The moon is a harsh mistress
by Robert A. Heinlein · first published 1965
45% recommend52% neutral3% critical
Why HN recommends it
Fun, multi-layered sci-fi story of a Moon colony's revolt against Earth, praised for its plausible revolutionary politics, a friendly sentient computer, and the TANSTAAFL idea; suits readers who like political SF.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
It is the late 21st Century and the Moon has been colonized -- as a giant, open, prison. Every aspect of life is overseen by the Federated Nations "Lunar Authority"; until one day when a self-aware Super-Computer, a Jack of all Trades Technician, an Anarchist Professor, and a beautiful Blonde Revolutionary decide to change their world. The conspirators' plans go along beautifully...for a while. TANSTAAFL! There ain't no such thing as a free lunch! Robert A. Heinlein was the most influential science fiction writer of his era, an influence so large that, as Samuel R. Delany notes, "modern c
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…genre led me to earlier authors like Verne and Wells, I had never heard of this fellow or this magazine. By the way, if one wants to read a quick standalone sci-fi novel, I just finished Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, and I can't recommend it strongly enough.
on “Beginnings of Science Fiction” ↗I call it 'comfort reading' like comfort food. It is one of the books I pick up when I am lying in bed sick for the day. Usually something by Heinlein/Clarke or maybe Asimov. Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Tunnel in the sky, Friday, Rama, have all been read 5 to 10 times.
on “Why reading a book 100 times is a great idea” ↗…it'll drag you back from Randroid town (it did me, anyway). Either way, the kid in me would still love to have dinner in Galt's Gulch. If you'd like to read eye-opening fiction, I heartily recommend The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, by Robert Heinlein. It's an incredible exploration of what it is to be free and how modern societies evolve at the expense of their citizens' personal liberties. One of the most thought-provoking pieces…
on “Ask HN: Good books?” ↗The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is also one great scifi classic Although more later stage living on the moon and revolution. http://www.amazon.com/The-Moon-Is-Harsh-Mistress/dp/03128635...
on “Can we colonize the moon?” ↗"There ain't no such thing as a free lunch" from Heinlein's The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, a highly recommended read.
on “Tesla Motors Announces a New Home Battery” ↗Not sure I'd suggest The Door into Summer, it's one of the weakest books from Heinlein imho together with the Number of the Beast and I Will Fear No Evil. I'd usually recommend the Moon is a Harsh Mistress or one of his juveniles as the first book.
on “The Hacker's Manifesto (1986)” ↗It ain't perfect but the criticism of The Moon is a Harsh Mistress seems overblown to me. Then again it's my favorite book, so I'm certainly biased. The Professor, in my opinion, is not presented as being uncritically correct; the errors he makes and the fact that…
on “Must-Read Books About the Moon” ↗This Perfect Day, by Ira Levin. Story of a man's repeated attempts to escape a benevolent automated dictatorship where everything is controlled and everyone is kept sedated. The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein - The moon is a colony of misfits and is suffering increasingly unreasonable demands from earth (1776 in space). One of the computer systems managing part of the colony is discovered…
on “Hard comp-fi reading list” ↗Yes, SpinLaunch on Moon launching ore concentrates. No housing needed, g-forces irrelevant; gravity well is smaller. Obligatory link, "Moon is a Harsh Mistress", by Heinlein: https://archive.org/details/TheMoonIsAHarshMistress_201701
on “SpinLaunch is building a centrifuge to launch satellites into orbit” ↗…seriously, exploring the consequences and treating the characters with empathy and respect. Also hilarious. Seconding Dune, which is a classic for a reason, and Stranger in a Strange Land (though I think The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is a better place to start with Heinlein). Also Neal Stephenson, though I'd suggest Cryptonomicon over Diamond Age.
on “Ask HN: I only read tech/business books – recommend me some fiction?” ↗Just want to note that the novel noted in the first post, The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, is a great read. I think I read it after seeing it recommended in Mary Robinette Kowal's Lady Astronaut series, but it's a nice balance of technical and science fiction with politics, almost like a…
on “Never trust a system that seems to be working” ↗…SimCity computer game Analysis of Competing Hypotheses methodology wiki (social process) model for small team collaborative document development community of practice model for knowledge management "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" by Robert Heinlein (in particular TANSTAAFL) activation energy, catalyst, and phase change concepts from physics/chemistry Amplify Positive Deviance model from Jerry Sternin (Save the Children) "The…
on “Articles, Ideas, Books and/or Concepts that have changed your life” ↗…Dragon - Peter F. Hamilton Altered Carbon - Richard Morgan Market Forces - Richard Morgan Blindsight - Peter Watts The Electric Church - Jeff Somers Tunnel in the Sky - Robert A. Heinlein The Moon is a Harsh Mistress - Robert A. Heinlein 1984 - George Orwell
on “Ask HN: Interesting (Non software) books?” ↗The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, by Heinlein, explores some of the potential labor and social issues.
on “A $20 Trillion Rock That Could Turn a Startup Into Earth’s Richest Company” ↗…they're going. For some older stuff: The Stars my Destination by Alfred Bester – I was surprised at how good it is and how well it stands up. I couldn't believe it was written nearly 50 years ago. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein - possibly my favourite of his. I want to start a lunar revolution with a sentient mainframe... I'm currently working my way through all the Hugo Award winners, from 1953 up, and there's…
on “What are your favourite sci-fi books?” ↗