Assignment in Eternity

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Robert A. Heinlein is widely and justly regarded as the greatest practitioner of the art of science fiction who has ever lived. Here are two of his greatest short novels:

Gulf, in which the greatest super-spy of them all is revealed as the leader of a league of supermen and women who can’t quite decide what to do with the rest of us. And Lost Legacy, in which it is proved that we are all members of that league - or would be, if we but had eyes to see.

This collection also contains two great stories, a pair of the master’s finest: one on the nature of being, the other on what it means to be a man.

©1981 Robert A. Heinlein (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“The word that comes to mind for him is essential. As a writer - eloquent, impassioned, technically innovative - he reshaped science fiction in a way that defined it for every writer who followed him.... He was the most significant science fiction writer since H. G. Wells.” (Robert Silverberg)

“He made footsteps big enough for a whole country to follow.... We proceed down a path marked by his ideas. He showed us where the future is.” (Tom Clancy)

For Heinlein Fans Only

These are four short tales by Science Fiction Grand Master Robert Heinlein. They all date to early on in his career and do not represent his best work. Jerry Was a Man is perhaps the best story in this collection and, unfortunately, the shorted. It's a satire having to do with genetically altered animals which are exploited as expendable laborers or -- as is the case with an intelligent miniature elephant -- custom-made pets for rich people. The narration is OK, but doesn't add any excitement to the tales. If you have never read any Heinlein, I would recommend The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Double Star or Starship Troopers. Those are much better books and represent the Grand Master at his finest.

Classic Science Fiction

This collection of short stories still plays well 60 years after it first hit the shelves. While delivering a look into some of the attitudes and morality from the 1950s, we can see that people have not changed all that much through the passage of time. This one made the miles go by quickly.

A series of short stories to make you think

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I loved tho book, but then I love all Heinlein's work. He has a great style and the issues he addressed in the past still remain.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Its hard to come up with a favourite character as there are so many.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

NO, but this book is a series of short stories and I didn't want to get up to leave until each story was completed.

Any additional comments?

Its surprising that a book written so long ago has so many themes that are relevant in current society.

Lost Legacy is a favorite of mine, Gulf is fun too

Two very listenable and enjoyable Heinlein shorts. I love Lost Legacy, read it long time ago and always remembered the plot. Finally tracked it down once I started using audible so I could listen to it. Happy I did. #Dystopian #Psychic #NormalHeroes #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Favorite Heinlein book.

Don M
Fan of RAH, but this one is definitely
one of my all-time favorites.

Best up front then downhill

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

The first story was the best and typical of Heinlein. Faced paced and action packed. The remaining were more reminiscent of early Heinlein.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Larry Niven, "Flatlander"

What about Bronson Pinchot’s performance did you like?

Bronson Pinchot's performance was simply brilliant. He changes easily from character o character.

Any additional comments?

First Novella made it worthwhile.

Not his best work

Sometimes I treat old books as if they were old wine, savoring the story matured during decades. But sometimes they go sour, lose their flavor, and I just spit them out. I mean I give up reading. This is what happened to me reading Assignment in Eternity.
It took off well, the first story, "Gulf" was promising. I like fast paced action, so I followed the story with interest. Then the fast flow of events slowed down like a river leaving the mountains and spreading out wide on the plains. What followed was a boring discussion about people with super abilities. I found myself falling to sleep. By the end it started to be interesting again, but then BAMM, the protagonist died. End of story. I was left dumbfounded.
I found the next one, "Elsewhen" better. Interesting way of travelling in time, alternate Earths, different stages of evolution.
I gave up at the third one, when doctors started to discuss supernatural abilities. The subject itself was interesting, but the scene was so boring, I just didn't care to continue.
Heinlein is a fine writer, but this book isn't up to his writing talent.