Rocket Ship Galileo (1947)

Of all of Heinlein's novels, this one is probably the most dated in feel. Yes, others of his novels have that charming combination of ray guns and slide rules, but while others shoot for the planets or the stars, Rocket Ship Galileo, published in 1947 is about the first voyage to the moon--made by teenagers. Where they find Nazis! Yes, really. And yet.. I have to admit, you'll have to pry my copy out of my cold, dead hands. It's fun to read what Heinlein got right over twenty years before the first moon landing, and what hilariously wrong And if nothing else, Heinlein is always readable, pulling you in and through. ( )

A very old fashioned and romantic view of early space travel. Heinlein clearly relied on the ability of people to build their own airplanes, which continues today. However, at the time the math hadn't been done to show how difficult it was to get into orbit - unless you rely on atomic energy. It was interesting to read, sort of a time capsule back to the 1940's, not a vision of the future. ( )

In the last few months I've read most of the Heinlein Juveniles.

This one certainly seems to be the most dated, and I struggled with it. It's not going to be one that I re-read at all.

It does have a schoolboy 'Jolly Rocket Ships' and 'Lashings of Ginger Beer' vibe, and belongs in the time period it was written.

2.75 Stars. Thankfully he got a great deal better after 1947. ( )

Robert Heinlein is a Sci-Fi God.

Rocket Ship Galileo, published in 1947, exactly 22 years before man landed on the moon, accurately predicted the Great Space Race between the United States and Soviet Union, and the conditions future astronauts would face while stepping over the moon's surface. Although way off base on a lot of technology (computers, the speed of space travel, etc.) overall he generally hits the nail on the head. This is also Heinlein’s first book, and from what other novels I have read of his this is one of his best. Reading it makes little bubbles of joy fill my head.

Taking place right after WWII, the story focuses around four main characters: three young gents who happen to enjoy experimenting with rockets; and a Dr. Cargraves, who is a Nobel Prize winning physicist who is related to one of the boys. The doctor hires on the three young boys to help him build and pilot a rocket ship on a trip to the moon. Bombs, Quonset huts, Nazis, guns, clever banter and an Indiana Jones like spirit fill the 187 page novel with personified love.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Sci-Fi or adventure novels. It’s a quick, easy, and enjoyable read. If you don’t like pages and pages of technological theory this book may not be for you, but that aside it’s pretty perfect. ( )

boring. teen fiction. naive and laughable. if you are looking for shallow entertainment you have found it ( )