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.

1959 Sci Fi

When you read this remember when it was written. Heinlein wrote this book in 1959, less than fifteen years after WW II was over. He probably intended it as an alternate history type of story, sort of, "What if the Japanese had won?"

It's a great tale. I thought Tom Weiner did a good job narrating.but not a great job. Yes, it's dated. It's still a great. tale by one of the first true masters of SF.

Great Story. Very fun listen

If you could sum up Sixth Column in three words, what would they be?

Classy Heinlein Story

Any additional comments?

This is the Heinlein I love. A great story written well with no preaching. After listening to Glory Road, which was not much more than another extremely preachy Heinlein book, I almost deleted this book without listening to it, but I'm so glad I didn't.

Dated, but thoughtful

As usual, Heinlein weaves a story of humanity, inhumanity and insight to take a journey through imagination and practicality. Excellent story with an engaged storyteller!

Not one of my favorites

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

If I had to do it over again, I might pass on this one. I just wasn't captured like I was with his other books. It was recommended to me by a friend, and that was reason enough to pick up the book. Heinlein does a great job of telling stories, but you can't expect someone to be into every story, can you?

Would you be willing to try another book from Robert A. Heinlein? Why or why not?

I've read other Heinlein books, which is why I was more apt to pick up this one. If I had started here, I might not have experienced some really great stories.

A Dystopian Story

The Pan Asians conquered the U.S. and a small band of scientists must overcome these forces.

It's not a bad story. it does have the Heinlein libertarian philosophy throughout. part philosophy, part action story.

But it's engaging and well read.

Outstanding Book

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

Yes. I thought that the plot was well developed and supported.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sixth Column?

When the priests confronted the Chinese police who were controlling the USA.

Have you listened to any of Tom Weiner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. He did a good job.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I appreciated the moment when the Major had to face being overwhelmed by the magnitude of his job.

A Good Tale But a Relic of Post WWII Mentality

This story, first published four years after a terribly murderous war in the south Pacific and east Asia, is often criticized for its overt racism against "the asiatics." I would suggest that it is the product of its time and to examine it anachronistically over seventy years later seems a little disingenuous and naive.

Nevertheless, I have no love of the bigotry of the era of The Yellow Peril, which I recognize whenever I see/hear it. Heinlein's story is representative of its time and we need to appreciate its melodramatic action at the same time we hold our noses at the parts we cannot accept.

Tom Weiner does an excellent job narrating this action tale.

An entertaining yarn steeped in difficult topics..

Overall 4 because the experience is a solid one with a creative exercise from “the grand master” that is either dated or futuristic.. the listener can decide. There is an OBVIOUS issue contemporary people apply over this story and somehow judge with their own experience/bias and miss completely that this is a work of fiction.. science fiction. The idea that a fictional asian super-nation with technological and idealogical superiority goes conquering is.. racist? Not historically. Any culture/race can do that.. and has done that countless times in history, so by being offended by the mere idea of a fictional asian super-baddy is and of itself naive and well… racist. Also most gloss over the fact that one of the key protagonists is a Japanese-American demonstrating that the race is not the key factor, its the idealogy. Lets get beyond that. I can’t rate this above 3 stars because its a fairly short and simple story. Most heinlein books get more character development and dialogue which is usually epic. The story is creative and fun but falls short in the genre.

Pulp - But Heinlein

If you could sum up Sixth Column in three words, what would they be?

This is pulp science fiction, but it is Heilein; i.e. extremely well written. The plot is unrealistic. But I enjoyed reading one of the few Heinlein books that had escaped me. I have loved so many of his works that reading one I had missed was moving for me.

What other book might you compare Sixth Column to and why?

Rocket Ship Galelio
Similar style, not as juvenile but also not as engaging.

What about Tom Weiner???s performance did you like?

He did many voices very well, even the gravely voiced one.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Was R.A. Heinlein related to Nostrodamas

Would you consider the audio edition of Sixth Column to be better than the print version?

Tom W. very good at relating the story. Found it very easy to follow from start to finish

Which scene was your favorite?

The squeeze on the protagonists

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Could this already be Happening?

Any additional comments?

Although dated by the character portrayals, it was a fine listen. Pure Heinlein.