Sixth Column

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: Tom Weiner

Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

It’s six against six million in a brilliantly waged near-future war for nothing less than liberty and justice for all. The totalitarian East has triumphed in a massive invasion, and the United States has fallen to a dictatorial superpower bent on total domination. That power is consolidating its grip through concentration camps, police state tactics, and a total monopoly upon the very thoughts of the conquered populace. A tiny enclave of scientists and soldiers survives, unbeknownst to America’s new rulers. It’s six against six million - but those six happen to include a scientific genius, a master of subterfuge and disguise who learned his trade as a lawyer-turned-hobo, and a tough-minded commander who knows how to get the best out of his ragtag assortment of American discontents, wily operators, and geniuses. It’s going to take technological savvy and a propaganda campaign that would leave Madison Avenue aghast, but the US will rise again. The counterinsurgency for freedom is on, and defeat is not an option.

Robert A. Heinlein (1907–1988) was born in Missouri. He served five years in the US Navy, then attended graduate classes in mathematics and physics at UCLA, took a variety of jobs, and owned a silver mine before beginning to write science fiction in 1939. His novels have won the Hugo Award, and in 1975 he received the first Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement.

©1949 Robert A. Heinlein (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Bit Rough -- An Early Heinlein Book

This is a very early book by Heinlein and it lacks the smoothness and complexity of his later works. The Red Dawn-type plot is pretty straightforward: The Pan-Asians have conquered the US. A small secret remnant of US soldiers remain. This handful of the military faithful (all male) includes a few scientists, an ex-lawyer who is now in command and a resourceful ex-hobo. Employing the guise of an over-the-top fake religion (the Cult of Mota) and few super-scientific weapons they endeavor to take their country back from the Imperial tyranny. There is some humor here, but the book is very much a product of its grim Cold War mythos. Not a pleasant read for the racially sensitive or politically correct. Very traditional pro-military outlook. Readers unfamiliar with Heinlein should definitely not start with this one -- try The Moon is a Harsh Mistress or Stranger in a Strange Land instead. Those are much better books. No complaints about the reader who does his best with what he has to work with.

Some Heinlein just doesn't age well

I grew up reading Robert Heinlein and enjoyed everything of his that I ever read. Somehow this slipped past me and this is the first time I've read this one. So, with the soft glow of youthful memories not present to cushion my reading experience, I was smacked in the face with his racism, sexism, and xenophobia. Fifty or sixty years ago, when I was discovering his worlds for the first time, that was pretty much what all of America was like. Boy have things changed! (For another good example of social changes, read one of the original Bobsey Twins books, not the ones rewritten in the sixties and seventies, one of the originals from the first half of the twentieth century).

This was not one of his best to begin with. That's probably why this is my first encounter with this book. Do not let this be your first Heinlein book. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress has stood the test of time better than some others (Stranger in a Strange Land). Start there and let this one Rest In Peace.

Classic Heinlein feel

Great Heinlein feel with a sprinkle of red dawn and a dash of Puppet masters setting. Definitely a must for fans of scifi in general or just Heinlein.

SOCK IT TO EM

MAN 1: I AM UNWORTHY
MAN 2: I DO NOT DISPUTE THAT
Kind of like Man In a High Castle, only different. Heinlein discovers that if you want to start a revolution, start a new religion. A look at several Middle Eastern Countries, show that this is very plausible. This was written before Heinlein's horny phase and is a half way decent reading.

There has been some talk about it being racist. Heinlein calls the Asians, Flat Faces, Monkeys and Apes. On the other hand the Asians look at Americans as being barbarians. The names did not bother me. This was war and the Asians are the invaders. They are going to be called names. What struck me was the lack of black people. The Americans set up these temples that only white people can enter. If someone of Asian blood enters, he can die. Never is it mentioned that blacks even exist.

I prefer Heinlein's young adult books, but this is more readable than some of his others.

TAKE A SLEEPING PILL, THAT'S AN ORDER

Disgusting, racist crap but I love it anyway

I have no idea why I've always liked this story. It is anti-Asian racist garbage, I recall reading that Heinlein once said he was ashamed of this stuff. But it flows so well and is one of those good defeating evil stories that even if the bad guys had been my own ethnic group I'd still step outside of my feelings and enjoy the book. Don't know why but...

Excellent

It's set in the future but the language and style is pure 1950's america

Enjoyed it a lot.

Heinlein at his Best

Where does Sixth Column rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Sixth Column ranks in the top 10 audiobooks I have listened to

What did you like best about this story?

I like the action most

Which character – as performed by Tom Weiner – was your favorite?

The Leader. Major Ardmore

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me proud of America

Any additional comments?

I read this story when I was a kid. I was glad that I was able to find it at Audible. I enjoyed it more the second time around.

Wow, I love Heinlein!!

The science in this one isn't very developed but the ideas of what they do with the scientific breakthroughs are cool. Definitely worth a couple hours of your time.

An old but great book.

What about Tom Weiner’s performance did you like?

Tom, has a voice which is suites a 40s detective story. His voice is abrupt but with lots of charactor. For this book, it reminds you how long ago the book as been written and adds character to the performance.

Any additional comments?

Hienline can be somewhat prophetic in his story lines. This book is not different, with the tools being technology, deceiption and religion. I strongly recommend it to anyone who likes a good science fiction yarn.

Good listen

Good listen on the way to work. A little dated maybe, but the reading was well done with the different voices of the characters easily distinguishable from one another.