Red Planet - by Robert A Heinlein (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Discover the wonders and secrets of a very special Mars alongside Jim and Frank in this thrilling adventure, featuring the first appearance of the Martian elder race by one of the greatest science fiction writers of all.

Robert A. Heinlein's Red Planet features the first appearance of the Martian elder race and tells the story of Jim and Frank's journey to the Lowe Academy boarding school on Mars.

On their way to school, the boys meet Gekko, a sentient Martian, and join in a ritual called "growing together," learning about the planet and the Martians' protective nature towards Jim's pet, Willis the Bouncer.

Jim's impulsive nature lands him in trouble with the authoritarian headmaster, Mr. Howe, who confiscates Willis. The boys rescue the pet, and Willis' eidetic memory reveals a nefarious plan for the colony.

The boys run away from school and encounter unexpected challenges, and their actions have profound ramifications. The restored ending brings the Martian elder race and the boys' discoveries to the forefront, leaving readers questioning everything they thought they knew.

About the Author

Robert Anson Heinlein was an American science-fiction author, aeronautical engineer, and retired Naval officer who is known as the
"dean of science fiction writers". His works emphasized scientific accuracy, pioneering hard science fiction, and expressed admiration for competence and critical thinking.

He was one of the best-selling science-fiction novelists for many decades and is often considered one of the "Big Three" of
English-language science fiction authors along with Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke.

Heinlein's work continues to have a significant influence on the science-fiction genre and modern culture more generally. He coined terms that have become part of the English language, such as "grok", "waldo", and "speculative fiction", and popularized existing terms like "TANSTAAFL", "pay it forward", and "space marine". He anticipated technologies such as mechanical
computer-aided design and the modern cellphone in his writing.

Four of Heinlein's novels won Hugo Awards, and he was named the first Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) Grand Master in 1974. Seven of his works were awarded "Retro Hugos" fifty years after publication. Heinlein repeatedly addressed social themes such as individual liberty and self-reliance, the nature of sexual relationships, and the influence of organized religion on culture and government within the framework of his science-fiction stories.

He died in Carmel, California in 1988.