Methuselah's Children

Methuselah's Children follows the Howard family, whose members possess an unusually long lifespan due to selective breeding over centuries. When their secret is discovered by the government, they face persecution and are forced to flee Earth aboard a starship. The novel explores themes of immortality, freedom, and humanity's place in the cosmos as the family seeks refuge among the stars.

Originally serialized in Astounding Science Fiction in 1941, the novel was later expanded and published in book form. It is notable for introducing concepts that would influence later science fiction, including life extension technology and the idea of humans as a long-lived species. The work is part of Heinlein's Future History timeline and remains a classic exploration of how extended lifespans might reshape human society and values.