It has been many years since I read it for the first time. I mostly had only remembered that I liked it a lot. But now, having reread it, it is really exceptional, especially for us die-hard Heinlein fans. I would particularly recommend that people should re-read Moon is a Harsh Mistress right before this. And maybe also The Rolling Stones. Varley makes a lot of references to Heinlein, especially those two. 😉