Have Spacesuit, Will Travel
This has been perhaps my favorite Heinlein science fiction novel since I was little... I think it may be his best, even better than "Citizen of the Galaxy" or "Tunnel in the Sky". Probably.
I found the audiobook the other day (I've already paperback and hardcover), and decided to share it, since many aspects of it feel like something Objectivists and others here would appreciate, if not entirely agree with. I think it should be mandatory reading for junior or senior high school students.
The audiobook narrators articulate a bit too much, at times making the narration a bit campy. The "songs" of the mother-thing are overbearing, sometimes. But, the voice of brave little Peewee made up for all of the narration's shortcomings (again, most of the time).
Listening to it while at work, I got amused looks from my co-workers, particularly during the trek to Tombaugh station, when brave little Peewee's struggle made my eyes glisten and the world go blurry.
Examples like his father, Dr. Russel's, insistence upon paying his taxes in cash, and his unwillingness to argue or compromise.
Like the story's criticism of the school system (even back then), and its focus on "preparing" students rather than educating them.
Dr Russel: "Money problems can always be solved by a man not frightened by them."
Dr. Russel: "Don't grunt; that is an uncouth privilege of seniors."
Dr. Russel: "There is no such thing as luck; there is only adequate or inadequate preparation to deal with a statistical universe."
Dr Russel: "It is within the rules, Kip; but I've never yet known a skunk to be welcome at a picnic."
Dr Russel: "Son, any statement that starts, 'I really ought to' is suspect, it means you haven't really analyzed your motives.
... Find out what you want; then do it, never talk yourself into doing something you don't want."
Mr Charton: "Kip, a reverence for life does not require a man to respect nature's obvious mistakes...
I wonder how harmless such people are; to what extent civilization is retarded by the laughing jackasses, the empty-minded belittlers."
Dr Russel: "Some people insist that mediocre is better than best; they delight in clipping wings because they themselves can't fly; they despise brains because they have none. Pfah!"
Kip: "Call it 25 trillion miles. Whew!" (distance to Alpha Centauri, the nearest star. Or just 1.45 times our national debt).
Kip: " 'Die trying' is the proudest human thing."
Prof Reisfeld: "I deplore this modern over-specialization".
Prof Reisfeld: " 'Luck' is a question-begging word... 'good luck' follows careful preparation. 'Bad luck' comes from sloppiness."
Prof Reisfeld: "The best things in history are accomplished by people who got tired of being pushed around."
Mother Very Thoughtfully Made A Jelly Sandwich Under No Protest...
I found the audiobook the other day (I've already paperback and hardcover), and decided to share it, since many aspects of it feel like something Objectivists and others here would appreciate, if not entirely agree with. I think it should be mandatory reading for junior or senior high school students.
The audiobook narrators articulate a bit too much, at times making the narration a bit campy. The "songs" of the mother-thing are overbearing, sometimes. But, the voice of brave little Peewee made up for all of the narration's shortcomings (again, most of the time).
Listening to it while at work, I got amused looks from my co-workers, particularly during the trek to Tombaugh station, when brave little Peewee's struggle made my eyes glisten and the world go blurry.
Examples like his father, Dr. Russel's, insistence upon paying his taxes in cash, and his unwillingness to argue or compromise.
Like the story's criticism of the school system (even back then), and its focus on "preparing" students rather than educating them.
Dr Russel: "Money problems can always be solved by a man not frightened by them."
Dr. Russel: "Don't grunt; that is an uncouth privilege of seniors."
Dr. Russel: "There is no such thing as luck; there is only adequate or inadequate preparation to deal with a statistical universe."
Dr Russel: "It is within the rules, Kip; but I've never yet known a skunk to be welcome at a picnic."
Dr Russel: "Son, any statement that starts, 'I really ought to' is suspect, it means you haven't really analyzed your motives.
... Find out what you want; then do it, never talk yourself into doing something you don't want."
Mr Charton: "Kip, a reverence for life does not require a man to respect nature's obvious mistakes...
I wonder how harmless such people are; to what extent civilization is retarded by the laughing jackasses, the empty-minded belittlers."
Dr Russel: "Some people insist that mediocre is better than best; they delight in clipping wings because they themselves can't fly; they despise brains because they have none. Pfah!"
Kip: "Call it 25 trillion miles. Whew!" (distance to Alpha Centauri, the nearest star. Or just 1.45 times our national debt).
Kip: " 'Die trying' is the proudest human thing."
Prof Reisfeld: "I deplore this modern over-specialization".
Prof Reisfeld: " 'Luck' is a question-begging word... 'good luck' follows careful preparation. 'Bad luck' comes from sloppiness."
Prof Reisfeld: "The best things in history are accomplished by people who got tired of being pushed around."
Mother Very Thoughtfully Made A Jelly Sandwich Under No Protest...
I encourage anyone who listens to it to buy the book in readable format.
I also encourage anyone who enjoyed AS to buy the book in readable format.
Just occurred to me that Peewee might be considered a nascent Dagny... only more fun :)
Heinlein is one of my fav. too. His books inspired a generation (or more) to aspire to greater things and to long for the future.
Those are the things young people are missing today, a dream that extends past their cellphone and youtube.