Farmer in the Sky

The unbridled optimism and can-do attitude of Farmer in the Sky makes me smile. Even though the main characters are fleeing an overcrowded Earth, the sense of possibility that Heinlein had about humanity’s future was a wonderful thing. Alas, the female characters aren’t handled particularly well – m......more

I have been interested in the process of colonization for years. In 1990 I published an article analyzing the survival pattern of the Mayflower colonists during the first year when half the colony died (having relatives along on the voyage was a big help in staying alive!!). I read this book to gain......more

This was one of the books that made me love space and take another, hard look at the world around me. I can't think of a better one for kids, pre & early teens. Of course, it's great for an older crowd too, but early exposure is best. As a kid, I never liked learning just for its own sake, but you c......more

"Well gosh, Pop, wasn't that about the hokiest book you ever did read?" "Why, yes indeedy, son. Even with them newfangled rocket ships n' all." A few months ago I wrote in my review of Little Fuzzy that the far-future characters seemed mired in the culture and mores of the 1950's. I take it back. Comp......more