[geeks] e.e. smith "lensman" series

[Michael A. Turner]

	I did not realize that puppet master had the same thing done to it.
I will have to run out and get a copy. I always thought that Heinlein did
not get a lot of editing, or had that impression from one of his
introductions. I may have been assuming that though from the fact that he
always maintained that he would write until he had a story rejected then
stop. 
	I will have to find a copy of take back your government. His strong
libertarian leanings always struck a cord in me and I am sure this is more
of the same sort of thing. 
	Speaking of badly corrupted versions of his work. WTF was Starship
troopers the movie?!? I was Soooo totally confused by that movie. I have no
idea why they even started to claim that it was based off of his original
book. Advanced civilization, check. Bug like aliens, check. Battle suits
armed like tanks, uh nope. Strong social commentary, not even. Hell they
should have just taken the movie aliens and changed the title. Would have
been just as close to the book as that movie was. 

Michael A. Turner
Systems Engineer
WHRO
michael.turner at whro.org
http://www.whro.org


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Byrne [mailto:chris at chrisbyrne.com]
> Sent: Monday, April 15, 2002 1:56 PM
> To: geeks at sunhelp.org
> Subject: RE: [geeks] e.e. smith "lensman" series
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Michael A. Turner
> > 	On the subject of Heinlein, if you have not had the 
> chance go pick
> > up the "New" Version of stranger in a strange land do so
> > immediately.
> 
> Actually I liked them both, but I always favor reading the 
> authors intended
> work. Aparently Most of Heinlens stuff was very heavily 
> edited, and from
> what I've read this is a good thing because he had some 
> issues with style
> and coherency. As an author (none of my fiction has been 
> published but I've
> got two text books co-authored and I wrote for some magazines 
> for a few
> years) I know how helpful a good editor can be.
> 
> Unfortunately I know how horrible a bad editor can be. With 
> just a few words
> removed or changed the whole meaning of the entire book or 
> article can be
> changed, even reveresed.
> 
> If you want to see the best example of this by  Heinlein read 
> the original
> edition of The Puppet masters, and the restored edition. Two 
> COMPLETELY
> different books.
> 
> > of the beast". My personal favorite, since we are sharing, 
> is "J.O.B. a
> > comedy of justice".
> 
> I Like J.O.B (anyone see the paperback version with the guy 
> in a leather
> jacket, presumably Alex, holding his hands out with that "Oh 
> god, why me...
> oh well " expression on his face? Just Perfect.
> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/034
5316509/reader
/1/103-7612671-5350215#reader-link)

For me though it's a tossup between Moon is a harsh mistress, which is also
the first Heinlein I ever read (gotta love the TANSTAAFL principle), and the
sixth column which just resonates with me.

Oh and for those of you who followed the recent political threads with
interest please read "Take Back Your Government" if you can ever find a
copy.

BTW, Anyone read the last Callahans book Callahans Key? Perfect tribute to
Heinlein in there (alnog with about half a dozen other authors). I'm a big
Callahans fan but most of Spders other stuff leaves me cold.

Chris Byrne