cebolla's review against another edition
3.0
A bit weird, and sort of sexist, but a good story...and a couple of decent ones.
canadajanes's review against another edition
3.0
A good Heinlein story of revolt and revolution. Got his typical sexism as well, but not as bad as a lot of his books!
bickleyhouse's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
4.0
This is another entry in my quest to read all of the Science Fiction Grand Masters. Another one of Heinlein's earlier works that I have not previously read, Revolt in 2100 paints a somber picture of the possibility of a society taken over by religion.
The book contains three short stories, one of which could probably be categorized as a novella. The first story is "If This Goes On--", which follows the adventure of John Lyle as he attempts to escape the service of the Prophet, along with some others. Religion has taken over the government of the U.S., and is entirely regulated by the Prophet and his soldiers. Lyle is a guard, at the beginning, and becomes infatuated with one of the Sisters in service to the Prophet, Sister Judith. In this society, the attitude toward people seems to be "sinful until proved innocent."
Lyle eventually gets taken before the "Grand Inquisitor" to answer for his "crimes." It's quite a harrowing tale.
The second story is called Coventry. In this story, anyone who commits a crime worthy of punishment in the U.S. is given a choice. They must choose either to be psychologically altered so that they no longer wish to commit such crimes and would not be a danger to anyone, or they can be banished to "Coventry," a place outside the walls that is thought to be pure anarchy. One unlucky soul, however, finds out that anarchy is not all it's cracked up to be.
In the last story, Misfit, a young man is found to be quite the mathematical genius, and helps a space construction crew convert an asteroid into a space station.
Heinlein's sense of technology never ceases to amaze me. There is so much intelligence in these stories, some of which flies miles over my head. I also enjoy the snarky dialogue that he always included in these tales. As he gets further away from his "juvenile" stories, that gets more pronounced.
At the end of the book, there is an afterword, written by Heinlein, in which he discusses the possibility of the US government ever being taken over by religious extremists. To be honest, it is quite alarming, and seems almost prophetic, considering that he wrote it in 1952.
At any rate, the stories in this book are fantastic stories of great Science Fiction, sure to be enjoyed by any aficionado of the genre.
The book contains three short stories, one of which could probably be categorized as a novella. The first story is "If This Goes On--", which follows the adventure of John Lyle as he attempts to escape the service of the Prophet, along with some others. Religion has taken over the government of the U.S., and is entirely regulated by the Prophet and his soldiers. Lyle is a guard, at the beginning, and becomes infatuated with one of the Sisters in service to the Prophet, Sister Judith. In this society, the attitude toward people seems to be "sinful until proved innocent."
Lyle eventually gets taken before the "Grand Inquisitor" to answer for his "crimes." It's quite a harrowing tale.
The second story is called Coventry. In this story, anyone who commits a crime worthy of punishment in the U.S. is given a choice. They must choose either to be psychologically altered so that they no longer wish to commit such crimes and would not be a danger to anyone, or they can be banished to "Coventry," a place outside the walls that is thought to be pure anarchy. One unlucky soul, however, finds out that anarchy is not all it's cracked up to be.
In the last story, Misfit, a young man is found to be quite the mathematical genius, and helps a space construction crew convert an asteroid into a space station.
Heinlein's sense of technology never ceases to amaze me. There is so much intelligence in these stories, some of which flies miles over my head. I also enjoy the snarky dialogue that he always included in these tales. As he gets further away from his "juvenile" stories, that gets more pronounced.
At the end of the book, there is an afterword, written by Heinlein, in which he discusses the possibility of the US government ever being taken over by religious extremists. To be honest, it is quite alarming, and seems almost prophetic, considering that he wrote it in 1952.
At any rate, the stories in this book are fantastic stories of great Science Fiction, sure to be enjoyed by any aficionado of the genre.
jdhacker's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Revolt in 2100 is another installment in Heinlein's Future History arc. Several major figures in that arc feature prominently here, and it takes place some time after the rise of the ayatollahs foretold in Stranger in a Strange Land. We get considerably more context for Scudder, and the origins of Libby in these three interconnected stories. This is about the height, and fall, of the united states theocracy (that in these times feels increasingly likely).
2100 is a bit of a melange...Heinlein's future history world and timeline building is at the forefront, but we get a taste of the military science fiction that Starship Troopers is known for and the social commentary and social engineering some of his later works like Stranger are known for.
As with some other early works, there is also more contradiction in his themes and social commentary than one might be used to with Heinlein. Its also easy to overlook if one approaches this expecting the typical themes that turn modern readers off Heinlein. Though religious dictators are presented in a (deserving) negative light and religion overall as hypocritical and unnecessary, several religious groups (notably the Mormons) are instrumental in overthrowing them and presented as quite reasonable folk. Similarly, the main organized resistance seems to all be part of an only loosely disguised version of the Freemason's, who are famously religious in origin and practices.
As usual, like Spinrad says, any Heinlein is good scifi and worth a read. However, I think for the modern critical reader there is a special wealth of things to contemplate is we can approach these early works with an open mind.
2100 is a bit of a melange...Heinlein's future history world and timeline building is at the forefront, but we get a taste of the military science fiction that Starship Troopers is known for and the social commentary and social engineering some of his later works like Stranger are known for.
As with some other early works, there is also more contradiction in his themes and social commentary than one might be used to with Heinlein. Its also easy to overlook if one approaches this expecting the typical themes that turn modern readers off Heinlein. Though religious dictators are presented in a (deserving) negative light and religion overall as hypocritical and unnecessary, several religious groups (notably the Mormons) are instrumental in overthrowing them and presented as quite reasonable folk. Similarly, the main organized resistance seems to all be part of an only loosely disguised version of the Freemason's, who are famously religious in origin and practices.
As usual, like Spinrad says, any Heinlein is good scifi and worth a read. However, I think for the modern critical reader there is a special wealth of things to contemplate is we can approach these early works with an open mind.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
4.0
I reread this book for research purposes - my gaming group is about to start a campaign partially inspired by a story in this book. It was an interestingly uneven reread. Heinlein managed to play up on the limitations of writing in the 50's by having is main character be quite naive. Definitely not a favorite of mine but as with all Heinlein's there's more in the story than you expect and more than is strictly necessary. 4 of 5.
weaselweader's review against another edition
2.0
The USA today seems intent on proving Heinlein right!
As the 21st century comes to a close, Nehemiah Scudder is First Prophet. Once a low IQ itinerant backwoods preacher, he now sits at the pinnacle of a fundamentalist Christian theocracy. It rules the former USA from New Jerusalem, the seat of an oppressive, right-wing government that punishes sin, heresy, blasphemy or even any openly expressed lapses of a doubting faith with all of the awesome power of modern technology, science and even applied psychology or psychotherapy. John Lyle, a young man proud of his recent appointment to the First Prophet’s corps of bodyguards, believes himself to be happy, devout and confirmed in his faith. But when he commits the “crime” of falling in love with one of the Prophet’s brigade of “virgins”, held in thrall for sexual services, he is forced to seek out the help of The Cabal, an undercover resistance movement dedicated to overthrowing the theocracy.
Heinlein posited some thoughts on organized religion, government, power and revolution that were memorably thought-provoking and, if they were relevant in the 1950s, then they are even more important and relevant today:
“You can’t conquer a free man; the most you can do is kill him.”
“You can sway a thousand men by appealing to their prejudices quicker than you can convince one man by logic.”
“Openly expressed piety is insufferable conceit”
“No people was ever held in subjection long except through their own consent.”
But the fact is that Heinlein’s writing in Revolt in 2100 is unable to clear the bar that he set for himself in such later, more polished novels as Methuselah’s Children. It’s blunt, ham-handed and melodramatic, the dialogue is stilted and trite, the romance is juvenile, and the manner in which the otherwise poignant ideas are expressed is in-your-face and over-the-top with nary a single subtle moment in sight.
I’m not sorry that I took a few hours out of my life to read it. Jeff Sessions’ obnoxious recent establishment of a Religious Liberty Task Force (with the openly stated goal of combating "dangerous secularism")in response to the unrelenting pressure exerted by evangelical Christians in the halls of power in Washington make the message more important than ever. And, if a reader is paying any attention to the current events that are unfolding in the world around him, they will realize that Heinlein was nothing, if not prescient, when he penned Revolt in 2100. But, that said, there is still little positive that can be said about the quality of the story itself. Four stars for the message with a grudging single star for the writing brings the novel in at two stars overall.
Paul Weiss
As the 21st century comes to a close, Nehemiah Scudder is First Prophet. Once a low IQ itinerant backwoods preacher, he now sits at the pinnacle of a fundamentalist Christian theocracy. It rules the former USA from New Jerusalem, the seat of an oppressive, right-wing government that punishes sin, heresy, blasphemy or even any openly expressed lapses of a doubting faith with all of the awesome power of modern technology, science and even applied psychology or psychotherapy. John Lyle, a young man proud of his recent appointment to the First Prophet’s corps of bodyguards, believes himself to be happy, devout and confirmed in his faith. But when he commits the “crime” of falling in love with one of the Prophet’s brigade of “virgins”, held in thrall for sexual services, he is forced to seek out the help of The Cabal, an undercover resistance movement dedicated to overthrowing the theocracy.
Heinlein posited some thoughts on organized religion, government, power and revolution that were memorably thought-provoking and, if they were relevant in the 1950s, then they are even more important and relevant today:
“You can’t conquer a free man; the most you can do is kill him.”
“You can sway a thousand men by appealing to their prejudices quicker than you can convince one man by logic.”
“Openly expressed piety is insufferable conceit”
“No people was ever held in subjection long except through their own consent.”
But the fact is that Heinlein’s writing in Revolt in 2100 is unable to clear the bar that he set for himself in such later, more polished novels as Methuselah’s Children. It’s blunt, ham-handed and melodramatic, the dialogue is stilted and trite, the romance is juvenile, and the manner in which the otherwise poignant ideas are expressed is in-your-face and over-the-top with nary a single subtle moment in sight.
I’m not sorry that I took a few hours out of my life to read it. Jeff Sessions’ obnoxious recent establishment of a Religious Liberty Task Force (with the openly stated goal of combating "dangerous secularism")in response to the unrelenting pressure exerted by evangelical Christians in the halls of power in Washington make the message more important than ever. And, if a reader is paying any attention to the current events that are unfolding in the world around him, they will realize that Heinlein was nothing, if not prescient, when he penned Revolt in 2100. But, that said, there is still little positive that can be said about the quality of the story itself. Four stars for the message with a grudging single star for the writing brings the novel in at two stars overall.
Paul Weiss
lillygabriella's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Heinlein is one of my favorite sci-fi authors. That said, this is an earlier work and not in my favorites. It's good but tends to suffer lot of the misconceptions of mid century "future history" stories. Also the "silent helicopter" tripped me out. Basically I know too much science for the science in old sci-fi to hold up my suspension of disbelief.
The book is really three stories set in the same world along the same timeline, with the first being the longest. Heinlein's military roots and libertarian proclivities show through. The story was interesting and some turns of phrase were gut busting my funny, at least to me and also my husband when I texted him the sentences at work.
If you enjoy Mid-Century science fiction and haven't read this one yet, I recommend it. It ends on a much more upbeat note than the other Mid-Century sci-fi I've read this month.
The book is really three stories set in the same world along the same timeline, with the first being the longest. Heinlein's military roots and libertarian proclivities show through. The story was interesting and some turns of phrase were gut busting my funny, at least to me and also my husband when I texted him the sentences at work.
If you enjoy Mid-Century science fiction and haven't read this one yet, I recommend it. It ends on a much more upbeat note than the other Mid-Century sci-fi I've read this month.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Violence, Sexism, War, Antisemitism, Misogyny, Police brutality, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Vomit
bookwormerica's review against another edition
4.0
First read. Enjoyed. I enjoy all Heinelin to some extent
jmartindf's review against another edition
3.0
This book is comprised of 3 stories, originally written as serials. The first could be called a novella, about the rebellion against the theocracy established by Jeremiah Scudder. The second, Coventry, concerns life outside of the Covenant, established after the overthrow of the theocracy. And the third concerns Libby, who has an instinct for math.
The stories were typical Heinlein fare with strong themes of personal morality and the choices men make.
The stories were typical Heinlein fare with strong themes of personal morality and the choices men make.
nickmiller's review against another edition
3.0
Heinlein hits us again with just a glimpse into his worlds rather than whole, self-contained novels.
I enjoyed this novel on a very surface level. Heinlein keeps his patented witty dialog going without diving too much into the concepts that made his classics...well, classics.
I enjoyed this novel on a very surface level. Heinlein keeps his patented witty dialog going without diving too much into the concepts that made his classics...well, classics.