Robert Heinlein

Robert Heinlein was a science fiction author who wrote prolifically. I have read a few of his books, and they are both good and influential. 'A Stranger in a Strange Land' has been particularly lauded as capturing the zeitgeist of the 1960s. Here is a particular quote of Heinlein's I came across again:

"A human being should be able to: change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, pitch manure, solve equations, analyze a new problem, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly.

Specialization is for insects!"

Tom Brokaw on the 1960s

Tom Brokaw, who made somewhat of a name for himself as an author, wrote a book praising the people who fought in World War II and named them the Greatest Generation. He's followed up on that by writing a book about the 1960s called "Boom!" In this 53 minute interview, he discusses the book and the legacy of the 1960s. It's a very entertaining conversation, ranging from topics of sex, gender politics, civil rights and Vietnam. Worth listening to, although after listening to this, I'm not sure I need to go out and buy the book.

Click here!