Glory Road

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

E. C. “Scar” Gordon was on the French Riviera recovering from a tour of combat in Southeast Asia, but he hadn’t given up his habit of scanning the personals in the newspaper. One ad in particular leapt out at him: "Are you a coward? This is not for you. We badly need a brave man. He must be 23 to 25 years old, in perfect health, at least six feet tall, weigh about 190 pounds, fluent English with some French, proficient with all weapons, some knowledge of engineering and mathematics essential, willing to travel, no family or emotional ties, indomitably courageous and handsome of face and figure. Permanent employment, very high pay, glorious adventure, great danger. You must apply in person, 17 rue Dante, Nice, 2me étage, apt. D."

How could you not answer an ad like that, especially when it seemed to describe you perfectly? Well, except maybe for the “handsome” part, but that was in the eye of the beholder anyway. So he went to that apartment and was greeted by the most beautiful woman he’d ever met. She seemed to have many names but agreed he could call her Star. A pretty appropriate name, as it turned out, for the empress of twenty universes. And she sends him on the adventure of a lifetime.

Robert A. Heinlein’s one true fantasy novel, Glory Road is as much fun today as when he wrote it after Stranger in a Strange Land. Heinlein proves himself as adept with sword and sorcery as with rockets and slide rules, and the result is exciting, satirical, fast-paced, funny, and tremendously readable - a favorite of all who have read it. Glory Road is a masterpiece of escapist entertainment with a typically Heinleinian sting in its tail.

Robert A. Heinlein (1907–1988) was the dominant science fiction writer of the modern era, a writer whose influence on the field was immense. He won science fiction’s Hugo Award for best novel four times.

©1963 Robert A. Heinlein; renewed 1991 by Virginia Heinlein; 2003 by the Robert A. & Virginia Heinlein Prize Trust; Afterword 1979, 1984 by Samuel R. Delany (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A triumph.”( Chicago Tribune)

“ Glory Road maintains a delicacy, a bravura, and a joy that not only are notable, but clearly consign it to his heptology of major SF novels.” (Samuel R. Delany, American author and literary critic)

Heinlein's great story, a glorious spin by Pinchot

Unlike many Heinlein fans, I have loved "Glory Road" since I read it as a teenager. At that time, I had just read "The Lord of the Rings" and was delighted by what I saw as a beautiful fantasy adventure that wasn't quite so heavy and thoughtful.

WRONG. It's just as topical and political and sneaky about making one think as any of Heinlein's books... but more about that later. Suffice to say that E. C. "Oscar" Gordon (and why anyone would name a little baby boy Evelyn Cyril is beyond this writer; though my given name is also Evelyn I'm at least FEMALE) became a voice in my head as the competent, reluctant -- or not so reluctant -- hero, one I always remembered, and the book a sentimental favorite.

I adore Audible books, but often the casting is not to my preference. Hazard of the trade, I guess. The wonder is, after a few moments, Bronson Pinchot, an actor I've always liked but wrongly considered something of a lightweight, BECAME the voice of Oscar in my head. Pinchot's command of narrative, dialogue, nuance, and, yes, dialect, made this story come alive for me as never before. I could close my eyes and be THERE; his reading gave it an immediacy that I seldom get from **any** production, audio, video, or otherwise. I wonder if he's a fan?

Reading "Glory Road" time and again over many years, I have come to see the craft that seemed so effortless the first time through. Heinlein was current with not only the time he wrote this classic (1962 or thereabouts) but with the time I read it, in the early 1970s with the war in Southeast Asia still going on in its bloodiest, most nonsensical glory (yeah, folks, get over it, I AM that old). And sadly, he was correct about how "non-veterans" got treated after that war for many years.

I'm off to find more of Mr. Pinchot's audiobooks. I recommend this for fans of Heinlein, sword and sorcery, and just plain good acting and narration of a book. I had a whale of a lot of fun listening to it, and I'll bet you will, too. It's worth the time.

Fun swashbuckeling tale full of monsters & maidens

One of my favorite books, it's Heinlein’s homage to Edgar Rice Burrough -
full of the swashbuckling, macho, romantic ideals of ERBs Barsoom (John Carter/Mars) series (including the silly romantic banter).

Heinlein’s witty, insightful, and caustic (at times) commentary on the military and the Vietnam War in particular are spot-on. The off Earth adventures are over-the-top, filled with sword fights and monsters. The character development is good, especially the grudging respect that grows between Oscar and Rufo.

All in all it is just plain fun and well worth the listen.

Glory Road rocks!!

Bronson Pinchot brings Glory Road and its characters to life in a way that pulls you into the story and keeps you there from start to finish. The story is excellent, and the narrator is as well. I will definitely be listening to this book again and again.

Very tallented narrater

Would you consider the audio edition of Glory Road to be better than the print version?

Bronson Pinchot is very talented. He uses different voices and different mannerisms for each character which gives an experience much different and better than just reading the book. Glory Road has long been one of my favorite books by my favorite author, and Pinchot made it just that much better.

A little tedious

Some sections were so well written that I was compelled to keep going, others sections were simply arduous. The underlying sexism was appalling and reminded me of Barbarella, another "gem" from the sixties.

Great Story with '60's Heinlein Philosophy

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

This is a good yarn in the "Space Opera" tradition. Heinlein gives a good introduction beginning with a Viet Nam vet being discharged (and how he felt at the time) that almost had me believing I was listening to a different book ( a memoir). Then the fun begins. "Hero Wanted" the ad says. The story is a good middle years Heinlein with the beginnings of the philosophy he more fully elaborated in "Stranger in a Strange Land" and "The Cat Who Walls Through Walls".It is fantasy high adventure and I remember reading it in 1963 or '64 to keep from studying organic chemistry. The "Hero" must save the maiden by rescuing the "egg" and restore balance to the universe. A ripping good yarn but it begins to falter at the end just a bit. Heinlein saves it and it is surely worth a listen . The narrator uses some voices that are difficult for me to hear (but anything is difficult for me to hear on some days) but generally give s good performance. A good choice if you are looking for some "high adventure" with a little Heinlein philosophy thrown into the mix. Heinlein philosophy is always worth the read and the story is good too.

love this book

a really great book read by a really great narrator.

oscar Gordon becomes a hero, saves his princess , and becomes a man

Did not stand the test of time

I tried my best to enjoy the book and realize how long ago it was written. But, it just doesn't hold a candle to even poorly written modern fantasy.

Subtle

Heinlein is an excellent writer. I always enjoy his
Subtle sarcasm in his exposition. Sometimes I found myself laughing out loud as he elaborated on life events ‼️ I wish he was still alive...I think it would be interesting to read his take on today’s world events especially with our current president 🤪‼️

Not Heinlein’s best

I’m a big fan of Heinlein so I was happy to find a book written by him I had never listened too. I suppose it is supposed to be an exploration of what is important in life. In my opinion it’s not as good as Friday, or the Cat the walks through walls and certainly not in the same class as Time enough for love or The moon is a Harsh Mistress. It’s entertaining and worth listening too if you love Heinlein otherwise perhaps not.

The narrator was very good but I gave him only 3 stars because my hearing is a bit off and I had trouble with both the voice he used for the main female character, too quiet, and the voice he used for Rufus, accent to heavy. He did endow each character with a unique voice and personality so he did the job he should do and I suppose the problem is with me.