Today, 2007.07.26, is the 100th birthday of Robert A. Heinlein. Follow the link above to read the Wired Science story. If you didn't know, he is my favorite author. His writing inspired me to become an engineer, join the military, read the works of other authors, and explore other planets (okay, so I have not left my bootprints on another world yet, but I am not even 40 yet and many men in my family live until their 70s or 80s). The quote from Lazarus Long at the top of this blog is from his book Time Enough For Love.
If you have never read anything by Robert A. Heinlein, you are one lucky S.O.B. to have all of that in front of you. If you haven't read anything by him, might I suggest the following books:
Starship Troopers (a short book, originally considered a juvenile, it actually has very important discussions on the very philosophy of war--whatever you do, do NOT see the movie, remember DO NOT SEE THE MOVIE)
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (great book about everything-family structure, crime & punishment, government, how to run a succesful violent revolution, etc)
Stranger in a Strange Land (this book looks at religion, love, and everything about the human condition as observed by a man raised by Martians)
I recommend you set aside some time and money because once you start reading his books, you may not be able to stop. If you don't like them, there is probably something wrong with you.
Want to save the world? Buy one of Heinlein's juveniles for some kid (yours or someone elses). You may not save the world, but it is very possible you may save someone's life (Spider Robinson insists that his life was saved at age 6 by a librarian that gave him the book Red Planet).
2007/07/26
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