{"product_id":"the-number-of-the-beast-robert-a-heinlein-9781647100605","title":"The Number of the Beast: A Parallel Novel about Parallel Universes","description":"\u003ci\u003eThe Number of the Beast\u003c\/i\u003e is a mind-bending experiment by one of the greatest writers in science fiction who ever lived and the author of the classic bestseller, \u003ci\u003eStarship Troopers\u003c\/i\u003e. It is a parallel book about parallel universes. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMost readers did not realize in 1980 (when it was originally published) that the novel had a sister book, written in 1977, that was never published. That book is finally being published under the title \u003ci\u003eThe Pursuit of the Pankera\u003c\/i\u003e. .\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoth novels deal with parallel universes, share the same main characters and have the same first one-third of the book. However, from that point on (after they make a jump to a parallel universe) the novels diverge completely. .\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnd here is where the second part of the experiment comes in. While \u003ci\u003eThe Pursuit of the Pankera\u003c\/i\u003e continues the adventure in a very customary Heinlein manner, reminiscent of his earlier works, \u003ci\u003eThe Number of the Beast\u003c\/i\u003e becomes something very different. .\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn surface, the book is about two men and two women who are attacked by aliens and then embark on roller coaster ride of an adventure through a myriad of universes. But as Jack Kirwan wrote in \u003ci\u003eThe National Review\u003c\/i\u003e, \"describing \u003ci\u003eThe Number of the Beast\u003c\/i\u003e thus is like saying \u003ci\u003eMoby Dick\u003c\/i\u003e is about a one-legged guy trying to catch a fish.\" \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Number of the Beast\u003c\/i\u003e is a homage to science fiction, to his friends and to characters used in other books, also serving as a parody and a lesson to anyone willing to listen, in a way only Robert A. Heinlein could have presented it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Robert A. Heinlein\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1647100607\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781647100605\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e CAEZIK SF \u0026amp; Fantasy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/17\/2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 540\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.75lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.10h x 6.10w x 1.30d","brand":"Robert A. Heinlein","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":43988643545343,"sku":"9781647100605","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_7d91ea1a-615c-482a-8eb5-3568d78f9184.jpg?v=1683295571","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-number-of-the-beast-robert-a-heinlein-9781647100605","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}