Robert A. Heinlein

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== Influences ==
 
== Influences ==
Many view Heinlein's work as some of the most definitive in science fiction, and many of his novels are still in print and read by millions to this day. Among his works, ''Stranger in a Strange Land'', the tale of a human raised by Martians, is viewed as a groundbreaking work in the subjects of sexual liberation, self importance, and religions. ''Starship Troopers'', although receiving heavy criticism when it was first published, has become a literary symbol of duty, service, and the necessity of an armed force.
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Many view Heinlein's work as some of the most definitive in science fiction, and many of his novels are still in print and read by millions to this day. Among his works, ''Stranger in a Strange Land'', the tale of a human raised by Martians, is viewed as a groundbreaking work in the subjects of sexual liberation, self importance, and religions. It introduced "grok" to the English language.  ''Starship Troopers'', although receiving heavy criticism when it was first published, has become a literary symbol of duty, service, and the necessity of an armed force.
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''The Moon is a Harsh Mistress'', which is about a future revolution on a lunar colony mirroring the American Revolution, is considered a [[libertarian]] classic.  This is somewhat strange because two subjects that play a significant role in the book are carrying capacity and overpopulation (the famous acronym "TANSTAAFL" - There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch - introduced by the book was as much about ecological carrying capacity as it was about laissez-faire economics), both of which most libertarians these days are in [[denialism|denial]] of.<ref>This denialism is mainly due to the later influence of [[Julian Simon]] on libertarianism, and Heinlein's treatment of the subject is in no way incompatible with where libertarianism was at during the 1960s and 1970s before Julian Simon's cornucopian influence caused libertarianism to morph into an ideology based on the notion that there ''is'' such a thing as a free lunch.</ref>  Also featuring prominently is a computer who has become sentient, a popular scare-topic in 1960s sci-fi (see also HAL in ''2001: A Space Odyssey'').  Libertarians claim the Professor Bernardo de la Paz character was based on real-life libertarian theorist Robert LeFevre, and it is likely Heinlein learned of LeFevre through his involvement with the Goldwaterites in 1964<ref>Robert LeFevre was giving "freedom school" seminars to the Goldwaterites and other ultraconservative types during the 1960s, at which he promoted a peculiar total-pacifist variant of unregulated capitalism; the [[John Birch Society]] and conservative business lobby groups eventually had to warn their members against attending LeFevre's seminars because people were coming out of them utterly convinced that voting is a form of violence and violence of any sort is incompatible with free market capitalism.</ref>, but the extent to which the Professor was based on LeFevre is in some question because Robert LeFevre was a pacifist; Professor Bernardo de la Paz is decidedly not.
  
 
One novel in particular, ''Revolt in 2100'', tells of a man named Nehemia Scudder, a backwoods preacher who soon becomes the President, then the [[dictator]] of [[United States|America]]. Through him, the nation's government is destroyed and replaced by a government handled by "The Prophets", a series of theocratic rulers that work to destroy [[science|scientific]] progress and thought in the name of [[God]]. The series, known mostly as the "Future History" series (although Heinlein was uncomfortable with the name), was revived in 2006, with Spider Robinson's ''Variable Star'', a novel based on Heinlein's unpublished notes.
 
One novel in particular, ''Revolt in 2100'', tells of a man named Nehemia Scudder, a backwoods preacher who soon becomes the President, then the [[dictator]] of [[United States|America]]. Through him, the nation's government is destroyed and replaced by a government handled by "The Prophets", a series of theocratic rulers that work to destroy [[science|scientific]] progress and thought in the name of [[God]]. The series, known mostly as the "Future History" series (although Heinlein was uncomfortable with the name), was revived in 2006, with Spider Robinson's ''Variable Star'', a novel based on Heinlein's unpublished notes.

Revision as of 12:57, 7 September 2008

Robert Anson Heinlein [Pronounced Hine-line] (7 July 1907 – 8 May 1988) was an American science fiction author who was known as one of the "Big Three", alongside Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke [1]. His contributions to science fiction include Stranger in a Strange Land, Red Planet, Starship Troopers, and Rocketship Galileo.

Life, service, and death

One could best overview Heinlein's life as his inspirations for his various works. Born in Butler, Missouri, Heinlein would take many of his "Bible Belt" experiences with religion and morals to use in many of his novels, such as Glory Road or Stranger. His other influences came from the deep feelings of loyalty and service instilled in him during his time at the U.S. Naval Academy. However, his tenure in the military was only five years (quite short for an officer), when he was released from the service due to tuberculosis.

As World War II struck, Heinlein returned to the military as a civilian contractor in the Philadelphia Naval shipyard, bringing along an old friend, Issac Asimov, to help him. During their time there, Asimov once complained he was unable to get anything down after even five re-writes of the story. Heinlein, shocked by the revelation, turned to Asimov and stated, "You write it more than once?" Asimov later detailed this exchange in his SF collection Gold, in one of his essays on writing.

After a shaky relationship with his first wife, Heinlein filed for divorce in 1947. It was not long, however, until he found a new wife, Virginia. He and Virginia were wed the next year, and would remain married for the rest of his life. She became one of his main inspirations for powerful female characters, and the archetype is often used in many of his stories, notably Friday, Glory Road, and the autobiographical Tramp Royale. Virginia acted as Heinlein's "first reader", reviewing his work before it was submitted to the publishers, and took an active role in his business affairs.

In 1950, Heinlein was credited as one of the main contributors to the film Destination Moon, which earned him an Academy Award for Special Effects. It was after this that he began to pen his juvenile series, a series of books geared towards younger readers of science fiction. Through Scribners, the publisher he worked with, Heinlein released some of his most beloved classics, including Red Planet and Have Space Suit: Will Travel.

During the late 50's and early 60's, the Heinleins became politically active with the founding of the Patrick Henry League in 1958, as well as working on Barry Goldwater's staff in 1964. Asimov, a long time friend of Heinlein, attributed this to his wife in his autobiography, I, Asimov. It was during this time that Heinlein released what would become some of his most known novels, with Starship Troopers in 1958, Stranger in a Strange Land in 1961, and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress in 1966.

As the years progressed, Heinlein's health became worse. In the 1970's, He was stricken with peritonitis that nearly killed him. He remained active, however, and traveled the globe with his wife. Finally, in 1988, his health problems caught up to him, and he died of congestive heart failure.

Influences

Many view Heinlein's work as some of the most definitive in science fiction, and many of his novels are still in print and read by millions to this day. Among his works, Stranger in a Strange Land, the tale of a human raised by Martians, is viewed as a groundbreaking work in the subjects of sexual liberation, self importance, and religions. It introduced "grok" to the English language. Starship Troopers, although receiving heavy criticism when it was first published, has become a literary symbol of duty, service, and the necessity of an armed force.

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, which is about a future revolution on a lunar colony mirroring the American Revolution, is considered a libertarian classic. This is somewhat strange because two subjects that play a significant role in the book are carrying capacity and overpopulation (the famous acronym "TANSTAAFL" - There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch - introduced by the book was as much about ecological carrying capacity as it was about laissez-faire economics), both of which most libertarians these days are in denial of.[1] Also featuring prominently is a computer who has become sentient, a popular scare-topic in 1960s sci-fi (see also HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey). Libertarians claim the Professor Bernardo de la Paz character was based on real-life libertarian theorist Robert LeFevre, and it is likely Heinlein learned of LeFevre through his involvement with the Goldwaterites in 1964[2], but the extent to which the Professor was based on LeFevre is in some question because Robert LeFevre was a pacifist; Professor Bernardo de la Paz is decidedly not.

One novel in particular, Revolt in 2100, tells of a man named Nehemia Scudder, a backwoods preacher who soon becomes the President, then the dictator of America. Through him, the nation's government is destroyed and replaced by a government handled by "The Prophets", a series of theocratic rulers that work to destroy scientific progress and thought in the name of God. The series, known mostly as the "Future History" series (although Heinlein was uncomfortable with the name), was revived in 2006, with Spider Robinson's Variable Star, a novel based on Heinlein's unpublished notes.

Starship Troopers has received an unprecedented amount of treatment, being made into a live-action film and an animated series. The story itself has also contributed much to the world of video games, most notably the Halo and Tribes series. Other influences can be traced to the movie series Alien, various works of literature including a song by the progressive rock band Yes, and tabletop gaming, such as WarHammer 40,000. Starship Troopers described a militaristic society in which only those who have served in the military have the right to vote, because they are the only members of society who have been willing to risk their lives to defend it. The novel also featured the use of "suits" soldiers "wore" that increased their strength manyfold by amplifying the magnitude and power of the soldier's movements.


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