Rating: 
Summary: Not Heinlein's best
Review: While STRANGER gets the nod by many people to be Heinlein's best book, I didn't find it so. For all the press he gets for being a feminist, his female characters in this novel are little more than science fiction's answer to Charlie's Angels. The main character is meant to serve as a modern metaphor for Christ, but his message is somewhat dubious. All in all, STRANGER reads well and some of the ideas presented are interesting. But I can only give this book an average rating. Worthy of your time but not of all the accolades.
Rating: 
Summary: This is the 255th Review-Does that tell you anything?
Review: The story of a Mike, man raised by Maritians who returns to earth and becomes a political pawn who turns the table with the help of his adopted "father" Jubal.For fun look up the meaning of the names Heinlein uses for his characters. Heinlein, the master story teller, takes us where no one else can. Into a world you want to be a part of. My reviews are usually verbose. But how can I compete with Heinlein, my idol? You should read this book. Over and over again. The lessons within are worth learning. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Weak story, naive backdrop
Review: I'm not much of a Heinlein fan, and finally read this book for the first time since it is a 'classic'. In a word, it's dull. While The Moon is a Harsh Mistress at least has an entertaining narrative style and protagonist, Stranger is told in meandering third person. The book cascades from one small-and-easily-surmounted challenge to the next (only the first of the book's five parts has any real tension), with plenty of implied sex along the way. Heinlein's presentation of female empowerment while still treating them like sex objects is creepy. And as always his notion of free enterprise and the self-reliant man is naive at best, self-serving at worst. Smith's adjustment to his human heritage is the book's high point, although it doesn't wear well 40 years later.
Rating:
Summary: Strangers in strange lands
Review: Although the first half of Robert A Heinlen's "Stranger in a strange land" is fascinating and thought- provoking, the second half becomes awfully dissappointing. We begin by being led through a world in which an alienated man is surrounded by interesting and compassionate people yet faces an uncertain future, and then the author slowly drags us into a bizarre cult-like community of people with off-the-wall quasi-religious beliefs, to say the least. For those interested in subculture, my opinion should be disregarded. But for those who find the thought of churches with orgiastic "rituals" and neo-hippie ideas of brotherhood ridiculous and far too unrealistic, this novel will prove to be somewhat of a dissappointment starting at about halfway through and continuing until the end.
Rating: 
Summary: Grok This
Review: I heard about this book from several colleagues (I am a computer geek) and felt it was one of those books I had to read to say I had read it (and knew what "grok" meant). I ended up liking this book, although I am not normally a science fiction fan. I read the long version, which tends to drone on in places, but all in all, well worth the time it took to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Thought provolking
Review: At times a bit slow, but this can be said about most novels. In this book, Heinlein brings up a number of questions about life, love, religion, and sex. Although there are occations in which the novels comes across as sexist, or too radical, these instances are overshadowed by the ideas behind the words. The book will get you thinking, and maybe even change the way you think.
Rating:
Summary: Heartfelt and intellectual - one of the best I've ever read
Review: "Stranger in a Strange Land" is hands down one of the greatest books I've ever read. If you can, grab the unedited version, which brings much of Heinlein's vision back. Arguably, the first half of the book is the strongest part, containing some amazingly accurate and astute observations on humanity. The second half borders on preachy, but no more so than the Bible. Heinlein has crafted here what I think is to be one of the most humanizing and debatable novels ever written. Everyone should read this. It's made me look at life in a whole new way. Simply stunning!
Rating:
Summary: Buy it again !
Review: For those who may not have noticed - this is the unabridged version of one of my favorite books. Even if Heinlein was able to cut it down for the initial publishing without too many people noticing, this version is definitely better.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining if a bit preachy
Review: Heinlein does not pull punches. He tells you exactly what he thinks about a number of things up to and including evangelists in this entertaining book. It is not really science fiction, but rather a fish out of water observing the human comedy as an outsider. The fact that Valentine Michael Smith was raised by Martians is a quaint notion today, but it doesn't matter if he's a Martian or an orphan raised by wolves. It allows Heinlein to step outside humanity. Some of his points you'll find infuriating, some of them will ring a positive chord. But mostly it's presented in a way to make you think rather than to influence you (the end goes a little overboard in preachiness, but it's not too irritating). Most importantly, it is not dated. The issues it comments on are still relevant today. And it is presented as a highly entertaining story! So kick back and enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Always a classic
Review: Reading this book is like re-discovering an old friend's phone number and calling them up. Heinlein always captivates the reader with his knowledge of human realtionships and intriguing dialogue. What he lacks in respect for the female gender (as in evidenced as well in this book as in any/all of his others) he makes up for in simple charm. And while he may not be the most sane or even rational of men, he is as good a science-fiction writer as one can hope to read. Overall, this book, while not as good as some of his others, will forever live on as a standard by which other works of science-fiction should be judged.
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