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Audiobooks > Juvenile Fiction >  Science Fiction > The Rolling Stones

Download The Rolling Stones Audiobook

Extended Audio Sample The Rolling Stones Audiobook, by Robert A. Heinlein Click for printable size audiobook cover
3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 3.00 (2,904 ratings) (rate this audio book) Author: Robert A. Heinlein Narrator: Tom Weiner Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download Audio Length: Release Date: May 2014 ISBN: 9781482969719
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One of Heinlein’s best-loved works, The Rolling Stones follows the rollicking adventures of the Stone family as they tour the solar system.

It doesn’t seem likely for twins to have the same middle name. Even so, it’s clear that Castor and Pollux Stone both have “Trouble” written in that spot on their birth certificates. Of course, anyone who’s met their grandmother Hazel would know they came by it honestly.

Join the Stone twins as they connive, cajole, and bamboozle their way across the solar system in the company of the most high-spirited and hilarious family in all of science fiction. It all starts when the twins decide that life on the lunar colony is too dull and buy their own spaceship to go into business for themselves. Before long they are headed for the furthest reaches of the stars, with stops on Mars, some asteroids, Titan, and beyond.

This lighthearted tale has some of Heinlein’s sassiest dialogue—not to mention the famous flatcats incident. Oddly enough, it’s also a true example of real family values, for when you’re a Stone, your family is your highest priority.

Download and start listening now!

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Quotes & Awards

  • “An interesting and fast-moving chronicle of life in the future. And it is told in a manner that makes it seem as though it could happen next week.”

    New York Times

  • “Mr. Heinlein—wonder of wonders—has turned out a wholesome book on outer space. Booksellers and librarians can suggest this one with an easy conscience, even for the timid.”

    Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

  • “Heinlein’s juveniles remain a good all-ages introduction to rollicking sf escapades, and The Rolling Stones is one of his best…Originally published in 1952, this story is very much a product of its time, but the science is good for a pre-Sputnik title, and the plot will still inspire and amuse. Keep an eye out for Castor and Pollux, twins who will remind Harry Potter enthusiasts of the Weasleys, and the flat cats, the inspiration for Star Trek’s famous Tribbles. Heinlein was a prolific fictional explorer of Mars—Red Planet, Podkayne of Mars, and Stranger in a Strange Land are also worth a perusal.”

    Library Journal

  • “Long before interplanetary exploration and a certain rock group, Robert A. Heinlein wrote this science fiction classic…This humorous family adventure…will be most welcome by science fiction fans in elementary, middle school, and public libraries.”

    School Library Journal

  • “Science fiction fans will be amused by the author’s description of life on other planets.”

    Children’s Literature

  • “A thoroughly delightful job.”

    Groff Conklin, science fiction anthologist, author, and book critic
  • Finalist for the 1989 Prometheus Hall of Fame Award
  • An Audible.com bestseller

Listener Opinions

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 David Hill | 2/16/2014

    " My first Heinlein read. Fundamentally the story line is close to the Lost in Space television series of many years ago. The book is easy to read, and I highly recommend young readers take a look at how future space travel was viewed some 57 years ago. The book has valuable insights into family values, and dealing with nearly absolute isolation for long periods of time. And they did not have Game Boys! "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Shiny | 2/11/2014

    " Great fun if you can get passed them using slide rules to plot out the course. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Charles | 2/2/2014

    " Another of Heinlein's young adult SF novels. Focus on adventure and fun. I liked these much better than his later political stuff. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Pauline | 1/29/2014

    " I love most of Heinlein's stuff, and this book I "read" via audiobook. It was unabridged but dramatized which helped put me in that retro mood that Heinlein's Sci-Fi now evokes. When he was writing, that was futuristic stuff! Still, it's interesting to see how close he got to "future" developments in concept back then if not by technology. The story is a fun one of a family in the future who live on the moon and are bored with it so they do the equivalent of a space RV trip. Lots of humor and drama. I'd recommend it for light reading to get away from the nightly news. You won't regret it. If you don't want to own it, try the library for a copy,e-pub or other media. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Aintlds | 1/6/2014

    " Not as good as Tunnel In The Sky or Red Planet but still worthwhile even if it is a bit dated. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Pete Cochran | 1/6/2014

    " Simular Story as "Have Space suit will Travel" Plenty of Roll my eyes "make it stop" humor.... I chose to stop reading because of the simular story line.... But Please Read "Have SpaceSuit will Travel" That story is GREAT! and much lighter on the Humor. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 David Robins | 11/23/2013

    " Great story of family relationships and trading goods traveling through space. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Barry | 10/31/2013

    " It's Heinlein. For me, that says it all. A fun re-read of a book from long ago. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Jim | 7/11/2013

    " A wonderful and memorable early Heinlein, targeted at young adults. A spirited celebration of capitalism. Castor and Pollux are bad-ass teen brothers who wheel and deal their way through various transactions and hijinks. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Allan Fisher | 4/18/2013

    " 'Lost in Space' for readers... "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Kari | 1/19/2013

    " Got this from a Heinlein reading list; more interesting as a mirror of it's time than as a story. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Linda | 9/13/2012

    " Heinlein's romp around the solar system with the Stone family is a fun read for a teen. Even for an adult it makes a great re-read to recapture that sense of anything being possible. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Bryna Campbell | 6/16/2012

    " A fun, light read. The Stone family was quite entertaining. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Fatbaldguy60 | 5/19/2012

    " Good YA stuff from Heinlein. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Artemis | 1/27/2012

    " I want a flatcat but not flatcat! . What a fun read. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Jennifer | 12/20/2011

    " Leuke SF, wat meer op de jongere lezers, maar desondanks erg leuk. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Katie King | 10/22/2011

    " The twins defended by Hazel on Mars is my favorite part. Although the flat cat is fun to realize in its trajectory of influence too! "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Russianwitch | 7/9/2011

    " It is noticeable a children's book as it avoid the heavier and more controversial themes common to the adult books. Otherwise rather a captivating story. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Jeff | 6/25/2011

    " I had to stop reading this book. The precocious family dynamic and the misogyny got annoying. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Frank | 3/14/2011

    " A fun romp through the Solar System with the Stone Family, a group of superior humans that are taking a family vacation and learning experience together. Old grandma Hazel Stone is just a wonderful character. "

  • 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Joshua | 3/7/2011

    " Extremely dated (written in 1950!) and written for 7th-grade reading level. Heinlein has so many other better books, don't waste your time with this one. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Shiny | 9/15/2010

    " Great fun if you can get passed them using slide rules to plot out the course. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Linda | 7/26/2010

    " Heinlein's romp around the solar system with the Stone family is a fun read for a teen. Even for an adult it makes a great re-read to recapture that sense of anything being possible. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Kari | 4/23/2010

    " Got this from a Heinlein reading list; more interesting as a mirror of it's time than as a story. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Aintlds | 1/29/2010

    " Not as good as Tunnel In The Sky or Red Planet but still worthwhile even if it is a bit dated. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Michael | 7/24/2009

    " It's nice that they are re-releasing the Heinlein collection - this book was good, but not as "gripping" as other Heinlein I've read. It tended to get lost and babble at points, or just become slightly boring. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Charles | 6/16/2009

    " Another of Heinlein's young adult SF novels. Focus on adventure and fun. I liked these much better than his later political stuff. "

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About the Author
Author Robert A. Heinlein

Robert Anson Heinlein (1907–1988) was born in Missouri. He served five years in the US Navy and then attended graduate classes in mathematics and physics at UCLA. After a variety of jobs, he began to write science fiction in 1939. He is a four-time winner of the Hugo Award and a recipient of three Retro Hugos, and in 1975 he was named the first recipient of the Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement. Several of his books were New York Times bestsellers, and his worldwide bestsellers have been translated into twenty-two languages. 

About the Narrator

Tom Weiner, a dialogue director and voice artist best known for his roles in video games and television shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Transformers, is the winner of eight Earphones Awards and Audie Award finalist. He is a former member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

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