Glory Road

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

E. C. “Scar” Gordon was on the French Riviera recovering from a tour of combat in Southeast Asia, but he hadn’t given up his habit of scanning the personals in the newspaper. One ad in particular leapt out at him: "Are you a coward? This is not for you. We badly need a brave man. He must be 23 to 25 years old, in perfect health, at least six feet tall, weigh about 190 pounds, fluent English with some French, proficient with all weapons, some knowledge of engineering and mathematics essential, willing to travel, no family or emotional ties, indomitably courageous and handsome of face and figure. Permanent employment, very high pay, glorious adventure, great danger. You must apply in person, 17 rue Dante, Nice, 2me étage, apt. D."

How could you not answer an ad like that, especially when it seemed to describe you perfectly? Well, except maybe for the “handsome” part, but that was in the eye of the beholder anyway. So he went to that apartment and was greeted by the most beautiful woman he’d ever met. She seemed to have many names but agreed he could call her Star. A pretty appropriate name, as it turned out, for the empress of twenty universes. And she sends him on the adventure of a lifetime.

Robert A. Heinlein’s one true fantasy novel, Glory Road is as much fun today as when he wrote it after Stranger in a Strange Land. Heinlein proves himself as adept with sword and sorcery as with rockets and slide rules, and the result is exciting, satirical, fast-paced, funny, and tremendously readable - a favorite of all who have read it. Glory Road is a masterpiece of escapist entertainment with a typically Heinleinian sting in its tail.

Robert A. Heinlein (1907–1988) was the dominant science fiction writer of the modern era, a writer whose influence on the field was immense. He won science fiction’s Hugo Award for best novel four times.

©1963 Robert A. Heinlein; renewed 1991 by Virginia Heinlein; 2003 by the Robert A. & Virginia Heinlein Prize Trust; Afterword 1979, 1984 by Samuel R. Delany (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A triumph.”( Chicago Tribune)

“ Glory Road maintains a delicacy, a bravura, and a joy that not only are notable, but clearly consign it to his heptology of major SF novels.” (Samuel R. Delany, American author and literary critic)

Blast from the past

My favorite author, & my introduction to science fiction.
A bit dated, but just as I remember reading it back in the 60s.
Narrator was good, except for the female parts. Dropped his voice so low that it made it difficult to hear at times.
Overall definitely worth the purchase

Favorite book

I read this as a teenager in the 60s. Listening to it now makes me realize how much it affected my opinions and attitudes!

amazing old yarn

I love this story even though it has aged a but it deserves apreciaction

Not a classic

Where does Glory Road rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book isn't a top Heinlein story, but it is a nice mix of science fiction and fantasy.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Glory Road?

The story is a bit out there but really brings to mind that magic could merely be technology we don't understand

More great Heinlein.

Where does Glory Road rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

At the top with ALL of the Heinlein titles.

What did you like best about this story?

The concepts incorporated to draw attention to some of our accepted ways and views of life.

Which character – as performed by Bronson Pinchot – was your favorite?

Gordon, the Hero.

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

Negative

Absolutely Perfect Performance by Bronson Pinchot

I just finished listening to Glory Road by Robert A. Heinlein as read by Bronson Pinchot TWICE in two weeks.

Loved the book! Read it once as a teenager so thought I would give it a re-read when I saw it offered on Audible. Definitely going to catch a couple more of his. Just downloaded the Lazarus Long set.

However, the STAR of the show was Bronson Pinchot! I cannot believe the number of characters, and styles, and voices, and accents that all took on a life of their own. His reading is the reason I had to hear it twice.

I absolutely recommend this book, author, and performer with highest regard.

Off to look for more by Pinchot.

A little corny. classic Heinlein perfect narration

loved the book. the audio narration is better than what was in my head. the book was brought to life very well I think Bronson P. "gets" Heinlein and his sense of humor and seriousness in perfect balance.

Be careful what you wish for...

I was taken right from the start and enjoyed the various ways Oscar deals with the being a Hero. Grand narration.

Great Adventure

Where does Glory Road rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Excellent....not what I expected

What does Bronson Pinchot bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great job reading the parts and his voice became the character.....well done!

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

I wonder where he is today.....roaming in our world???

A Little Dated

Bronson Pinchot's performance was outstanding with his Rufo being the stand out. His Oscar was his normal voice which is a little too mature sounding for a character in his early twenties. The story was a little unbalanced at times and definitely had some dated language and views. Not sure I'd check another of Heinlein's books again but seeking more BP narrations for sure.