Does Assignment in Eternity contain previously published stories?

This collection compiles four novellas that were originally published individually in magazines during the 1940s and 1950s. Readers familiar with Heinlein's earlier short fiction will recognize these works.

How does this collection relate to Heinlein's broader work?

The novellas in Assignment in Eternity showcase Heinlein's early exploration of themes like individual liberty, societal evolution, and the nature of humanity, which became hallmarks of his later, more expansive novels. It offers a glimpse into the foundational ideas he developed throughout his career.

Assignment in Eternity

Dystopian Hard Sci-Fi

Pages: 276
Published: 1975
Language: English

This collection presents four thrilling science fiction novellas from Robert A. Heinlein. Journey to a post-World War III United States where a secret agent carries vital microfilm, explore the complexities of time travel, and uncover humanity's lost psychic abilities. These diverse tales delve into intrigue, exploration, and the very definition of what it means to be human.

Prose complexity: 7/10

Tense Mysterious Thought-Provoking Adventurous

Secret Identity Quest Time Loop

Robert A. Heinlein

Robert Anson Heinlein (1907-1988) was an American science fiction writer, born in Butler, Missouri. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1929 and served in the Navy until 1934, afterwards studying mathematics and physics briefly at UCLA. He sold his first story, "Life-Line", to Astounding Science Fiction in 1939 and became one of that magazine's leading contributors. In the late 1940s he was among the first science fiction authors to place work in general-interest magazines such...

Joel AbnerProtagonist

Captain GileadProtagonist

All characters in Assignment in Eternity

Frequently asked questions

Does Assignment in Eternity contain previously published stories?
This collection compiles four novellas that were originally published individually in magazines during the 1940s and 1950s. Readers familiar with Heinlein's earlier short fiction will recognize these works.
How does this collection relate to Heinlein's broader work?
The novellas in Assignment in Eternity showcase Heinlein's early exploration of themes like individual liberty, societal evolution, and the nature of humanity, which became hallmarks of his later, more expansive novels. It offers a glimpse into the foundational ideas he developed throughout his career.