The Moon is a Harsh Mistress

Main Ideas

• Struggle for independence: The Moon, an Earth colony, seeks freedom and independence from Earth's government.
• Anarcho-capitalism: The book explores ideas of anarcho-capitalism and self-governance, where society functions without a centralized government.
• Technology and artificial intelligence: The supercomputer Mike plays a crucial role, becoming sentient and aiding in the organization of the revolution.
• Social and family structures: Unique social and family structures develop on the Moon, including polygamous marriages and collective child-rearing.
• Closed-loop economy: The lunar economy is based on recycling and efficient use of limited resources.
• Revolutionary strategy: The book details the strategies and tactics used to successfully conduct a revolution against Earth's superior forces.
• Ethics and morality: It explores questions of ethics and morality in the context of the struggle for survival and freedom.