The Door into Summer

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Dan Davis, an electronics engineer, had finally made the invention of a lifetime: a household robot that could do almost anything. Wild success was within reach, but then Dan's life was ruined. In a plot to steal his business, his greedy partner and greedier fiancée tricked him into taking the "long sleep": suspended animation for 30 years.

When he awoke in the far different world of A.D. 2000, he made an amazing discovery. And suddenly Dan had the means to travel back in time and get his revenge.

Once again, the author of Stranger in a Strange Land and Starship Troopers displays his genius. The Door into Summer proves why Robert Heinlein's books have sold more than 50 million copies while winning countless awards and earning him the title of Grand Master of Science Fiction.

Don't miss our other Robert Heinlein audiobooks.

©2003 the Robert A. and Virginia Heinlein Prize Trust; 1956 Fantasy House; 1957, 1984 Robert A. Heinlein (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"[Heinlein is] one of the grandmasters of science fiction." ( Wall Street Journal)
"Heinlein...has the ability to see technologies just around the bend. That, combined with his outstanding skill as a writer and engineer-inventor, produces books that are often years ahead of their time." ( Philadelphia Inquirer)
"[Heinlein is] not only America's premier writer of speculative fiction but the greatest writer of such fiction in the world. He remains today as a sort of trademark for all that is finest in American imaginative fiction." (Stephen King)

good reading of typical Heinlein

I don't know why I tried this- I am allergic to Heinlein. The story, as always, is interesting. The sexual politics and misogyny, not so much. I didn't finish, but the reader was good and true to the text.

Still a Favorite!!!

I discovered Robert Heinlein when I was 10 years old. And to this day, I still enjoy his books. Door Into Summer was a favorite (and still is) because he masterfully introduces us to time travel and what the possibilities could be. I just turned 60 and still enjoyed this book. The narrator was perfect and his artistry was excellent. Heinlein was a future looker and many things he talks about in his book have come to fruition. All in all, I heartily recommend this book!!!

Excellent Heinlein, excellent golden age scifi

Story, a time traveling engineer describes, with a 1950s authors view, such modern inventions as the Roomba automatic vacuum cleaner and docking station, and the automatic flushing and cleaning cat toilet. Charmingly, there’s nothing that accounts for cell phones, but of course reviews of the future from back then are entertaining as ever.

The time travel in this story is excellently done and the paradox questions and concerns are wrapped up nicely at the end with some worthwhile time travel expositions.

Excellent for golden age sci-fi, excellent for time travel scenarios. Read up!

One of my favorites

Just fun and fanciful from the beginning to the end. Can't help but love both man and cat... I will keep looking for my door into summer, especially this winter!!

A true classic

As an older adult reader (listener) this is one or the first books I read. I enjoyed the audiobook and would recommend it to anyone that would like a great story.

A Pleasant Read

I’m not a Heinlein fan. I liked this simple somewhat predictable story better than most of his. It was pleasant and kept my attention. Nice to take on a walk. We the reader was pleasant, could make cat sounds, and was a good fit for the story. It’s fun to read a scifi story from the 50’s and see how tech has progressed so differently than expected by authors of that time.

A Heinlein Classic

Written in 1957 by one of the great SciFi writers. First read this book around 1969, & have enjoyed it many times since. Now I can hear it whenever I want on Audible over a cell phone, tablet or Alexa in 2019....I wonder what Robert Heinlein would have thought of that!?!

Terrific Heinlein

Heinlein is a storytelling genius, and this a terrific story. one of my favorites!

My best book from LDM

I read it as a class assignment when I was in junior high in the 60’s. Loved it then and even more today

Perfectly executed.

During the golden age of Science Fiction, when the genre transcended its pulp fiction origins to become an established literary form, Robert.A.Hienlein was without question one of the “stars”. An original voice with a wide vision he was also a writer who knew how to tell a story. While many aspects of his work now seem a little dated, such as the technology - ( he was writing in a time that had no preconception of the digital revolution that would begin to transform technology 30 odd years on ), and the social commentary - ( Heinlein was a liberal voice coming of age as a literary force at the cusp of the sexual revolution ). This does not however detract from his mastery of the basic elements of his craft. This particular novel, “The Door into Summer”, finds him at his peak as a story teller, and the pace fairly rips along, keeping the reader totally engaged and on tender hooks throughout. The central character Dan Davis has been thoroughly done over by his scheming fianc?e and his best friend. Seeking solace in escape, he plans to cryogenically freeze himself and awaken to a future free of trouble. Of course nothing turns out the way he expects and his only hope lies in returning to his past by way of new and untried technology. The plot is sublime, and has become a standard template for writers and film makers. The story is infused with all the usual Heinlein elements; talky commentary, glib wisecracks, smart-alecky rapid fire dialogue, nudity and lots of gadgetry. Everything about this story works. Heinlein at his best. A wonderful audio experience, perfectly executed and highly recommended. I loved it!