R. A. Heinlein

[genebujold]

I've been a Heinlein fan since high school, and it's no wonder, having read 100% of his published work (most of them many times over) that I have a very open mind when it comes to fashion. I recently purchased a previously unpublished Heinlein work, his first novel, in fact, that never made it to print in 1939. It's extremely good, and foreshadows many concepts found throughout his works, including his take on nudity and the wearing kilts or even skirts for men. No mention of heels, though I do recall him mentioning it in another of his novels...

[Bubba136]

For those that aren't aware of who R. A. Heinlein is:

(from GuruNet)

Robert A. Heinlein, Writer

Born: 7 July 1907

Birthplace: Butler, Missouri

Death: 8 May 1988

Best Known As: "The Dean of Science Fiction Writers"

After leaving the U.S. Navy as a young lieutenant, Robert Anson Heinlein began writing science fiction stories and novels and never looked back. Throughout the 1950s and '60s he won four Hugo awards for best novel, including one for 1961's Stranger in a Strange Land, one of the best selling science fiction novels ever. Along with Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke, Heinlein is considered one of the fathers of modern science fiction.

FOUR GOOD LINKS

Robert A. Heinlein, Dean of Science Fiction Writers

His life, his works, some essays and great set of links

http://www.wegrokit.com/

Robert A. Heinlein

Go here for books and further information on his works

http://www.nitrosyncretic.com/catrahsf.html

Heinlein Reading Group Page

http://members.aol.com/rahweb/

Thoughtful discussion and Heinlein links

Heinlein Forum

Earnest appreciation by a group of Heinlein fans

http://www.sff.net/people/HF/

[crotchhiboots]

I have all of his works and yes he was very in touch with alternate fasion for men. BTW Checkout the book "I will fear no evel" by him it is facinating. Also I reccomend Matheuslas Children, To sail byond the sunset. the number of the beast, time enough for love and the moon is a harsh mistress. I have enjoied these books and apprecieate his mindset.

[Dr. Shoe]

Yes I've read The Number Of The Beast and Time Enough For Love but I didn't notice any unusual fashion references. If you read Phillip Jose Farmer's Riverworld series, everyone are wearing kilts and one guy (Tom Mix?) is wearing high heel cowboy boots with his kilt! Moreover, in L. Ron Hubbard's Mission Earth (not Battlefield Earth), the main character disguises himself as an army officer who's uniform includes spike heels! Whether thes are boots with spurs or stiletto heels it doesn't say. Also, another dominatrix character wears various kinky footwear including thigh boots with brass heels which she uses to great effect.

[azraelle]

My favorite Heinlein novel is Friday about a genetically engineered super-female courier who initially has a very unusual (for our day) "family", and where Heinlein coined the term "Slitch". I think it was one of his last novels.

[dr1819]

I've found Lazarus Long's character to be very near and dear to my own heart. Over the years I've been a burger-flipper, a sales clerk, a camp counselor "Pathfinder specialist!", statistician, navigator, pilot, network security specialist, technical writer, fashion admirer... I'm sure it hasn't stopped there. I know I've made an impact on the world, as I see the changes I've recommended come to fold. Very mild and moderate, but an impact nevertheless. But Lazarus changed entire worlds! No, I'm no meglomaniac. I simply enjoy righting wrongs, a difficult, and highly underpaid profession.

[Dr. Shoe]

Yes, but he did live a couple of thousand years as was immensely wealthy too.

[Guy N. Heels]

For those that aren't aware of who R. A. Heinlein is:

(from GuruNet)

Robert A. Heinlein, Writer

Born: 7 July 1907

Birthplace: Butler, Missouri

Death: 8 May 1988

Best Known As: "The Dean of Science Fiction Writers"

After leaving the U.S. Navy as a young lieutenant, Robert Anson Heinlein began writing science fiction stories and novels and never looked back. Throughout the 1950s and '60s he won four Hugo awards for best novel, including one for 1961's Stranger in a Strange Land, one of the best selling science fiction novels ever. Along with Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke, Heinlein is considered one of the fathers of modern science fiction...

All of the writers mentioned are very good. I prefer Heinlein because of his "earthy" approach to things. Asimov is brilliant, but his brainy approach tends to put me off just a bit . Another good writer that is generally ignored is Edgar Rice Burroughs.

Now doesn't this thread really belong in the Non-heely Theme forum?

[dr1819]

Heely, non-heely - who cares? We're talking HEINLEIN, here, the first gender-bending SF writer on the planet. He's welcome on all threads!

[Guy N. Heels]

Heely, non-heely - who cares? We're talking HEINLEIN, here, the first gender-bending SF writer on the planet.

He's welcome on all threads!

Weellll, I don't know if you can call Fear No Evil a gender-bender or not? After all, the guy did have a brain transplant, so I guess that would really be more of a "mind-bender". Personally, I liked The Moon is a Harsh Mistress better. Nevertheless, Heinlein is both very good and one of my personal favorites.

[dr1819]

I met him once, years ago, in the early 80s, during one of my first, and one of his last, CONs. He wore a kilt, the bottom half most preferred by his most famous character, Lazarus Long. I never got a chance to speak with him, but I overheard him talking to others. While old, he was still full of life, but more importantly, he held to an ideal, that no one should be treated differently simply because they're different. I was surprised to hear him utter words along these lines, but I shouldn't have been, as he wove this thread throughout his many novels. He was truly a champion of those who contribute to society while not necessarily conforming to societal norms. If you'll recall, in Number of the Best, slipstick Libby, upon resurrection, told Ishtar that he really wanted to be female, so Ishtar renewed him as a female.

[Dr. Shoe]

...and in Time Enough For Love Lazarus Long has a number of clones made one of whom is female.

[Guy N. Heels]

I met him once, years ago, in the early 80s, during one of my first, and one of his last, CONs.

...I never got a chance to speak with him, but I overheard him talking to others. While old, he was still full of life, but more importantly, he held to an ideal, that no one should be treated differently simply because they're different. I was surprised to hear him utter words along these lines, but I shouldn't have been, as he wove this thread throughout his many novels.

He was truly a champion of those who contribute to society while not necessarily conforming to societal norms. If you'll recall, in Number of the Best, slipstick Libby, upon resurrection, told Ishtar that he really wanted to be female, so Ishtar renewed him as a female.

Now that I've taken the time to repent of envy, let me say that I would've loved to meet Heinlein. I did finally manage a trip to Bancroft Hall at his alma mater, the US Naval Academy in Annapolis (about 30 miles from where I live).

Please do give us some details on the encounter: where, when, etc.