Sixth Column

Very early Heinlein. Story of a small group of patriotic scientists in a conquered United States trying to come up with a way to fight their overlords. With Yankee ingenuity and scientific inventiveness, can they succeed when the entire might
of the U.S. military failed? An important addition to your Heinlein collection.

** SPOILER WARNING **
I really like Heinlein's writing, and for the most part this is a fun book to read. But I've got to admit, some of the religious references don't sit terribly well with me. Especially the comment about "from the outside, all religions look equally silly."

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge Heinlein fan and grew up reading his books. I own all of them in print. I bought this as I like to have 'open anywhere and start reading' books on my Kindle for waiting rooms, etc. I hadn't read this in a while (probably when I was 14 and I'm turning 60 in a few months) so picked it up.

The writing is on the amateurish side and the plot isn't all that interesting. It is also racist, though not in a mean way. Anyway, if you are a fan and haven't read this you need to. If you want Heinlein on your reader for casual reading I'd pick something else.

This was a challenge to read since you are placed right in the middle of the invasion of the USA by a Pan-Asian entity. Not really defined as to who lead the invasion, but based on the year that the story was written it is either the Japanese or the Chinese. In that light, it is understandable to know and see the heartache that this story is and how it develops. No different than watching or reading some of the Russian invasion fiction of the 60s on to the mid 80s. Where you see the brutality of the invaders and the poor treatment of the survivors. However, from what I have read this book was really toned down by Heinlein from the outline he picked up from an editor of one of the sci-fi pulp magazines that Heinlein wrote stories for and was paid. That said, the gist of the story is that some survivors of the American government found the way to develop a ray which can target only those who are of Asian blood and in working on it to create a shield discover this principle by accident when one of the assistance who is Asian by blood but American by birth dies horribly. The imagery conjured up is the body exploding, ala "Scanners". In working on the ray they discover all manner of other uses for it from the aforementioned shield to the use as a gravity repulsion ray and other neat tricks. So using this they decided to take back the nation and hopefully as the world disguised as a religious cult. In the end the heroes save the world and destroy the evil Pan-Asians that are all over the place.
The drama of trying to get this "sixth column" up and running is interesting as it is to protect the secret of the success. However, the apparent racism in the story is hard to swallow at times even if we accept the usual invasion tropes. I would suggest accepting this as it is, an invasion story of its time and no different than half a dozen other invasion stories thru out history where the bad guys are big and scary and usually painted in a more horrible light than needed because they are the bad guys to the home nation of the author.

The anti-Asian prejudice is too heavy-handed and shows a non-understanding of the people or culture--but given when the book was written--on the eve of the Pacific War, it is inevitable. The science and gadgets are way to convenient. On the other hand, the horror of the "occupation" is all too similar to the US occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. That there is a resistance, however detestable, is Heinlein's message. At the same time, Heinlein is at heart a storyteller. He moves the action along. There is some thinking and reflection, but only here and there. Mostly, he sticks to the core story with little frills or distractions. It's odd that no one has thought to do his tales as graphic novels.

America is conquered by Asian troops. A secret lab comes up with advances in physics that give a small group of scientists a set of weapons to use. They masquerade as a religious order and recruit followers into their religion as opposition troops. The magic wands they carry around are a little too convenient, giving the holders nearly god-like powers. I'm too much of an engineer to think you could do all of that powered by a couple of AA batteries.

I have always had a love/hate relationship with Heinlein. I loved his Starman Jones and other young adult stuff when I was growing up and his 'Stranger in a strange land' really was a masterpiece.
But his military background shows through here in this very early novel. Also racism, Jap hating in particular, and really poor one dimensional characters spoil this book.
I often reread books and authors with decades between and it is interesting see how my reactions change but I never read this one before and if I had it may well have put me off Heinlein completely. Don't say you have not been warned.

An early novel not up to the standards of Heinlein;s later writings. By today's standards this book can be deemed to be highly racist. It acts as if the label American refers to Anglo Saxon WASP. I found that point of view to be so distracting that it ruined it for me what would otherwise have been a grade C novel. It is not science fiction as there is no science in it. I do not recommend this book to anyone and I am amazed that Heinlein ever managed to get it published in the first place.

Book was recommended to me because it had some very interesting parallels to the Iraq War. It's old Heinlein and even old sci-fi so the writing style drips of this. A very "ok" book with only a couple scenes that I thought were extremely well written. But liked some of the attitude of the characters as they were very realistic to being in a war. But overall a book you can definitely skip.

It's rare for me not to give Heinlein five stars, but this isn't one of his better works. I just reread it for the first time since, probably, my teenage years. Unlike some other Heinlein, it will be my last time through this work.

It must be regarded "of its time", when the Communist revolution in China was fresh and its threat intensely felt elsewhere. At the same time, Imperial Japan was conquering, terrorizing, and murdering throughout Southeast Asia. Pearl Harbor was still more than a year away.

Also, this was not really Heinlein's story. It was John Campbell's, adapted into a magazine serial by Heinlein, and then augmented years later before being published as a book.

So for these reasons you find little of Heinlein's Libertarian wisdom, feisty individualists, or annoying and misguided satellite characters. The plot is also not his normal smoothly moving procession from scene setting to crisis to clever resolution ... with an essay included here or there for our benefit. It is straight out pulp, harkening more to the style of E.E. Doc Smith than Robert A. Heinlein.

But, it IS a page turner. It's interesting and involving. Even if I won't peruse it again, I'm glad I didn't miss it.

Folks have to realize this book was written in 1947. WWII was just over and the atrocities committed by Japan were still fresh. Bataan Death March, Korean " comfort women, Rape of China, etc.
The racial stuff is a little uncomfortable today, but shoot- read Mark Twain.....]
Book is not Bob's best. But if you read it in the context of the times and his personal development as a writer, a good thing to put in the collection. .

Major Whitey Ardmore arrives at the Citadel underground research facility to be met by numerous corpses. The six PTSD survivors claim that the invading PanAsian forces did not cause the mass deaths; instead they work on the Unified Field Theory that led to the lethal Ledbetter effect.

Ardmore takes command knowing he must keep his subordinates busy so they do not think of what the horror they just witnessed within the facility and what is happening outside across the country to their loved ones. The major assigns assistant cook Jeff Thomas to conduct outside surveillance. A former hobo, Thomas makes contact with the local hobo population where he learns and reports on the PanAsian reign of terror that targets civilians and that the American military cannot win. The Citadel Commander knows he must lead a counter insurgency using the enemy's strict rules against them. Thus Ardmore and his team create a new religion of Lord Mota as the invaders allow public gathering for religious purposes. The rebels begin their quest for freedom by building their temple over their research center as the revolt begins.

Sixth Column is an intriguing clash of the cultures thriller, which in some ways feels obsolete but, written during the "Yellow Menace" era (Doc Savage tales), also makes a strong case that racism or any intolerant absolutism is a loser for everyone. The magnificent six is too perfect, but Robert Heinlein's fans will enjoy East meets West in the States.

Harriet Klausner

"Sixth Column" by Robert A. Heinlein is an entertaining, short, novel.

The USA and the rest of the world has been conquered by the PanAsians. There is, however, a hidden research base that holds hope of a resistance effort. Unfortunately, just before Whitey Ardmore arrives to assess the potential of any research successes for a resistance effort, there is an accident that kills almost all of the staff. Yet, there was a success in finding an added "spectrum" of energy that might be of help. But, the total number of people available for the resistance effort is five men.

They found a fake religion that can do actual miracles, due to their secret scientific discoveries. And, we are off on a tale of psychological warfare.

The plot is simple. The story may or may not have come about after some thought on how The Prophet would come to power in Heinlein's Future History series of stories.

I like this story. However, one has to be careful about many comments and discussions concerning race. The heros are not racist. However, they must take advantage of cultural and ethnic differences to further their psychological warfare. So, Heinlein must walk a rather thin line in how these heros behave and some folks have made incorrect accusations on Heinlein's own beliefs. In real life, Heinlein was never prejudiced about race or ethnicity or sex. However, he felt free to comment on beliefs that might be associated with one group or another. Thus, folks would assume that he was commenting on the group. This is a very bad error in logic.

As I said, the heros are not racist. However, they are pragmatic. And, they accomplish a psychological hold (headlock?) that forces a retreat of the invaders.

This is a good, clean, straight-forward story. I like it.

Heinlein is as relevant today as he was when this story was originally written. The only difference between then and now is the take over is more in the nature of finanicial than fanatical. His point, directed at the "yellow menace", was that patriotisim relies on action not on talk or posturing. No matter the source of the "menace" it was the actions that counted. Don't be put off by words that this is a racist work. It has more to do with freedom than anything. Heinlein's argument is that the price is worth paying. Don't be scarred away by people who feel sullied by an anachronistic name. Many great works or literature are now considered racist, because at the time of their writing they forced people to think in other terms. Maybe that was why they were written in the first place to change others points of view. This is a good story and a good lesson needing to be learned and valued today. Aside from all that it is a fine adventure story that moves you along at a terrific rate to a satisfying conclusion.

Sixth Column (1949) (AKA: The Day After Tomorrow) is a standalone SF novel set in a future that didn't come to be. The PanAsians had severed relations with the West and the USA passed the Noninterference Act in retaliation. Two generations later, the PanAsians have conquered half the world and are invading the USA.

In this novel, Major Whitey Atdmore comes to the Citadel with special orders for the commander. He finds the underground research facility filled with dead personel and a few shocked survivors. The remainding soldiers insist that the deaths were not caused bt the PanAsians, but by an experiment gone awry.

Apparently the researchers have found a Unified Field Theory that expands their capabilities into other spectra. Unfortunately, the Ledbetter effect quickly and silently killed off most of the base personnel. It would make a great weapon, but only six men are left alive to carry on the fight.

Major Ardmore takes command as the highest ranked line officer. His first task is to overcome the depression resulting from the dual shocks of the invasion and the accident. He puts them back to work and then sets out to discover the military situation.

Jeff Thomas is a former lawyer who has spent the past ten years enjoying the life of a hobo. He had stumbled upon the Citadel and then was put to work as the cook's assistant. Now Ardmore sends him outside to scout the sitution.

Returning to the base, Thomas brings a discouraging picture of terror, suppression and regimentation. He does establish working relationships with the local hobos and is soon gathering more information through this informal network. Yet he leaves Ardmore with a conviction that the available military force will not suffice.

The enemy has a fixed policy of retaliating against attacks by killing innocent civilians. The death of a single soldier is punished by the deaths of multiple men, women and children. Obviously the base must organize in secret and then surprise the enemy with a mass revolt.

After discussing the situation with his men, Ardmore comes up with one way to avoid enemy attention while organizing a revolution. The only meetings allowed by the enemy are religious gatherings, so Ardmore starts a new religion. Naturally, new scientific capabilities will allow them to perform a few miracles as needed.

In this story, Ardmore and his men create the religion of Lord Mota in his six attributes. PFC Edward Graham -- the cook and a forner artist -- designs the clothing and props. Tech Sergeant Herman Scheer makes the staffs and other equipment. Captain Robert Wilkie designs the main temple and, with the help of Scheer, builds it over the base.

The new building is reported to the PanAsians and a patrol comes to investigate. When the patrol leader tries to enter the temple, the door field renders the PanAsians unconscious, but doesn't effect the impressed guide. Ardmore recruits Alex Howe -- the guide -- into the conspiracy, then wakes the patrol and sends them back to report to their superiors.

Later, Thomas and Howe start a branch temple in Denver. They feed the hungry, provide a sleeping place for the homeless, and allow the parishioners to enjoy privacy from the enemy. No PanAsian can enter the temple without the stun field knocking him unconscious.

This tale is very outdated, but presents several pertinent points. For one thing, it makes clear a few differences between oriental and occidental cultures. Despite our good relationships with oriental nations, such differences still exist. This is obviously -- and trivially -- demonstrated by the removal of dog from the menus of designated restaurants during the Olympic Games in China.

Highly recommended for Heinlein fans and for anyone else who enjoys classic tales of military occupation, covert operations, and the element of surprise.

-Arthur W. Jordin

In this novel ( also published as "the day after tomorrow") the heros are scientists who are in a secret bass in a mountain in Colorado.
The novel has been called racist because the Japanese like
future invaders are oriental ( and called flat faces and other things)
in the book. The idea of using a religion as the base for a subversion of a society is an Heinlein theme in several classic sci fi novels.
Like a Campbell novel the heroes use super-science weapons to complete the plot. The name 6th column comes from Heinlein's theories of an underground organization ( 5th column in other context).
The problem of what you do when a people are being oppressed by a dominant minority who controls government law, police and armed forces isn't new.
One answer in modern times has been terrorism.

This was Heinlein's first offering, written in 1941 (according to the book jacket). Surprisingly, it's much better than some of his later works. The story involves the members of a top-secret military research installation that come across a new superweapon on the same day the United States (and all her allies?) capitulates to an invasion force from the "Panasians," a deliberately vague term for a supernation presumably consisting of present-day China, Korea, Mongolia, etc. The story involves the method of implementing the new weapon while minimising casualties amongst the civilian population.
The chosen method will sound familiar to those who have read Heinlein's magnum opus, Stranger in a Strange Land. The scientists set up a new religion, recruit new soldiers from their flock, and organise a secret army that way. This is certainly an unorthodox method to raise an army, and it is this consistent sideways thinking that keeps Heinlein's books fresh and interesting after all these years.
The aforementioned superweapon has the ability to pick victims by race, based on the belief at the time (now thankfully debunked) that different races have significantly different DNA. The book is certainly racist - all people of the "Asian" race are considered the enemy, with the exception of one (!) Sino-American who is the exception that verifies the rule. First Nations people and African Americans are never mentioned, as if they don't exist. But readers must remember that this was written at a very different time in a very different USA, so take it with a grain of salt.
Thus, it's an interesting and enjoyable read, especially for a debut novel, if you can overcome the racist aspects.

This novel originally appeared in ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION (a 'pulp' magazine) in 1941 and is very much a product of those times. It is undeniably racist, sexist, extemely nationistic, one of Heinlein's early works, based on another's premise and outline and still it is a great story.

The action begins as an Army major enters a secret research facility hidden in the Rockies. The United States has fallen to the PanAsians, the government and military have been totally destroyed, the population enslaved and the civilization on the way to total destruction. Once in the lab Major Ardmore discovers that most of the scientists and technicians are dead and the remaining few are in shock and that he is now the highest ranking line officer there and perhaps anywhere. He has determined to carry out his orders to prosecute war on the invaders.

Ardmore and his command manage to develop weapons, assess the enemy and begin to rebuild the US Army. Their methods and eventual success (which given the time and the author were never in serious doubt) are the rest of the book. The action is exciting, the characters, while rather one-dimensional and stereotypical still make the reader care about them and, as always with Heinlein, many concepts force the reader to re-examine their own beliefs.

Flaws, are there flaws in this book - absolutely! Women are relegated to secretarial and nursing roles only and few are even mentioned by name. The world is divided into only two races - white and Asian with no mention to blacks, native American or Hispanic. The white/Americans are, with few exceptions, good the Asians, with one exception, are bad. The Americans are culturally, morally and scientifically superior to the Asian invaders who are depicted as brutal and not very bright. There are huge gaps in the story, besides the unmentioned blacks, Native Americans and Hispanics nothing is said about the fate of Europe, Canada, Latin America, Africa or Australia. As far as the 'science' involved, well it's shaky at best.

On the plus side, espeically for Heinlein fans, we see his first use of religion as a framework for organization which will return in STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND and other works. There are also the trademark Heinlein touches of future scientific and cultural developments that are casually tossed into the story. This 1941 story foreshadows the isolation to two competing cultures the Western world and the PanAsian years before the Cold War began for example. Also there are plot devices that will be used in later works, such as a small-band-taking-on-the-massive-enemy that will return in THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST and other stories.

This is definitely a must read for Heinlein fans but is probably not the best place to begin reading his works. Anyone reading this needs to remember when it was written and think of it more like the movie or radio serials popular at the time rather than a more serious work.

I first read this book back in the sixties, and it is representative of the "WWIII/Invasion" genre of stories that were quite common at the time in print and on the screen. This is a good one, because despite the racial overtones (perhaps a tad less acceptable now), it is close to believable. I like that in a SciFi book. All too often, the author will make some stupid mistake or leap of faith that renders the rest of the story completely unreadable for me. Heinlein almost never did that. He either had his facts straight, or went somewhere where there weren't so many facts to trip him up.
This is vastly different from the "stranger in a strange land" style, but it is definitely Heinlein all the way. And I personally found it difficult to put down. I recommend it as an excellent representative of a specific mid-century style, as a representative of Heinlein's early writings, and as a good though dated read.

I read this book with the same feeling that I had while reading Farnham's Freehold this is the same author that wrote Stranger in a Strange Land? Time for the Stars? The Moon is a Harsh Mistress The Green Fields of Earth and all of the other books that are actually good? Some others have said that it wasn't really Heinlein that wrote this but John W. Campbell. I don't' know if that is true or not but it would explain the unkind things about Asians that tend to bleed into the narrative. I can get past most anything in terms of plot but from the get-go the book doesn't make any sense we are told how devious these Asians are but they prove themselves to be utterly incompetent at every turn. Also I understand that the old pulp writers were never writing these stories to be the next great works of literature they were writing to pay the rent but of all the Heinlein I have read this is the only one whos resolution left me scratching my head.

Overall-My main feeling is confusion I know even great writers were entitled to a bad stories once in a long while but my advice is if you are looking for a story by this author pick a better one.

If you're looking for an introduction to Robert A. Heinlein's vast corpus of fantastic science fiction, don't read Sixth Column, read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. If you're a Heinlein junkie who's read all his other stuff and you want a quick, fun read covering the typical Heinlein themes (the able man, war, gee whiz technology, "long live democracy"), then you'll definitely want to pick up this book.
The basic premise is: the USA has been invaded by "PanAsians," and the government effectively destroyed. Having subjugated India, the "PanAsians" know how to tie down the USA--lots of labor camps, citizen registration and public executions as punishment for any rebellion. But they also have learned not to interfere with their subjects' religion(s). One small military base, a research laboratory, has escaped destruction; luckily the plucky soldiers have an able commander and lots of technology the invaders simply can't match.
From there, it's just a matter of time. The reader gets to watch how these men build a movement, screw with the "PanAsian" leadership, and eventually free the USA. Of course the technology is hokey and the dialog can be a bit offensive, but it's realistic (yeah, I think slurs are allowable if they're marching your family off to the labor camps). This book was written in 1949 and reflects some of the paranoia that Heinlein later gave voice to in Expanded Universe.
But, it's a fun, quick read and if you like Heinlein, you'll probably like it. It's no classic, but not every book can be.

Maybe I am a simpleton or view things far differently then the other reviewers do but I loved this book. I do not feel that the rather straightforward and unencumbered nature of the storytelling distracted from the tale being told. Just the opposite. This book inspired me and invigorated me with a sense personal freedom that I am sure was part of Mr. Heinlein's intent.
I do not agree that the Asian references were racist. These references were merely plot mechanisms and devices. Readers should remember that Heinlein was a product of the World War II generation and his life was greatly shaped by the events surrounding that war and they are reflected in many of his works.
A great novel with shades of Libertarianism shining through. A definite recommend on my part.

Robert always writes an entertaining story. However, this one is unusual in the fact that he did not start this story. He did finish it. His story is basic: another country takes over America through limited nuclear strikes, mass invasion, and complete surprize. A small research lab in the rockies developes a "super" weapon and the people use a "unique" plan to retake America.
The charge of racism is false. He has white villians and asian heros and asian villians and white heros. The key element to understand is that he shows the cultural difference from American to China/Japan. His cultural ideas come from a well traveled and educated individual, himself. If you look at the world today, we see a growing threat from China, and a culture that scorns human life (forced abortions, mass killings, mass imprisonments for political reasons, mass slavery, etc.). Therefore, Robert did not present a book that hides, lies, nor denies differences. He shows differences in culture and attitude based on fact, not world politics, or racist hatred. He makes it clear that these are NOT racist but cultural differences. A point in fact, one hero he has in the book is an American of asian ancestry (his parents/grandparents are from an asian country). This hero gives his life to stop a mad white man who was about to destroy the headquarters of the American Army (what remained). The weapons and technology did not ONLY KILL asians, the technology could kill anyone or everyone depending on the settings. The technology also could be used to heal, transmute, and protect.
Overall, a good book but not a "normal" Heinlien book.

Since I was a pre-teen, I've loved this book. This has just prompted me to look for my ancient paperback and see if it's in good enough shape to read, or if it's time to add to my Kindle.

Yes! Always pictured this as a great movie, but I fear it would be unrecognizable or even worse be like The Puppet Masters that had a great first half and then degenerated into plastic Hollywood garbage.

Robert A Heinlein is one of if not the greatest sci-fi writer the world of literature has ever know and this book proves it! Like most of his books he takes societies fears and weaves them into a great story! This book is a bullseye! The fear of Asian led communist take over reflects the fears of Americans during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Read it you will love it!

Sixth Column certainly lacks the sophisticated science, impeccable character development and unique worldview that characterize Heinlein's later works. That being said, it was a fun read that I found hard to put down. Additionally, the preface and afterword from Baen both added value to the book. Understanding when and how it was written explained a great deal about some aspects of the book that other reviewers found objectionable.

I almost gave up on this one.... the story takes place after most of the action, and quickly leans upon technology so God-like that it is unbelievable. Then the characters, whom I had not connected with, built up a grass-roots religion. I had all but given up on this.

I'm glad I did not. I can't identify when, but at some point, I found myself invested in the story, and the payoff was worth it.

Sure, it's dated, in both science and political correctness, but geez, look at how old the story is!

I am surprised at how much I enjoyed it after almost giving up. Give it a try.

People dislike this book because they don't understand it. Characterisation is weak and two dimensional because Heinlein frequently wrote about IDEAS rather than people. Characters in his novels are incidental, plot instruments, caricatures or embodiments of some notion.

His own culture values the individual. Asian cultures don't. They are, therefore, fundamentally at odds, as depicted. His PanAsians synthesise the collective nastiness and inhumanity brought about in asian cultures by protracted overpopulation.

He predicts that Asia will win by force of numbers. This is EXACTLY what happened in Korea.

His theses are that technology leverages the reach and potency of the individual, and that courage and intelligence can spit in authority's eye provided they are ready to pay the price of freedom.

It's actually a variety of heroic fantasy. As is always the case in heroic fantasy, it is morally acceptable for the hero to lay waste to opposing forces simply because they stand in his way. Do unto others and do it quick because you can be damn sure they'll do unto you if they get a chance. History bears this out.

If he whitewashes the remnant of America, remember: he wrote it in the fifties, he wrote it to sell to Americans, and the only relevant qualities of his protagonists are individualism, creativity and technical prowess.

In this story the world is somewhat simpler. All the bleeding-hearts, welfare freeloaders, lawyers, politicians, hairdressers... all the people who eat and vote and complain loudly while contributing nothing, all are gone. This gives him a clean canvas on which he paints gaudy colours in bold strokes.

I thought this book really rocked it was a work of sheer creativity. Only a man of Robert Heinland's caliber could cook up a plot like this. 6th Column is a great book, but don't buy it expecting a military epic. I won't say anything else except that all the comments of this book being very racist are untrue. You simply need to look at the book from the point of view of the occupied Americans. This is a great four star book.

This is not your typical RAH book. It does not fit into the Long Family script. But it is a wonderful, although short, read. From the start of the book onwards, you are pulled into the occupation of the US. I've seen several movies done primarily in the 70s/80s that tried this scenario and flopped. This succeeds through the typical RAH flair for the unusual. Don't miss this book.

God I hate political correctness! Listen, other races are different because of very discernable genetic reasons. Recognizing this simple fact DOES NOT MAKE ONE A RACIST. To dismiss this book simply because you find it impossible to accept that some device may one day be able to determine race without human intervention simply astounds me. I don't want to get into a rant on this but...(let me simply state that one of the most imprecise "instruments" of detection (ie. the human eye) can detect race in a fraction of a second). That being said I have to admit that the science of this book is bad (it was handed to Heinlein by Campbell) and the cultural/racial ideas are inflammatory (again they were handed to Heinlein by Campbell). But Heinlein took what he was given and crafted a very satisfying novel out of it. It may not be one of his best books ( but then Heinlein's best are among the very best in all of literature, not just science fiction) but it is a very solid story and well worth spending the 2-3 hours required to read it well.

I read this book as a kid. It had a new title which I can't remember where Sixth Column was the original title. I see the book is no longer in print. Perhaps it is available with the new title. The is an excellant book and I look forward to reading in again after all these years.

I started reading this to my boys, but about halfway through they kept complaining every time I picked it up. They hated it. So I read the last 100 pages on my own. Oddly though, later they were very interested in me telling them what happened in the end. Think of Red Dawn but the bad guys are the "Pan Asians" and the good guys are a few scientists and military men holed up in a compound in the desert. They decide to start a movement to take the country back by forming a fake religion. It's an interesting premise, but was a bit boring and was comically politically incorrect.

I hate to pick up this book, because I have so much fun reading it that I can't stop until I am done. THIS BOOK SHOULD BE MADE INTO A MOVIE!! The book explores an area of science that no other science fiction movie, book, or series has used for its main focus. The book brings me into the story because it involves the United States being defeated in a single day by the Chinese Army using standard technology. But the Americans, using a new discovery that they found, battle back. Heilein uses the social structure of a defeated country to bring a plan into play that keeps my interest.

Heinlein was supposed to be one of the great SF authors of all time, but this book certainly isn't an indication of it!
The only thing that "elevates" this story above mindless and juvenile kill everything war adventure is the violent racism in it. If you're willing to forgive RAH his racism (having written the book ca. WWII), then there's nothing.
So depending on your forgiveness level, it's either racist trash or just plain trash, and definitely not worth reading in either case.

o.k so Robert A. Henlein was a fascist writer in the 40's and 50's he hated the communist and orientals (see Starship Troopers,(space cadets), "the puppet mastres" for example )- later mutated, and to become the "flower childrens" darling during the 60's, but he was then also a bright narrator of the classic SCI-FI genera, the kind of books jules vern wrote. if we try to neglect the amount of racisem in the book (kind of remind me "the rising sun" by michael krighton), all the bulshit about white man supriority(it seems that they are only white people in america acording to the book), the books is very exciting, thriling and imaginative, and very well written.
approved to adults above 18.

This was my first Heinlein novel, and I have since been warned that it was a poor introduction, so I'm giving that warning to you all as well. This was one of his earliest, and definitely not his best. Don't let that turn you off to a fine writer.
All that said, a lot of things in this book made me squirm. It was published in 1949, shortly after World War II, so some of the racist elements are as understandable as they can be to someone in the new millennium. However, I still squirmed quite a bit over the secret weapon that spares only whites and such. Some anachronisms in early sci fi are quaint. That one certainly isn't....

I do not think that Heinlein in any way meant to promote a racist viewpoint. This conclusion comes from a careless reading of the novel and knee jerk reactions to some of the racism presented in the novel.

If anything Heinlein seems to criticizing racism and any subtle government encouragement of racism. Early in the book, one of the characters states,

"But from my standpoint they are simply human beings, who have been duped into the old fallacy of the state as super entity".

The citizens of the PanAsian Empire are not the only ones that have been duped; it is clear that we ourselves our products of deception by our own government. White superiority was encouraged in the forties and to an extent is still encouraged in our minds. Those who think that modern day military men would not speak as the ones in the novels do, are wrong. The majority of people in the US are white; the majority of politicians are white. For politicians. it benefits them to encourage the idea that whites are superior in order to keep them in power. This is why every election year, blacks are reminded that they are victims and can get no where without a white man in office interceding for them.

Finny';s comment on a racial inferiority complex is an astute observation not blantant racism. Just as the white culture sometimes encourages a stifling superiority complex, it has in other cultures, created an inferiority complex , a desire to one up arrogant white people by showing them they are just as good. Much of the focus in the idealogy in the Communist Revolution in China, was on creating a viable alternative to Western culture just as good if not better than Western Culture. They wanted something that was an unique product of Asian will, in no way similar to the culture of arrogant Westerners(a reputation we probaly rightly deserve). This is not mindless racism, but a conclusion reached by examination of modern Asian history.

As reviewers have stated previously, Heinlein's point is that our fears stem not from any different biological differences, but from differences in culture. His other point is that no matter how different a culture, there is always one thing similar in all cultures- that of assumed superiority. The whites and PanAsians in the novel are both guilty of that.

In the end however, the human spirit transcended all races and rose to the occation , for as someone pointed out, the hero was not white, nor was he wholly asian. He was not a champion of any cause held by one race, but was a hero because he adhered to a cause that should be held in high esteem by all...he helped his fellow man regardless of race.

Heinlein's simple message is that racist fear is not productive or rational. It quite simply is stupidity of the highest order.

Just a few other commentaries I have.

I'm surprised that no one mentioned that the hero, Mitsui was married to a black woman. Quite a revolutionary idea for 1941.

That makes me further question how anyone could determine that Heinlein was promoting racism. Do not give in to knee jerk reactions I take it that some of you rather pretend racism does not and never did exist instead of having an open and honest dialogue about it. That is not a solution. That only ensures that racism will grow in our collective concious and rear its ugly head in the future when we have long forgotten about it and the grief and horror it caused.

Another bit of commentary...Heinlein's prediction that Asia would become a major player on the world chess board in the future was a pretty accurate prediction. All Asian countries are rapidly growing, politically, militarily and economically. Though it is far in the future, Asia will one day be able to challenge Western dominance if it continues to proper the way it has been currently.

As for my last commentary, I find Heinlein's reflectioons on the state of US Intelligence to be quite amusing especially in light of recent events. On page 17 of the paperback, Heinlein states," A rediculously inadequate militarry intelligence had been the prime characteristic asa power all through its history.The most powerful nation the globe had ever seen-but it had stumbled into wars like a blind giant."

My how little things change. Heinlein was quite the astute observer of history.

This is not one of Heinlein's better efforts.

First, there is the racism. It is extremely anti-Asian. Now, I'm not a PC police type who shuts down every racist note from more ignorant times, but there should be a limit, this is it. It's not as if the racism is irrelevant to the plot: it is one of the central plot elements. Gone with the Wind is also racist, but at least it's not about racism. This book is, and in a disgusting way.

Second, it's mediocre Heinlein. Simplistic in the extreme, it's full of goofy plots twists and impossible human behavior. Not much suspense. 'Gee, we have a super weapon, how will we destroy those foolish Asians?' Bah. Read the Moon is a Harsh Mistress or Space Cadet if you want better Heinlein. ... even the fairly fascistic Starship Troopers is a much better read, and no where near as offensive.

Written at a traumatic time in the nation's history, this book has nothing to do with political correctness. It does have everything to do with the resilience of the human spirit and faith in one's convictions. Not a book for everyone, but certainly one with lessons to teach.

Bought the book at the Boston Airport, finished on landing
in SF. Quick read, good story. Amazing because he wrote
it in 1941! I didn't even think they had this kind of
stuff back then. It is a little bit on the "Yellow"
journalistic side, but what do you expect during the War
in the Pacific?

I read an essay by RAH about this book. John W. Campbell jr, started the original draft of this story, but never finished it. Campbell gave it to RAH to finish. RAH said Campbell's original was extremly racisist and distasteful and he did his best to get rid of the racism. If I understand correctly what I have read about Campbell (written by Asimov, and Heinlein) he was even a Nazi sympathizer early in the war.

This book is one of the worst books I have ever read. It was my first heinlein book, and now i think it shall be my last as well. The idea of a weapon that eliminates people by race is laughable. that is only one of the bad concepts in this book. reading it is like a chore. THIS BOOK IS TERRIBLE.

The Day After Tomorrow (also known as Sixth Column) is one of the worst Heinlein books I have ever read. I have read many Heinlein books and enjoyed most of them, but not this one.

Originally written in 1941 and modified in later editions, the version I read was the 1958 paperback, "Day After Tomorrow" the book is incredibly racist. Perhaps that is toned-down in later editions, but I suspect it is not.

The situation involves the Panasians who have invaded the USA and defeated the nation. In the history of the plot was a "non-intercourse pact" which basically separated the USA from all of Asia. The Panasians took over India, and all other nations and invaded the USA via the North Pole.

So this book uses a wide range of vulgar anti-asian terms, phrases, and racist insults. It assumes, with one minor exception, that all the people in the USA are whites. Black people are never considered, nor are Native Americans, or other ethnic groups. It is basically Panasians against whites.

In a secret mountain laboratory, some white scientists invent the Ledbetter effect, and can make weapons which target people by race. So they start a religion to infiltrate the occupied American and preach about the great god Mota and other names. These few priests carry the weapon as a ceremonial staff, and eventually raise up an army of church goers to defeat the Panasians.

Totally shockingly racist in the stereotypical descriptions of asian people and asian cultures.

Not well developed characters, even among the main ones.

Silly dialogue.

The scientists just invent more stuff as the plot develops. They need cash to start the religion, so they use their new technology to transmute stuff into gold.

I find no redeeming features in the Heinlein book.

My rating. D-

Heinlein was given this story concept by an editor, who had it from a writer who was unable to develop the idea. Heinlein brought this story his traditional determined, ernest characters -- and an awful lot of jingoism and racism. Far from his best -- Sixth Column is only worth the time if you are a Heinlein completist.

I like Heinlein - A LOT - but this might be the worst thing of his I have ever read.
I know I read this out of chronological order that I have read the rest in, so it is a jump back in time to pulpier fare, and a less polished version of the suthor. But still I was really disappointed in this. It was REALLY racist - which doesnt bother me as much, in the sense of - he needed a bad guy and picked one, so the racism is in the context of the story. I get that...

It doesnt bother me that it went dark and bloody, that is what happens in war - wars are seldom won by hugs and puppies. Though the story did kind of let the tech be the star, instead of a tool of the characters - maybe that again is the pulp aspect rearing itself. That used to be fair fairly de rigueur, the fellas were not super men though, so this is on the road away from pulp.

I wouldnt have skipped reading it, even if someone I trusted told me it blew monkey spunk, so dont listen to my rattlings, give it a try, but dont expect much. At least it is a quick read.

Or is Farnham's Freehold the worst? Tough call.

I love Heinlein's work, have read ALL of the stuff that was in print when he died (not so much of the stuff published posthumously); and I absolutely cannot recommend this book. Read anything else by him, anything at all.

(But especially The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, The Door Into Summer, Double Star, Have Spacesuit Will Travel, The Past Thru Tomorrow future history stories, the stories collected in The Fantasies of Robert Heinlein, Time Enough For Love, any of the juvies, etc etc etc)

I read somewhere this isn't even his idea; that Heinlein wrote it from a story outline by (I think) John W Campbell, even though he had reservations about it. Skip this one. Or come back after you've read a bunch of his other work, and can see this in the context of his career.

If you were to speculate that someone foisted a job on Heinlein, or possibly black-mailed him to write the story for a "ghost author," then Sixth Column would be my candidate, and in fact, that is case. The story line was from John W. Campbell, Jr. Somehow, he succeeded in persuading Heinlein to try and dress it up, but - sow's ear - silk purse ... Heinlein writes that he tried to clean it up and remove the racism, but given the surviving story there can't have been much other than racism in Campbell's original draft. RAH concluded that he did not consider the result a success.

If you read this story, then you should certainly also read "If This Goes On --", which is Heinlein's own version of such a story. Published in 1940, ITGO focuses on home-grown "invaders," when an extreme sect of Christianity seizes power in the US. Heinlein's brutal enemy is ourselves.

When an educated Caucasian writer refers to Asian invaders as "flatfaces" and "monkeys" he is not just a product of his time, he's a judgmental, generalizing racist. It doesn't help that a token good Asian-American is included. The more you read Heinlein, the harder it becomes to defend his attitudes toward women, non-whites, non-Americans, juvenile delinquency, people who haven't done military service... Too bad, because he is obviously talented. Few can write a more accessible story, with such an unpretentious narrative voice. He's basically like D. W. Griffith, who was in his time the finest film director, then made an elaborate apology for the KKK in Birth Of A Nation. Both have terrible blind spots in their personal philosophies; it doesn't mean you can't get anything good out of their work. I would vote this easily among Heinlein's worst work. Another low point is Podkayne of Mars, a Nancy Drew-ish Juvenile which he wanted to end with his 'Nancy' dead of an atomic blast! (For other talents ruined by weird philosphies see: Steve Ditko/Objectivism and Phil K. Dick/religious mania)