In this work, Heinlein moves from personal freedom to political freedom. What does the individual owe to his group?
Early in the book - ''I had no thought of interfering. Every man is entitled to elect the time and manner of his own destruction.'' This respect, even worship of human dignity is presented. However, does this justify cruel self-interest? Where does the obligatory duty to help others start? This provides the continuing drama.
Perhaps the high point of the book is - ''Nevertheless, here was a man who knew what he wanted and (much rarer!) why he wanted it. I could not help but be impressed, and it forced me to examine my own beliefs. What did I live by? My profession, surely! I had been brought up in it, I liked it, I had a deep though unlogical conviction that art was worth the effort—and, besides, it was the only way I knew to make a living.''
''But what else? I have never been impressed by the formal schools of ethics. I had sampled them—public libraries are a ready source of recreation for an actor short of cash—but I had found them as poor in vitamins as a mother-in-law’s kiss. Given time and plenty of paper, a philosopher can prove anything. I had the same contempt for the moral instruction handed to most children. Much of it is prattle and the parts they really seem to mean are dedicated to the sacred proposition that a “good” child is one who does not disturb mother’s nap and a “good” man is one who achieves a muscular bank account without getting caught.''
''No, thanks! But even a dog has rules of conduct. What were mine? How did I behave—or, at least, how did I like to think I behaved? “The show must go on.” I had always believed that and lived by it. But why must the show go on?—seeing that some shows are pretty terrible. Well, because you agreed to do it, because there is an audience out there; they have paid and each one of them is entitled to the best you can give. You owe it to them. You owe it also to stagehands and managers and producers and other members of the company—and to those who taught you your trade, and to others stretching back in history to open-air theaters and stone seats and even to storytellers squatting in a marketplace. Noblesse oblige. I decided that the notion could be generalized into any occupation.''
“Value for value.” Building “on the square and on the level.” The Hippocratic oath. Don’t let the team down. Honest work for honest pay. Such things did not have to be proved; they were an essential part of life—true throughout eternity, true in the farthest reaches of the Galaxy. I suddenly got a glimpse of what Bonforte was driving at.''
''If there were ethical basics that transcended time and place, then they were true both for Martians and for men. They were true on any planet around any star—and if the human race did not behave accordingly they weren’t ever going to win to the stars because some better race would slap them down for double-dealing.'' (162)
Heinlein developers this philosophical debate with such skill, with such finesse, the character enters the heart. I first read this story fifty years ago. Reread this week. Still great!
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Reviews with images
A worthy addition to any Heinlein fan’s bookshelf
A lifelong fan of Heinlein since my early teens it is always exciting to be able to add a hard cover edition of a favorite to my collection. This is no exception and comes with an introduction by William H Patterson Jr, author of the two volume biography of Heinlein (also highly recommended). The cover artwork is stunning and the overall presentation is top-notch. The content speaks for itself of course.
Top reviews from other countries
Rhea Gravelle
Double Star - the book stars wonderful characters
Reviewed in Canada on March 12, 2021
PTNelson
The Master does it again.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 17, 2021
Excalibur
This is one of my favourite Heinleins, focussing on unusual political issues that arise ...
Reviewed in Australia on June 21, 2015