One by one, the Free Nations had fallen, until finally America too was under the heel of the invader. Now the only hope resides in a mountain redoubt where six men work in secret on a plan to rock the planet. . . .
Sixth Column
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About the Author
Robert A. Heinlein, four-time winner of the Hugo Award and recipient of three Retro Hugos, received the first Grand Master Nebula Award for lifetime achievement. His worldwide bestsellers have been translated into 22 languages and include Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers, Time Enough for Love, and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. His long-lost first novel, For Us, the Living, was recently published by Scribner and Pocket Books.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Dan
Format:Mass Market Paperback
If you're looking for an introduction to Robert A. Heinlein's vast corpus of fantastic science fiction, don't read Sixth Column, read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. If you're a Heinlein junkie who's read all his other stuff and you want a quick, fun read covering the typical Heinlein themes (the able man, war, gee whiz technology, "long live democracy"), then you'll definitely want to pick up this book.
The basic premise is: the USA has been invaded by "PanAsians," and the government effectively destroyed. Having subjugated India, the "PanAsians" know how to tie down the USA--lots of labor camps, citizen registration and public executions as punishment for any rebellion. But they also have learned not to interfere with their subjects' religion(s). One small military base, a research laboratory, has escaped destruction; luckily the plucky soldiers have an able commander and lots of technology the invaders simply can't match.
From there, it's just a matter of time. The reader gets to watch how these men build a movement, screw with the "PanAsian" leadership, and eventually free the USA. Of course the technology is hokey and the dialog can be a bit offensive, but it's realistic (yeah, I think slurs are allowable if they're marching your family off to the labor camps). This book was written in 1949 and reflects some of the paranoia that Heinlein later gave voice to in Expanded Universe.
But, it's a fun, quick read and if you like Heinlein, you'll probably like it. It's no classic, but not every book can be.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Ken Fuller
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Way ahead of its' time! The author uses a vivid imagination to provide us with hope and new technologies when the US is taken over by a foreign power and is occupied.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Mass Market Paperback
The SIXTH COLUMN is one of Robert Heinlein's earliest works and reflects the fears and concerns of the time period he wrote the book. I found it a refreshing change from the goose-stepping conformity mind-set that is so much part of science fiction today. The story is told with feeling and conviction and the plot is fast-paced and complex, but not hard to follow, much like the novel "The Falin Crisis."
America is conquered by a limited nuclear attack and then invaded by Asian that Heinlein refers to as Panasaians, which is probably meant to refer to China. Considering the growing threat the China represents in the 21st century this book is actually far-sighted and revlevant to the times we live in today.
Heinlein reveals a unique insight into the cultural divide that the world faces today, and threat of the "Clash of Civilizations" that we must deal with in the 21st century.
In ways the SIXTH COLUMN is like the movie, "Red Dawn," and has the quality of a good old-fashion war movie. If you like your books politically correct - then stay away from it. But if you enjoy a good read, then Heinlein's SIXTH COLUMN is for you.
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3.9 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
The only book I ever threw away
Incredibly stupid plot, ridiculous technology, blatant racism, silly cardboard persons.
The worst book I ever read.
Published on Jan 13 2003 by Yooden
1.0 out of 5 stars
Waste of good talent
Heinlein was given this story concept by an editor, who had it from a writer who was unable to develop the idea. Read more
Published on Aug 31 2001 by Robert Mohns
4.0 out of 5 stars
An interesting idea, but take with a grain of salt
This was Heinlein's first offering, written in 1941 (according to the book jacket). Surprisingly, it's much better than some of his later works. Read more
Published on Jun 13 2001 by Craig MACKINNON
2.0 out of 5 stars
Made Me Squirm in My Seat...
This was my first Heinlein novel, and I have since been warned that it was a poor introduction, so I'm giving that warning to you all as well. Read more
Published on April 25 2001 by Jamie Jeffords
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Good, Easy, and unfortunately racist read
Yes, this book is racist. Yes, it makes it sounds like whites are the only people the live in the United States. Yes, yes, yes. But so are a lot of books. Read more
Published on Oct 27 2000 by Bill R. Moore
4.0 out of 5 stars
classic SCI-FI book, althought being racist and fascist
o.k so Robert A. Henlein was a fascist writer in the 40's and 50's he hated the communist and orientals (see Starship Troopers,(space cadets), "the puppet mastres" for... Read more
Published on Sep 1 2000 by shawn
1.0 out of 5 stars
Racist and simplistic
This is not one of Heinlein's better efforts.
First, there is the racism. It is extremely anti-Asian. Read more
First, there is the racism. It is extremely anti-Asian. Read more
Published on Aug 22 2000 by Carl Skutsch
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent for its time.
I first read this book back in the sixties, and it is representative of the "WWIII/Invasion" genre of stories that were quite common at the time in print and on the... Read more
Published on July 8 2000 by Curtis L. Wilbur
5.0 out of 5 stars
Novel of Freedom lost and Gained by Heinlein
Maybe I am a simpleton or view things far differently then the other reviewers do but I loved this book. Read more
Published on July 3 2000 by Peter Dykhuis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heros and Villians in All Races Within This Book
Robert always writes an entertaining story. However, this one is unusual in the fact that he did not start this story. He did finish it. Read more
Published on Jun 10 2000 by SteveE
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