By: Robert A. Heinlein Publisher: Ace Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Ace Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 272 Publication Date: May 15, 1987
Product Description: A recruit of the future goes through the toughest boot camp in the universe and into battle with the Terran Mobile Infantry against humankind's most frightening enemy. Reissue.
Amazon.com Review: Juan Rico signed up with the Federal Service on a lark, but despite the hardships and rigorous training, he finds himself determined to make it as a cap trooper. In boot camp he will learn how to become a soldier, but when he graduates and war comes (as it always does for soldiers), he will learn why he is a soldier. Many consider this Hugo Award winner to be Robert Heinlein's finest work, and with good reason. Forget the battle scenes and high-tech weapons (though this novel has them)--this is Heinlein at the top of his game talking people and politics.
Deeper than you think More a sociopolitical drama than a space war, this story allows the reader to experience what joining the military of the future could be like.
Don't judge it by the movie, which was fun in a kitschy way. This is interesting, thought provoking stuff.
Not what it's believed to be. What many people consider to the grandfather of all military science fiction is really the grandfather of political science fiction. Is that really a bad thing? Well, yes and no. One characteristic of science fiction/speculative fiction is creating a wholly new world or civilization and Heinlein did exactly that. The problem is that it is an extremely boring read. Out of 263 pages (Ace edition) only maybe fifty pages are dedicated to actual descriptions of combat and technology. The rest is a massive essay about a pseudo-democracy, pseudo-fascist, militaristic society that seems to work.
The citizens of the Federation can only gain a political voice through government services--thus also retaining full citizenship--that service being anything, you don't have to be a front line soldier or in perfect physical condition,(crippled? Deformed? You can still applied for federal service) you serve a minimum of two years and boom, you have a vote and can run for public office. The Federation's military is also all volunteer and you can back out at any moment you wish, unless you are already sealed inside a drop capsule. The character of Sergeant Ho who is missing three limps, serves as a visual reminder that Federal Services is full of risks.
Punishment is either public flogging or hanging, once a criminal takes their punishment the matter is drop and everyone will welcome you back unless you commit a capital offence. The Federation is not here to wield power(and those who wield the power must, in practices, risk their own lives before they can have any) the federation is here to protect the human races as a whole.
The controversy surrounding the book is the political overtones and themes. For a book targeted at a juvenile audience that was born just before and during the Second World War, or for the audience of any generation, political themes are not the material for a juvie book. Also the seemly pro-fascism aspects of the book seems like a slap in the face to people who spent three years trying to destroy it. Heinlein's book says "Hey, a military fascism can work if it is done correctly and here's how."
The combat and technology are only described in vague detail with the exception of the power armor. Airtight suits that amplify a soldiers overall strength and stamina, allowing a cap soldier to fight in toxic environment while carry heavier weapons. The power armor uses some form of nuclear batteries and is equip with small jests that allow the solider to "jump" very fall distances. Weapon descriptions never go beyond "rocket launcher" "Flamer" or "bomb".
This is not the book to read if you want a real rousing military adventure with things going boom and people getting their heads split in two. "The Forever War" and "Armor" will be more your cup of tea.
All I can say is.. Wow.. This book is fantastic
Keeps you absorbed
I thought I was not going to like it due to the lack of action, but no way. I loved it
Anyone can read and appreciate this book
Conclusion: Buy it, you will love it
Details the Life of a Grunt Robert Heinlein's classic of both science fiction and military fiction drama was published nearly fifty years ago. While set in the future, with spaceships and battles with aliens, this book gives a grunt's level view of what being a ground pounder in the infantry is like. The language is cleaned up for the 1950s, but some simple substitution of words and you may think you were watching a recent episode of Generation Kill on HBO.
This is a great book, exciting, with vivid detail. I highly recommend this book.
One of a Kind Starship Troopers is a controversial book. If you look at the debate over it, you will see words like "militaristic" and "fascist" bandied about, as liberals and even moderate conservatives decry its message. And the message of Starship Troopers is definitely pro-military. Indeed, it's hard to believe the man who wrote Stranger in a Strange Land, with its promotion of free love, also penned Starship Troopers. Robert Heinlein was a complex man.
This is a novel that could very well convince high school kids who have never given thought to a military career, to join up. It's powerful in its glamorization of military service. I would recommend this book, and do recommend it, to anyone who can't seem to understand why a person would ever want to join the military. I had a hard time with the concept myself, before reading this book.
Critics claim ST is nothing more than a political essay in the form of a sci-fi novel. I would say that's hardly the case. The high school teacher, who it is said Heinlein was speaking through, makes few appearances in the book. The real drawback of the story is the over the top change in Juan's father's attitude towards him. Most authors, I believe, would have settled for a touching apology; not Heinlein. This mistake weakens the book but does not ruin it.
Starship Troopers has many flaws like the one mentioned above. It shines, however, due to its elucidation on the question of the military's appeal. Few books have been able to accomplish this task and remain accessible. I'm giving Starship Troopers - an admittedly flawed novel - four stars because of its insight into the pride of military service.
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