The Menace from Earth, and Other Stories

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: Rob McQuay

From a master of science fiction comes eight startling stories of time and space.

In “The Year of the Jackpot,” a statistician charts a curve of unusual happenings throughout the earth, only to find that his facts and figures prove the approach of the end of the world.

In “By His Bootstraps,” a man steps thirty thousand years into time and is trapped in the fourth dimension with three strange, yet oddly familiar, people.

In “Goldfish Bowl,” people disappear one by one, in great swirling balls of fire, and are held captive in space by beings of vastly superior intelligence.

Also in this collection of short stories originally published in 1959 are “Columbus Was a Dope,” “The Manace from Earth,” “Sky Lift,” “Project Nightmare,” and “Water Is for Washing.”

©1959 Robert A. Heinlein (P)1997 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Much of what made Heinlein famous is audible here: contempt for government and convention, stark self-reliance, prescient scientific vision.”

(AudioFile)

A worthwhile collection of Heinlein short stories.

There're some interesting stories in here. Some better than others. But, worth a listen.

Great Heinlein fiction!

These are short stories or Novella’s. Unfortunately, the recording is set up so that the last syllable of the last word of a story is immediately followed by the title of the next story, which is a little confusing. They should’ve edited a space in there.

mostly good stories

a very good reader. I enjoyed his work. I liked or loved most of the stories but I hate the last one.

Good stories

Once you figured out there are four stories or so its a great book full of fantasy imagination and strong beautifull woman.

The Menace From Earth - Reader Review

If you could sum up The Menace from Earth in three words, what would they be?

"Classic Heinlein Story". Robert Heinlein's "juvenile novels" were a gateway to interesting teens about science fiction. When I first read the book when I was 14 years old, I was hooked - Heinlein has been my favorite author my entire life!

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the view point from the teen characters when I was growing up - now that I'm 50 years old I enjoyed guessing the subterfuge going on in the background!

The description of what it would be like to be on a space voyage contrasted with what it was like on another planet is always eye opening and fun!

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narration was done well. Not award winning, but it didn't get in the way of the story. I always prefer multiple actors voices.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! :) I usually listen to it on the way to and from work.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended for anyone wanting to read great classic science fiction or to interest their children in reading sci-fi.