Having become curious by hearing its title being mentioned in some anarchist newsgroups, I decided to give it a try rather out of political curiosity, but with the background of a lover of good sci-fi literature. What can I say, both characteristics of myself were completely satisfied. The story is a kind of futuristic version of America's struggle for independance, this time America being the most ardent behind greater colonial oppressor Mother Earth; and Luna being an exploited colony and dump for convicts, ex-convicts and a growing community of ordinary inhabitants. Written in 1966, the novel still bears enough delicate political resemblance to what is happening nowadays that it could as well be quite fresh (and I could have said the same some 20 years ago). I am not familiar with the controversy about his other book ("Starship Troopers") nor interested enough to engage myself in it (quote about the film made in 1997:"...as to make fans of the novel cry in their popcorn.").
This book is beyond mere agitprop as well as beyond mere escapist sci-fi, quite humourous, and highly recommended. The characters are of an intersting mix; the concept of a computer who manages to evolve into a mentally anthropoid being you really begin to like is maybe even far more convincing nowadays, as well as the other main character, who in different situations always has to decide accordingly among a set of different artificial cyborg-arms which substitute the one he lost. And who is not the only typical male-hero character as well, while there are a lot of non-stereotype female characters to identify with for any female reader who gets bored with all those hard-boiled heros of so many sci-fi stories one gets to read.
Speaking as a non-native speaker, even 'luna-speak' becomes comprehensible and funny quite fast. Speaking as a lover of a good story-line and of a political message, 5 points. Writing as a lover of good entertainment on a high level, 5 points as well.