best heinlein story . . . ?

[jockdoubleday]

Hi,
I'm new to the group.
I'm a huge Heinlein fan, and I saw the post: "Best Robert Heinlein Novel." Wondered what you all thought his best story was.
Jock

[Lillyanna]

I haven't read many of his short stories; but, and I'm sure I mentioned this in the other, I've always liked The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag. My other favorite is the one about the tasty dino-chicken.

:P

[cape_royds]

My favourite of his short stories is "Year of the Jackpot."

[Rodders]

I've not read too much Heinlein, but Stranger in a Strange land was a thought provoking classic.

[Urlik]

Originally Posted by Lillyanna

I haven't read many of his short stories; but, and I'm sure I mentioned this in the other, I've always liked The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag. My other favorite is the one about the tasty dino-chicken.

:P

that's also one of his strangest stories and one that I really enjoy reading but I'm torn between the already mentioned Stranger in a Strange Land, Glory Road, Time Enough For Love, The Door into Summer and The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress.

[j. d. worthington]

Um, guys... I think the poster was meaning "short story", not simply "story" of any length.....

[dask]

"Goldfish Bowl" is probably my my favorite.

[Connavar]

Originally Posted by j. d. worthington

Um, guys... I think the poster was meaning "short story", not simply "story" of any length.....

What do you think of this content table for Expanded Universe ? Is it a good place to start on the masters short stories ? I haven't read read his short stories yet.

Life-Line
Successful Operation
Blowups Happen
Solution Unsatisfactory
The Last Days of the United States
How to Be a Survivor
Pie from the Sky
They Do It With Mirrors
Free Men
No Bands Playing, No Flags Flying
A Bathroom of Her Own
On the Slopes of Vesuvius
Nothing Ever Happens on the Moon
Pandora's Box
Where To?
Cliff and the Calories
Ray Guns and Rocket Ships
The Third Millennium Opens
Who Are the Heirs of Patrick Henry?
"Pravda" Means "Truth"
Inside Intourist
Searchlight
The Pragmatics of Patriotism
Paul Dirac, Antimatter, and You
Larger Than Life
Spinoff
The Happy Days Ahead

[Urlik]

Originally Posted by j. d. worthington

Um, guys... I think the poster was meaning "short story", not simply "story" of any length.....

in that case it would have to be Jonathan Hoag, Coventry or Misfit (although Universe and Common Sense are also way up on the list of favourites)

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by Connavar

What do you think of this content table for Expanded Universe ? Is it a good place to start on the masters short stories ? I haven't read read his short stories yet.

To be honest, Connavar, no, I don't think it's the best place to start. While I like the book, it is more than a little uneven. It is also a combination of short stories and essays, not fiction exclusively. My suggestion would be The Past Through Tomorrow, The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag, Assignment in Eternity, or Waldo & Magic, Inc..... (Yes, I realize this covers a large portion, if not the bulk, of his shorter fiction, but -- with the exception of the first named -- none is particularly long, and this would offer a variety of types of fiction he wrote.)

[AE35Unit]

I don't think i've read any of his stories yet,unless you count Puppet Masters or Waldo and Magic Inc. which are novellas. I recently got a copy of The Best of Heinlein which I believe contains at least one of those stories that JD mentioned above.

[pyan]

My favourite RAH short has got to be Magic, Inc - Damon Runyon meets Denis Wheatley...

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by pyan

My favourite RAH short has got to be Magic, Inc - Damon Runyon meets Denis Wheatley...

You know, that may be the best one-line description of that tale I've seen yet....

[Connavar]

Originally Posted by j. d. worthington

To be honest, Connavar, no, I don't think it's the best place to start. While I like the book, it is more than a little uneven. It is also a combination of short stories and essays, not fiction exclusively. My suggestion would be The Past Through Tomorrow, The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag, Assignment in Eternity, or Waldo & Magic, Inc..... (Yes, I realize this covers a large portion, if not the bulk, of his shorter fiction, but -- with the exception of the first named -- none is particularly long, and this would offer a variety of types of fiction he wrote.)

Waldo & Magic and Jonathan Hoag are combined for the short story collection that is called the fantaties of RAH according to amazon review i read. Fantasy novellas is how that collection is described. I thought Hoag was sf story ?

That collection was so cheap 89 kr which is like 11 dollars. Compared that to short story collection Wild Thyme,Green Magic(Jack Vance) that i ordered which set me back $40. If it wasnst JV it would scare me off that price.

Since i ordered that collection already cause it was so cheap any of those stories that are famous RAHs ? Life-line i know is in The man who sold the moon and part of that,that series.

[j. d. worthington]

Originally Posted by Connavar

Waldo & Magic and Jonathan Hoag are combined for the short story collection that is called the fantaties of RAH according to amazon review i read. Fantasy novellas is how that collection is described. I thought Hoag was sf story ?

No, not really. It is fantasy or, at most, science fantasy. Written with the same sort of approach he used with his sf, but without the grounding in the hard sciences one tends to associate with his work. Very good stories, however, in those collections....

Since i ordered that collection already cause it was so cheap any of those stories that are famous RAHs ? Life-line i know is in The man who sold the moon and part of that,that series.

A couple: "Blowups Happen" is also part of the "Future History" series, while "Solution Unsatisfactory" is one of his more famous tales written as Anson McDonald; still a chilling story today, even though there are flaws in the science as well as other things. Also, "Free Men" is somewhat famous, and somewhat controversial; but it is a good taste of Heinlein's style, manner, and position at the time it was written.