Rating: 
Summary: Go to a used book store, get the cheaper paperback version
Review: Agree with all above. Just save some money as it has been out in paperback for several decades
Rating: 
Summary: Heinlein's best and worst are on display in this novel.
Review: First, the best. Heinlein writes more vividly and with better style here than he did in any novel before or after. Only some of his crackerjack short stories and novelettes compare to the pacing and clever plotting found here. Like other sf writers in the 60s, he started responding to the more "respectable" literature outside the field, and unless I miss my mark was influenced by the bastardized Russian of Burgess's A Clockwork Orange (1962). Indisputably the best character in this novel (as in the film 2001, a couple years later) is a computer who responds much more humanly than a lot of the "real" people in the book. The loss of Mike the talking computer at the end makes the book something of a tragedy, for any world that isn't large enough to contain this guy is much the worse for it. Now for the worst. Much of the book is a libertarian diatribe that embodies every masculinist and militaristic idea Heinlein ever had. It wouldn't be a surprise to find out that Tim McVeigh or the Unabomber memorized a novel like this, for its message is that when you don't like the way things are, a violent secretive response is the way to go. Scary stuff. The treatment of women is lowbrow by today's standards (and a lot have called him on it all along). Nevertheless, for the novel's ingenious story, its fascinating creation of alternative family life, and winning voice in the I-narrator Manny, it deserves a new lease on life--and a hardback edition that can go into libraries and readers' permanent collections
Rating:
Summary: One of Heinlein's best
Review: This was the last of his Hugo award winners that I read, and I certainly wound up saving the best for last. In this novel, Heinlein takes all the ideas and lessons and philosophies that he espoused in the previous novels and mixes them all together here. More than Stranger in a Strange Land, I think this has more of an effect on the average reader, since the ideas are more concrete and more vividly portrayed.
His moon is probably one of the best detailed societies in science-fiction and was clearly the motivation for John Varley's Steel Beach. Each person is a different personality, with the narration, Manuel telling it all in a strange slang (I assume it's Russian) that takes a wild to get into, but once understood flows quite nicely.
A must for any science-fiction fan and required reading for Heinlein fans, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress does not disappoint
Rating:
Summary: Political philosophy espoused by de la Paz
Review: As always, Mr. Heinlein remains the Grand Master! I wait patiently for my daughter and son to reach an age where than can start out with RAH. While this isn't my absolute favorite (the frequently reviled Starship Troopers, which I first read in my bunk on a Fast Attack Submarine is), I enjoy both Mr. Heinlein's terse prose and gritty lessons in reality. The lessons from The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress? In my humble opinion:
Prof. de la Paz's rumination's on the political future of Luna should be taken to heart by all of us- rational anarchy! To paraphrase Manuel- there must be something dark within us
that came down from the trees inside us compelling us to compell our fellow citizens to do something for their own good.
Too many people are attempting to impress their beliefs on me and mine- examples that come to mind include abortion, gun control, social spending, defense spending, school prayer, etc. ad nauseum. I think, as an object lesson, school prayer should be instituted in the schools of Kentucky- with the five biggest religions each taken a turn for each day of the school week. Bow to Mecca Billy Bob!
In NY state right now there's a good deal of discussion about casino's- the Indians have one now, so why shouldn't private investors? Not being an investor or gambler, I could give a rat's posterior,
except for the reason's given by opponents to legalized gambling- the wee people will lose their shirts if allowed to gamble (other then in the lotto, take five, etc.).
Enough of my soap box- back to work
Rating:
Summary: You absolutely, positvely, (Must I go on?) must read this
Review: In my very biast opinion, this is one of the best books ever written. It was the first of my many Heinlein books and I think that I have read it around seven times. For all you people who are just beginning on Heinlein, don't worry about Mike, he'll be okay. TANSTAAFL!!
Rating:
Summary: THe best of Heinlen after "Stranger in a Strange Land"
Review: A compelling and touching story that draws heavilly on the histroy of India's independance with an Australian bent. Thought provoking and as timely a book as when it was first issued. TANSTAAFL!
Amnon
Rating:
Summary: TANSTAAFL!
Review: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress plays on a main theme Robert Heinlein masterfully weaved in all of his novels; that There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch, elequently put together under the word TANSTAAFL. For Robert Heinlein, no thing has value unless you are willing to commit your lives, your fortunes, and your sacred honor. The central character is Manny, a computer systems analyst reluctantly thrust into being the focal point of a revolution between the moon and earth. Dragged into participation, he moves from severe doubts to its success to being a forceful commited revolutionary who launches his entire being to liberating his beloved Luna. In the bittersweet ending we understand that success or failure is secondary to the value of commitment, and that to care passionately about a noble goal and to give all of yourself is the core of our being and our humanity
Rating:
Summary: The Master at his best!
Review: I actually wore a black arm band to work on the day he died.
I worked in the tool crib at Lockheed and EVERYONE knew why
I wore that band. Hard working, country westeren listening,
machinist, and they KNEW! R.A.H. is the master and it is un-
canny how, as old as this novel is, up to date it is. Caverns
of the moon, I hope they are there, just waiting for us to
farm them. Elbow room for the disenchanted of Earth. It does
not take newbees to si-fi long to find the Master of si-fi.
R.A.H. follows up on this book somewhat in other novels, The cat who walked through walls, I think...If your copy is getting
somewhat dog eared, put it up in a safe place and buy this book.
The jacket art alone is worth it.
Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Best?
Review: This is perhaps the best work produced by Robert Heinlein
Rating:
Summary: In the top 5 ever written in the genre
Review: One of Heinlein's talents is making his worlds seem so real you feel like you're walking alongside the characters. This book is a prime example. The style
is a pure delight (OK, so you do have to guess at some Russian words), the story, excellent. This book won both Hugo and Nebula when it was published, and never
before has this double award been bestowed on a more deserving entry. You'll love the characters, especially Mike the sentient computer with a budding sense of humor.
And Heinlein does pick up some of the line in his other books. A true classic!
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