Rating: 
Summary: An interesting idea, but take with a grain of salt
Review: This was Heinlein's first offering, written in 1941 (according to the book jacket). Surprisingly, it's much better than some of his later works. The story involves the members of a top-secret military research installation that come across a new superweapon on the same day the United States (and all her allies?) capitulates to an invasion force from the "Panasians," a deliberately vague term for a supernation presumably consisting of present-day China, Korea, Mongolia, etc. The story involves the method of implementing the new weapon while minimising casualties amongst the civilian population.The chosen method will sound familiar to those who have read Heinlein's magnum opus, Stranger in a Strange Land. The scientists set up a new religion, recruit new soldiers from their flock, and organise a secret army that way. This is certainly an unorthodox method to raise an army, and it is this consistent sideways thinking that keeps Heinlein's books fresh and interesting after all these years. The aforementioned superweapon has the ability to pick victims by race, based on the belief at the time (now thankfully debunked) that different races have significantly different DNA. The book is certainly racist - all people of the "Asian" race are considered the enemy, with the exception of one (!) Sino-American who is the exception that verifies the rule. First Nations people and African Americans are never mentioned, as if they don't exist. But readers must remember that this was written at a very different time in a very different USA, so take it with a grain of salt. Thus, it's an interesting and enjoyable read, especially for a debut novel, if you can overcome the racist aspects.
Rating: 
Summary: Made Me Squirm in My Seat...
Review: This was my first Heinlein novel, and I have since been warned that it was a poor introduction, so I'm giving that warning to you all as well. This was one of his earliest, and definitely not his best. Don't let that turn you off to a fine writer. All that said, a lot of things in this book made me squirm. It was published in 1949, shortly after World War II, so some of the racist elements are as understandable as they can be to someone in the new millennium. However, I still squirmed quite a bit over the secret weapon that spares only whites and such. Some anachronisms in early sci fi are quaint. That one certainly isn't....
Rating: 
Summary: Sixth Column
Review: Way ahead of its' time! The author uses a vivid imagination to provide us with hope and new technologies when the US is taken over by a foreign power and is occupied.
Rating:
Summary: A dark but excellent Heinlein novel.
Review: Written at a traumatic time in the nation's history, this book has nothing to do with political correctness. It does have everything to do with the resilience of the human spirit and faith in one's convictions. Not a book for everyone, but certainly one with lessons to teach.
Rating:
Summary: A Good, Easy, and unfortunately racist read
Review: Yes, this book is racist. Yes, it makes it sounds like whites are the only people the live in the United States. Yes, yes, yes. But so are a lot of books. If you can look past that you will see a good story. The story and plot are fairly straight-forward, and the book is short, so the book is a quick and easy, but entertaining read. Don't listen to people who say that this book isn't any good, it is; if you can look past the racism. If you can, and I don't really see why you couldn't, there is a good book waiting for you.
| 
