Rating: 
Summary: Amazing
Review: I first read this book when I was in sophomore in high school. Everyone should read this book! The first part was slightly slow, but once it gets going, it is incredible. I would read for hours and hours at a time. The concepts introduced in this book have helped shape all my future thinking for the better. If you want to broaden your mind and spirit, read this book!
Rating:
Summary: Fictious Bible
Review: Not only is this the greatest philosophical book ever written by the grand master of Sci-Fi, but it will give you a new outlook on life, humanity, and the human animal itself. I must admit that this has got to be the best book I have ever read. I suggest that anyone with an open mind and a free spirit read this book. IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!
Rating: 
Summary: Heinlein starts to get windy with this one.
Review: This was Heinlein's flower power book. Promoting his view of sexual freedom (all males have this pipe-dream - I do). I suspect much of the popularity was adolescent guys reading it and saying, "This is great, he actually wrote down the way life and sex should be!"Otherwise an interesting but not enthralling story that moves at a leisurely pace due to the long pontifications of the characters. In Heinlein's later books this tendency to pontificate gets worse especially in "Fear No Evil" and "Time Enough for Love". A spectacular exception is "Moon is a Harsh Mistress" - which I give 5 stars. Michael Valentine is a Christ figure for some, but there is nothing really new in this story. As a fanciful philosophy book it would get 4 stars. In spite of the tenor or my review, I believe Robert A. Heinlein is THE master science fiction writer of all time I believe - don't read this one first - all the others are better. -- I practically memorized "Have Space Suit, Will Travel" as a high school student, and I believe "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" is one of the top 10 science fiction novels of all time. Read those.
Rating:
Summary: One of my Top Ten
Review: This book is truly an anthropological masterpiece. A true view into the human psyche and culture. Why do we do things? Do they make sense? Do we question things enough? Is the impossible possible? All these questions are quietly raised in Heinlein's "David". Some are answered...you make the call.
Rating: 
Summary: Dull, dull, dull and stupid
Review: I can't believe I managed to finish reading this tripe. Basically as others have said, the first half was an intriguing idea. The second half however shows what a simplistic world view Heinlein had. The Plot: Basically martian man begins a Scientology/Branch Davidians cuasi-socialist-cult where everybody melts into one entity and becomes happy by freeing their mind and having sex, lots of sex. Who gives a (blip) anyway. All this is explained in long-winded conversations where one idiot makes a comment only to be refuted by an all wise sage, and the sage is never wrong. Boring, boring, boring as hell. If Heinlein had any sense of irony he would have seen that martian man's cult was utter stupidity and would have made fun of it in the last half. Don't buy this book, get something that matters.
Rating:
Summary: It gets five stars because there is nothing higher
Review: This is a great piece of fiction, notice I do not say science fiction. It is a classic of that genre but really transcends the category. At the time it was written it helped bring science fiction into the mainstream of American literature. The observations made are every bit as timely today as they were when it was written indeed it is hard to keep in mind that this was first published forty years ago. If you have somehow managed not to read this classic I envy you the opportunity to open this for the first time. A clever look at the culture of the time and organized religion the schizophrenic world of conventional sexual mores this can be a thought provoking exercise that will bring you back to reread it at some point in time. This is all brought to the page by a great story teller, Heinlein has a knack for dialogue and presentation that rivals Twain.
Rating:
Summary: bigger then life
Review: what can i say about this book - this is more then usual SF book. the book is very daring even now in the 21st century, and mabee even because of it.
it chalange every concept of our culture, and specifically the AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE. the book is about michael valentine smith - a sort of new jusus, sent to earth by martian gods to spy uppon earth people. michael learn the ways of humen beings, and decide to become a new masiah, and invent a new religion with a totaly different way of life. like jesus he descoverd some people don't like is ideas, and he decide to sacrifice himself in order to advance is ideas. the book also teaches us also new martian concepts like GROKING, SHARE WATER, GETTING CLOSER and more martian fascinating terms. one whould be amazed by heinleins shobinist opinions regarding to women, but if you examine is ideas by the reality of today's woman liberation era. you'll see the the confusion between sexes today, doesn't make man and woman happier - so heinlin atitude towards natural woman and man relation, seems to be more true. very interesting book for open minded people.
Rating:
Summary: Highly debated, and passionately defended.
Review: As with all truly classic books, this one is highly debated, and passionately defended.
The story of a human raised on Mars by an alien race, Stranger in a Strange Land explores the question of humanity from an innocent, outsider's point of view. The views expressed in this book on love, sexuality, women's issues, self determination, relationships, politics, violence and more, shaped an entire generation. Cults formed around the ideas of this book, leaving Heinlein mystified at the effect his book had on the general public. When the book was published, in 1961, over 60,000 words were cut by an editor who didn't believe anyone would read so hefty a book. In 1991, Heinlein's wife had the original uncut version published, three years after Heinlein's death. Millions of Heinlein fans are grateful to her for her committment to her husband's work. I read the cut version in the 70's. It was my introduction to the world of science fiction, and from that moment on, I was proud to identify myself as a science fiction fan. I have heard people who first read the book in the 90's refer to it as "somewhat pretentious and self righteous", and I wonder if they have forgotten that it was written almost 40 years ago, and that times have indeed changed. The things we think, the ways in which we view relationships, our belief in religious leaders, politicians, and traditional medicine - all have significantly changed since the late 50's and early 60's. And many people attribute that change, at least in part, to this catalyst of a book. While I recommend just about anything by Heinlein, this book is a must read. Besides, after you read it, you'll get all the in jokes and even know how to respond when someone asks you, "You Grok?"
Rating:
Summary: Cultural icon
Review: The world would be a better place if everyone in it read this book and understood it!
Rating: 
Summary: classic Heinlein, a good place to start
Review: If you haven't read any of Heinlein's works, this is a good place to start, his most famous piece of work. Having dabbled in other sci fi offerings, I am convinced that Heinlein is the best and that second place is a long way behind.
Perhaps it is because he really is only a sci fi writer by viture of the settings that his stories take place, but don't be fooled, he isn't really writing about space ships and technology.
Take away a few of the props and the Stranger in a Strange Land could just as well be someone from a distant land with a different way of seeing the world.
As it is with Heinlein's later works, this book is great because the characters are real hero's, larger than life and they say and do things that we the reader often wish we could say and do. Heinlein's social commentary is great, even when you find yourself at odds with his conclusions.
Heinlein's one fatal flaw is his cynicism, my guess would be that he could't bring himself to even dance with the notion that there might exist a benvolent God in the universe and it clouds his thinking and writing. It becomes more apparent in this work after having read many more of his works and then coming back to this for a second read.
But that isn't to say his views aren't important and well spoken, even as a Christian and opposed to his overall world view, I find this book a great read and making important points along the way.
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