[.ca] The Door into Summer (ISBN 0345413997)

A great description of the role of patents in technology:
Written in the mid-50's, Heinlein was projecting the future for both the 1970's setting and the 2001 setting for this story. While his choices are interesting (and some, such as the ubiquitous ATM's in 2001, are amazingly accurate), what I found most interesting was the role patents play in this story. Heinlein clearly appreciates the role that patents play in the business world, and makes good use of them as a vehicle for Dan's ultimate revenge. Overall, Heinlein's descriptions of patents and the patenting process remain accurate after almost 50 years, though the patent laws have been tweaked slightly in the last decade. If anything, patents are even more important today than they were in the 1950's (when Heinlein was writting this book the U.S. had issued about 2.5 million patents...today we are rapidly approaching 7 million!).

Time Travel at Its Best:
At the time he was writing, Heinlein's books were so much better than all the others because he was so much smarter than most other writers. He thought things through first (which many others did too), but then he added an element that many other sf writers didn't (and some STILL don't): humanity. Dan Davis, an inventor, narrates the story. He's a brilliant inventor and has come up with some pretty amazing gadgets, including Hired Girl, a robot who cleans, sweeps, vacuums, mops, and generally works all day long without supervision. Dan's problems begin mounting when he learns he's been betrayed by his partner. And to add insult to injury, Dan's fiancée is in on the betrayal as well. As if betrayal alone isn't enough, the two conspirators have Dan placed into a 30-year suspended animation. Dan wakes up 30 years later and is focused on one thing: revenge. Now lots of authors could have taken the above premise and come up with an entertaining story. Heinlein did this and much more. He shows us that change (for individuals and for all humanity) is difficult, but not impossible. The future is full of challenges, but no matter how much technology changes, no matter how much language, currency, and trends change, man's basic instincts and attitudes remain constant. Heinlein also tackles the implications of time travel better than anyone else from this period. (The book first appeared in 1957.) The problem of time travel is well thought out and logical. (Wish you could say that about every time travel story.) If you haven't read Heinlein, or if all you've read is 'Stranger in a Strange Land,' 'Starship Troopers,' or 'The Moon is a Harsh Mistress' (all great books), treat yourself to a fun, intelligent read from one of the true masters.

One of Heinlein's Very Best:
When you hang on to a book through three decades, three trans-continental moves and various other tidal forces such as marriage and kids you either a) are very possesive about books (guilty) or b) you have a book worth hanging on to - one of those that is lovingly packed for a move well before the last-minute frenzy to shove everything into boxes and one that makes 'home' out of wherever those boxes are unpacked. Heinlein wrote simply a ton of excellent science fiction and his place in the pantheon of that genre is so assured as to be fundamental. So when a lot of people, and check the number of reviews on this well-aged book, say it might be one of his best it's worth at a minimum a second look. In this story you get not just time travel, cryogenic sleep, and robots, you get a quick tour through the meanings of friendship, love, deceit, the sweetness of affection and the bitterness of betrayal and if you don't have a good time along the way then there's really nothing I can think of to recommend for you with any likelihood of better luck. I'm sure there are lots of fine people who despise 'The Door Into Summer', I just don't know any of them. My original copy has survived three decades in my possession; it's original cost was $1.50. Today's version costs a bit more but it'll have acid-free paper and probably better typeface and binding. The contents still outweigh the cost by a wide margin.

Have a pencil a paper handy:
RAH wanted to see if we could follow him through this one!!! You'll be provoked into making sure it works. You'll have fun checking!!!!!

A timeless classic!:
"The Door into Summer" is Heinlein's best and one of my top favorites. I cannot remember how many times I have reread this book, even if not from page 1 till the end, but definitely chapters of it. Besides an amazing plot, the characters have depth and of course the cat with a mind of his own. Heinlein is definitely a great story teller when he sets his mind to it. Our hero's narration of his misfortunes and ultimate revenge and reward is simply delightful reading, with never a dull moment. There are even some sweet moments which are touching. One cannot help but wish the best for our hero and his cat. And this story remains one of the best about time travelling though "Replay" by Ken Grimwood comes a close second. The Door into Summer is simply timeless and will always remain in the front row of my favorite books.