[EQA]⇒ PDF Robert A Heinlein In Dialogue with His Century Vol 1 Learning Curve 19071948 William H Patterson Jr 9780765319609 Books

Robert A Heinlein In Dialogue with His Century Vol 1 Learning Curve 19071948 William H Patterson Jr 9780765319609 Books

Download As PDF : Robert A Heinlein In Dialogue with His Century Vol 1 Learning Curve 19071948 William H Patterson Jr 9780765319609 Books

Robert A Heinlein In Dialogue with His Century Vol 1 Learning Curve 19071948 William H Patterson Jr 9780765319609 Books

Patterson has been given unprecedented access to prepare a two-volume authorized biography of science fiction giant Robert A. Heinlein. The depth of detail that he offers here - backed up by nearly a hundred pages of footnotes--means that we have a definitive biography of a one of America's greatest authors.

One of the things that I most deeply appreciate is that this isn't a hagiography. Patterson has deep affection for his subject, but Heinlein is shown as a flawed human being who makes many mistakes and who had many shortcomings. Many mysteries about his life are finally resolved (who was his first wife - the one before Leslyn?) thanks to extensive detective work.

For fans of Heinlein's fiction, this book (and I trust, the subsequent volume) will help to answer the tired question that ever author dreads, "Where do you get your ideas?" Heinlein's life is, naturally, the chief source for his fictional characters and plot lines. Sometimes Patterson is explicit in drawing these connections. In other places, readers versed in Heinlein's work will catch these linkages on their own.

The book must also be praised as a fascinating lesson in American history. Heinlein came from humble Missouri roots and lived through the bulk of the 20th century. His Navy career prior to WWII is fascinating in its own right, as is his involvement in California politics during the Depression.

Fans of Heinlein: READ THIS BOOK. Fans of science fiction: READ THIS BOOK. As for those interested in American History, especially U.S. Naval history...I strongly commend this biography to you.


Tags : Robert A. Heinlein: In Dialogue with His Century, Vol. 1 - Learning Curve (1907-1948) [William H. Patterson Jr.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Robert A. Heinlein (1907-1988) is generally considered the greatest American SF writer of the 20th century. A famous and bestselling author in later life,William H. Patterson Jr.,Robert A. Heinlein: In Dialogue with His Century, Vol. 1 - Learning Curve (1907-1948),Tor Books,0765319608,American authors;Biography.,Authors, American;20th century;Biography.,Science fiction;Authorship.,(Robert Anson),,1907-1988,20th century,AMERICAN SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY,Annapolis, MD,Authors, American,Authorship,BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY Literary Figures,Biography,Biography & Autobiography,Biography & Autobiography Literary,Biography Autobiography,BiographyAutobiography,Colorado Springs, CO.,GENERAL,General Adult,HEINLEIN, ROBERT A., 1907-1988,Heinlein, Robert A.,Hollywood, CA,Kansas City, MO,Literary,Non-Fiction,Philadelphia, PA,Science fiction,United States

Robert A Heinlein In Dialogue with His Century Vol 1 Learning Curve 19071948 William H Patterson Jr 9780765319609 Books Reviews

I'm midway through volume 1 of Patterson's Heinlein biography, and it's what a bio should be but often isn't -- backed up by a real research effort to discover the facts, then broadened by giving the historical context around the subject. Once the reader has a sense of Heinlein's family life, his experience in the Navy, and the broad range of people and ideas he encountered in his young adulthood, the content of his novels makes a lot of sense.

fyi, the current kindle edition DOES have many black and white photos (although at least one review here says the photos are missing). The photos are about midway through the book, after the paragraph beginning "The Gripsholm incident was infamous . . . " Unfortunately, in my edition there is no mention of a photo section in the Table of Contents or index -- you basically have to trip over them to know they're there.

The book is well worth trying if you have any interest in Heinlein. You don't have to agree or disagree with some of his political ideas to enjoy the book; either way you'll come away with a clearer idea of WHY he wrote what he wrote, and why no one else could have done it.
I am extremely impressed with this biography (Vol. 1) so far. I'm about a quarter of the way through this volume and find it very engrossing and highly comprehensive. The biographer gives me a real feel for RH's early life in Missouri, his exhausting years at the U.S. Naval Academy and his abbreviated, yet foundation-building, years as an officer in the Navy. At this point in my reading, RH is just starting to dabble in fiction after an immersion in engineering, military life and hard science, so it is interesting to see this gradual evolution into the exploration of becoming a science-fiction author. I particularly appreciate the biographer being so detailed about the outside, real world in which RH is operating and trying to survive and flourish. I am reading this volume in small bits, choosing to absorb as much as I can. Soon, I will start reading his earlier fiction while I continue with the bio, so can better understand his life and perhaps why he was writing the subject matter he was at that time. This is a long volume. But I will be reading Vol.2 when I'm done.
I would like to protest 's recent addition of the "plot/mood/pace/characters" banners to these reviews, as they are not relevant to nonfiction.

*****

This thick and heavily benoted volume tells the story of Heinlein's life from birth to the commencement of his third (and final) marriage, showing, along the way, how a Socialist who ran for office as one of Upton Sinclair's EPIC (End Poverty In California) Democrats transformed into the not-exactly-a-Conservative Heinlein ultimately did become.

Patterson's style is immensely readable, except for a tendency to repeat facts several times, occasionally in close proximity, as if he believes his readers incapable of remembering them. Like his subject, he educates by entertaining.

This is no whitewash job; Heinlein's part in several incidents (notably his first marriage) are not laudable. But he comes across, in general, as a good human being trying to do the best he can in a difficult world.

If you're a Heinlein fanatic, as I am, you must own this (and presumably the sequel).
Well, it was bound to happen. The author who thrilled us old farts with stories of space travel, filled with personalities, plots, sub-plots and even sexuality has finally had a good biography written about his personal life. Hearing how his personal life in some ways paralleled what he wrote about (naturism, open marriage) was something new for me and added context to his writing.

This is a very detailed biography, of a very interesting man, one who was probably outside of his time and yet who was the defining author of his time for fantasy and science fiction. If you have never read his books, this will be an uninteresting and tedious read...if, like me, you were a fan of Heinlein from the time of literacy, through puberty and into adulthood, this will be page after page of interesting stuff and this is only volume 1.

Which is the most disappointing part....that there is a second volume to come, covering his most popular works and times. Another purchase, another wait.

Heavy sigh...
Patterson has been given unprecedented access to prepare a two-volume authorized biography of science fiction giant Robert A. Heinlein. The depth of detail that he offers here - backed up by nearly a hundred pages of footnotes--means that we have a definitive biography of a one of America's greatest authors.

One of the things that I most deeply appreciate is that this isn't a hagiography. Patterson has deep affection for his subject, but Heinlein is shown as a flawed human being who makes many mistakes and who had many shortcomings. Many mysteries about his life are finally resolved (who was his first wife - the one before Leslyn?) thanks to extensive detective work.

For fans of Heinlein's fiction, this book (and I trust, the subsequent volume) will help to answer the tired question that ever author dreads, "Where do you get your ideas?" Heinlein's life is, naturally, the chief source for his fictional characters and plot lines. Sometimes Patterson is explicit in drawing these connections. In other places, readers versed in Heinlein's work will catch these linkages on their own.

The book must also be praised as a fascinating lesson in American history. Heinlein came from humble Missouri roots and lived through the bulk of the 20th century. His Navy career prior to WWII is fascinating in its own right, as is his involvement in California politics during the Depression.

Fans of Heinlein READ THIS BOOK. Fans of science fiction READ THIS BOOK. As for those interested in American History, especially U.S. Naval history...I strongly commend this biography to you.