The Menace from Earth

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: Rob McQuay

In The Menace from Earth, Robert A. Heinlein, a master of science fiction, presents startling stories of time and space. On the day past tomorrow, time has ended and man has begun his endless journey out into the universe. For those on the Pluto colony, Earth Satellite Base holds the only possible reprieve from a terrifying death sentence. Meanwhile on Earth, alien intelligence prowls the skies, kidnapping people for its own inhuman amusement.

©1959 by Robert A. Heinlein (P)1997 by Blackstone Audiobooks

A worthwhile collection of Heinlein short stories.

There're some interesting stories in here. Some better than others. But, worth a listen.

Some of my favorite Heinlein short stories

For those of you who know H short stories by their titles this compilation contains 8: 1) Year of the Jackpot (excellent) 2) By his Bootstraps (poor) 3) Columbus was a Dope (good) 4) Menace from Earth (excellent) 5) Skylift (very good) 6) GoldFishbowl (very good) 7) Project Nightmare (excellent) 8) Water is for washing (very good).

Middlin' Heinlein

This collection of Heinlein's short science-fiction stories isn't bad. It's just that he did better.

In my opinion, the two best stories in the collection are: "By His Bootstraps", a nice time-travel story whose main points were endlessly imitated by later, lesser writers; and "The Menace From Earth", for its description of life on the moon, and a form of recreation possible on the moon but impractical on earth.

However, I feel that the collection "6xH" (first published under the title "The Unpleasant Profession of Johnathan Hoag") is a much better example of Heinlein in his mastery of the short story. This collection is not yet available as an audiobook; a shame, since I think those stories would lend themselves very well to the spoken form.

Until his other collections become available, I suppose this one will do. But I know there's better Heinlein out there, which is why I'm only giving it three stars.

Several great stories, some thought provoking

Haven't read these in 40 yrs or so. I read Heinlein very young. Still good. This book has memorable short stories. By His Bootstraps always stuck with me.

Good stories

Once you figured out there are four stories or so its a great book full of fantasy imagination and strong beautifull woman.

The Menace From Earth - Reader Review

If you could sum up The Menace from Earth in three words, what would they be?

"Classic Heinlein Story". Robert Heinlein's "juvenile novels" were a gateway to interesting teens about science fiction. When I first read the book when I was 14 years old, I was hooked - Heinlein has been my favorite author my entire life!

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the view point from the teen characters when I was growing up - now that I'm 50 years old I enjoyed guessing the subterfuge going on in the background!

The description of what it would be like to be on a space voyage contrasted with what it was like on another planet is always eye opening and fun!

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narration was done well. Not award winning, but it didn't get in the way of the story. I always prefer multiple actors voices.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! :) I usually listen to it on the way to and from work.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended for anyone wanting to read great classic science fiction or to interest their children in reading sci-fi.

Excellent collection!

Wonderful and varied assortment of sci-fi short stories from the master of classic sci-fi. Time travel paradoxes, romance, human race in peril... this collection spans the gamut and holds your interest.

Nobody like Heinlein

I am not fond of short stories, but anything by Heinlein is great. Don't miss it he is a wonderful Story teller.

One of My Favorite Heinlein Collections

This is one of my favorite collections of Heinlein short stories and I’ve listened to it several times over the past thirty years. It starts out with the tragic The Year of the Jackpot which has an absolutely stupid opening scene (which really doesn’t fit well with the idea of the story) but a wonderful and troubling theme which winds its way to its very sad conclusion.

By His Bootstraps shows that even a dense idiot can make it big in the end so long as he gives himself a lot of help along the way. Columbus Was a Dope is a short gimmick-dependent story that will make you smile. The title story, The Menace from Earth is simply delightful. Skylift is the most classically Heinlein tale in the set—an adventure story with an unexpected ending. And Goldfish is thought provoking.

Heinlein finishes up with my favorite two stories in the collection. Project Nightmare explores how psychic abilities might have influenced the Cold War if they exist and Water Is for Washing is a touching tale of people confronted by a natural disaster in a shockingly immediate crisis few of us would have thought of.

Can't listen to it

I love Heinline stories, read them as a kid. I read this book eons ago and since I'm an Audible junky I purchased this one. I like the reader's voice but there's a lot of microphone hiss ssssssss ssssss sssss - it's like squeaks @ a basketball game (I guess I'm neurotic when it comes to repetitive noises). I re-downloaded and there's still ssss sss s. I've tried all sorts of EQ settings but the hiss just gets bassier. So a warning to fellow neurotics - sssssssssss