The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress

The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress
First edition hardcover
AuthorRobert A. Heinlein
Cover artistIrv Docktor
LanguageEnglish
GenreScience fiction
PublisherG. P. Putnam's Sons
Publication date
June 2, 1966
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardback & paperback)
Pages382 (1997 Orb books softcover ed.)
ISBN0312863551 (1997 Orb books softcover ed.)
OCLC37336037
Preceded byThe Rolling Stones (shared character) 

The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress is a 1966 science fiction novel by American writer Robert A. Heinlein about a lunar colony's revolt against absentee rule from planet Earth. The novel illustrates and discusses libertarian ideals. It is respected for its credible presentation of a comprehensively imagined future human society on both the Earth and the Moon.

Originally serialized monthly in Worlds of If (December 1965 – April 1966), the book was nominated for the Nebula Award in 1966 and received the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1967.