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The Rolling Stones Audiobook
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(3.01) - 2,933 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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.
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"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."
— Pauline (5 out of 5 stars)
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“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
Awards
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Finalist for the 1989 Prometheus Hall of Fame Award
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An Audible.com bestseller
The Rolling Stones Listener Reviews
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Burdette Gray Jr, 9/28/2021
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Pekka Lehtikoski, 6/5/2016
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" 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! "
— David, 2/16/2014 -
" Great fun if you can get passed them using slide rules to plot out the course. "
— Shiny, 2/11/2014 -
" Another of Heinlein's young adult SF novels. Focus on adventure and fun. I liked these much better than his later political stuff. "
— Charles, 2/2/2014 -
" Not as good as Tunnel In The Sky or Red Planet but still worthwhile even if it is a bit dated. "
— Aintlds, 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. "
— Pete, 1/6/2014 -
" Great story of family relationships and trading goods traveling through space. "
— David, 11/23/2013 -
" It's Heinlein. For me, that says it all. A fun re-read of a book from long ago. "
— Barry, 10/31/2013 -
" 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. "
— Jim, 7/11/2013 -
" 'Lost in Space' for readers... "
— Allan, 4/18/2013 -
" Got this from a Heinlein reading list; more interesting as a mirror of it's time than as a story. "
— Kari, 1/19/2013 -
" 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. "
— Linda, 9/13/2012 -
" A fun, light read. The Stone family was quite entertaining. "
— Bryna, 6/16/2012 -
" Good YA stuff from Heinlein. "
— Fatbaldguy60, 5/19/2012 -
" I want a flatcat but not flatcat! . What a fun read. "
— Artemis, 1/27/2012 -
" Leuke SF, wat meer op de jongere lezers, maar desondanks erg leuk. "
— Jennifer, 12/20/2011 -
" 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! "
— Katie, 10/22/2011 -
" 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. "
— Russianwitch, 7/9/2011 -
" I had to stop reading this book. The precocious family dynamic and the misogyny got annoying. "
— Jeff, 6/25/2011 -
" 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. "
— Frank, 3/14/2011 -
" 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. "
— Joshua, 3/7/2011 -
" Great fun if you can get passed them using slide rules to plot out the course. "
— Shiny, 9/15/2010 -
" 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. "
— Linda, 7/26/2010 -
" Got this from a Heinlein reading list; more interesting as a mirror of it's time than as a story. "
— Kari, 4/23/2010 -
" Not as good as Tunnel In The Sky or Red Planet but still worthwhile even if it is a bit dated. "
— Aintlds, 1/29/2010 -
" 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. "
— Michael, 7/24/2009 -
" Another of Heinlein's young adult SF novels. Focus on adventure and fun. I liked these much better than his later political stuff. "
— Charles, 6/16/2009
About Robert A. Heinlein
Robert A. Heinlein (1907–1988) is widely recognized as one of the greatest science fiction authors of all time, a status confirmed in 1974 when the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America gave him their first Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement. A four-time Hugo Award winner, he is best known for such works as Starship Troopers, The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, and the sensational bestseller Stranger in a Strange Land. Several of his books were New York Times bestsellers, and his worldwide bestsellers have been translated into twenty-two languages.
About Tom Weiner
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 is an Audie Award finalist. He is a former member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.