[FZ5]⋙ [PDF] Free The Puppet Masters Baen Science Fiction Robert A Heinlein 9781439133767 Books

The Puppet Masters Baen Science Fiction Robert A Heinlein 9781439133767 Books

Download As PDF : The Puppet Masters Baen Science Fiction Robert A Heinlein 9781439133767 Books

The Puppet Masters Baen Science Fiction Robert A Heinlein 9781439133767 Books

"Honey, you are about to learn that in the Country of the Blind the one-eyed man is in for a hell of a rough ride."

Three themes seem intertwined in this touching work. . .

One, how can/should 'authority' (husband, boss, president, scientist) use its power to help and not hurt?

Two, how can/should each individual decide when to submit to authority and when to resist?

Three, how is understanding found? When and how combine facts/data into wisdom? Who decides?

These questions addressed throughout with taste, discernment; so smoothly, so enjoyably, that reader wants more!

For example - What is needed to reach past facts to wisdom?

''His unique gift was the ability to reason logically with unfamiliar, hard-to-believe facts as easily as with the commonplace. Not much, eh? I have never met anyone else who could do it wholeheartedly. Most minds stall dead when faced with facts which conflict with basic beliefs;
"I-just-can't-believe-it" is all one word to highbrows and dimwits alike.''

For example, on the choise of freedom vs security. . .

"We come," I went on, "to bring you—"
"To bring us what?"
"To bring you peace," I blurted out. The Old Man snorted.
" 'Peace'," I went on, "and contentment—and the joy of—of surrender."
"Let me get this," the Old Man said thoughtfully.
"You are promising the human race that, if we will just surrender to your kind, you will take care of us and make us happy. Right?"
"Exactly!" The Old Man studied me for a long moment, looking, not at my face,
He spat upon the floor.
"You know," he said slowly, "me and my kind, we have often been offered that bargain, though maybe not on such a grand scale. It never worked out worth a damn."

The challenge of scientific authority arises this way.

Sam's wife has been willing interviewed under drugs to probe her memory. Nevertheless, the results have been concealed from her. Sam confronts the doctors . . .

"There was not time for that. We had to use rough methods for quick results. I'm not sure that I can authorize the subject to see the records."
Hazelhurst put in, "I agree with you. Doctor."
I exploded.
"Damn it, nobody asked you to authorize anything and you haven't got any authority in the matter. Those records were snitched right out of my wife's head and they belong to her. I'm sick of you people trying to play God. I don't like it in a slug and I don't like it any better in a human being. She'll make up her own mind whether or not she wants to see them and whether or not I or anybody else will see them. Now ask her!"
Steelton said, "Mrs. Nivens, do you wish to see your records?"
Mary answered, "Yes, Doctor, I'd like very much to see them."

This demand for personal dignity is the key action that leads to winning the war. Lesson? Personal rights are more than just a feeling, they are a principle that have long range benefits.

This kindle edition includes both a forward and an afterword. Both interesting. The afterword notes . . .

''Being free was never easy. Our oldest account of freed slaves tells us of their sitting by their fires in the desert and lamenting the lost fleshpots of Egypt, when they had eaten well in captivity and oppression.''

Insightful.

(I first read this 40 years ago. Reread from time-to-time. I always liked the story and the characters. I did not understand why. Now (maybe) I can see the abstract principles Heinlein is presenting. Means more to me now than before.)

(For a scholars analysis on choosing freedom vs security, see ''The Death of Humanity: and the Case for Life'', by Richard Weikart)


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The Puppet Masters Baen Science Fiction Robert A Heinlein 9781439133767 Books Reviews

Even though dated, this book was 5 stars all the way. Scary story, terrific characterization (for its time period), imaginative, and decent pace. I'm not going to go into the plot because other reviewers have already done so and probably much better than I could. But, I wanted to just comment on books' influence from that time period to today. I doubt anyone will read this, but I just have to comment.

As a little girl growing up in the 1970s, I was carefully given all the appropriate books for a girl (Little Women, Black Beauty, the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe etc). When I was about 13, I started reading my Mom's Harlequin Romances. I think they permanently stunted my growth and distorted my relationships with men! Only once I "snuck" and read a sci-fi by A Keys and I LOVED it and never forgot that story.

Now I am a polite, married woman but I wonder what kind of radical hellion I could've been if I'd be able to read these amazing sci-fi stories - stories where the end doesn't come when the h gets married. It makes me sad for that little girl.

But, the good news my daughter was a different story (no pun) and I filled her head with every kind of story (except Harlequins). Now she is getting her Masters (allow a mother to brag) and isn't afraid to tell the world to "F*** off," while I would prefer to bake the whole world a nice batch of cookies.

Times change for the better and for the worse, but this author and this book is a terrific tale and stands the test of time. Highy recommended - especially for nice, quiet girls!
Like anyone who has read Heinlein, once you read one of his books, you have to read the all. He is the consummate visionary. I would put him on an equal par with Jules Verne, and above Verne when it comes to the importance of relationships in his stories. There is always the older sage, the young go-for-broke man and of course the beautiful love interest. Puppet Masters at its core is about fighting group think by rugged individualists. A worthy cause especially in today's group-think environment.
"Honey, you are about to learn that in the Country of the Blind the one-eyed man is in for a hell of a rough ride."

Three themes seem intertwined in this touching work. . .

One, how can/should 'authority' (husband, boss, president, scientist) use its power to help and not hurt?

Two, how can/should each individual decide when to submit to authority and when to resist?

Three, how is understanding found? When and how combine facts/data into wisdom? Who decides?

These questions addressed throughout with taste, discernment; so smoothly, so enjoyably, that reader wants more!

For example - What is needed to reach past facts to wisdom?

''His unique gift was the ability to reason logically with unfamiliar, hard-to-believe facts as easily as with the commonplace. Not much, eh? I have never met anyone else who could do it wholeheartedly. Most minds stall dead when faced with facts which conflict with basic beliefs;
"I-just-can't-believe-it" is all one word to highbrows and dimwits alike.''

For example, on the choise of freedom vs security. . .

"We come," I went on, "to bring you—"
"To bring us what?"
"To bring you peace," I blurted out. The Old Man snorted.
" 'Peace'," I went on, "and contentment—and the joy of—of surrender."
"Let me get this," the Old Man said thoughtfully.
"You are promising the human race that, if we will just surrender to your kind, you will take care of us and make us happy. Right?"
"Exactly!" The Old Man studied me for a long moment, looking, not at my face,
He spat upon the floor.
"You know," he said slowly, "me and my kind, we have often been offered that bargain, though maybe not on such a grand scale. It never worked out worth a damn."

The challenge of scientific authority arises this way.

Sam's wife has been willing interviewed under drugs to probe her memory. Nevertheless, the results have been concealed from her. Sam confronts the doctors . . .

"There was not time for that. We had to use rough methods for quick results. I'm not sure that I can authorize the subject to see the records."
Hazelhurst put in, "I agree with you. Doctor."
I exploded.
"Damn it, nobody asked you to authorize anything and you haven't got any authority in the matter. Those records were snitched right out of my wife's head and they belong to her. I'm sick of you people trying to play God. I don't like it in a slug and I don't like it any better in a human being. She'll make up her own mind whether or not she wants to see them and whether or not I or anybody else will see them. Now ask her!"
Steelton said, "Mrs. Nivens, do you wish to see your records?"
Mary answered, "Yes, Doctor, I'd like very much to see them."

This demand for personal dignity is the key action that leads to winning the war. Lesson? Personal rights are more than just a feeling, they are a principle that have long range benefits.

This kindle edition includes both a forward and an afterword. Both interesting. The afterword notes . . .

''Being free was never easy. Our oldest account of freed slaves tells us of their sitting by their fires in the desert and lamenting the lost fleshpots of Egypt, when they had eaten well in captivity and oppression.''

Insightful.

(I first read this 40 years ago. Reread from time-to-time. I always liked the story and the characters. I did not understand why. Now (maybe) I can see the abstract principles Heinlein is presenting. Means more to me now than before.)

(For a scholars analysis on choosing freedom vs security, see ''The Death of Humanity and the Case for Life'', by Richard Weikart)