Synopsis
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Pacing
- Moderate
- Mood
- Inventive, Nostalgic, Hopeful, Clever
- Read it if
- You enjoy classic science fiction with time travel paradoxes, a strong inventor protagonist, and a touch of romance.
- Skip it if
- You prefer modern, character-driven narratives over plot-heavy, idea-driven sci-fi with some dated social views.
The Door Into Summer Plot Summary
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
The Betrayal and the Long Sleep
It's 1970. Daniel Boone Davis, a brilliant but naive electronics engineer, has invented two products: 'Flexible Frank' (a household robot) and the 'Drawing Room Comforter' (an automated drafting machine). He runs 'Hired Girl, Inc.' with his partner, Miles Gentry, and is engaged to Belle Darkin. As his inventions near success, Belle convinces Dan to put his cat, Pete, into 'cold sleep' for a few months. Soon after, Miles and Belle conspire to steal Dan's controlling stock. They then trick Dan into entering a thirty-year suspended animation, promising him future profits upon his awakening in 2000. Dan agrees, unaware of their full treachery.
Awakening in 2000
Dan awakens in 2000, disoriented and betrayed. A 'Long Sleep' corporation representative informs him his assets were liquidated long ago to cover his cryo-storage fees, leaving him penniless. The world has changed; technology has advanced in ways Dan finds both fascinating and frustrating. He tries to contact Miles Gentry and Belle Darkin, only to find Miles died years ago and Belle is untraceable. His inventions, especially the household robot, are now commonplace, but under different names and produced by other companies, with no credit or profit attributed to him. Dan feels a deep sense of loss and injustice.
Researching the Past and Future Tech
Determined to reclaim his legacy and understand what happened, Dan researches the history of his inventions and his betrayers. He learns his 'Flexible Frank' robot is now the 'Household Servant.' During his research, he finds an experimental time travel method called 'cold sleep,' which allows individuals to project their consciousness into their past self, altering history. This revelation gives him a daring idea: to go back in time, not just to reclaim his inventions, but to change the past and prevent the betrayal. He begins to plan this impossible journey.
The Plan to Go Back
Dan realizes the 'cold sleep' method, initially for medical use, can be repurposed for time travel. He aims to project his consciousness from 2000 back into his 1970 self, reliving and altering the moments before his betrayal. He needs to acquire funds and knowledge for this complex process. He gets a job as a technician, saving money, and studies the theoretical and practical aspects of 'cold sleep' time displacement. His goal is not merely revenge, but to protect his inventions, his company, and most importantly, his future with his foster daughter, Ricky.
The First Jump and Initial Interference
Dan successfully initiates the 'cold sleep' time displacement and projects his consciousness back into his 1970 self, before the betrayal. Armed with thirty years of future knowledge, he immediately makes subtle changes. He secures his patent rights more carefully and makes strategic financial moves. He observes his past self's naivete and Belle and Miles's manipulative actions with a new, cynical eye. He also reconnects with his young foster daughter, Frederica 'Ricky' Gentry, Miles's stepdaughter, experiencing their bond with renewed appreciation and a strong desire to protect her from the future he knows. His presence causes small shifts in the timeline.
Protecting His Inventions and Ricky
Knowing the future, Dan takes decisive action. He secretly patents his 'Drawing Room Comforter' and 'Flexible Frank' under different names and through secure channels, preventing Miles and Belle from stealing them. He also invests wisely, using his future knowledge to build a fortune. He focuses on securing Ricky's future, arranging for her to inherit his wealth and ensuring she gets a good education, free from Miles and Belle's negative influences. He also plans to put Pete, his cat, into a longer cold sleep, ensuring their reunion in the future, an act of hope and continuity.
The Confrontation and the New Future
With his patents secured and finances in order, Dan confronts Miles Gentry and Belle Darkin, revealing his knowledge of their plans. He cuts them out of his company and life, leaving them no opportunity to betray him. The confrontation is tense, but Dan's future knowledge gives him an advantage. He ensures Miles cannot profit from his inventions and Belle cannot manipulate him. With the immediate threat neutralized, Dan proceeds with his plan to enter a thirty-year cold sleep, this time on his own terms and with a clear purpose: to reunite with Ricky and Pete in the future he has engineered.
Reunion in 2000 (The New Timeline)
Dan awakens in 2000, but this time, the world is different. Thanks to his interventions, he is a wealthy man, the rightful owner of his successful inventions. He is greeted by a grown-up Ricky, now his legal guardian and a brilliant, successful woman. She has managed his vast fortune and company, 'Hired Girl, Inc.,' which has become a global powerhouse. Pete, his beloved cat, also awakens from cold sleep, and they share a joyful reunion. Dan feels a profound sense of satisfaction and relief, knowing he averted his tragic past and secured a happy future for himself, Ricky, and Pete.
The Nature of Time and Identity
As Dan settles into his new life in 2000, he reflects on the philosophical implications of his time travel. He grapples with the concept of his 'past self' and 'future self,' and how his consciousness jump created a new, altered timeline. He realizes his journey was not just about revenge or reclaiming his inventions, but about securing happiness and preventing suffering. His love for Ricky and Pete drove his quest. He acknowledges the strangeness of having lived through the same thirty years twice, with different outcomes, and its impact on his identity and understanding of reality. He is a man who has truly cheated fate.
A New Beginning
With his past wrongs corrected and his future secured, Dan looks forward to a new beginning. He has his wealth, his successful company, and most importantly, his family: Ricky, now his wife, and Pete. The novel concludes with Dan embracing this hard-won happiness. His journey through time transformed him from a naive inventor into a man who understands vigilance, love, and the power to shape one's destiny. He is no longer a victim but a master of his own fate, ready to enjoy the 'door into summer' he has finally found.
Principal Figures
Daniel Boone Davis
Protagonist
Brilliant but naive inventor who travels through time to correct his past.
Dan is a highly intelligent and innovative electronics engineer, responsible for creating the 'Flexible Frank' robot and the 'Drawing Room Comforter.' Initially, he is trusting, somewhat naive, and easily manipulated by those he cares about, particularly Belle Darkin and Miles Gentry. His deep affection for his cat, Pete, and his foster daughter, Ricky, are central to his character. After his initial betrayal, he becomes driven by a desire for justice and a longing to protect Ricky's future, which fuels his daring time travel plan.
Relationships: Belle Darkin (Fiancée, then betrayer); Miles Gentry (Business partner, then betrayer); Frederica 'Ricky' Gentry (Foster daughter, later wife); Pete (Beloved pet cat)
Frederica 'Ricky' Gentry
Supporting
Dan's young foster daughter, who becomes his wife in the altered timeline.
Ricky is Miles Gentry's stepdaughter and Dan's foster daughter. In 1970, she is a bright, observant, and affectionate child who shares a deep bond with Dan and Pete. She is perceptive, often seeing through the manipulations of Belle and Miles, though she's too young to fully understand them. Her unwavering loyalty and love for Dan are a constant source of motivation for him. In the future, she grows into an intelligent and capable woman who successfully manages Dan's business empire.
Relationships: Daniel Boone Davis (Foster daughter, later wife); Miles Gentry (Stepfather)
Belle Darkin
Antagonist
Dan's manipulative and greedy fiancée who betrays him.
Belle is Dan's beautiful but utterly unscrupulous fiancée. She is driven by avarice and a desire for social status, seeing Dan's inventions as a means to achieve wealth without effort. She is cunning and manipulative, expertly playing on Dan's affections and naivete to orchestrate his betrayal and eventual 'long sleep.' She lacks any genuine affection for Dan or moral compass, making her a clear villain. In the altered timeline, her schemes are thwarted, and she is left with nothing.
Relationships: Daniel Boone Davis (Fiancée, then betrayer); Miles Gentry (Co-conspirator, lover)
Miles Gentry
Antagonist
Dan's business partner and co-conspirator in his betrayal.
Miles is Dan's business partner and Ricky's stepfather. He is as greedy and opportunistic as Belle, though perhaps less overtly charming. He conspires with Belle to steal Dan's company and inventions, and to trick him into suspended animation. He is portrayed as a weak character, easily swayed by Belle's influence and his own desire for easy money. He benefits from Dan's hard work and creativity without contributing much himself. In the original timeline, he dies years before Dan awakens; in the altered timeline, his betrayal is exposed and he is left with nothing.
Relationships: Daniel Boone Davis (Business partner, then betrayer); Belle Darkin (Co-conspirator, lover); Frederica 'Ricky' Gentry (Stepdaughter)
Pete
Supporting
Dan's loyal and intelligent cat.
Pete is Dan's beloved ginger cat, often described as having an almost human understanding. He is a constant companion to Dan and Ricky, and his well-being is a significant concern for Dan throughout the story. Pete's 'cold sleep' is a catalyst for Dan's own decision to enter suspended animation in the original timeline. His eventual reunion with Dan in the altered future symbolizes the successful restoration of Dan's happiness and the integrity of his chosen family. Pete's silent presence often reflects Dan's own emotional state.
Relationships: Daniel Boone Davis (Owner/companion); Frederica 'Ricky' Gentry (Companion)
Dr. Hubert Twitchell
Supporting
The scientist who develops the 'cold sleep' process.
Dr. Twitchell is the eccentric but brilliant inventor of the 'cold sleep' process, a form of suspended animation. He is primarily focused on the scientific advancement and the practical applications of his invention, initially for medical purposes. He is not directly involved in Dan's personal drama but provides the crucial technology that enables both Dan's initial long sleep and his subsequent time travel. His work, though initially misunderstood by the public, becomes the foundation for Dan's ability to manipulate his own timeline.
Kelly
Supporting
A representative of the 'Long Sleep' corporation in 2000.
Kelly is the person who greets Dan upon his awakening in the year 2000 in the original timeline. She is a professional and somewhat detached employee of the 'Long Sleep' corporation, responsible for informing clients of their status and the state of their assets. Her role is largely expository, as she delivers the devastating news to Dan that he has been stripped of his fortune. She represents the impersonal nature of the future Dan initially encounters.
Themes & Insights
The Nature of Time and Free Will
The novel explores the philosophical implications of time travel and whether one can truly change the past. Dan's journey suggests that while one cannot alter the fundamental flow of time, one can create a new, parallel timeline by sending consciousness back. This raises questions about identity, fate, and individual choices. Dan's ability to 'go back and fix it' highlights the human desire to overcome regret and control destiny, showing that free will can, in a sense, override a predetermined path, or at least create an alternative one. His success in crafting a better future for himself and Ricky illustrates the impact of conscious intervention.
“A door into summer, where the sun always shines, and the cat is always fed.”
Betrayal and Redemption
Betrayal is the central catalyst for Dan's journey. The double-cross by his fiancée Belle and partner Miles leaves him devastated and destitute. This betrayal fuels his desire for justice and his quest to rewrite his past. His redemption comes not through revenge in the traditional sense, but by preventing the betrayal in his new timeline. By securing his inventions and protecting Ricky, Dan achieves a personal redemption that restores his life and happiness, changing him from a victim into a victor. This theme underscores the lasting impact of broken trust and the lengths one might go to mend it.
“I wish I could go back and kick myself.”
The Importance of Love and Family
At its heart, the story is about the enduring power of love, particularly Dan's affection for his foster daughter, Ricky, and his cat, Pete. These relationships are the main motivators for Dan's efforts. His initial decision to enter cold sleep is influenced by Pete, and his drive to change the past is to secure a happy future for Ricky. Their reunion in the altered 2000 is the ultimate reward, proving that love provides the strongest incentive for overcoming adversity. The theme emphasizes that true wealth is not in possessions, but in the bonds shared with loved ones, which transcend even time itself.
“A man's best friend is his cat, and a girl's best friend is her Daddy.”
Technological Progress and Its Ethical Implications
The novel features various technological advancements, from household robots to suspended animation and, most significantly, a form of time travel. It explores both the utopian potential and the ethical dilemmas of such progress. While Dan's inventions improve daily life, 'cold sleep' technology, intended for medical use, is exploited for both betrayal and time manipulation. The story prompts reflection on the responsibility that comes with scientific discovery and how powerful tools can be used for both good and ill, highlighting the need for ethical foresight in innovation. It also subtly critiques the commercialization and potential misuse of groundbreaking science.
“The future is not something we enter. The future is something we create.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Suspended Animation (Cold Sleep)
A technology allowing individuals to enter a state of suspended animation for decades.
Initially presented as a medical procedure for long-term storage, 'cold sleep' is the central plot device. It directly leads to Dan's initial thirty-year jump into the future, enabling the entire premise of his betrayal and subsequent quest. Crucially, the discovery that consciousness can be projected into a past self via 'cold sleep' transforms it into a mechanism for time travel, allowing Dan to alter his own history. This dual function drives both the initial conflict and the ultimate resolution of the story.
Consciousness Projection (Time Travel)
The ability to send one's consciousness back in time into a past self.
This unique form of time travel is discovered by Dan in the year 2000. Unlike physical time travel, it involves projecting one's mind into a younger version of oneself, effectively allowing the traveler to 'relive' and rewrite personal history. This device provides a logical framework for Dan's ability to manipulate events without creating paradoxes of physical objects moving through time, allowing him to subtly alter decisions and outcomes based on future knowledge, thus creating an alternate timeline.
The 'Door Into Summer'
A metaphorical and literal escape from an unpleasant present.
This phrase, initially a fanciful thought of Dan's about a cat door that always leads to warmth, becomes a powerful metaphor for escaping an undesirable reality. For Dan, the 'door into summer' represents his desire to escape his betrayed, impoverished future in 2000 and return to a time where he can reclaim his happiness, his inventions, and his family. His successful time jump and the creation of a better future ultimately lead him to the literal 'summer' of his life, symbolizing hope, happiness, and a fresh start.
The Household Robot ('Flexible Frank')
Dan's revolutionary invention, stolen and later reclaimed.
Dan's invention of the versatile household robot, 'Flexible Frank,' serves as the primary object of desire and conflict. Its immense commercial potential is what drives Belle and Miles to betray Dan. The robot's success in the future (under a different name) highlights the injustice Dan suffered. By reclaiming and properly patenting his invention in the altered timeline, Dan not only secures his financial future but also reclaims his professional legacy, making the robot a symbol of his ingenuity and the fruits of his labor.
The Door Into Summer Quotes
“Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.”
“Love is a condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”
“If you don't like the weather, wait a minute.”
“A man's got to know his limitations.”
“The future ain't what it used to be.”
“Always listen to the cat. The cat knows.”
“There are no 'impossible' problems, only people who haven't found the solution yet.”
“The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.”
“You can't buy happiness, but you can buy a cat, and that's pretty close.”
“Sometimes the 'door into summer' is not a physical door, but a state of mind.”
“A man who waits to believe in a miracle before he acts is a fool.”
“The past is never dead. It's not even past.”
“It's a poor sort of memory that only works backwards.”
“There's always a way, if you're smart enough to find it.”
Quiz
10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.
Question 1
In what year does the story initially begin for Dan Davis before he takes the 'long sleep'?
- 1990
- 1970
- 2000
- 1960
Show answer
B. 1970 The story explicitly states that it is 1970 when electronics engineer Dan Davis makes his invention and is subsequently betrayed.
Question 2
What is the primary invention Dan Davis has created that is stolen from him?
- A time travel device
- A household robot with extraordinary abilities
- An advanced energy source
- A flying car prototype
Show answer
B. A household robot with extraordinary abilities Dan's invention is described as 'a household robot with extraordinary abilities,' which his partner and fiancée steal.
Question 3
What is the name of Dan Davis's cat, who accompanies him on his journey through time?
- Boots
- Socks
- Paws
- Mittens
Show answer
A. Boots Dan's beloved cat is named Boots, and he goes into 'long sleep' with him and is a constant companion.
Question 4
Who are the two individuals who betray Dan Davis and steal his invention?
- His brother and a former colleague
- His partner, Miles Gentry, and his fiancée, Belle Darkin
- His lawyer and his assistant
- A rival inventor and a corporate spy
Show answer
B. His partner, Miles Gentry, and his fiancée, Belle Darkin The prompt states 'Dan's greedy partner and even greedier fiancée steal his work.' The book identifies them as Miles Gentry and Belle Darkin.
Question 5
How many years is Dan Davis tricked into taking the 'long sleep' for initially?
- Ten years
- Twenty years
- Thirty years
- Forty years
Show answer
C. Thirty years The prompt explicitly states that Dan is tricked into 'suspended animation for thirty years.'
Question 6
What is the primary motivation behind Dan Davis's journey back to the past?
- To prevent a global catastrophe
- To recover his stolen fortune and exact revenge
- To ensure his younger self patents his inventions correctly and secure his future with his true love, Frederica
- To simply escape the bleak future he wakes up to
Show answer
C. To ensure his younger self patents his inventions correctly and secure his future with his true love, Frederica Dan's ultimate goal is not just revenge, but to correct the past by ensuring his inventions are properly secured and to be with Frederica, whom he realizes is his true love.
Question 7
What is the name of the company Dan Davis founded with his partner before his betrayal?
- Robots Unlimited
- Davis & Gentry
- Future Homes Inc.
- Automatic Systems Corp.
Show answer
B. Davis & Gentry Dan's company with his partner, Miles Gentry, is named Davis & Gentry, which is where his inventions are developed.
Question 8
What specific type of 'door' does Dan frequently search for throughout the novel, symbolizing hope and an escape from his current problems?
- The 'door to happiness'
- The 'door to tomorrow'
- The 'door into summer'
- The 'door to freedom'
Show answer
C. The 'door into summer' The title of the book itself, 'The Door Into Summer,' refers to Dan's lifelong search for a metaphorical escape or solution to his problems, often associated with finding a better time or place.
Question 9
How does Dan Davis ultimately manage to travel back in time to change his past?
- He uses a time machine he secretly built before his first long sleep.
- He utilizes the 'long sleep' technology in conjunction with a precise calculation of when to wake up to intercept his past self.
- He convinces a future scientist to build him a time displacement device.
- He discovers a natural temporal anomaly that allows him to jump between eras.
Show answer
B. He utilizes the 'long sleep' technology in conjunction with a precise calculation of when to wake up to intercept his past self. Dan's ingenious plan involves using the 'long sleep' technology, but waking up at a specific point in the past to interact with his younger self, rather than a conventional time machine.
Question 10
Who is Frederica, and what is her relationship to Dan Davis?
- She is Dan's estranged sister who helps him in the future.
- She is the daughter of his partner, Miles Gentry, and later becomes Dan's adopted daughter and true love.
- She is a brilliant scientist in the future who aids Dan's revenge.
- She is Dan's original fiancée, who he realizes he truly loved after his betrayal.
Show answer
B. She is the daughter of his partner, Miles Gentry, and later becomes Dan's adopted daughter and true love. Frederica, or 'Ricky,' is Miles Gentry's stepdaughter (though later revealed to be adopted by Dan), and she is the person Dan ultimately realizes he loves and travels back to secure a future with.
The Door Into Summer FAQ
What is the core premise of 'The Door Into Summer' and its initial setting?
'The Door Into Summer' is set in 1970 and follows electronics engineer Dan Davis, who invents a groundbreaking household robot. His success is sabotaged when his business partner Miles Gentry and fiancée Belle Darkin betray him, stealing his patents and tricking him into entering a thirty-year 'cold sleep' or suspended animation.
Who are the primary antagonists and what motivates their actions against Dan?
The primary antagonists are Miles Gentry, Dan's business partner, and Belle Darkin, Dan's fiancée. Miles is driven by greed and a desire to take sole credit and profit from Dan's inventions, while Belle is equally avaricious, seeking wealth and status by aligning herself with Miles and abandoning Dan.
What significant invention does Dan create before his betrayal, and what is its impact?
Dan invents the 'Flexible Frank,' a versatile household robot that can perform numerous chores and even act as a companion. This invention revolutionizes domestic life, making everyday routines significantly easier and more efficient, and is the source of the immense wealth that Miles and Belle covet.
How does Dan initially attempt to recover from his betrayal before resorting to cold sleep?
After his betrayal, Dan tries to challenge Miles and Belle legally and financially, but they outmaneuver him, leaving him destitute. Feeling utterly defeated and hopeless, and convinced by their manipulation that cold sleep is his only option for a future, he reluctantly agrees to the procedure.
What is the significance of the 'Door Into Summer' concept in the story?
The 'Door Into Summer' refers to a metaphorical, and later literal, search for a better future or a way out of a difficult situation. For Dan, it represents his desire to escape his present troubles and find a time and place where his life is happy and fulfilling, often symbolized by his cat Pete's whimsical desire for an always-open summer door.
What is the true identity and role of Ricky in Dan's past and future?
Ricky is the young stepdaughter of Dan's deceased friend, Chuck. She is deeply fond of Dan and his cat Pete, and later, through time travel, she becomes the person Dan marries in his past after he travels back from 2000, fulfilling a crucial temporal paradox.
How does the 'cold sleep' process in the novel facilitate Dan's ultimate plan?
The cold sleep itself isn't a direct part of his plan but a forced circumstance. However, it's during his second cold sleep that he travels from 2000 back to 1970, which is essential for him to prevent the original betrayal and secure his inventions, thus correcting his personal timeline.
What specific technological innovation does Dan develop in 2000 that enables his time travel?
In 2000, Dan develops a more advanced version of the 'cold sleep' technology, modifying it to include a temporal displacement component. This allows him to not only sleep through time but also to specifically target a past year, making his journey back to 1970 possible.
What role does Dan's cat, Pete, play beyond being a pet, and what is its ultimate fate?
Pete is Dan's constant companion and a symbol of unconditional loyalty and simple happiness. Pete also undergoes cold sleep with Dan, accompanying him to 2000. In the revised timeline, Pete lives a full life with Dan and Ricky.
How does Dan's experience of betrayal and isolation shape his character development throughout the novel?
The betrayal by Miles and Belle leaves Dan deeply hurt and distrustful, fostering a sense of cynicism. However, it also hardens his resolve and sharpens his focus on justice and reclaiming what was stolen, ultimately making him more determined and resourceful in his pursuit of a better future.
What psychological impact does 'cold sleep' have on individuals in the novel, particularly Dan?
Cold sleep causes a significant emotional and psychological disorientation upon waking, as individuals must cope with a dramatically changed future and the loss of their past connections. For Dan, it reinforces his feelings of displacement and isolation, making his quest for retribution and a 'door into summer' even more urgent.
How does the novel explore themes of trust and betrayal through Dan's relationships?
The novel profoundly explores trust through Dan's initial naive faith in Belle and Miles, which leads to his devastating betrayal. His subsequent journey is a re-evaluation of trust, leading him to appreciate the unwavering loyalty of Ricky and Pete, and to be more cautious in his future interactions.
What psychological elements contribute to Belle's and Miles's capacity for such cruel betrayal?
Belle and Miles appear to be driven by extreme avarice and a lack of empathy, prioritizing personal gain above all else. Their actions suggest a narcissistic disregard for Dan's feelings and contributions, viewing him merely as a means to their own financial and social advancement.
To what extent is 'The Door Into Summer' a story about revenge versus a story about creating a better future?
While revenge is a significant motivator for Dan, especially in the immediate aftermath of his betrayal, the novel ultimately leans towards creating a better future. His actions in the past are not just about punishing his betrayers, but more importantly, about ensuring his inventions benefit him and Ricky, leading to a happier, more stable life.
How does the novel handle the paradoxes inherent in its time travel plot?
The novel embraces a 'fixed timeline' or 'self-consistent' paradox model, where Dan's journey to the past is what always happened, ensuring his future. His actions in 1970 (e.g., meeting Ricky, securing his patents) are necessary precursors to his own journey from 2000, creating a stable causal loop.
What is the significance of the year 2000 in the context of the story's themes and Heinlein's vision?
The year 2000 represents a future that is both advanced yet somewhat stagnant for Dan, initially lacking the personal fulfillment he seeks. It serves as a contrast to his desired 'summer' and highlights Heinlein's mid-20th-century vision of future technology and societal changes, often with a focus on practical, everyday innovations.
Is Dan's ultimate happiness a result of his own actions or a predetermined destiny facilitated by time travel?
The novel suggests a blend of both. While time travel allows Dan to correct his past and secure his happiness, it is his own ingenuity, perseverance, and ethical choices (like marrying Ricky and focusing on his inventions) that drive those actions. His destiny is shaped by his will within the framework of the time loop.
How does the ending of the novel provide a sense of closure and resolution for Dan's journey?
The ending provides a complete resolution by showing Dan, back in 1970, successfully securing his patents, marrying Ricky, and building a prosperous life free from the betrayal he originally faced. This closure is deeply satisfying as he finally finds his 'door into summer' with the people he loves.
About the author
Robert Anson Heinlein was an American science fiction author, aeronautical engineer, and naval officer. Sometimes called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was among the first to emphasize scientific accuracy in his fiction, and was thus a pioneer of the subgenre of hard science fiction. His published works, both fiction and non-fiction, express admiration for competence and emphasize the value of critical thinking. His plots often posed provocative situations which challenged conventional social mores. His work continues to have an influence on the science-fiction genre, and on modern culture more generally.
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