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Number of the Beast
Robert A. Heinlein
Manufacturer: Fawcett
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Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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I Will Fear No Evil
ASIN: 0449130703
Release Date: 1986-09-12 |
Book Description
When two male and two female supremely sensual, unspeakably cerebral humans find themselves under attack from aliens who want their awesome quantum breakthrough, they take to the skies -- and zoom into the cosmos on a rocket roller coaster ride of adventure and danger, ecstasy and peril.
Customer Reviews:
Super Reader.......2007-08-26
Marginally better than Friday. Although that is not saying a lot. I bought this at a second hand bookshop discovered while camping by the beach as a teenager. Luckily, there were plenty of other distractions of various types, as if this was the only entertainment things would have been very bad indeed on that holiday.
A very mixed bag.......2006-05-21
First I should say I'm a many decades long Heinlein fan and have read almost everything he wrote 3, 4, or 5 times, except for several books that came out during the later part of his career when I was in grad school, and what with school, career, family, and so on, I didn't get around to them until about 10 years ago, and this one until now. I was saving it for a rainy day, and looked forward to it.
Unfortunately, the book qualifies as a more than a minor disappointment, and I say this as someone who truly loves Heinlein's works individually and as a whole. Since that obviously deserves some explanation, I go into several of the reservations I have about the book below.
First a brief overall description. In addition to all the discussion of n-dimensional geometry and the professor's new invention that allows universe-hopping, there is a considerable fantasy element to the book, although it takes until page 330 for that to become clear. Fans of Heinlein will know what I mean if I say that makes the book sort of a combination of his novel, Glory Road, and his short story, And He Built a Crooked House.
Although the concept is great--alternate world hopping by means of the professor's new n-dimensional space-time invention--by page 250 (which is halfway through the book) we have had a book that is mostly dialog about navigation and astrogation, and the ship's computer's capabilities in that regard, but only three brief action sequences where anything of any importance occurs, and then Heinlein returns to the interminable discussions of Gay Deceiver's (the name of their ship) computer and navigation talk. Finally, by page 271, the novel finally really takes off with a situation that Heinlein develops for the next 40 pages or so. But except for a few key facts and background information that one learns during that time almost the entire novel up till there is pretty thin gruel.
I can handle a bit of ballistics and navigational tech talk as much as anyone (I once made my living as an engineer and computer geek), but here it's just too much of a good thing. If you liked all the astrogation in Starship Troopers or Starman Jones, you might enjoy this too, but there's about five times as much of that, and about one-fifth as much action. It's as if Heinlein hoarded all the knowledge from his Naval experience calculating trajectories on incoming kamikazis, and poured all of that knowledge into this book. While that might make it interesting as a book on ballistics, as a strategy for a novel it leaves something to be desired.
There are extended discussions of leadership qualities, and at least three long arguments about who should or shouldn't be the captain, with the resident captain trying to do a job they absolutely do not want and threatening to resign, and wishing that somebody else would do it. While this is interesting in an academic sort of way, it does very little to increase the interest in the book, and just makes the reader want to slap all these recalcitrant, sensual geniuses upside the head and tell 'em to stop whining about every little thing they're unhappy about that the captain is doing and let's get along with the action and the real story already.
There are also discussions of military protocol, diplomatic protocol, written vs. verbal orders, how to resign a captaincy, ship's stowage, women's clothing, why women should never tell the man the truth, why women are superior to men, why women should still obey their husbands, Euclidean geometry, non-Euclidean geometry, basic topology, and dozens of other sometimes interesting, and sometimes not very interesting, topics.
Nevertheless, there were a couple of surprises that definitely made the book worth reading for me. I won't mention exactly what it is so as to spoil the fun, but starting at page 330 they discover an alternate world that appears to be literally based on a certain famous storybook fairy tale land which turns out not to be a fairy tale after all, and includes all the main characters familiar to all of us from the movie that was made based on the children's book. And other different fantasy and fictional stories dominate the rest of the novel.
I thought I'd mention a couple of minor scholarly points. After the crew has to make a couple of dimensional jumps to escape unfriendly locals, they jump to a universe in which the Russians and British control Mars. The Russians they encounter are paranoid and accuse them of being spies, so they have to bug out again, and they go over to the British section. Heinlein makes a point of mentioning that the British have a tradition of decent behavior and of following protocol, and so they expect better treatment there.
What's funny about this is that when they do make contact with the British, the captain at the time, Aunt Hilda (Zebediah having relinquished command in frustration earlier), treats them rudely and with suspicion. They do eventually land and are treated cordially by the British as was expected. This is funny because in Daniel Defoe's famous classic, Robinson Crusoe, the same thing happens. Crusoe spends 18 years on the island, and a passing British ship finally lands and discovers him. Despite the promise of being rescued, Crusoe isn't exactly overjoyed at meeting these strangers, and again, treats them with paranoia and suspicion, although all works out in the end.
Heinlein almost certainly knew the Defoe book quite well, and so I thought the similarity between the two encounters was interesting and perhaps is his allusion to the earlier book about another lone outcast, just as the four main charaters in Number of the Beast are now outcast from their world.
One other minor thing. At one point, where the women are getting formally dressed for their reception party by the British, one character makes an offhand comment about the origin of lipstick, but doesn't explain it. Well, it goes back to ancient Sumeria, where prostitutes wore it to advertise that fact. Actually, only certain ones did. The ones with lipstick were advertising the fact that they performed f_llatio, which apparently not all prostitutes did. This just proves again how widely read Heinlein was--not all of it was engineering and math and science. :-)
Heinlein even pokes fun at himself. At one point, during a conversation about favorite books, one of the characters mentions Stranger in a Strange Land, and someone comments, "Some writers will do anything for money." :-)
One minor piece of trivia. At least twice in the story, one of the characters says, "Who's your fat friend?" I didn't understand the context, since the phrase seems to pop up out of nowhere, but the only association I have for it is that Stewart Granger says it to Peter Ustinov in the 1954 movie, "Beau Brummell." I don't know if Heinlein is making an obscure allusion to the old movie or not, but I mention it for what it's worth.
But getting back to the book as a whole, I suppose by this time Heinlein's fame was such that no editor dared to touch his work, but this book could have been cut down by a factor of probably two and very little except all the computer and navigation talk would have been lost. I give the book three stars as an old, diehard, Heinlein fan, and if you're one you will probably want to read it, but if you're a first time reader, pass this one by and try one of his better novels, of which there are dozens.
love robert heinlein.......2006-03-05
I enjoyed everything I've read from Robert Heinlein. This book had lots of potential and I liked the concept but hated the voice of the story. It was like he was getting lazy, sounded bombastic and I hated it. I cherish books but this one went into the nasty garbage can at work, only ever threw away one other book and it was worse but it went in the garbage for the same reason, I read for stories not to hear an author try to show off how famous or witty he can be.
666.......2006-02-19
Heinlien ... what can be said that I could add to it. I enjoyed the book, and wish it were real and I were the lead person, ok I can dream can't I?
My Favourite Heinlein.......2006-02-17
While I agree with most reviewers that this is not his best work, it is my personal favourite. The characters are likeable, and I love that Heinlein uses this to pay homage to some of his favourite writers, from Lewis Carroll to his contemporaries. This book introduced me to Edgar Rice Burroughs, convinced me to read the Oz books by L. Frank Baum, and sent me on a mission to discover the identities of the other authors into whose worlds Heinlein's characters jump.
True, this book is not for everyone, but I found it delightfully funny with wonderful dialogue between the four main characters. I also thoroughly enjoyed the interplay with characters from other eras and novels. If you are leary of spending the money to buy a copy, run down to your local library and check it out. It's worth the time, and you may find you really like it.
Amazon.com
In this book, Trevor Ravenscroft weaves an enigmatic web connecting such disparate events as the carving of a pillar for a Scottish cathedral, Druidic teaching methods, and the detonation of the first atomic bomb. At the center of his web is the spear that pierced the side of Christ. The Mark of the Beast continues the story Ravenscroft began in The Spear of Destiny to reveal the innate power of this pivotal artifact. This literate and thoroughly researched book is Ravenscroft's final work, and devotees of his previous books will want to get their hands on this one.
Customer Reviews:
This could be the most important book you'll ever read!.......1999-07-21
Spear of Destiny, Cup of Destiny and now this make the ultimate triology, this is the Lord of the Rings and Star Wars with one difference its real and is going on in our lives right now. These are historical figures in the battle of good vs. evil and its still being played out right here right now, and to make things more interesting. The one who comes to entrap us all is here. Read about it, and prepare, for it all prepares the way for yet another event. These books have changed my life. He cometh with clouds. Mark B.email grokfish@gte.net
Wondeerful and filled with insight!.......1999-03-21
I am familiar with Mr. Ravenscroft's work and believe that he is truly at the top of his form. If the subject interests you, do read his earlier work, and please take a look at The Spear of Golgotha, Richard Greenwald, a fictionalized delve into familiar territory. Five stars for Ravenscroft.
Riviting.......1999-02-09
If the information in this book is accurate..everyone should have a copy in their mailbox tomorrow!! Frightening yet compellingly logical...Very definitive for our times..Buy this one...Spear of Destiny probably should be read first.
Book Description
The Holy Bible: The Final Testament The Number of the Beast This book is the result of years of work by Japanese cryptologists seeking to uncover the hidden secrets of the Bible by cracking the codes hidden therein. By analyzing the GOOD NEWS VERSION OF THE BIBLE (which is vastly different from the King James Version) especially the Book of Numbers, but also the books of Joshua, Judges, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Samuel, Leviticus and Genesis, the researchers found mathematical puzzles embedded in them. The puzzles take the form of the famous SEND MORE MONEY problem, in which the equation SEND + MORE = MONEY must be solved by substituting a number for each letter. The solution, which should take about 30 minutes to find, is 9567+1085=10652. However, the researchers found more difficult problems embedded in the Book of Numbers involving multiplication and division which are so difficult that only a computer can solve them. There are 242 problems, the most complete collection of this sort of problem ever produced. All of these problems have a unique solution, but none have ever previously been solved. The quotes from the Good News Bible seem shocking but they are all real and exact quotes. They are not the passages your Sunday morning preacher reads. It is the best collection of this sort of quote. International Sign of the Beast Number ISBN 1-881373-00-2
Book Description
At the beginning of the 21st Century monsters still roam the remote, and sometimes not so remote, corners of our planet. It is our job to search for them. The Centre for Fortean Zoology [CFZ] is the only professional, scientific and full-time organisation in the world dedicated to cryptozoology - the study of unknown animals. Since 1992 the CFZ has carried out an unparalleled programme of research and investigation all over the world. We have carried out expeditions to Sumatra (2003 and 2004), Mongolia (2005), Puerto Rico (1998 and 2004), Mexico (1998), Thailand (2000), Florida (1998), Nevada (1999 and 2003), Texas (2003 and 2004), Illinois (2004), and Gambia (2006) Since 1994 we have been publishing the world's only dedicated cryptozoology magazine, Animals & Men. This volume contains fascimile reprints of issues 6 to 10 and includes articles covering The Owlman; also the Humped Elephants of Nepal, Mystery Cats, Sabre-toothed cats, Mysterious hominids of Africa, The British Nandi Bear?, Shuker's 'Crypto': a Bibliography of Cryptozoology books - parts 1 to 3 (by Dr Karl Shuker), Strangeness in Scotland, On collecting a cryptid, Bodmin Leopard Skull, Green Cats and Dogs, Mystery Whales, Quagga Project, Malayan Man Beast, Hong Kong Tiger, Horseman of Lincolnshire, Scottish BHM, Congo Peacock, Mystery Moth of Madagascar, Bengal Leopard Cats, The Derry, Wild Boars in Kent, a new Irish lake monster, and the truth about the Essex Beach "mermaid" Corpses. PLUS: Preface by Mark North and an introductory essay by Jonathan Downes, notes putting each issue into a historical perspective, and a history of the CFZ. This is a special collectors' edition.
Customer Reviews:
A great collection of monster stories.......2007-03-17
Animals & Men is the regular magazine of the British-based monster-hunting group, the Center for Fortean Zoology. Articles in the magazine regularly cover such issues as Bigfoot, lake monsters, the Yeti, sea serpents, and more bizarre entities such as werewolves and dragons.
The earlier issues of the magazine are becoming harder and harder to find; so to have them now available in a superbly packaged production is a very welcome development.
If you haven't seen these gems in their original format, now is the time to see what you have missed. You won't be disappointed.
Average customer rating:
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Irregular Numbers of Beasts and Birds
Cecil Helman
Manufacturer: Quale Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary
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ASIN: 0974450359
Release Date: 2005-11-18 |
Book Description
Irregular Numbers of Beasts and Birds is a collection of portraits, odes and ruminations about life's minor and major disasters and recoveries. In vivid, unsentimental prose, Helman draws individual resonance from universal themes. He creates a sense of shared humanity distilled from the infinitessimally specific. Helman emphasizes the cyclical nature of life (the volume is divided into four sections based on the seasons) as well as the human tendency to repeat the "same old stories" over and over again. But at the same time, he reminds us that every lived moment is truly its own.
Book Description
Examining God's foreknowledge of our future decisions, this survey of Scripture's teaching affirms what has been termed as "the open view of God."
Customer Reviews:
Unknowable Freewill Future? Impossible for the LORD?.......2007-08-26
1 star for attempting to engage the Bible in determining if God can know freewill futures (author says it's impossible for God). 4 stars deducted for not engaging ALL relevant Bible texts on the subject. As I read the book, it was very selective in which verses it bolstered its case on, omitting others rather embarrassing to its case.
Questions for the author:
1) Gideon is shown a sign by the LORD that he will prevail against the Midianites. He overhears a soldier tell another of his dream about a huge barley loaf that rolls into the Midianite camp destroying all. The other soldier interprets this dream in Gideon's hearing that surely this can be nothing other than Gideon striking the Midianites in a resounding victory. When Gideon hears this, he worships God Who gave him this sign.
How does this unconditional prophecy foretold through pagans to an eavesdropping Gideon in direct fulfillment of God's promise of a sign reconcile with the author's open view that God cannot know freewill futures? Did the LORD stage a 'divine forecast' that fortuitously ended up being true, or is it possible He knew precisely what would freely occur in advance and foretold the predictive prophecy?
2) Elisha the prophet foretells that within 24 hours, the price of foodstuffs during a severe famine will suddenly be exactly 1 shekel - plenty of food for Samaria at precisely this time tomorrow. The king's servant disputes this prophecy. Then Elisha further predicts that this man will see the prophecy realized, but will not taste of it. And that's exactly what occurs. In fact, 3 times at the end of the account it says 'according to the Word of the LORD', 'just as the man of God had foretold'.
How does this unconditional prophecy (declared in advance as settled free market fact) reconcile with open view that God cannot foreknow this sort of detail involving not only the king's servant, but the local economy involving thousands of freewill individual and collective economic trading decisions, supply/demand, the lepers who find the windfall and then willingly decide to share the good news, etc?
3) The LORD through Jeremiah pre-announces to false prophets that they will be punished. God predictively prophesies that 2 in particular named Ahab and Zedekiah will be slain by King Nebuchadnezzar in a specific way: burned alive. Not only that, God foretells that Judah's exiles will take up a public curse, "May you end up just like Ahab and Zedekiah whom the king roasted in the fire!"
How does the author's open theory explain why God claims to know freewill future decisions in advance of their willingly being exercised by the agents involved? These decisions by the false prophets, the king and all Judah's exiles are announced as certain fact unconditionally. Could God possibly pre-know all the intricate details of events involving at- liberty independent agents acting of their own accord AND exactly quote an entire population group in advance verbatim word-for-word how/what they would decide on their own initiative as a new (not yet in use) curse?
Please let the author or any of his followers research these and other (Elijah & Elisha's prophetic foretelling of Hazael's murderous plot to be king) Bible texts and reconcile open view with such fulfilled unconditional predictive free agent prophecies 'according to the Word spoken by the LORD'. What is impossible among mortal minds is quite possible for God.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
Excellent material!.......2007-06-15
Overall I greatly enjoyed this book. While the subject matter was covered in his book God at War, this book takes the points he made there further, and expands them while contrasting them against the most common counterarguments. Excellent resource if you want to be able to debate this point, and if you want a basic introduction to open theology, this is an excellent resource for that as well.
A simple thought experiment.......2007-06-13
Imagine a scenario with me. You, a Christian, are debating theology with an atheist. He objects to the idea that an all-knowing Being could exist. As the discussion heats up he blurts out, "okay, tell me this. Does God know how many arrows Robin Hood kept in his quiver?"
You fall into silence, stunned by this bizarre remark. Your opponent smiles broadly and says "see! There is something God doesn't know after all! Your religion is irrational nonsense!"
That argument is of course absurd, for one very good reason: Robin Hood is a fictional character. Since he never lived, it is impossible for God to know how many arrows he kept in his quiver. After all, even God cannot possess knowledge of things that don't exist. For the same reason, He has no idea how high Superman can fly, how big a web Spiderman can spin, or how fast the Lone Ranger's horse could run. This fact in no way detracts from His sovereignty, power or omniscience.
I hope we can all agree that the above is true.
Boyd's message in this book is simple, and should be relatively uncontroversial. It can be expressed in the following syllogism:
God possesses no knowledge of things that don't exist (we just agreed on this from the story above).
AND
The future does not (yet) exist
THEREFORE
God has no direct knowledge of the future
That's all that this book is saying. So why all the hysteria?
Good, but cites his own work........2006-11-15
This is what I would call "an invitation to openness theology."
Boyd brings up many of the scriptures used to argue for openeness as a view of God's relationship with us, and also many of the biblical texts those holding to the classical view use to rebut it. He does a good job,I believe, in giving biblical support to the theory, showing that openness makes more sense of the the biblical account than does the deterministic view of God. Boyd makes a mistake, however, in citing his own work often in the bibliography.
Other than that, it gives a good overview of the openness position. I recommend this book, along with "The Openness of God," to those who want a cursory look at the subject. Want to go further? Start with "The God Who Risks," by John Sanders.
WONDERFUL book!.......2006-10-12
This book is amazing, wonderful, world-view changing and every Believer should read it! It takes a complex issue and breaks it down so that anyone can understand it. Open theism acknowledges free will in a way that most theologies simply can not account for, and for this... I am truly grateful! Imagine how big and wonderful our God is to be truly capable of creating us with free will!
I love Greg Boyd's presentation of this Truth!
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- Rama II: The Sequel to Rendezvous with Rama
- Resident Evil Code: Veronica X Official Strategy Guide
- Return to Base: Memoirs of a B-17 Copilot Kimbolton, England, 1943-1944
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- Robot Trilogy: The Caves of Steel, The Naked Sun, The Robots of Dawn
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