By His Bootstraps Robert Heinlein Jun 2026

Who tries to convince Bob to step through the gate.

Heinlein flirts with the idea that the only person who truly "exists" or matters in Bob's universe is Bob himself. by his bootstraps robert heinlein

The story opens with Bob Wilson, a lazy graduate student struggling to write a thesis. He is visited by a man who appears out of thin air, urges him to step through a shimmering "Time Gate," and steals his drink. Confused and annoyed, Wilson eventually steps through the gate. Who tries to convince Bob to step through the gate

Whether you’re a die-hard sci-fi fan or a newcomer to the genre, this novella is essential reading for anyone who wants to see a genius clockmaker at work. He is visited by a man who appears

By His Bootstraps is a seminal work of science fiction that explores the complexities and paradoxes of time travel. Written during the Golden Age of Science Fiction, the story is renowned for its intricate plotting and rigorous examination of the "bootstrap paradox" (also known as a causal loop). The narrative follows Bob Wilson, a man who stumbles through a Time Gate only to encounter multiple versions of himself, ultimately realizing that his entire journey is a closed loop of cause and effect with no discernible origin.

The story is considered a masterpiece of short-form SF logic puzzles. It's praised for its tight plotting, clever dialogue, and the sheer audacity of its central gimmick. Some critics note that the characters are thinly drawn (they exist to serve the paradox), but that is generally forgiven because the idea is the star.