This has become unavailable since I bought it and I'm pleased I did. I first read it in the mid eighties when it was released as two separate volumes one of which I missed but now have finally been able to read them all. Heinlein's writing was provocative. Dealing in subjects from equality, racism, sexuality to cultural and political systems. Some of the subjects explored in his other writing seem shocking but are done in a thought provoking way asking questions about the nature of taboo and whether it's culturally based and if science could change the harmful aspects whether those same cultural taboos would apply. Personally I find some of his writing uncomfortable but it's always interesting. The stories here are well written but are old fashioned being written during the 1940's. There is an odd mix of strong female characters and the casual sexism they endure! Overall though the stories are good to read and still resonate today.