Bernard’s Reviews > The Past through Tomorrow > Status Update

"If This Goes On--" (1940). Ok this one is going to stick with me. At least, as long as we are in our current political situation in the United States, with a fascist cult leader who uses religion, moral issues, propaganda, and lies, as divisive 'us vs. them' wedges for political gain, and who actually became president, twice. Heinlein basically predicted the current Trump era of American politics.

Part of the way through "If This Goes On--" I dropped the book and it split in half. This poor front coverless, back coverless, nearly exhausted spine glue and Scotch(TM) tape mended volume is really trying to hold itself together long enough for me to finish it, so it can earn its rest in the paper recycler. "Don't worry, she'll hold together. (Come on baby, hold together!)"

"The Menace from Earth" (1957) - a charming story about a tour guide that gives zero-g flightsuit experiences to space tourists!

A little catching up to do of stories I skipped reviewing:

"The Black Pits of Luna" (1947). I barely recovered losing (and finding) a son at the zoo. This guy does that on the Moon!

"--We Also Walk Dogs" (1941). This story wandered oddly. Bribing a scientist to implement a gravity altering technology for a government conference!

"Searchlight" (1962). Somebody ELSE got lost on the Moon. Music saves the day!

“It’s Great to Be Back!” (1946). I definitely should have seen that ending from a mile away!

"The Long Watch" (1948) - As my daughter would say, "Depresso Expresso." A tale of sadness and heroics!

"Gentlemen, Be Seated" (1948) - I wonder if Heinlein was given a dare: "Write a story where someone's butt fat saves the day!"

"Requiem" (1939) - Short, sweet, sad. R.I.P.

"Space Jockey" (1947) - What is home? Home is where your family is. Even in space.

“The Man Who Sold the Moon” (1949) - It seems 90% of this novella was fast moving dialog. I had in my head J.K. Simmons’ voice as Harriman, a la “Bring me pictures of Spider-Man!” The story itself is ludicrous. Little did he know how hard it is to get to the moon! Harriman just bought his way there!