The Notebooks of Lazarus Long

by Robert A. Heinlein

Too young to fight in the First World War, but destined to lead the first successful expedition to another star system, the (literally) immortal Lazarus Long is the most popular and enduring character created by Robert A. Heinlein, author of numerous New York Times best sellers. He starred in Heinlein's most popular novels, including Methuselah's Children, Time Enough For Love, The Number Of The Beast, To Sail Beyond The Sunset and others. The oldest living member of the human race due to his unique genes, Long has been a pioneer on eight planets, survived wars and lynch mobs, and explored most of the galaxy. His adventures have given him a breadth of experience distilled through the irony of an immortal viewpoint. But there is nothing pompous about Long's reflections on the human condition. As the noted editor and critic David G. Hartwell has observed, "Lazarus' comments are acute, lively and intelligent." And here they are, compiled in one beautifully designed trade paperback, filled with illuminations and illustrations by renowned Science Fiction artist Stephen Hickman, for the delight of the millions of Heinlein fans around the world.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Philosophy, Classics, Fantasy, Speculative Fiction

56 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Robert 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.

Reviews

[Sobriquet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Make no mistake-- I love Heinlein, I adore Heinlein, I think the man is a god in the genre but a spastically snarling part of me loathes Lazarus Long. Lazarus Long, the man who lives forever, the man with a brain I envy, the man with many women... I cannot stand him. Starship Troopers and the thirty-second bomb I salute; Stranger in a Strange Land I shed an ironically pathetic tear with; and so goes with most of his work, preachiness and all. (That man had Good Ideas.) Let us be armed, let us be participants in alternative lifestyles, let us be free. When it comes down to it, any work of Heinlein is a pamphlet shouting "Freedom! Independence! Learning!" over the tinny Coldplay piping in over the air conditioner or the stylized pseudo-science that is CSI. As much as I despise the man, let me hold up Lazarus Long as a paragon of a lost society.

[Ruetha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This edition of The Notebooks of Lazarus Long is eloquently illustrated with calligraphy to add a luxury to this wealth of good advice.

When I first began reading Heinlein, I was a child of no more than eleven. This, like the book it is collected from (Time Enough for Love), and other of his works played major parts in shaping my personal philosophy, mode of thinking, and subsequently myself into who I am today. That said, I hold a strong bias toward most things Heinlein. I love this collection of quotes and hold its advice overall to be sound and oft humorous and entertaining.

[reherrma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dieses seltene Buch enthält Zitate und Aphorismen aus Robert A. Heinleins Future History-Reihe, d.h. aus den Romanen "Methuselah's Children"[1941/58], dt. "Die Ausgestoßenen der Erde [1967]") und Time Enough for Love [1973], dt. "Die Leben des Lazarus Long" [1976]. Es sind kurze Zitate, die manchmal lustig, manchmal bedeutungsvoll sind aber immer Heinleins Haltung in seiner Schaffensperiode zeigen. Eine wahllose Auswahl zeigt was ich damit meine:

  ...Wenn es nicht in Zahlen ausgedrückt werden kann, ist es keine Wissenschaft, es ist eine Meinung.

  Es ist seit langem bekannt, dass ein Pferd schneller laufen kann als ein anderes - aber welches? Unterschiede sind entscheidend

  Es gibt keine schlüssigen Beweise für ein Leben nach dem Tod. Aber es gibt keinerlei Anzeichen dafür. 
Sie werden es bald wissen - warum sich also darüber ärgern?

  Wenn Sie wahlberechtigt sind, dann tun Sie dies. Möglicherweise gibt es keine Kandidaten und keine Maßnahmen, für die Sie stimmen möchten. Es gibt jedoch bestimmte Maßnahmen, gegen die Sie stimmen möchten.

  Religion ist eine Krücke für Menschen, die nicht stark genug sind, um sich ohne Hilfe dem Unbekannten zu stellen.

  Wer sich nicht mit Mathematik auseinandersetzen kann, ist nicht ganz menschlich. Bestenfalls ist er ein erträglicher Untermensch, der das Tragen von Schuhen gelernt hat.

Hier zeigt sich die ganze Bandbreite von Heinleins denken, einerseits liberal, andererseits extrem konservativ..
Aufgemacht ist dieses Bändchen von Illustrationen von Heinlein-Fan D.F. Vassallo, der den Wust der Aphorismen (die man übrigenz im Internet vielfach präsentiert werden).
Allerdings muss man sagen, dass dieser Band nur für absolute Heinlein-Fans einen Mehrwert bedeutet...

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

SO I am a sucker for Heinlein's work I admit it but this one intrigued me. Now the wiki page pretty much sums this book up - its short - mainly because it was made up from articles and comments made in other publications which were attributed to Lazarus Long rather in the same fictitious vein as the Book Of Counted Sorrows by Dean Koontz. So some industrious person has collected them all in to one book - or in this case an e-book since the Bean paperback was unavailable. They are an interesting mix of comments and observations however like all these books of quotes from fictitious characters - you never know how much is really in the style of the character and how much is reflected by the author who is just using the character as a mouth piece for their views, I guess we will never know. So an interesting book - some things to take away and think about and other most certainly to be left to the pages of historical science fiction.

[Linda (Miss Greedybooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely done with some illuminations. Lazarus Long is a character from Robert A. Heinlein. This book is a collection of comments from him. "Place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark".

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published as interludes in _Time Enough for Love_, this beautifully illuminated version brings together all of the wit and wisdom of Lazarus Long (and largely of Heinlein).

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

You'll find most of this in "Time Enough for Love" & other books. Having all that preaching together in one place is just too much. Lazarus is the oldest man alive & while he's entertaining, he's overbearing & full of himself. After "Time Enough for Love" he was a major figure in other books & it all got to be too much for me. Too little story, too much 'father figure' preaching.

I absolutely love a lot of the sayings attributed to Lazarus Long, though. They're witty & very often true. Stuff like (paraphrase) 'An elephant is a mouse built to government specs.' or 'A committee is the only animal that has 6 or more bellies & no brain.'

[Seizure Romero · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm rather ambivalent towards most of Heinlein's writing, but this collection of quotes is an entertaining and quick read.

"A poet who reads his verse in public may have other nasty habits."

"It is better to copulate than never."

and one that is rather timely:

"You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once."
(reminiscent of a favorite of mine, attributed to Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety").

[J.A.Birch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! Some of the things said are funny, or simple, or insightful, or anything else! Heinlein has been one of those authors I hear frequently about from my father and I am so glad he has lent me this illustrated copy (illustrations by D.F.Vassallo). I shall go and buy my own copy to keep and flick through when I need.

Beautifully illustrated and a wonderful collection of thoughts from the character of Lazarus Long.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is a collection of aphorisms in a special edition illuminated by calligrapher D. F. Vassallo. these bon mots at times reminded me of Twain, like expecting climate and getting weather. I like the nerdier ones like specialization being for insects and "anyone who cannot cope with mathematics is not fully human. At best he is a tolerable subhuman who has learned to wear shoes..."

[Simon · Rating 2 out of 5]

A selection of quotes from one of Heinlein’s most famous characters. The profound ones are few, the humorous ones even more sparse. Most just sound good, but are just pithy and lacking substance.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Notebooks of Lazarus Long is one of those thrown-together little books looking for impulse purchases on the front counter of a bookstore. It has found a new life as an e-book.

It compiles a random set of remarks by Lazarus Long, who, one suspects, is Robert Heinlein’s wish-fulfilling alter-ego. David Hartwell’s introduction tells us something about Lazarus, but I wish the selections were individually sourced and dated.

Long, who, Hartwell tells us, fathered billions of offspring, has a lot to say about sex. Of course, this bit could be about engineering: “Moving parts in rubbing contact require lubrication to avoid excessive wear.” Here is one that Oscar Wilde would have liked: “Yield to temptation; it may not pass your way again.”

Sometimes, Long’s quips about money sound like they might have come from Poor Richard’s Almanac: “Anything free is worth what you pay for it.” Sometimes, he echoes George Ade’s “In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash”: “Money is truthful. If a man speaks of his honor, make him pay cash.” All too often, he channels his inner Ayn Rand: “The greatest productive force is human selfishness.”

He offers us this version of John Campbell’s ideal of the competent man: “A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”

And finally, “Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of—but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.” Indeed.

[Courtney Kleefeld · Rating 2 out of 5]

The edition I read looks like a picture book for children on the outside, from the size and illustration look, but be not deceived, for this is not a children's book, but a collection of sayings of a fictional character from science fiction books.
This is for adults.

Some of it is funny.

Some of it is good advice and wisdom about civilization and government.

Some of it gets annoying in the anti-religion and anti-God and anti-Christian thoughts.

And then there are a few things about sex.

This could have been organized better for better reading flow if it had been organized by category.

[Chrispeabody · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most formative books I ever read. These quotes are useful and mind changing. I love them. I live by some, like "Never make a irrevokable decision when you are emotional, tired, or hungry." Or "When the ship lifts, all bills are paid." And so much more. Imagine that I read these books in 70s and 80s and remember them so we'll

[Tristan Severs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Publishing a collection of all the pithiest lines from your books, attributed to your immortal series-spanning wizard, with every other page in illuminated text so you can I guess cut them out and post them around your cubicle to annoy coworkers, may have been the most self-indulgent authorial gesture of all time. That said, many of the quotes and all of the illuminations are great.

[Freyja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the collection of the interstitial quotes from Time Enough for Love, nicely illuminated. It's nice to see calligraphy is not a lost art. It's a good resource to have for Lazarus Long quotes.

[dejah_thoris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't encountered Lazarus Long yet, but this is a great little book of his wise sayings. Some are beautifully illuminated, but all are applicable. It is printed on thick, laid paper that's a joy to touch. If I was still at my work office, I'd be copying many of the illuminated pages.

[Arianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"La difficoltà nel definire una cosa fondamentale come l'amore sta nel fatto che la definizione non può essere compresa da chi non ne ha fatto esperienza.
È come l'antico dilemma: spiegare l'arcobaleno a una persona cieca dalla nascita".

[Daniel Jones]

It is my honest opinion that the gathered considerations of Heinlein's immortal are essential reading to better consider oneself and one's life. That and that it's great fun. I am particularly fond of the Illuminated version because it looks even more interesting.

Check it out.

[Dave Moorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proverbs for This Millennium.

Whether wisdom or foolishness, these aphorisms need to be read and pondered deeply. The wisdom is not in the words themselves, but in your unique response.

[Clint Putman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, short read. It's basically a book of quotations from the fictional character Lazarus Long, who appears in some of Heinlein's sci-fi novels. There are some clever lines and interesting observations throughout.

[Jim Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short quotes that are sometimes funny, sometimes meaningful, and occasionally shows Heinlein's attitude and period he lived in.

[Bill White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books of aphorisms from Heinlein. Fun stuff! You can read this in one sitting.

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Heinlein's opinions were just the worst, weren't they?

[Judy OConnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Women and children first.

Great read.
Reminds the individual to be aware of the moment and place we inhabit.
Reminds the individual male how important the woman is in our future.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, short, pungent, flavorful

I first read the notebooks as part of "Time enough for Love." It was good to see where Rah stands. Again.

[John Boyda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book loaded with uncommon wisdom and common sense.

[The_J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring Social Commentary.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A short collection of funny quotes from Heinlein’s immortal character Lazarus Long with some nice calligraphy as well.

[Paulo Sunao Shintate Jr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Um livro apenas de frases, um tanto quanto envelhecidas.

Não espere mais histórias sobre Lazarus Long. Tratam-se apenas de frase, a maioria, para mim, sem grande utilidade ...