Pre-numbered label used for registration.

My personal favorite Heinlein novel. The perhaps not entirely honest memoirs of Lazarus Long, the oldest man in the galaxy. Lazarus has lived over two thousand years, and is tired of life. He could be rejuvenated, but he sees nothing new on the horizon, so he's ready to die. But his many descendants aren't ready to lose him. They hatch a plan to find something new for him and get him to enjoy life again. He tells them of his long life and many loves, including a poignant tale of a girl who grew old while her husband stayed young. Includes the parable of The Man Who Was Too Lazy to Fail, and excerpts from the Notebooks of Lazarus Long, which contain some interesting observations and words of wisdom. Some quotes:

• The ways of God and government and girls are all mysterious, and it is not given to mortal man to understand them.
• There is no conclusive evidence of life after death. But there is no evidence of any sort against it. Soon enough you will know. So why fret about it?
• Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done, and why. Then do it.
• Get a shot off fast. This upsets him long enough to let you make your second shot perfect
• It may be better to be a live jackal than a dead lion, but it is better still to be a live lion. And usually easier.
• Democracy is based on the assumption that a million men are wiser than one man. How's that again? I missed something.
• Autocracy is based on the assumption that one man is wiser than a million men. Let's play that over again, too. Who decides?
• Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of—but di it in private and wash your hands afterwards.
• A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
• Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
• Does history record any case in which the majority was right?
• Secrecy is the beginning of tyranny
• Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors—and miss.
• Waking a person unnecessarily should not be considered a capital crime. For a first offense, that is.
• You can go wrong by being to skeptical as readily as by being too trusting
• A committee is a life form with six or more legs and no brain.

Books by Robert A. Heinlein:
Beyond This Horizon
Friday
Friday
Stranger In A Strange Land
The Cat Who Walks Through Walls
The Cat Who Walks Through Walls
The Door Into Summer
The Star Beast
To Sail Beyond The Sunset
I Will Fear No Evil
The Man Who Sold The Moon (older edition)
The Man Who Sold The Moon (newer edition)
Farnham's Freehold
Between Planets
Universe
Orphans of the Sky
The Number of the Beast
The Menace From Earth
Sixth Column
Tunnel in the Sky
Requiem
Time Enough For Love
Worlds To Come edited by Damon Knight, contains "Ordeal In Space"
First Contact edited by Damon Knight, contains "Goldfish Bowl"
New Destinies edited by Jim Baen, contains "This I Believe"

RELEASE NOTES:

Left in Spencer Gifts, in front of a poker chip wall clock.