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384 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1982
This book is dedicated to Ann, Anne, Barbie, Betsy, Bubbles, Carolyn, Catherine, Dian, Diane, Eleanor, Elinor, Gay, Jeanne, Joan, Judy-Lynn, Karen, Kathleen, Marilyn, Nichelle, Patricia, Pepper, Polly, Roberta, Tamea, Rebel, Ursula, Verna, Vivian, Vonda, Yumiko, and always – semper toujours! – to Ginny. R.A.H.Ever since reading the book in 1982, I have wondered who these women were, and whether we should think that Heinlein had slept with all of them. This morning, I finally got around to doing some research on the subject. A little googling led me to the astonishingly comprehensive Heinlein Dedications Page, which gives the following key:
Ann = Ann Nourse, wife of Alan Nourse (see Farnham’s Freehold dedication).Well, if "Ursula" is Ursula K. Le Guin, then I will assume that the answer to my second question is no. I positively refuse to consider other alternatives.
Anne = Anne Passovoy, a fan and filksinger (from L’Envoi list).
Barbie = Barbara Stine (see Have Space Suit - Will Travel dedication).
Betsy = Betsy Curtis, nurse and correspondent of Heinlein’s.
Bubbles = Mildred (Bubbles) Broxon.
Carolyn = a niece, now married to Douglas Ayer.
Catherine = Catherine Sprague de Camp (see Assignment in Eternity dedication).
Dian = Dian Crayne, science fiction author, aka Dian Girard.
Diane = Diane Russell (see The Star Beast dedication).
Eleanor = Eleanor Wood, Heinlein’s agent, now agent for the estate.
Elinor = Elinor Busby, wife of F. M. Busby. Co-editor of the fanzine Cry of the Nameless. See also the dedication of The Cat Who Walked Through Walls.
Gay = Gay Haldeman, wife of science fiction writer Joe Haldeman.
Jeanne = Jeanne Robinson, science fiction writer, wife of SF author Spider Robinson (1948 – ).
Joan = Joan D. Vinge (1948 – ), science fiction author.
Judy-Lynn = Judy Lynn Benjamin Del Rey (1943 – 1986), wife of Lester Del Rey (1915 – 1993).
Karen = Karen Anderson, wife of Poul Anderson (see Podkayne of Mars dedication).
Kathleen = Kathleen Heinlein, Heinlein’s brother Rex’s wife (see I Will Fear No Evil dedication).
Marilyn = Marilyn Niven, aka “Fuzzy Pink.” Wife of Larry Niven (1938 – ).
Nichelle = Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek actress, possible model for the President character in “The Happy Days Ahead,” which was published in Expanded Universe.
Patricia = Pat Cadigan.
Pepper = Pepper Sorrell, a friend of Heinlein’s.
Polly = Polly Freas, wife of Frank Kelly Freas.
Roberta = Roberta Pournelle, wife of Jerry Pournelle (1933 – ), himself a dedicatee of The Cat Who Walked Through Walls.
Rebel = Mrs. Albert Trottier.
Tamea = Tamea Dula, a lawyer, who is married to Art Dula, Virginia Heinlein’s lawyer.
Ursula= Ursula Le Guin (1929 – ), science fiction author.
Verna= Verna Trestrail Smith, daughter of E.E. ‘Doc’ Smith (see Methuselah’s Children dedication).
Vivian = Vivian Markham, married to Robert Markham. They are mentioned in Tramp Royale as they were passengers on the ‘Gulf Shipper’ at the start of the trip, and the Heinleins stayed with them in Hawaii when they returned to the U.S.
Vonda = Vonda McIntyre (1948 – ), science fiction author. Listed as a source of help in Heinlein’s article, “Are You A Rare Blood?”, and described as a biologist in his notes on that article.
Yumiko = President of Japanese fan club for Heinlein. She is the daughter of Tetsu Yano, Heinlein’s Japanese translator and a science fiction writer, who gave a short, but moving, speech at the awarding of the NASA Medal for Distinguished Public Service to Heinlein [Kondo, 309].
Ginny = Virginia Heinlein
That said, I don't find any of it sexist at all (quite the opposite), and I don't see how you can see it like that. He was also one of the first to recognize that computers will become conscious with emotions, and to develop a comprehensive future history. But if you're unfamiliar with him, read his 50's and 60's novels first (esp The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Podkayne of Mars, Starship Troopers, and _then_ Stranger in a Strange Land, and maybe some juveniles after that). He is definitely great though and I intend to read all his books someday, and btw, I did enjoy this one. :)