Book Review: Space Cadet by Robert A Heinlein

Title: Space Cadet
Author: Robert A. Heinlein
Pages: 223
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates (New York, 1948)

Review:

Robert Heinlein's third published book and second work of juvenile science fiction is Space Cadet. Set roughly one hundred and thirty years in the future from 1948, this book is a classic among science fiction. Space travel is not only common place but planetary colonization has taken place on many worlds in the solar system. it is against this backdrop, the Heinlein spins a simple tale of a young man Matt Dodson who joins the Space Patrol, the organization charged with keeping the peace in the solar system.

The central plot centers around Dodson and his friends as they navigate space patrol training, their first assignments and ultimately their first real adventure. Their travels take them from earth orbit, to the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and to Venus. Along the way, the Grandmaster of science fiction teaches valuable lessons about space travel, living in space aboard ship, dealing with extraterrestrials and above all else paints the picture of an ideal space going peacekeeping body -- The Patrol.

As a work of juvenile fiction, Heinlein's desire to inspire and young generation into space is highly evident. In this he urges them to dream big and reach for the stars. You can bet his calculations about space travel as far as astrogation are concerned are probably dead on even though he does not bore his audience with them. Technologically, many things he speaks of; cell phones, computers, etc. are not real in his day have become science fact in ours. Socially, you see the development of his first 'military' ideas in many senses as the Patrol is a group of volunteer professionals who strive as men to be the best men they can be. Politically, he shows both and understanding of politics and how long term peace would lead to apathy.

Stylistically, the language is simple and real. Heinlein's characters are not larger than life. They have flaws and conflicts just like today, but they achieve great things because they are men that have embraced being the best they can be as men. The plot is not completely predictable because Heinlein see space as unpredictable, but men as supremely flexible and adaptable.

Rating: 4 stars. This is one of my favorites of Heinlein's juvenile fiction. I have read it many times and it never ceases to entertain. It is probably in the best three of Heinlein's juvenile fiction

Book Review: Hell the Logic of Damnation by Jerry L. Walls

Title: Hell: The Logic of Damnation
Author: Jerry L. Walls
Pages: 159
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press: (Notre Dame, Indiana 1992)

Review:

I had the good fortune to be at Asbury Theological Seminary and take several classes from Jerry Walls. In the class titled: The Problem of Evil this was one of the textbooks, so I got to participate in its dissection with the author present. I probably would have enjoyed it more but it was this particular semester that my father had died so I was going through my own problem of evil issues. In any case though, Jerry Walls is a smart, logical and entertaining professor. He is also a helluva (pun intended) good author as well.

This book deals with a central problem in Christianity as regards the problem of evil - the doctrine of hell. Hell: The Logic of Damnation is a work of philosophical theology. Its aim is to take the traditional doctrine of hell and question it from every angle to see if it holds up to logic. Hell is considered in the light human belief; God's knowledge, power and goodness and human freedom and misery.

Walls does a very good job attacking the doctrine and shows how the traditional doctrine of hell suffers from many philosophical weakness. He also draws a conclusion that many would find unacceptable but is in some ways inescapable if you accept his argument.

The style of the book is scholarly and not for the average reader. It assumes that you understand philosophical and theological terms and concepts. It is also heavy reading for 159 pages as Jerry Walls is a deep thinker. Still the content is very good and follows a solid logical argument with the only challenge being accepting the conclusion.

When I first read this book many years ago I disagreed with its conclusion and still do, but what it did cause me to do was rethink my whole understanding of hell and damnation. The final result of these thoughts is found in my series Is Hell Justified? This book in many ways became my introduction to both philosophical theology and new theological understandings of hell and deserves praise on both counts.

Rating: Four stars. The only thing that would make it better is if it was more readable to the general public. Maybe a second book doing just that would be helpful.

Book Review: "Beyond This Horizon" by Robert A Heinlein

Title: Beyond This Horizon
Author: Robert A Heinlein
Pages: 158
Publisher: The New American Library (New York; New York) 1948

Review:

I actually have a 1948 copy of this book but the cover above is the new cover from a more recent publication. This novel was actually originally published as a series in 1942 in science fiction pulp periodicals under the pseudo name of Aston MacDonald. The fact it is from World War 2 is evident by the predictions in it that the war would dropkick the Russians and Chinese back to the stone age while the rest of the world would survive and prosper. When it was finally published as novel in 1948, it would have been a nostalgic view back in time to when the war was uncertain. This is also the first non juvenile novel Heinlein would publish. It is for adults, it has adult conversations, no sex or nudity yet, but their are veiled sexual references (for 1948) and social relationships that are different as well as fashion ideas that would have been challenging for the time of writing (men wearing nail polish for example).

The central plot of the story center around the main character Hamilton Felix who is trying to answer one question: Why? and specifically: is there something we can prove scientifically that a) there is life after death and that b) gives life meaning? Hamilton lives in a world where voluntary genetic breading has wiped out most illness, made the human race stronger, faster and smarter, but the 'why' question challenges his mind. He himself is a star genetic line that his society wants to use to procreate the next generation of humanity - a better race. The story takes Hamilton through several situations that cause him to search and look for the answers to these questions.

As a work of science fiction, Heinlein is way ahead of his time in many areas: genetics, telepathy, social customs because of technological improvement, space travel is in the background, educational and child rearing advances, etc. Stuff in the real world of 1942 that was pure theory, Heinlein is racing ahead and making some realistic and startling predictions.

As far as style and content, this book is pure Heinlein with many of his social and political views in your face. Libertarianism is in your face throughout the book, nothing is ever forced on any citizen but often people volunteer for things because it betters the race as a whole. The concept of a citizen having a 'private sphere' that even the media and nosey neighbors would consider it rude to interrupt is present. The concept of an armed citizenry making a more polite citizenry and civilization, economics based on his economic theories, open and temporary marriages, mankind always coming out on top, etc. are all here in some form or another. As with all Heinlein books the characters are believable and real but set in a science fiction future.

Rating: Four stars. Heinlein's early adult stuff is very good but limited by the publishing industry due to society being very conservative. This book is a good representation of that as Heinlein's first published adult level novel. You think while reading this book that Heinlein is being true to himself but is being reigned in. The story is good and the conclusion is mentally challenging. It is well worth the reading time.

Book Review: "Leadership and Self Deception" by The Arbinger Institute.

Title: Leadership and Self Deception: Getting Out of the Box
Author: The Arbinger Institute
Pages: 180
Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc. (2000)

Review:

If there is a list of books that I have that are must reads, this book is on my top ten. Next to the Bible, it is one of the best books to read about the real nature of ineffective and effective leadership, relationships and human nature.

One of its greatest strength is that it is not written as a text book, but is in the form of a story about an executive Tom Callum, who is introduced to the greatest strategic initiative of his new company Zagrum (fictitious). That intuitive is to remove the force of self-deception as much as possible from the company.

Self-deception or 'Being in the box' is a force known in philosophy, psychology and sociology that prevents us from making real progress because we cannot see it. It robs companies of progress and profitability, families of love and relationships of genuineness.

The Arbinger Institute uses the story to introduce what self-deception is, how it dominates our life, how it happens to us and ultimately how to get out. This book then becomes their first stage in addressing the problem, but I can tell you its content alone without the rest of the training they provide will revolutionize your thinking on the subjects of leadership, relationships and human nature.

Stylistically, because it is a story, It makes the book a joy to read and you can definitely identify with Tom Callum in the story as he takes the role of asking the common questions and raising the most common objections. The story teaches as it entertains.

If there is a weakness it is that it is an introduction to actually dealing with the problem of self-deception. To get the rest, you have to contract the Arbringer Institute for their training and consultation.

Rating: 4 and a half stars. I make it a point to read this book at least twice a year. I have actually thought about memorizing it; it is that worthy of any one's time.