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Cover of Assignment in Eternity

Assignment in Eternity

Robert Anson Heinlein

352 pages

A retro-futuristic thrill ride through secret societies, alternate dimensions, and the untapped powers of the human mind.

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What it feels like

Reading this collection feels like unearthing a time capsule from the Golden Age of science fiction, where the future was a canvas for boundless, muscular imagination. The stories move at a brisk, pulp-inflected clip, blending hard-boiled espionage with sweeping philosophical questions about human evolution, telepathy, and the very definition of personhood. Heinlein's signature competent man takes center stage, navigating worlds soaked in post-war paranoia and retro-futuristic intrigue. The prose is direct and confident, prioritizing big ideas and forward momentum over deep emotional introspection. It is a deeply speculative, adventurous experience that will delight readers who love vintage sci-fi, secret societies, and the thrill of watching humanity unlock its own hidden potential.

Mood
  • intrigue-laden
  • wonder-struck
  • retro-futuristic
  • tense
Tone
  • speculative
  • adventurous
  • philosophical
  • pulp-inflected
  • confident
Pace
brisk
Themes
hidden human potential · the definition of personhood · evolution of consciousness · secret societies · alternate realities
The writing
Direct, muscular, and exposition-heavy, blending hard-boiled action with speculative philosophical dialogues.
The arc
Moves from tense, paranoid intrigue to expansive, mind-bending wonder as the boundaries of human capability are pushed.
Who it's for
Fans of Golden Age science fiction who enjoy the competent man trope, pulp espionage, and big, speculative ideas about human evolution.
Content notes
  • violence
  • eugenics themes
  • dated social attitudes

About the book

The scene: The United States after World War III, after the communist reign, after the revolution which tossed out the commissars. It is a new world, brighter, faster, richer than before, but obviously no better. Worse, in fact. A world where intrigue, mystery and violence appear to be the normal order of life.

Joel Abner, agent of the Federal Bureau of Security, disguised as a commercial traveler, arrives from the Moon, carrying an incredibly valuable spool of microfilm. He becomes Captain Gilead, explorer and lecturer - but the transformation fails to deceive those who wish to relieve him of the film - and they close in.

Thus begins one of the most gripping and exciting stories ever written by Robert A. Heinlein. And it is only one of four long stories which make up "Assignment in Eternity".

There is "Elsewhen", a rare Heinlein excursion into time travel. This fascinating theme is handled with typical Heinlein novelty.

Then there is "Lost Legacy", a full length science novel dealing with the powers of the human mind. Telepathy, teleportation and other powers - these are the lost legacy of the human race. "The door of the mind is open, yet have a care where ye tread." Eternally sealed is a secret vault in the brain, the No Man's Land which three people dare to explore - to find themselves battling with a hostile world, almost - but not quite - alone. Heinlein has never written a more unusual or more absorbing story.

Finally, there is "Jerry Was a Man", the story of an anthropoid who was more than an ape.

A new Heinlein book is an Event for the many thousands of readers who enjoy really good Science Fiction - and we know you will agree that "Assignment in Eternity" ranks with this talented writer's best work.

Description from Open Library.

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