I have the same general opinions regarding earlier work vs. later, but considering the overall quality, this is lost in the noise. Are you aware that Mark Twain and Robert Heinlein have never been seen together in the same place? Hmmm...

Heinlein fans should be sure to catch a number of collections that bring together rarely seen stuff, including his nonfiction essays which are universally excellent. A fan has conveniently listed them on Amazon here.

Tramp Royale was a big surprise, a book I had never even HEARD of until I spotted it at an SF convention last year. Apparently out of print, it's a great collection of Heinlein's journals of a trip he took around the world.

I first saw Heinlein in person at the World SF Convention in Kansas City. His health was not that good, and his keynote speech was a bit rambling, and his unapologetic patriotism rubbed a number of fans the wrong way. "You can have peace, or freedom, but you can't have both" actually drew boos before outraged fans, whether agreeing with the viewpoint or not, drowned out the booers with applause. Later on at a stage show he perked up considerably when someone treated him to a stripper routine. I still have a photo of him somewhere proudly wearing the stripper's bra over his shoulders like epaulets, and grinning almost as broadly as his wife was. I donated blood for the first time for the privilege of getting a load of books signed.

I got to work with him on a personal level at the Citizen's Advisory Council on National Space Policy meetings, and his health had improved considerably. I'm only sorry my kids never got to meet him.