Robert A. Heinlein: In Dialogue with His Century: The Man Who Learned Better, 1948–1988

This authorized biography by William H. Patterson covers Robert A. Heinlein's life from 1948 to 1988, the second volume in the series. Heinlein (1907–1988) is considered the greatest American science fiction writer of the twentieth century. His major works from this period include the Future History series (collected in The Past Through Tomorrow and continued in later novels), Starship Troopers, Stranger in a Strange Land, and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. During these decades, Heinlein maintained friendships with admirals, bestselling writers, and artists. He became committed to defending the United States during the Cold War and served on the advisory committee that helped Ronald Reagan develop the Star Wars Strategic Defense Initiative in the 1980s. Heinlein was devoted to space flight and humanity's future in space, and held considerable influence among those around him. Given his desire for privacy in his later years, this biography offers previously unrevealed details about his life and work.