Rating: 
Summary: Good tale turned into a rock-throwing spree
Review: This is a very nice, concise expression of libertarian values. Unfortunately, Heinlein's characters failed to achieve 'revolution' through their philosophy - it required a war, complete with rock-flinging catapults which I thought was bit gratuitous, a 'de rigeur' type of prop for SF novels of the time. Otherwise, the portrayal of Mike the self-aware, 'living' computer was beautiful, and brought up the question: What is life anyway? The Lunaspeak, the cultural and marital customs, and colloquial humor were entertaining. An enjoyable book but not great.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't just listen to me...
Review: I read this book in under two days. I would be interested to see an outline of Heinlein's educational background, and an emphasis on Economics wouldn't surprise me. Anyone I have talked to who has read a Heinlein, who hasn't liked it, has failed to approach it from the standpoint of freethinking and economics. His theories may be a little out there at first glance, but no one can say he didn't lead up to the ending of "Time Enough for Love." "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" breaks barriers. Like Samuel Delany says on the jacket, "...Heinlein...taught me to argue with the accepted version." RAH talks about the taboo issues, in a way more taboo than the issue itself, and even more so allows you to see how he got there. "The Moon..." is an awesome read, more so than just a recreational novel. Read it to broaden your thinking, to challenge normalcy, and to be ever critical of the world you live in. What would you say if told it was written over 30 years ago?
Rating: 
Summary: Good but not great
Review: I am not a big Heinlein fan to begin with, so those of you who are, simply disregard my opinion. I thought that Moon Is A Harsh Mistress was definitely one of the best books Heinlein wrote (with the exception of Starship Troopers), but still it lacks something. The book conveys an epic story of a revolution of the inhabitants of Moon against the harsh and unjust rule of the Lunar Authority backed by the Federal Nations of Earth. In the 21st century Moon becomes a place where the governments of Earth send their criminals (as Australia was for GB). A brilliant professor in exile predicts that acute food shortages would lead to famine and cannibalism in a few years. Together with a computer wiz, an intelligent supercomputer, and an energetic and beautiful activist, they start a movement which aspires to liberate Moon and receive independence and sovereignty. I must give Heinlein full credit for carrying out his objective in an impeccable manner - he does not digress even for a second from the main line of the story, and his logic is infallible. Heinlein also skillfully managed to incorporate some very interesting aspects of political philosophy and political science into the story. Yet granting all that, something is lacking. I think one of the best ways to distinguish a great book from just a good one is whether you are capable to put it down for a long time, or you can't set it aside even for an hour. I found that Moon Is A Harsh Mistress is not that exciting that I simply must finish it immediately. It's definitely very interesting and worth reading, but don't set yourself up for a disappointment.
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Summary: Sci-Fi, Libertarianism and Race
Review: Heinlein warped my mind at 13 and it's stayed that way ever since! The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is one of the best works of Sci-Fi ever. Heinlein's mixed-race hero is a perfect vision of the future man. As we expand out into space and eventually further inhabit our solar system, age-old notions of race will become less of a problem as people will be forced to rely on each other, without regard to color in order to survive and advance the species. Heinlein's libertarian streak shines bright in this handbook to freedom. If you haven't read it, quit wasting time and get it now! Excellent reading! Sincerely, James Landrith
Rating:
Summary: Past predictions of future leave us presently empty
Review: How depressing it is to go back to the books of our youth -- the ones that inspired us to take on new challenges and believe the world would amount to something -- and find that now, living in the future, we are no closer to those goals. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, one of Robert Heinlein's finest works, makes me long for the days when the moon was a welcoming mistress. Now she appears to be a lost one. The story, of revolution and liberty on the moon, is a fresh and evocative update of the American Revolution. The freedom that the Loonies want, and the price they pay to get it, has clear parallels throughout history. Even to this day the world continues to get swept up in revolutionary fever every decade or so. The main characters, Manuel, Wyoh, Prof, and Mike (the oh-so-human computer) jump off the page with their attitudes writ large and their hearts wide open. They represent the pioneering spirit that has characterized the second generations of former penal colonies (cf. Australia, America) throughout time. You plunge headlong into the action with them and want success. You can hear the music playing and see the flags waving (although flags have some problems in no atmosphere) as their revolution perks right along. Yet, ultimately, you come away from this novel with a great longing. We are no closer to colonizing the moon now then we were thirty years ago. It can be reasonably argued that we are further away today then we were then. All the glory, and all the pain that the heroes endure exists just outside your grasp. We are also no closer to the grand Libertarian (or,as Charles Murray terms it "libertarian") freedom that Manny and co. fight so hard to attain. The USA marches forward, and Heinlein's ideals and ideas touch many of us, but the Moon is a distant Mistress still. And, freedom is as elusive as ever
Rating:
Summary: Even better the second time...
Review: I first picked up this book as a college freshman. I promptly became irritated with it's lack of pronouns and out it down. Unfortunately, I was a literary snob back in my teen years. This past month, someone mentioned the book in coversation, and I decided to pick it up again. Not only did I LOVE the book, I finally understand the linguistics behind "Lunaspeak"! As a student of the Russian language, I realized that Heinlein was simply directly translating Russian into English -- therefore the lack of the present tense of the verb "to be," the idiomatic expressions, and even the lack of pronouns. I was excited that I understood the transliteration, and stayed up late into the night (during finals, I might add!) to finish the book. It was fantastic! Please give this book a try, even if you've attempted it before. Let yourself be submerged in the tale, and forget everything you've learned about English grammar. "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" even surpasses "Stranger in a Strange Land" for this sci-fi fan. Enjoy!
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Summary: I never get tired of reading it
Review: This is the best Heinlein book ever. I've read it about 50 times, and I could pick it up again right now and read it again with as much fascination as ever. This is truly essential Heinlein. It's written in a little different style than his other books, with its own slang language. All the characters are interesting, and there are interesting twists here and there. It ties in with 'The Cat Who Walks Through Walls', 'To Sail Beyond The Sunset' and covers the early years of Hazel Stone from 'The Rolling Stones'.
Rating:
Summary: Heinlein's Best
Review: In my opinion, this is not only Robert Heinlein's best book, but (or perhaps therefore) it's also one of the best of all time. The sentient supercomputer Mike works with Manuel, his technician, toward Lunar independence. Amid the intriguing politics and innovative rebel tactics, readers will get a healthy dose of comedy as Mike stumbles along the way to sapience. Buy this book and read it. You'll love it.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is a great book that has Heinleins usual 3d characters, in addition to his arresting storyline. This is, in my opinion the best book Heinlein ever wrote. I prefer it to his others, partially because of his liberatarian philosophy intersperced throughout the novel, and partially because I think their is more of an emphasis on plot than in other books, while still keeping unique and well devolped characters. As for those who object to this book on grounds that is sexist, it is no more so than any other book Heinlein wrote. Granted that may be too much for some, but I generally find that while I may inwardly role my eyes occasionally while reading Heinlein, it doesn't get in the way of my overall enjoyment. As for all you intellectual snobs out there who object to this book on the basis of the use of pronouns, or lack thereof, I would like to ask you- politely- to go get a life, and when you have done that, come back and re-read this book. Not liking this book because it doesn't meet your ever-so-high grammatical standards, is just pathetic. Unlike some of his later novels, Heinlein is able to unobtrusively place his politics throughout the storyline, so that it doesn't get "preachy." And even if you disagree with the political ideas of libretarian, you may even find yourself changing them! (I know of at least one occasion of this happening.) But even if you don't, the overall storyline of a lunar revolution is very compelling. Another interesting part to this book is the idea of a sentient computer. It's almost like- as another reviewer noted- HAL 9000 turned good. the computer, Mike, is really funny, and it is cool to watch him "grow up" as the novel progresses. I would, however have to agree that the ending was somewhat anticlimaxic, almost as if the author wasn't quite sure how to end it. However, even that wasn't too bad, and taken as a whole, this is one of the greatest classic science fiction novels ever written. A must read for all.
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Summary: Its more than just politics
Review: When I started this book, I figured it would just be about politics. Even though its main theme is about politics, RAH makes it very interesting and makes this definate book to be read. This books goes through the whole process of what it takes to start, carry through and end a revolution. I kept thinking "Ill just read one more chapter..." at the end of each chapter until I finished it.
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