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Future History or "Heinlein Timeline" #3
ถนนอำนาจ บาทวิถีคลั่ง
Robert Anson Heinlein was an American novelist and science fiction writer. Often called "the dean of science fiction writers", he is one of the most popular, influential, and controversial authors of "hard science fiction".
132 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1940
About the author
Robert A. Heinlein
1,081 books10.8k 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 - 30 of 69 reviews
July 20, 2016
Classic Heinlein featuring gigantic moving sidewalks.
In the future, cars and highways have been replaced with massive engineering projects – conveyor belt people and equipment moving structures that connects the nation.
Read as a part of my Summer 2016 Heinlein Reading Fest!! I recall the first time I read this when I was a teenager (decades ago) and I had to read it over again, “What?? Moving roads, with diners and businesses moving along at the same? How does that work?”
First published in 1940 in Astounding Science Fiction, this demonstrated not only Heinlein’s exceptional writing ability but his great imagination as well. This story also became a part of his great Future History series.
Also noteworthy is Heinlein’s ability to convey multiple ideas within a science fiction vehicle. Like his later novels The Door Into Summer and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Heinlein also shows how he can combine elements of economics, politics and sociology into a fantastic package and all within a good story.
The Roads Must Roll also shows off his visionary skills, always a plus when reading SF. Heinlein, from before WWII, demonstrates knowledge of labor movements, national transportation evolution, and a militaristic infrastructure (ubiquitous in RAH early writing).
In the future, cars and highways have been replaced with massive engineering projects – conveyor belt people and equipment moving structures that connects the nation.
Read as a part of my Summer 2016 Heinlein Reading Fest!! I recall the first time I read this when I was a teenager (decades ago) and I had to read it over again, “What?? Moving roads, with diners and businesses moving along at the same? How does that work?”
First published in 1940 in Astounding Science Fiction, this demonstrated not only Heinlein’s exceptional writing ability but his great imagination as well. This story also became a part of his great Future History series.
Also noteworthy is Heinlein’s ability to convey multiple ideas within a science fiction vehicle. Like his later novels The Door Into Summer and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Heinlein also shows how he can combine elements of economics, politics and sociology into a fantastic package and all within a good story.
The Roads Must Roll also shows off his visionary skills, always a plus when reading SF. Heinlein, from before WWII, demonstrates knowledge of labor movements, national transportation evolution, and a militaristic infrastructure (ubiquitous in RAH early writing).
September 8, 2015
Heinlein correctly predicts the future again. How long before SpaceX colonizes the moon and then launches a multigeneration interstellar ship?
June 7, 2016
Slidewalk Catastrophe. Hundreds Dead!
A cautionary tale about allowing political zealots to run critical industrial infrastructure. What could go wrong when a political fundamentalist brings society violently to a stop by throttling a transport choke point? Apparently everything, bar the actual apocalypse.
Recommended. 4, 'give the engineers guns,' stars.
A cautionary tale about allowing political zealots to run critical industrial infrastructure. What could go wrong when a political fundamentalist brings society violently to a stop by throttling a transport choke point? Apparently everything, bar the actual apocalypse.
Recommended. 4, 'give the engineers guns,' stars.
June 16, 2020
"This is an age of machinery. The real power everywhere is in the technicians, but they have been kidded into not using their power with a lot of obsolete catch phrases."
Ah, the perfect society, with the grand and infallible machines running our critical infrastructure. There's only one problem ... those pesky engineers and technicians that maintain them, and their inflated sense of entitlement for doing so. Another golden age sci-fi story that illustrates that no matter how fancy our technology, we'll never escape basic human fallibilities.
Ah, the perfect society, with the grand and infallible machines running our critical infrastructure. There's only one problem ... those pesky engineers and technicians that maintain them, and their inflated sense of entitlement for doing so. Another golden age sci-fi story that illustrates that no matter how fancy our technology, we'll never escape basic human fallibilities.
June 10, 2019
Hear them hum!
Watch them run!
Oh, our job is never done,
For our roadways go rolling along!
While you ride,
While you glide,
We are watching down inside,
So your roadways keep rolling along!
Roadways have become the main transportation method in United States. This roadways, powered with the Douglas-Martin solar panels (yeah, those from Let There Be Light, the previous story), can reach speeds up to 100 mph and are managed by the Transport Cadets. The roads are so big you can have a nice diner in your favorite restaurant while getting home to your wife. It's all pretty cool until a bunch of technicians start a revolution by sabotaging one of the roads.
Watch them run!
Oh, our job is never done,
For our roadways go rolling along!
While you ride,
While you glide,
We are watching down inside,
So your roadways keep rolling along!
Roadways have become the main transportation method in United States. This roadways, powered with the Douglas-Martin solar panels (yeah, those from Let There Be Light, the previous story), can reach speeds up to 100 mph and are managed by the Transport Cadets. The roads are so big you can have a nice diner in your favorite restaurant while getting home to your wife. It's all pretty cool until a bunch of technicians start a revolution by sabotaging one of the roads.
May 31, 2013
This is a great, short piece by Heinlein.
July 15, 2017
Great sci-fi short story with some action.
April 4, 2016
The Roads Must Roll by Robert A. Heinlein is one of a rare breed for me. It’s a Heinlein story that I don’t absolutely love.
The story is based on the subject of what would become known as slidewalks. Essentially moving platforms that are large enough to contain buildings. These strips of moving sidewalk move up to 100 miles an hour in this story, and carry buildings and businesses for people to enjoy as people ride long distances.
Obviously this is a version of the future that didn’t come to pass, and that’s not necessarily a negative in my book. However it’s a version of the future that has no chance to come to pass. A similar conveyance system was in the Caves of Steel book by Isaac Asimov and it was quite confusing there. However it was a minor feature of the story, and while it was confusing, it didn’t derail the whole story.
For The Roads Must Roll, the majority of the story is based on the slidewalks. But it has features that doesn’t even sound like they could work. In addition, I don’t feel like the slidewalks are essential to the story, and yet so much time is focused on them, that they become the center of the story.
The story around the slidewalks isn’t much more interesting. It seems like there could be a very interesting problem if the main character and the antagonist were together for more of the story, but instead the majority is focused on this world building of the slidewalks, and the issues between the main character and the antagonist are almost glossed over.
There was a lot of potential with the ideas in the story, and perhaps it’s due to our over familiarity with unions in the modern day versus the rather early views of unions and the potential of strikes from Heinlein’s age, but I just didn’t care much for this story.
The story is based on the subject of what would become known as slidewalks. Essentially moving platforms that are large enough to contain buildings. These strips of moving sidewalk move up to 100 miles an hour in this story, and carry buildings and businesses for people to enjoy as people ride long distances.
Obviously this is a version of the future that didn’t come to pass, and that’s not necessarily a negative in my book. However it’s a version of the future that has no chance to come to pass. A similar conveyance system was in the Caves of Steel book by Isaac Asimov and it was quite confusing there. However it was a minor feature of the story, and while it was confusing, it didn’t derail the whole story.
For The Roads Must Roll, the majority of the story is based on the slidewalks. But it has features that doesn’t even sound like they could work. In addition, I don’t feel like the slidewalks are essential to the story, and yet so much time is focused on them, that they become the center of the story.
The story around the slidewalks isn’t much more interesting. It seems like there could be a very interesting problem if the main character and the antagonist were together for more of the story, but instead the majority is focused on this world building of the slidewalks, and the issues between the main character and the antagonist are almost glossed over.
There was a lot of potential with the ideas in the story, and perhaps it’s due to our over familiarity with unions in the modern day versus the rather early views of unions and the potential of strikes from Heinlein’s age, but I just didn’t care much for this story.
February 5, 2017
This story is #3 out of #21 of Heinlein's "Future History". This story contains a solitary reference to the previous story, "Let there be light", with the "Douglas-Martin sunpower screens"--solar panels that provide the USA near-free electricity.
"The Roads must roll" was released in June 1940. And has moving walkways that reach 100 miles an hour. Here, from Wikipedia, is a history of moving walkways (notice that the invention came first, and inspired HG Wells):
"The first moving walkway debuted at the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It had two different divisions: one where passengers were seated, and one where riders could stand or walk. It ran in a loop down the length of a lakefront pier to a casino. Six years later a moving walkway was also presented to the public at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900. The walkway consisted of three elevated platforms, the first was stationary, the second moved at a moderate speed, and the third at about six miles per hour. These demonstrations likely served as inspiration for some of H. G. Wells' settings."
This story really should have been flesh out into a novel. It was dense, and enjoyable. And, dare I say, left-leaning.
"The Roads must roll" was released in June 1940. And has moving walkways that reach 100 miles an hour. Here, from Wikipedia, is a history of moving walkways (notice that the invention came first, and inspired HG Wells):
"The first moving walkway debuted at the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It had two different divisions: one where passengers were seated, and one where riders could stand or walk. It ran in a loop down the length of a lakefront pier to a casino. Six years later a moving walkway was also presented to the public at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900. The walkway consisted of three elevated platforms, the first was stationary, the second moved at a moderate speed, and the third at about six miles per hour. These demonstrations likely served as inspiration for some of H. G. Wells' settings."
This story really should have been flesh out into a novel. It was dense, and enjoyable. And, dare I say, left-leaning.
March 23, 2023
Шок контент: Хайнлайн смог остановиться настолько вовремя, что, кажется, даже рановато.
February 24, 2020
#2/Las carreteras deben rodar (1940)
Periodo en que está basada: los años 80
El ingeniero jefe delegado de la ciudad rodante, Larry Gaines, recibe una importante visita de un ministro australiano, Blekinson, que quiere saber el funcionamiento de las carreteras rodantes para, quizá llevarlo a cabo en su país si llegase el caso. Gaines le explicará el cambio radical del sistema de transporte y vida itinerante de la población...pero lo que no se espera es que uno de sus ingenieros jefes, Van Kleek, liderará una vaga general de ingenieros y paro de las carreteras, un motín en todo orden, del cual depende el país y la integridad de la población en ése momento. A Gaines le espera una aventura en dónde tendrá que desactivar la célula de Van Kleen y reestablecer el orden...
Relato A CABALLO ENTRE EL ENTRETENIMIENTO Y ACCIÓN MILITAR TIPICA DEL AUTOR (CON PERSONAJES FUERTES Y DECIDIDOS, COMO SIEMPRE) MEZCLADO CON UN INTERESANTE A LA PAR QUE CURIOSO PLANTEAMIENTO DE LO QUE PODRÍA DEPARAR EL FUTURO POR EL COLAPSO Y LA ESCASEZ DE ENERGÍA, CON UN CURIOSO PLANTEAMIENTO DEL MARCO URBANO.
Heinlein nos plantea colapsos y caos circulatorio, que lleva a un gran volumen de muertes en accidentes a la vez que despilfarro del petróleo y escasez de este suministro, por lo cual un agotamiento de las antiguas energías que son tan sólo racionadas y utilizadas por el gobierno como emergencia. La curiosa urbe del relato es una mini ciudad móvil (producida por energía solar convertida en electricidad) con distintas cintas paralelas de distintas velocidades; las del exterior están destinadas a los comercios, fábricas, hoteles y las centrales para los millones de ciudadanos que han de trabajar en la urbe durante el día. Al final de esas cintas, se encuentra el hogar de los ciudadanos en el retiro, en las tranquilas colinas de la montaña, alejadas de la ciudad móvil, pero en las que llegan por las cintas de manera tremendamente rápida y eficaz. Así pues, trabajan en la ciudad y viven en el campo (no está nada mal la idea como concepto general). Las circulación y supervisión de las carreteras rodantes está a cargo de la academia de transportes de EEUU, con sus ingenieros encargados por turnos.
No hay duda que es hábil en mezclar ciencias sociales y la rama más técnica, sin resultar pesado. Nos recuerda que las máquinas no son nada sin el hombre, además de hablarnos de las cualidades como el honor personal, el sacrificio y disciplina en el trabajo para la evolución de la sociedad.
Avances y/ o predicciones tecnológicas:
· Energía abastecida por pantallas solares, convertida en electricidad para el movimiento del transporte de personas y mercancía- carretera mecanizada- (En los 70 el aumento del precio del petróleo y gas llevó a un resurgimiento en el uso de la energía solar para calentar hogares y agua, así como en la generación de electricidad. En la actualidad se usa de dos formas: la potencia térmica solar, en la que el sol se usa para calentar fluidos, los cuales impulsan turbinas y otras máquinas. Y la segunda es la conversión fotovoltaica CON PANELES SOLARES en los que la electricidad es producida directamente del sol)
· Pantallas táctiles (en 1971 se da la primera interfaz electrónica táctil)
· Vídeo llamadas (en 1964 la compañía A y T presenta un primer prototipo de vídeo teléfono)
· Servicio de transporte en cohete a las antípodas
Avances y/ o predicciones sociales:
· Colapso metrópolis urbana y de transportes (estamos en ellos)
· Campaña automovilística de prudencia crónica (actualmente ya hace tiempo que la tenemos)
· Agotamiento del petróleo y muerte de las antiguas energías (poco falta, sino acaban de explotar el planeta…quién sabe)
· Huelga / motín general del transporte nacional (diferentes huelgas de transporte han acaecido a lo largo del siglo 20. Jimmy Hoffa, lider sindicalista, en 1957 fue el artífice principal de la huelga de camioneros en EEUU, véase aquí a el personaje de ficción Van Kleen como su predecesor)
· Ley del funcionalismo (transitoria y en una determinada sección de la población) en 1930: por la cual el derecho igualitario de los hombres deja de existir y el hombre es evaluado importante según el rol que desempeñe en el conjunto económico (Una clara alusión a la tiranía del más poderoso, llevándose al plano de a pie con los individuos. Actualmente están muriendo las clases sociales medias)
Periodo en que está basada: los años 80
El ingeniero jefe delegado de la ciudad rodante, Larry Gaines, recibe una importante visita de un ministro australiano, Blekinson, que quiere saber el funcionamiento de las carreteras rodantes para, quizá llevarlo a cabo en su país si llegase el caso. Gaines le explicará el cambio radical del sistema de transporte y vida itinerante de la población...pero lo que no se espera es que uno de sus ingenieros jefes, Van Kleek, liderará una vaga general de ingenieros y paro de las carreteras, un motín en todo orden, del cual depende el país y la integridad de la población en ése momento. A Gaines le espera una aventura en dónde tendrá que desactivar la célula de Van Kleen y reestablecer el orden...
Relato A CABALLO ENTRE EL ENTRETENIMIENTO Y ACCIÓN MILITAR TIPICA DEL AUTOR (CON PERSONAJES FUERTES Y DECIDIDOS, COMO SIEMPRE) MEZCLADO CON UN INTERESANTE A LA PAR QUE CURIOSO PLANTEAMIENTO DE LO QUE PODRÍA DEPARAR EL FUTURO POR EL COLAPSO Y LA ESCASEZ DE ENERGÍA, CON UN CURIOSO PLANTEAMIENTO DEL MARCO URBANO.
Heinlein nos plantea colapsos y caos circulatorio, que lleva a un gran volumen de muertes en accidentes a la vez que despilfarro del petróleo y escasez de este suministro, por lo cual un agotamiento de las antiguas energías que son tan sólo racionadas y utilizadas por el gobierno como emergencia. La curiosa urbe del relato es una mini ciudad móvil (producida por energía solar convertida en electricidad) con distintas cintas paralelas de distintas velocidades; las del exterior están destinadas a los comercios, fábricas, hoteles y las centrales para los millones de ciudadanos que han de trabajar en la urbe durante el día. Al final de esas cintas, se encuentra el hogar de los ciudadanos en el retiro, en las tranquilas colinas de la montaña, alejadas de la ciudad móvil, pero en las que llegan por las cintas de manera tremendamente rápida y eficaz. Así pues, trabajan en la ciudad y viven en el campo (no está nada mal la idea como concepto general). Las circulación y supervisión de las carreteras rodantes está a cargo de la academia de transportes de EEUU, con sus ingenieros encargados por turnos.
No hay duda que es hábil en mezclar ciencias sociales y la rama más técnica, sin resultar pesado. Nos recuerda que las máquinas no son nada sin el hombre, además de hablarnos de las cualidades como el honor personal, el sacrificio y disciplina en el trabajo para la evolución de la sociedad.
Avances y/ o predicciones tecnológicas:
· Energía abastecida por pantallas solares, convertida en electricidad para el movimiento del transporte de personas y mercancía- carretera mecanizada- (En los 70 el aumento del precio del petróleo y gas llevó a un resurgimiento en el uso de la energía solar para calentar hogares y agua, así como en la generación de electricidad. En la actualidad se usa de dos formas: la potencia térmica solar, en la que el sol se usa para calentar fluidos, los cuales impulsan turbinas y otras máquinas. Y la segunda es la conversión fotovoltaica CON PANELES SOLARES en los que la electricidad es producida directamente del sol)
· Pantallas táctiles (en 1971 se da la primera interfaz electrónica táctil)
· Vídeo llamadas (en 1964 la compañía A y T presenta un primer prototipo de vídeo teléfono)
· Servicio de transporte en cohete a las antípodas
Avances y/ o predicciones sociales:
· Colapso metrópolis urbana y de transportes (estamos en ellos)
· Campaña automovilística de prudencia crónica (actualmente ya hace tiempo que la tenemos)
· Agotamiento del petróleo y muerte de las antiguas energías (poco falta, sino acaban de explotar el planeta…quién sabe)
· Huelga / motín general del transporte nacional (diferentes huelgas de transporte han acaecido a lo largo del siglo 20. Jimmy Hoffa, lider sindicalista, en 1957 fue el artífice principal de la huelga de camioneros en EEUU, véase aquí a el personaje de ficción Van Kleen como su predecesor)
· Ley del funcionalismo (transitoria y en una determinada sección de la población) en 1930: por la cual el derecho igualitario de los hombres deja de existir y el hombre es evaluado importante según el rol que desempeñe en el conjunto económico (Una clara alusión a la tiranía del más poderoso, llevándose al plano de a pie con los individuos. Actualmente están muriendo las clases sociales medias)
June 21, 2021
-Read in The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volume One-
The roads in this case are strips of giant conveyor belts, some of which move up to 100 mph. They are the backbone of industry, as millions of Americans use them for transportation every day. And the roads roll, until one day the technicians start thinking they’re NBA basketball players and stage a strike to gain more power. It’s up to the excellently written protagonist Gaines to sort it all out, and get the roads rolling again. What’s great is that despite this stab at the future being a complete whiff, it’s still a great story. Heinlein uses the technology of the roads to frame a story about economics, labor unions, and militaristic leadership.
The roads in this case are strips of giant conveyor belts, some of which move up to 100 mph. They are the backbone of industry, as millions of Americans use them for transportation every day. And the roads roll, until one day the technicians start thinking they’re NBA basketball players and stage a strike to gain more power. It’s up to the excellently written protagonist Gaines to sort it all out, and get the roads rolling again. What’s great is that despite this stab at the future being a complete whiff, it’s still a great story. Heinlein uses the technology of the roads to frame a story about economics, labor unions, and militaristic leadership.
June 1, 2018
Although I really wanted to like and enjoy this story (because the idea behind it is great and has a lot of potential) I can't really get around the fact that at some points the narrative seemed "bumpy" and the characters felt really one-dimensional, like card boards in a window.
Overall just a 2.8/5.
Overall just a 2.8/5.
December 29, 2017
This is the first work of Heinlein I've come across with no polygamous marriages... So, it has that going for it.
August 3, 2026
I almost gave this story 5 stars, and I might do so at some future time, but for right now I am sticking with 4 stars.
In this future, cars don't roll down the road. The road rolls you along like a slide-walk but more sophisticated. It moves people, freight, entire restaurants and keeping the roads moving is the job of rough men dedicated to their work. That is, until there is a strike and the roads stop. It is up to one man, Larry Gaines, to get those roads going again, even if it means his life.
It reads like a worker's union story with Gaines as the head union worker. I really enjoyed it.
If you like a story where union workers are the heroes, try "1632" by Eric Flint. It starts out a little hokey but soon becomes amazing.
In this future, cars don't roll down the road. The road rolls you along like a slide-walk but more sophisticated. It moves people, freight, entire restaurants and keeping the roads moving is the job of rough men dedicated to their work. That is, until there is a strike and the roads stop. It is up to one man, Larry Gaines, to get those roads going again, even if it means his life.
It reads like a worker's union story with Gaines as the head union worker. I really enjoyed it.
If you like a story where union workers are the heroes, try "1632" by Eric Flint. It starts out a little hokey but soon becomes amazing.
July 20, 2018
Onestamente ho sempre pensato che le strade semovibili fossero un'idea alquanto stupida.
April 23, 2024
From some reason, this book is missing here in English. But it was phenomenal.
Read
October 1, 2026Read as part of SciFi Hall of Fame 9/2026
October 5, 2026
Imagining aa future America which has connected its major cities with fast moving pedestrian conveyor belts. The economy is built around them to a point of over dependency...
October 27, 2026
Classic Heinlein with just the right amount of cynicism and realistic human flaws. Fascinating concepts as well. And who doesn't love a good terrorist plot?
September 17, 2026
Anti union drivel. The equivalent of "Aha I've drawn myself as the titan of industry Chad and you as the sniveling pathetic socialist chud" Bland, 1-D characters with no twists. I was eagerly waiting for the revolution to spread to different sectors or for the labor organizer to get one over on Gaines. Instead he literally cries on the ground while the big epic boss man gets everyone back to work. What? Also aside from the telecommunication tech the premise of the story is completely far fetched and ridiculous. How did this story make it into the science fiction hall of fame volume 1? It's not even Heinlein's best short story? Plus rampant misogyny from both the protagonist and from how Heinlein himself depicts women. I don't care if it's the 40's, sci fi can break boundaries and norms. It's a transgressive genre. Even Heinlein's other works do better (eg. the moon is a harsh mistress.) Seriously I feel like I'm taking crazy pills, how is this so well regarded?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2026
Good: some spot on predictions of the future
Bad: Ayn-Rand levels of exultation of the protagonist. Some terrible predictions of the future. The writing of women characters, wow.
Bad: Ayn-Rand levels of exultation of the protagonist. Some terrible predictions of the future. The writing of women characters, wow.
March 10, 2023
Клише с «движущимися дорогами» должно было начаться и закончиться с этой повестью. Идея изначально была нелепая, и к ней ничего уже после Хайнлайна не добавить. Тут меня зацепила глубина проработки сеттинга (пусть и нереалистичного), получилось подземелье только с инженерами вместо драконов (технические люки, язык жестов, моноциклы, переносные телефоны, ммм!). Ну и здорово, что главный герой президенту не ответил, а с женой поговорил.
December 10, 2024
Let the roads roll
Robert Heinlein always amazed me with his ideas, which he skillfully put on paper. His works are always interesting, and the story "Roads must Roll" is especially memorable.
I remember the work for its unprecedented intensity. This is a kind of action-packed action movie, where the action takes place rapidly and it is felt with every page of the work. The author does not go into details of the imagined world, does not reveal the characters. Heinlein fully shows the action, having previously introduced readers to the main characters of the story — the roads.
The skill of the writer allows us to present such a human development in all its details. It is a great opportunity for people to quickly cross huge distances, just by getting on mobile roads. It's so interesting and so exciting. I really want to see it in reality, but you realize that it's fantastic. However, there are still a lot of questions about the safety of this type of movement and the following problems in this regard.
With his narration, Heinlein raises a lot of problems of his time, reveals the social background of what is happening in society. What role do public organizations or the government play, how can individuals influence a situation of such magnitude as appears in the work.
Perhaps the author believes that in real life people need a strong leader, that he will be ready to solve complex problems of a social and not only character, like his main character, that he appears to be a courageous and determined person, a leader, that he is ready to make important decisions and take responsibility.
Although Heinlein does not devote time to revealing the past of the characters, their motivation, in order to show the reader the image of the characters more fully, Robert does this through the actions of the actors. This decision seems to encourage the readers themselves to draw conclusions about this or that person in the work on their own.
Heinlein's story has been around for more than 80 years. Many things now seem naive in this work, but not the problems that the author raises. There will always and everywhere be supporters and opponents of certain projects, there will always be dissatisfied and consenting. This is human nature. I liked the work very much. Dynamic, interesting, fresh. It is not for nothing that "Roads must Roll" became the winner of the Hugo Award for 1941. And this award took place retrospectively, that is, the award was awarded in the modern world (in 2016). This means that the topics raised are still relevant for our time.
9 out of 10
Robert Heinlein always amazed me with his ideas, which he skillfully put on paper. His works are always interesting, and the story "Roads must Roll" is especially memorable.
I remember the work for its unprecedented intensity. This is a kind of action-packed action movie, where the action takes place rapidly and it is felt with every page of the work. The author does not go into details of the imagined world, does not reveal the characters. Heinlein fully shows the action, having previously introduced readers to the main characters of the story — the roads.
The skill of the writer allows us to present such a human development in all its details. It is a great opportunity for people to quickly cross huge distances, just by getting on mobile roads. It's so interesting and so exciting. I really want to see it in reality, but you realize that it's fantastic. However, there are still a lot of questions about the safety of this type of movement and the following problems in this regard.
With his narration, Heinlein raises a lot of problems of his time, reveals the social background of what is happening in society. What role do public organizations or the government play, how can individuals influence a situation of such magnitude as appears in the work.
Perhaps the author believes that in real life people need a strong leader, that he will be ready to solve complex problems of a social and not only character, like his main character, that he appears to be a courageous and determined person, a leader, that he is ready to make important decisions and take responsibility.
Although Heinlein does not devote time to revealing the past of the characters, their motivation, in order to show the reader the image of the characters more fully, Robert does this through the actions of the actors. This decision seems to encourage the readers themselves to draw conclusions about this or that person in the work on their own.
Heinlein's story has been around for more than 80 years. Many things now seem naive in this work, but not the problems that the author raises. There will always and everywhere be supporters and opponents of certain projects, there will always be dissatisfied and consenting. This is human nature. I liked the work very much. Dynamic, interesting, fresh. It is not for nothing that "Roads must Roll" became the winner of the Hugo Award for 1941. And this award took place retrospectively, that is, the award was awarded in the modern world (in 2016). This means that the topics raised are still relevant for our time.
9 out of 10
February 3, 2019
This story was difficult for me to read, as it was hard to follow the story and understand the world. While reading these Science Fiction short stories, I have found that it is difficult to create the world in my head. I have previously read books set in different worlds, but the technology and it’s importance in the story create confusion. This story created the most confusion for me. I could not wrap my head around all the characters and the ranks. I think this is an interesting concept because it does make sense that there will come a day when there are too many cars and they can no longer be used. This will force a change in technology, and this almost seems like something that could happen, although it is hard to imagine that world. I think this shows the important idea of how the people who are the backbones of society don’t have the power to make decisions. The workers are the most important part of society, and they are stuck by oppression. This is present in today, similar to many other stories.
One scene I thought was powerful was on pg 77 where Gaines asked if anyone wanted “the chance to kill the louse”, and sent the people away that did. I found it strange that he took the time to make sure that everyone was coming in peacefully. This connects back to his statement on how he feels about emotions because he knows that some people are doing this for revenge and that they may kill or injure the people, or disobey Gaines’ orders.
One scene I thought was powerful was on pg 77 where Gaines asked if anyone wanted “the chance to kill the louse”, and sent the people away that did. I found it strange that he took the time to make sure that everyone was coming in peacefully. This connects back to his statement on how he feels about emotions because he knows that some people are doing this for revenge and that they may kill or injure the people, or disobey Gaines’ orders.
January 29, 2015
Classic Heinlein featuring gigantic moving sidewalks.
In the future, cars and highways have been replaced with massive engineering projects – conveyor belt people and equipment moving structures that connects the nation.
Read as a part of my Summer 2016 Heinlein Reading Fest!! I recall the first time I read this when I was a teenager (decades ago) and I had to read it over again, “What?? Moving roads, with diners and businesses moving along at the same? How does that work?”
First published in 1940 in Astounding Science Fiction, this demonstrated not only Heinlein’s exceptional writing ability but his great imagination as well. This story also became a part of his great Future History series.
Also noteworthy is Heinlein’s ability to convey multiple ideas within a science fiction vehicle. Like his later novels The Door Into Summer and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Heinlein also shows how he can combine elements of economics, politics and sociology into a fantastic package and all within a good story.
The Roads Must Roll also shows off his visionary skills, always a plus when reading SF. Heinlein, from before WWII, demonstrates knowledge of labor movements, national transportation evolution, and a militaristic infrastructure (ubiquitous in RAH early writing). by Lyn
In the future, cars and highways have been replaced with massive engineering projects – conveyor belt people and equipment moving structures that connects the nation.
Read as a part of my Summer 2016 Heinlein Reading Fest!! I recall the first time I read this when I was a teenager (decades ago) and I had to read it over again, “What?? Moving roads, with diners and businesses moving along at the same? How does that work?”
First published in 1940 in Astounding Science Fiction, this demonstrated not only Heinlein’s exceptional writing ability but his great imagination as well. This story also became a part of his great Future History series.
Also noteworthy is Heinlein’s ability to convey multiple ideas within a science fiction vehicle. Like his later novels The Door Into Summer and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Heinlein also shows how he can combine elements of economics, politics and sociology into a fantastic package and all within a good story.
The Roads Must Roll also shows off his visionary skills, always a plus when reading SF. Heinlein, from before WWII, demonstrates knowledge of labor movements, national transportation evolution, and a militaristic infrastructure (ubiquitous in RAH early writing). by Lyn
August 7, 2022
This story, originally published in the 1940s and later adapted for the radio shows Dimension X and X Minus One, is set in the near future, when "roadtowns" (wide rapidly moving passenger platforms similar to moving sidewalks, but reaching speeds of 100 mph) have replaced highways and railways as the dominant transportation method in the United States.
Heinlein's themes explored here involve technological change and social cohesion. The fictional social movement he calls "functionalism", advances the idea that one's status and level of material reward in a society must and should depend on the functions one performs for that society.
Much like Einstein, Heinlein's theories, thoughts, observations, and ideas concerning the future, even the near-future, were usually correct. In fact most of the predictions here became true. In 1955 Federal Highway 66 was converted into a so-called "superhighway" as a public works project. The 1957 National Defense Act declared petroleum to be an essential and limited material of war; the armed forces had first call on all oil, above or below the ground, and seventy million civilian vehicles faced short and expensive rations. In 1960, the first mechanized road was built between Cincinatti and Cleveland.
Heinlein's themes explored here involve technological change and social cohesion. The fictional social movement he calls "functionalism", advances the idea that one's status and level of material reward in a society must and should depend on the functions one performs for that society.
Much like Einstein, Heinlein's theories, thoughts, observations, and ideas concerning the future, even the near-future, were usually correct. In fact most of the predictions here became true. In 1955 Federal Highway 66 was converted into a so-called "superhighway" as a public works project. The 1957 National Defense Act declared petroleum to be an essential and limited material of war; the armed forces had first call on all oil, above or below the ground, and seventy million civilian vehicles faced short and expensive rations. In 1960, the first mechanized road was built between Cincinatti and Cleveland.
February 16, 2020
(Future History 3) The United States had moved from automobiles to solar-powered people movers beginning when oil and gasoline were rationed during World War II. It led to less pollution, a spreading out of the population from the congestion of the cities, and a working class who were ripe for agitation by self-serving megalomaniacs with self-worth issues like Shorty Van Kleeck. It is up to Larry Gaines, the Chief Engineer, to stop the destruction and disruption of the roads.
Heinlein is remarkably prescient in this 1940 tale, predicting the congestion of the automobiles and their increasing dangers as well as the importance of solar energy. It’s a shame such people movers, whether this style or high-speed trains are kept from actually being implemented. It is also true that the disenfranchised can be easily manipulated. Just look at our current political environment, not just in the United States and Great Britain. A brilliant tale. I can see the workers being militarized considering how a minor disruption, much less a major one, could not only bring the nation to a halt, it could have serious and deadly ramifications. 4.5 out of 5.
Heinlein is remarkably prescient in this 1940 tale, predicting the congestion of the automobiles and their increasing dangers as well as the importance of solar energy. It’s a shame such people movers, whether this style or high-speed trains are kept from actually being implemented. It is also true that the disenfranchised can be easily manipulated. Just look at our current political environment, not just in the United States and Great Britain. A brilliant tale. I can see the workers being militarized considering how a minor disruption, much less a major one, could not only bring the nation to a halt, it could have serious and deadly ramifications. 4.5 out of 5.
March 5, 2026
When I read this as a teenager I was more impressed by it. Four decades later, I judge it more harshly. The idea of conveyor belt roads running at a hundred miles per hour is absurd. The problem is that roads aren’t a straight line and it’s difficult to curve conveyors. Then there’s the problem of inclement weather. To be truthful, Heinlein’s point with this story wasn’t the engineering of the roads, but of the idea that a small group of terrorists could take those roads down. The depiction of that uprising is facile and unbelievable; the addition of the Australian ambassador is there just to provide someone for the main engineer to explain some things to the reader. The best thing about this story is the mention of the Latin phrase translating to who watches the watchmen, later used by Alan Moore for a groundbreaking comic. The use here is about the engineers, entrusted to keep the roads rolling, must also be watched to ensure that they will keep it rolling. Of interest historically, but otherwise not recommended.
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