Starman Jones

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: Paul Michael Garcia

Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

It was a desperate time, when one's next meal and the comforts of home couldn't be taken for granted. Max Jones, a practical, hard-working young man, found his escape in his beloved astronomy books. But when reality comes crashing in and his troubled home life forces him out on the road, Max finds himself adrift in a downtrodden land - until an unexpected, ultimate adventure carries him away as a stowaway aboard an intergalactic spaceship.

But to where? And when? And how can he ever get back? With the ship's pilot dead and his charts and tables all destroyed, Max must call upon all of his untested knowledge and skills in order to survive.

©2003 The Robert A. & Victoria Heinlein Prize Trust (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Another excellent Heinlein story

I really enjoy how Heinlein deals with the issues concerning responsibility and morality even if he is off a bit in his reasoning from time to time.

TO the Stars and Back

As us usual for me, I took a chapter to decide if I wanted to finish this book. But, the young Jones is so much like anothet young man that I listened. There were times I wanted to tell him to be careful, don't go there. Jones had special talents that kept him grounded in his soul, without those talents the ship he illegally boarded would have been lost in space. As it was, his inner needing others approval almost cost his lfe. He encountered the strangest race of beings while lost. Beings that wanted him and all the crew to be part of many dinners.

A satisfyingly simple space story

The plot is not thick, the characters are not complicated but you find yourself having fun none the less. The tension in this story seems to resolve itself fairly quickly but always leads to the next twist. The only criticism i would have is that the problems the protagonists has with various antagonist seems to take care of themselves while he's off doing something else.

never fails

never fails to entertain. good for all ages. now to introduce him to the next generation.

Another classic.

I've yet to read a Heinlein story that I didn't like. the fact this one was published in 1951 shows how ahead of the science curve he was, along with all of the greats from that era.

Good but not like newer novels

I liked the concept of this book a lot, but it was written in the 50s. So don't expect this to be a fast paced, action adventure. It's got good bones, but most of the intersecting action takes place "off screen," so the book never had enough conflict and tension for me. The rising action and climax never hit what I expected it to be. If I consider it from the time it was published, I'm sure it was fantastic. I liked that it was clean. I didn't have to worry about unnecessary swearing or other things. It's safe for kids. This is one I'd live to see adapted my a modern screenplay writer. That would be great.

"Starman Jones" is one of the stories folks

give such praising in calling Robert Hienlien one of the handful of past masters in Science Fiction writing.
Do buy this one, you will be pulling "Starman Jones" up for a second,even third rereading

Great to hear!

I have read this book several times since I was in grade school and always enjoyed it. It's not a social statement like STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND & it doesn't take a "Rocket Surgeon" to explain it to you. No deep thinking, no hidden meaning. This book is just flat enjoyable. Who cares that it's outdated, read or listen for fun!

An enjoyable story

This brought me back in time to science fiction as it was written when I was much younger, and I enjoyed it just as much now. In addition, it being an audible performance , the book was enhanced by a very good narrator. This adventure is about a brilliant young man, when faced with a very bleak future, sought out a way to change his stars and pursue the future he always thought he was meant to have.
This isn’t like most of todays space battle scenes you can pick up anywhere. No, it’s about a young man pursuing his dreams. It’s an imaginative story that anyone can enjoy and brought to life on Audible. Very well done!

A great story

A pretty compact story line that fits a lot of cool ideas and warm characters. This Heilein guy is pretty good