviewed by James, age 12, 4/16/22
This book is about a man named Potiphar Breen. Potiphar is a mathematician who tries to find patterns in pretty much everything, and he's insanely good at it. He can predict almost anything. For instance, he works for an insurance company, and he can pinpoint about when all of their clients are going to die. He assembles all of his predictions into one big chart where he plots all of the points and all of the interesting things that are happening, such as random acts of nudity - which seem to be getting increasingly common - and the fact that it hasn't rained for a very long time. All of the points on his graph lead him to predict that this year is going to be the "Year of the Jackpot," in which all of the interesting things that have been put off - all of the improbable things - are going to happen this year. Then it starts raining. It starts raining hard. And if that isn't bad enough - flooding in the streets - there's a massive earthquake along the San Andreas Fault. It puts the one in 1906 to shame.
So Potiphar runs away, taking his girl (who he met in one of those aforementioned acts of public nudity), and makes for northern California. He makes it to one of his friend's hunting lodges, where they stay for a couple of days. Then he notices the sun spot. And by noticing it, I mean he notices that he can look at the sun with his bare eyes because of an extremely rare effect. He grabs a telescope and points it out to his sweetheart. She says "That's a sunspot? It looks like someone took a bite out of the sun!" He then realizes it that it is growing at such a rapid rate that everyone on the planet probably has 30 minutes to live. And so, he sits down with his sweetheart to watch the end of the world.
I liked this story, although the ending did seem a little depressing. You know, with the destruction of everyone on the planet and all!
This book is about a man named Potiphar Breen. Potiphar is a mathematician who tries to find patterns in pretty much everything, and he's insanely good at it. He can predict almost anything. For instance, he works for an insurance company, and he can pinpoint about when all of their clients are going to die. He assembles all of his predictions into one big chart where he plots all of the points and all of the interesting things that are happening, such as random acts of nudity - which seem to be getting increasingly common - and the fact that it hasn't rained for a very long time. All of the points on his graph lead him to predict that this year is going to be the "Year of the Jackpot," in which all of the interesting things that have been put off - all of the improbable things - are going to happen this year. Then it starts raining. It starts raining hard. And if that isn't bad enough - flooding in the streets - there's a massive earthquake along the San Andreas Fault. It puts the one in 1906 to shame.
So Potiphar runs away, taking his girl (who he met in one of those aforementioned acts of public nudity), and makes for northern California. He makes it to one of his friend's hunting lodges, where they stay for a couple of days. Then he notices the sun spot. And by noticing it, I mean he notices that he can look at the sun with his bare eyes because of an extremely rare effect. He grabs a telescope and points it out to his sweetheart. She says "That's a sunspot? It looks like someone took a bite out of the sun!" He then realizes it that it is growing at such a rapid rate that everyone on the planet probably has 30 minutes to live. And so, he sits down with his sweetheart to watch the end of the world.
I liked this story, although the ending did seem a little depressing. You know, with the destruction of everyone on the planet and all!
February 17, 2020
Statistician Potiphar Breen has been taking note of strange and unusual events, including a large number of women taking their clothing off in public. Meade Barstow, the latest befuddled stripper, is seen by Pot. Pot intervenes when the police arrive, offering to take care of her and see her safely home. Instead, when she is worried about what her landlady will say, he brings her to his home so that she can put herself back together. Meade agrees to answer his questions for his kindness. Pot reveals what he believes the numbers are telling him, that the planet is facing something that scares him.
Intense, sad, and entirely too realistic. The idea of cycles with world events both good and bad is all too true. The gentle romance between Meade and Pot was a lovely addition. Side note: I was surprised to see the inclusion of transvestites in this story published in 1951. Heinlein treated the couple and the subject in a much nicer manner than I might have expected. I wonder why they were included as they weren't truly needed, nor was the subject of needed for his argument. Others could've sufficed. This was a first time read for me, as is the next story. 4 out of 5.
Intense, sad, and entirely too realistic. The idea of cycles with world events both good and bad is all too true. The gentle romance between Meade and Pot was a lovely addition. Side note: I was surprised to see the inclusion of transvestites in this story published in 1951. Heinlein treated the couple and the subject in a much nicer manner than I might have expected. I wonder why they were included as they weren't truly needed, nor was the subject of needed for his argument. Others could've sufficed. This was a first time read for me, as is the next story. 4 out of 5.
March 16, 2012
Not as good as The Door Into Summer (my first Heinlein novella), but better than most of the stuff that's out there. I've become a Robert Heinlein fan & am looking forward to reading more. I'm not even a science fiction fan, but Heinlein makes it seems real, not so far out there that it's unbelievable.
March 25, 2022
An interesting take on what Isaac Asimov called psychohistory—the idea that you could predict things in a rather general sense by using mathematics.
Although the narrator’s views of gender are knuckle-dragging, there’s an amusing anecdote:
“Transvestism by draft dodgers had at last resulted in a mass arrest in Chicago which was to have ended in a giant joint trial—only to have the deputy prosecutor show up in a pinafore and defy the judge to submit to an examination to determine the judge’s true sex. The judge suffered a stroke and died and the trial was postponed—postponed forever, in Breen’s opinion; he doubted that this particular blue law would ever again be enforced.”
Sure, it was intended to show how world-endingly topsy-turvy everything had become, but that was a funny story. The overall story, however, was rather bleak in the end.
Although the narrator’s views of gender are knuckle-dragging, there’s an amusing anecdote:
“Transvestism by draft dodgers had at last resulted in a mass arrest in Chicago which was to have ended in a giant joint trial—only to have the deputy prosecutor show up in a pinafore and defy the judge to submit to an examination to determine the judge’s true sex. The judge suffered a stroke and died and the trial was postponed—postponed forever, in Breen’s opinion; he doubted that this particular blue law would ever again be enforced.”
Sure, it was intended to show how world-endingly topsy-turvy everything had become, but that was a funny story. The overall story, however, was rather bleak in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2021
Did he actually mean 2021?
I had read this novella 40 years ago when in college when a friend lent me a compilation of SF and it made a lasting impression. Since for once I was responsible enough to return the book and couldn't remember the title of the compilation, I hadn't seen it since. Needless to say, I thought about this story frequently over the past year, and considering the events so far in 2021, I wonder if the curves aren't still trending towards a jackpot!
In spite of the changes in technology since this story was written, it's still a tale well told. As a bonus, Heinlein gives us a little insight into statistical analysis.
Terry Weber (sharing account)
I had read this novella 40 years ago when in college when a friend lent me a compilation of SF and it made a lasting impression. Since for once I was responsible enough to return the book and couldn't remember the title of the compilation, I hadn't seen it since. Needless to say, I thought about this story frequently over the past year, and considering the events so far in 2021, I wonder if the curves aren't still trending towards a jackpot!
In spite of the changes in technology since this story was written, it's still a tale well told. As a bonus, Heinlein gives us a little insight into statistical analysis.
Terry Weber (sharing account)
April 18, 2018
I much prefer Heinlein's novels, but this novella is a good read. I had read it before but forgotten it over the years. Potiphar is a statistician who tracks cycles of 'funny business', noting they all peak together, which he call the 'Year of the Jackpot."
Statistics aside, his interest in Meade, a woman who stripped down to her skin at a bus stop, makes their relationship a bittersweet one.
Potiphar knows where things are trending, and it isn't pretty.
My blog:
The Interstitial Reader
https://theinterstitialreader.wordpre...
Statistics aside, his interest in Meade, a woman who stripped down to her skin at a bus stop, makes their relationship a bittersweet one.
Potiphar knows where things are trending, and it isn't pretty.
My blog:
The Interstitial Reader
https://theinterstitialreader.wordpre...
September 16, 2021
Set in 1952, But Needs No Update
Setting aside some of the detail, and keeping in mind that it is 1952, much of the socio-econo-religious commentary could and would fit into a 2021 scenario with few changes and still feel within reach of real.
It is a quick and easy read as well. Some of the content of the original story may have been removed (my failing memory remembers more). The seismology is not quite comfortable, but close enough, and the roots of other Heinlein stories make cameo appearances. A nice read for fans of RAH, old, new, and yet to be.
Setting aside some of the detail, and keeping in mind that it is 1952, much of the socio-econo-religious commentary could and would fit into a 2021 scenario with few changes and still feel within reach of real.
It is a quick and easy read as well. Some of the content of the original story may have been removed (my failing memory remembers more). The seismology is not quite comfortable, but close enough, and the roots of other Heinlein stories make cameo appearances. A nice read for fans of RAH, old, new, and yet to be.
July 8, 2024
Short story
Somehow this story evaded my reading of things Heinlein. With all the editing that should have gone before there's one time Potiphar's name is misspelled. The story could have been made longer, and there are plenty of more recent events that could have been added to the historical events used to justify the story's premise. The story could easily have been updated to be more current because of its predictive elements. It leaves one wondering if it might be time to go to the mountains in order to watch a quiet sunset.
Somehow this story evaded my reading of things Heinlein. With all the editing that should have gone before there's one time Potiphar's name is misspelled. The story could have been made longer, and there are plenty of more recent events that could have been added to the historical events used to justify the story's premise. The story could easily have been updated to be more current because of its predictive elements. It leaves one wondering if it might be time to go to the mountains in order to watch a quiet sunset.
November 18, 2024
It's a crazy time
A jackpot indeed. Heinlein writes about a world gone mad. Someone hit the jackpot! People doing crazy things, the weather going crazy. Maybe it's time to get away from the city... And avoid the earthquake. What's that mushroom cloud on the far horizon? Did the Russians really throw an atom bomb our way? Volcanoes throwing ash in the air. Why does the sun look so different?
A jackpot indeed. Heinlein writes about a world gone mad. Someone hit the jackpot! People doing crazy things, the weather going crazy. Maybe it's time to get away from the city... And avoid the earthquake. What's that mushroom cloud on the far horizon? Did the Russians really throw an atom bomb our way? Volcanoes throwing ash in the air. Why does the sun look so different?
November 25, 2024
Short stories are funny things.
This short story 60 pages is a combination of fast talking relationship like the movie "his girl friday" mathematical statistics of news items that happen in the world.
Certain news items can be mathematically tracked as a graph to see trends as waves that happen in the world.
A mathematician man and a woman talk and live through mathematical curves happening in the world back in 1952.
This short story 60 pages is a combination of fast talking relationship like the movie "his girl friday" mathematical statistics of news items that happen in the world.
Certain news items can be mathematically tracked as a graph to see trends as waves that happen in the world.
A mathematician man and a woman talk and live through mathematical curves happening in the world back in 1952.
May 28, 2021
Good, bleak story that gives a glimpse of a very different US than the one that exists now. Not sure if this world ever really existed anywhere other than in Heinlein's conception of life in the US, but the story is a quick (49 pages) read that doesn't require much critical thought unless you read the overblown introductions to his work.
June 9, 2020
Fun, eerie, depressing. Oddly fitting for 2020 where the world seems to be going increasingly insane at the same time as other events are all happening at once - as occurs in this story, set in 1952. It's a short story so doesn't take long to read. Classic Heinlein.
April 29, 2021
A woman begins to strip in public and a man realises it signifies an extraordinary event.
Heinlein can be accused of many things, but he is always entertaining and thought provoking. This story starts with the absurd but very quickly moves to the profound.
Heinlein can be accused of many things, but he is always entertaining and thought provoking. This story starts with the absurd but very quickly moves to the profound.
June 15, 2021
Bob.
I thought I had read everything from RAH. This was different. Fun and quirky while sad. Seemed like it was heading somewhere else then just wrapped. Going to have to go on a treasure hunt for my old paperbacks…
I thought I had read everything from RAH. This was different. Fun and quirky while sad. Seemed like it was heading somewhere else then just wrapped. Going to have to go on a treasure hunt for my old paperbacks…
December 5, 2021
Heinleln is forever great
Probably the only thing holding the insanity of the world is the relationship with one another. Whatever happens we know the human race is destined for oblivion as a group.
Probably the only thing holding the insanity of the world is the relationship with one another. Whatever happens we know the human race is destined for oblivion as a group.
July 10, 2023
Lemmings, A-bombs, open Sun sores, .32 automatics, transvestites, and natural laws that are passed by a natural legislature and signed into law by a natural governor, round out this fun end-of-times romp. . . And it’s true that earthquakes never happen when it’s raining.
November 14, 2023
Interesting book!
Interesting to read about things that didn't happen in 1952. Or did they?Although I was alive then, but only 6 years old, but, I honestly don't remember getting blown up when Philadelphia 'disappeared'.
Interesting to read about things that didn't happen in 1952. Or did they?Although I was alive then, but only 6 years old, but, I honestly don't remember getting blown up when Philadelphia 'disappeared'.
June 13, 2024
I read this long ago, probably in junior high.
I thought it was a pretty cool idea.
I think it still holds up.
Except for the authors dislike of people wearing clothes that are traditional for a different gender.
I would have ignored this when I was like 13 but now its annoying.
I thought it was a pretty cool idea.
I think it still holds up.
Except for the authors dislike of people wearing clothes that are traditional for a different gender.
I would have ignored this when I was like 13 but now its annoying.
October 2, 2017
Not the best thing Heinlein has written.
December 29, 2017
Read and reread
Early Heinlein at his most pessimistic. Once again I see us in the silly season and wonder when he will be right. And I miss Meade.
Early Heinlein at his most pessimistic. Once again I see us in the silly season and wonder when he will be right. And I miss Meade.
October 24, 2018
talk about creepy...
December 9, 2019
As usual, Mr. Heinlein's story is easily believable. He tells a story about when all the trends go wrong, so this isn't a good jackpot, but it's a very readable story.
March 15, 2020
Welp
Well, that was a bloody depressing story to read during the plague; because, nope, no silly season going on here.
Well, that was a bloody depressing story to read during the plague; because, nope, no silly season going on here.
July 1, 2020
A short story so not much time to develop ideas. More for the people who want to read all Heinlein stories.
May 11, 2021
An entertaining short story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews