[Mithfânion]

I'd heard this character recommended as being fairly interesting. I understand he is a 2000 year old man and the story of his life is what is told by Heinlein. What's so good about this book?

[Hope for Humour]

There are a few books that feature Lazarus Long, METHUSALAH'S CHILDREN and TIME ENOUGH FOR LOVE are two that I remember.

He's a pretty good character but some of Heinlein's later books were very long and uneven in quality.

Of course you could have meant some other Lazarus Long and in that case, I can't help you.

[Lady Fox]

Lazarus Long is a very interesting character, IMO. I think the book you are referring to is Time Enough for Love. Here's the premise Heinlein used: Sometime around the early 1900s (I think I've got the date right) this group of people decided to attempt to breed longevity into the human race. They compiled a list of people whose grandparents all lived to a pretty old age - I think the figure was 80, but it could have been 90 - before they died. If someone had a grandparent who died from accidental causes before that age he/she could still be considered for the program. Then they put these people together and strongly suggested they marry each other and have lots of children. There was a foundation set up that paid for every child that was produced as an incentive to have lots of kids for this breeding program. Then these kids were introduced to each other when they became of marriagble age and encouraged to become part of the group as well, and so on for each generation. Lazarus Long was the product of this breeding program, but with a catch...he was part of the third or fourth generation. He wasn't supposed to live as long as he has, just have a somewhat extended life. He is a genetic "sport" with no bad genes that would contribute to the aging process. Eventually he would have died, but he lived long enough for medicine to invent the Prolong treatment, and for someone of his excellent constitution it has made him virtually immortal. Heinlein uses him as a central character in many of his scifi books and tells about all his adventures down through the years. Lazarus Long is a mix of southern gentleman, genius, and contrary old coot...which makes him an entertaining character to read about.

[Kamakhya]

There is also the compilation of Long's Quotes called: The Notebooks of Lazarus Long. Here's a couple at random:

"Get a shot off fast. This upsets him long enough to let you make your second shot perfect."

"Certainly the game is rigged. Don't let that stop you; if you don't bet you can't win."

"Delusions are often functional. A mother's opinions about her children's beauty, intelligence, goodness, et cetera ad nauseum, keep her from drowing them at birth."

"Sex should be friendly. Otherwise stick to mechanical toys; it's more sanitary."

It's a great little book.

[Lady Fox]

I've got that book, too. You're right, it's a great collection of quotes. Here's my favorite:
He came, He saw, She conquered. The original Latin seems to have been somewhat garbled.
LOL!