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Take Back Your Government
Before the Tea Party, the Coffee Party, the “Occupy” movement, Ross Perot or even the Libertarian Party, there was Robert Heinlein, a prophetic mastermind, calling to the people to organize in a grassroots movement to take back their government and to find an effective voice for their individual selves.
Originally titled How to be a Politician, the book was written in 1946 based on Heinlein’s own political experiences, in particular his efforts on behalf of Upton Sinclair to become the governor of California and for Sinclair’s landmark effort to End Poverty in California (EPIC).
Though Heinlein is best known for his science fiction work, he always had strong political views and often involved himself with various causes, including personally paying for advertisements in newspapers propagating his views.
Here is a fascinating look, both historically and philosophically, at a great visionary’s take on the political landscape in the United States, and what each of us can do to better this country.
Originally titled How to be a Politician, the book was written in 1946 based on Heinlein’s own political experiences, in particular his efforts on behalf of Upton Sinclair to become the governor of California and for Sinclair’s landmark effort to End Poverty in California (EPIC).
Though Heinlein is best known for his science fiction work, he always had strong political views and often involved himself with various causes, including personally paying for advertisements in newspapers propagating his views.
Here is a fascinating look, both historically and philosophically, at a great visionary’s take on the political landscape in the United States, and what each of us can do to better this country.
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1992
56 people are currently reading
797 people want to read
About the author
Robert A. Heinlein
1,053 books10.5k followersRobert Anson Heinlein was an American science fiction author, aeronautical engineer, and naval officer. Sometimes called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was among the first to emphasize scientific accuracy in his fiction, and was thus a pioneer of the subgenre of hard science fiction. His published works, both fiction and non-fiction, express admiration for competence and emphasize the value of critical thinking. His plots often posed provocative situations which challenged conventional social mores. His work continues to have an influence on the science-fiction genre, and on modern culture more generally.
Heinlein became one of the first American science-fiction writers to break into mainstream magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post in the late 1940s. He was one of the best-selling science-fiction novelists for many decades, and he, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke are often considered the "Big Three" of English-language science fiction authors. Notable Heinlein works include Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers (which helped mold the space marine and mecha archetypes) and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. His work sometimes had controversial aspects, such as plural marriage in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, militarism in Starship Troopers and technologically competent women characters who were formidable, yet often stereotypically feminine—such as Friday.
Heinlein used his science fiction as a way to explore provocative social and political ideas and to speculate how progress in science and engineering might shape the future of politics, race, religion, and sex. Within the framework of his science-fiction stories, Heinlein repeatedly addressed certain social themes: the importance of individual liberty and self-reliance, the nature of sexual relationships, the obligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organized religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress nonconformist thought. He also speculated on the influence of space travel on human cultural practices.
Heinlein was named the first Science Fiction Writers Grand Master in 1974. Four of his novels won Hugo Awards. In addition, fifty years after publication, seven of his works were awarded "Retro Hugos"—awards given retrospectively for works that were published before the Hugo Awards came into existence. In his fiction, Heinlein coined terms that have become part of the English language, including grok, waldo and speculative fiction, as well as popularizing existing terms like "TANSTAAFL", "pay it forward", and "space marine". He also anticipated mechanical computer-aided design with "Drafting Dan" and described a modern version of a waterbed in his novel Beyond This Horizon.
Also wrote under Pen names: Anson McDonald, Lyle Monroe, Caleb Saunders, John Riverside and Simon York.
Heinlein became one of the first American science-fiction writers to break into mainstream magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post in the late 1940s. He was one of the best-selling science-fiction novelists for many decades, and he, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke are often considered the "Big Three" of English-language science fiction authors. Notable Heinlein works include Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers (which helped mold the space marine and mecha archetypes) and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. His work sometimes had controversial aspects, such as plural marriage in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, militarism in Starship Troopers and technologically competent women characters who were formidable, yet often stereotypically feminine—such as Friday.
Heinlein used his science fiction as a way to explore provocative social and political ideas and to speculate how progress in science and engineering might shape the future of politics, race, religion, and sex. Within the framework of his science-fiction stories, Heinlein repeatedly addressed certain social themes: the importance of individual liberty and self-reliance, the nature of sexual relationships, the obligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organized religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress nonconformist thought. He also speculated on the influence of space travel on human cultural practices.
Heinlein was named the first Science Fiction Writers Grand Master in 1974. Four of his novels won Hugo Awards. In addition, fifty years after publication, seven of his works were awarded "Retro Hugos"—awards given retrospectively for works that were published before the Hugo Awards came into existence. In his fiction, Heinlein coined terms that have become part of the English language, including grok, waldo and speculative fiction, as well as popularizing existing terms like "TANSTAAFL", "pay it forward", and "space marine". He also anticipated mechanical computer-aided design with "Drafting Dan" and described a modern version of a waterbed in his novel Beyond This Horizon.
Also wrote under Pen names: Anson McDonald, Lyle Monroe, Caleb Saunders, John Riverside and Simon York.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 28, 2023
Loved it!
Although dated,
You can easily assimilate the information and write your own notes to better reflect the political and social environments you find yourself in.
In the end,
People who make little or no effort to maintain a respectful presence in the political lives of their elected officials ( regardless of whether-or-not they 'voted for them' ) have NO right whatsoever to complain about anything they don't like, regardless of their EXCUSES for not voting/participating.
Although dated,
You can easily assimilate the information and write your own notes to better reflect the political and social environments you find yourself in.
In the end,
People who make little or no effort to maintain a respectful presence in the political lives of their elected officials ( regardless of whether-or-not they 'voted for them' ) have NO right whatsoever to complain about anything they don't like, regardless of their EXCUSES for not voting/participating.
November 7, 2017
Being completely outdated, this was most noteworthy for highlighting social changes since it was written. Heinlein failed to convince me that trying to promote positive change within either of the two dominant American political parties was worthwhile in the 1940s, never mind the present. Then again I don't live in America and I'm a civil servant so I am not allowed to pull the stunts he advocates at home either. I'll never get that day back....
December 31, 2011
Typically out of print. Really important and awesome book. A must for anyone with libertarian leanings.
October 12, 2013
while no longer relevant, the book is a fascinating read. Heinlein's passion for his country and his belief, through the efforts of the ordinary person, that it could be great shines through.
October 30, 2022
The finest book on politics I have ever read!
This book takes a hard look at our American government.
It explores what it was intended to be, what it is and how to take it back.
The reader may… or may not… agree with the author’s conclusions.
But it is difficult to believe that anyone that COULD NOT benefit from a careful reading of the contents.
TOO BAD THERE IS NO RATING OF SIX STARS.
This book takes a hard look at our American government.
It explores what it was intended to be, what it is and how to take it back.
The reader may… or may not… agree with the author’s conclusions.
But it is difficult to believe that anyone that COULD NOT benefit from a careful reading of the contents.
TOO BAD THERE IS NO RATING OF SIX STARS.
May 6, 2022
Not gonna lie, this was difficult to read. I'm Australia, so some of the content doesn't really relate to Australian politics, and also, I don't live in Australia so some of it is ineffective. I feel as though Heinlein did a really good job at making a political novel with The moon is a harsh mistress but this was a bit ._.
February 10, 2021
Heinlein gives a practical guide to real-world politics here. It is a good look at what makes governemtn work. and sadly it really is who you know. But the funny thing is, you could be the one who knows those who you need to know. Get involved: That is the message.
November 10, 2022
I found some interesting points/tips/ideas. Though the dated language sort of made it a chore to read, plus I guess I know more about the political process than I thought, since I have already done many of the suggestions in the book. Worth reading. Informative even though somewhat dated.
December 27, 2017
Довольно интересно описана политическая система США изнутри.
Read
August 1, 2022Outstanding. Pity that it's probably too late. This book goes right next to Carnegie's.
October 20, 2015
A little bit of a slow read, as is evidenced by the several months it has taken me to finish this relatively short book. It was written in 1946 and published in 1992 so it's more interesting as a study in the history of politics in the last century than as a practical guide to running for political office in this day and age. Still, it is an interesting book and, I think, gives Heinlein fans some more perspective into his fictional works. I had never given much thought to how the small details of political life have changed so dramatically over the last several decades but it is important to note that it's not just the big sweeping changes that are in the historical overviews but differences in the actual day to day political life of the citizens that have changed as well. I also enjoyed Mr. Heinlein's usual creativity in his made up example scenarios, which helped to make a pretty dry historical instruction manual more interesting than one would usually anticipate.
August 12, 2010
God, this was horrible.
It would've been far better if he just wrote what he did, what happened, etc. instead of trying to make a "USA elections in the 19[456:]0s for dummies + some thoughts". It has almost nothing in common with the current situation, and is extremely US-centric. Even being US-centric is not the problem, the problem is that a lot of the things in the book are set in an extremely narrow path, which affects it badly.
By the time it was written it MIGHT have been a good read, now it just isn't.
It would've been far better if he just wrote what he did, what happened, etc. instead of trying to make a "USA elections in the 19[456:]0s for dummies + some thoughts". It has almost nothing in common with the current situation, and is extremely US-centric. Even being US-centric is not the problem, the problem is that a lot of the things in the book are set in an extremely narrow path, which affects it badly.
By the time it was written it MIGHT have been a good read, now it just isn't.
November 5, 2013
Published in 1992, but written in 1946. The intro to the notes, notes, and afterword, by Jerry E. Pournelle, Ph.D., confirm that this was rushed through editing (I almost dozed off 30% in.) and outdated by 1975.
Aside from the long-winded hyperbolic repetition, it was interesting to read how local and violent the US political system was before World War 2.
Aside from the long-winded hyperbolic repetition, it was interesting to read how local and violent the US political system was before World War 2.
May 21, 2015
Lots of interesting information here on practical political work at a (mostly) local level.
Written in 1946, this edition was from 1992, when Perot was running for President.
Oh, how things might be very different if Perot had won!
Written in 1946, this edition was from 1992, when Perot was running for President.
Oh, how things might be very different if Perot had won!
April 29, 2013
Timeless good advice.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews