В течение тысячелетий и философы, и святые пытались постичь логические схемы построения Вселенной... до тех пор, пока не явилась Хильда, которая доказала, что Вселенная отнюдь не логична, а наоборот, причудлива и что ее структура зависит только от талантливого вымысла и ночных кошмаров мечтателей, лишенных логики. Всеми мирами правят законы хаоса и жестокости.
— Роберт Хайнлайн
Robert Anson Heinlein was an American science-fiction author, aeronautical engineer, and retired Naval officer. ... Sometimes called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was among the first to emphasize scientific accuracy in his fiction, and was thus a pioneer of the subgenre of hard science fiction. His published works, both fiction and non-fiction, express admiration for competence and emphasize the value of critical thinking. His work continues to have an influence on the science-fiction genre, and on modern culture more generally.