Rating: 
Summary: 3 and 1/2 Stars
Review: This is a Heinlein, so it is worth reading. It's an interesting story, with a unique plot (for science fiction) at least, and is a politically charged work, for those who like that side of Heinlein. In reality, this book could easily exist outside the genre of science fiction, so readers who don't normally like SF might dig this book. That said, this isn't one of Heinlein's best stories. There is almost no science whatsoever (not that unusual for RAH, but alas), the dialogue isn't up to his usual standards, and the story never really picks up steam like you expect it to.So, all in all, this is a book for the Heinlein devotee to pick up after they have already read most of his best work, an RAH newbie should look elsewhere. A good book, but I can't see why it won a Hugo.
Rating: 
Summary: Pivotal Heinlein?
Review: This is a highly curious book. As SF it is very much dated: the "science" is ludicrous by today's standards. Despite the comments of other reviewers there is not really all that much politics in it. I have reread this a few times (one of the few books that allow this) and find it gets better each time I read it. I feel this is a book that very much expresses Heinlein's philosophy, and can hold its own beside "Space_Cadet" and "Starship_Troopers". The one-dimensional young female character so typical of Heinlein's later work is here, but in reasonable proportions (I will go with the mainstream view that Heinlein never wrote anything worth reading after 1961). I guess this indeed is a classic although it is full of laughably silly little details.
Rating:
Summary: good, but...
Review: This is a well-written, well-plotted story, as you would expect from such a respected author. BUT Personally, I have a problem with the story. The man character looses his individuality, becoming someone else. The (explicitly stated, too) message is that the trade-off was worth it - rather than being another unsuccesfull actor, the protagonist has become a significant political personality and can carry on realising his original's vision. This does not go well with any notion of the individual human being's intrinsic worth and I'm surprised that no one else seems to be troubled by this. Still, a very good and diverting read.The snapshots of a Martian culture are particularly memorable.
Rating:
Summary: Fine and thoughtful novel of future politics
Review: This is one of Heinlein's four Hugo-winning novels. A rather lightweight actor is shanghaied away from Earth and more or less forced to impersonate a kidnapped politician. As he understands what the politician stands for, he falls more willingly into the role. The politician is recovered, but in such condition that the actor must remain in the role, and when the politician dies, adopt it for life. Lorenzo's transformation from lightweight actor to Churchillian libertarian politician is interesting to watch, and the science fiction is not essential to the plot--the Empire could, with some plot modifications, be in Roman times, or the British Empire, or in the twentieth century. Two problems: We see two sorts of characters we encounter too often in Heinlein's later books here--the two-dimensional female (Penny) and the yammerhead (Bill). It strains credibility that someone like Bonforte would tolerate someone like Bill near him for several years (sure, he does good work, but surely there would be thousands of nicer competant people available to a high-level politician), but the plot needs a bad guy close enough for the readers to focus on. But we see too many Pennys and Bills in the later Heinleins. Second problem: Heinlein's parliamentary system is ill-thought out. Wouldn't the Grand Assembly be heavily dominated by Asians? Yet, all of Bonforte's associates are American or English. (I don't think we even see an Asian, other than the Emperor's attache. Where's Quiroga from? South America?) How is it, in a Grand Assembly where the districts must have the population of New York City (say, 800 members, 8,000,000 per district), that there can be "pocket boroughs"--districts for space pilots, and university women, and a district for Lapland? And, would these districts be content to have their representatives be Mr. Bonforte's secretary and crew? Still, a great book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book... except if you're a liberal
Review: This novel is classic sci-fi as Heinleins has always written it, at its best.I have always been a fan of Heinlein, even after I learned to decipher his incredibly libertarian views written into his books. If you've never read a Heinlein book, start with The Puppet Masters. It is one of the greatest sci-fi novels ever. I say 'one of the greatest...' simply because I haven't read all the books that have been written. Double Star, however, is still an exciting narrative, though sometimes the cultures and structures can be hard to get straight. If you're a libertarian or a conservative, dig in and enjoy, and if you're a liberal, don't worry, this book isn't too conservatively oppressive.
Rating:
Summary: An entertaining yarn
Review: This short novel is typical Heinlein fare, which is IMHO quite good. In short, Double Star is the story of Lorenzo Smythe, a young actor full of himself who gets drawn into events larger than even his own ego. It's an enjoyable tale overall, though I don't quite see why it won a Hugo.
Rating: 
Summary: Phenomenal. One of the Master's best.
Review: This story of a provincial actor forced by circumstances to play the role of the Solar System's most broad-minded statesman is perhaps Heinlein's most under-rated novel, even though it has sold millions of copies and won the Hugo. A true actor, Lorenzo manages to become the role -- expanding his own horizons as well. In his epiphany, he starts with the only principle he ever subscribed to -- "the show must go on" -- and follows it to include all fair-dealing and professional ethics, and continues until he reaches eternal truths and a philosophical outlook. The scene is a marvel of thought and emotion (and not a bad start for a personal philosophy). His depictions of actors, politicians, and modern monarchy all ring true. (Gee, and I didn't even mention the kidnapping, murders, dirty politics, rockets, death rays, and Martians!)
Rating:
Summary: A good book but like most heinlein's books
Review: to surmise, the book is about an actor who is hired to be a political figure.
I will not reveal any more as to not ruin the nature of the plot.
I felt that like some of heinlein's books, the book is plauged with
politics, less science fiction, the only sci-fi thing about it is that the plot takes place in space, other than that, it's all politics.
Same thing with Citizen of the galaxy, a book that starts off really well and ending with a theme that do not portray sci-fi rather it shows heinlein's knowledge in law.
I felt that the book could have been much better and i don't see how it won the Hugo award.
Conclusion: The book is a fun pass, but nothing more. don't expect any groundbreaking plot, or jaw dropping plot twists, just your old fashioned politicians-dear-diary.
Rating:
Summary: A Blueprint of Things to Come
Review: When compared to the body of Heinlein's later work (i.e. the mid-sixties to the late 1980s) _ Double Star_ hardly holds up. However, given the period in which this book was written it is truely a marvel worthy of its Hugo award winning status. I admire Heinlein for the way his hard sci-fi usually fools you to believe the events that are occuring. But in _Double Star_ Heinlein does less than he can to make the stroy believable. My understanding is that Heinlein kept the novel short to attract both adult and juvenille audiences. Maybe that's why he kept one aspect of the story very simple as well. The aspect I speak of is Lorenzo's transformation from pompous actor to a high ranking political official. What I mean by simple is that even in a science fiction story set far in the future, this transformation, which fools the public at large as well as many who are close to the senator, is accompshed with makeup! What I do like about the novel is the fact that Heinlein inserts a socially important message regarding prejudice. In the future realtionships between humans and martians parallel the race relations between whites and blacks during the time the novel was written. Heinlein is able to skillfully use the art of speculative fiction to draw this comparision, thereby creating an effective vision for social reform. In this regard the novel works well, and I would have liked to have seen more of it. It does, however, provide a blueprint for things to come from Heinlein, as he would elaborate more on issues of this nature at a later date. The novel could have been better even by 1956 standards. I believe it was lessened by Heinlein's conservative nature apon entering the world of adult sci-fi. Thankfully he loosened up as he entered the 60's. For fans of Heinlein _Double Star_ is a must read despite flaws.
Rating:
Summary: This is why good authors respected RAH
Review: When the book starts you can smell the scuz on Smythe. When it ends, you'll want to give him a statue.
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