Dimension X Audiobook By Robert Heinlein cover art

Dimension X

Universe (Dramatized)

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Dimension X

By: Robert Heinlein
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Humans occupy the lower decks of a space ark; mutants control the upper decks. But is there life beyond? Based on a story by Robert Heinlein, this episode of Dimension X originally aired on August 2, 1951.

Featuring "adventures in time and space told in future tense", Dimension X aired over NBC from April 8, 1950, through September 29, 1951. The series adapted stories by the modern masters of science fiction, including Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein, Clifford Simak, Theodore Sturgeon, and many others.

Hear more science fiction dramatizations.©2006 Radio Spirits Inc. (P)2006 Radio Spirits Inc. Fantasy Science Fiction

Critic reviews

"The landmark series was Dimension X, which was broadcast by NBC....It was the first radio series to treat science fiction in an adult way." (Mike Ashley, Transformations: The History of the Science-Fiction Magazine 1950 to 1970)
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Would you consider the audio edition of Dimension X to be better than the print version?

Never read the short story but I enjoyed this Heinlein story about a space ship that had been in space so long that after mutinees and factions creating their own religion lose all sight of the original purpose of the mission.

What did you like best about this story?

The mutants were more humane than the humans. Sad but so true.

Which character – as performed by the narrator – was your favorite?

The head mutant who shows the young scientist the errors of his beliefs by opening the spaceships shields to display the universe outside. That was an awesome moment.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me angry that the powers to be refused to listen to any reason and only after they had no chance of survival did they realize that the young scientist and the mutants were telling the truth.

Any additional comments?

Great Heinlein story, dramatically told.

An ark in space that loses it's purpose.

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I love Heinlein most of all! It was great to hear an old story that I was unfamiliar with. I really appreciate the perspective of our sci Fi history!

Great to hear an old story

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Okay, you're going to have to deal with the fact that this is Cheesy Radio Theatre from the 1950s. But it's cool.

What's really interesting is that, in adapting the story to radio, many changes were made. So even if you've read Universe/Common Sense you haven't heard this story.

Loses a couple of stars because of how serious and overwrought they were in the 1950's... it shows here... but it's well worth listening to.

Classic Radio Theatre

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Great story, Great Actors, but the experience is ruined by very poor audio... the sound effects overwhelm the dialog to the point of making it unbearable to listen to. PLEASE PLEASE check the Levels and re-release.

Needs better audio

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