Rating: 
Summary: The classic
Review: Heinlein was the successor to the H.G. Wellsian tradition of sociological science fiction. Like Wells, Heinlein excelled at taking certain scientific and technological factors, extrapolating from them, and then building a plausible society on those elements.There are a lot of great aspects to this book. Heinlein's depiction of what life might be like aboard a large starship is startling in its breadth and depth of detail, and just overall realism. However, for me the best parts are the pitched ground battles between the Federation Mobile Infantry troops and the various alien species. Heinlein realizes these in spectacular fashion. You feel as if you're right there in the middle of the action. This is one of the things he is truly great at, and it made a tremendous impact on me when I read the book for the first time in the early 60's as a young teenager, only a few years after the book was published. Some people have criticized this book for apparently proposing a system of government based upon a military oligarchy, since only people who have served in the military can vote. Perhaps this was the society that Heinlein himself wanted to live in. This seems plausible because he seems so earnest about the idea in the book. However, he isn't consistent on this point. In Double-Star, for example, another of his Hugo-Award winning novels, the Earth has a parliamentary system headed up by a brilliant Prime Minister, the Honorable Bonforte. Other books seem to propose other governmental systems as the model. However, I can't say as this system sounds so bad to me now, after having had 8 years of a President who is more interested in getting blow-jobs than in serving the American people (and I'm a Democrat). It might be better than our current system where politicians, whether Democratic or Republican, can be bought for relatively small sums of money, and there are virtually no moral and ethical standards anymore. (I would feel slightly better if I thought they could only be bought for very large sums of money, after all, why sell out cheap?) In Heinlein's future, the universe is a very dangerous place, and someone who has volunteered for military service has at least demonstrated he is willing, at some level, to put his own self-interest below that of society's. Does anybody really believe our politicians hold such ideals anymore? However, people have made too much of the politics in this book. Even in a science-fiction book politics makes for dull reading. This is really a book about a futuristic ground war and the characters who fight it. The story makes for exciting reading if only for that.
Rating:
Summary: Still timely, and as thought-provoking as ever.
Review: When I was in my early teens, I read nearly everything Heinlein had written up to that point. The themes of 'The Moon is a Harsh Mistress' ("TANSTAAFL") and Starship Troopers (citizenship must be earned) are among those I still remember most vividly. These themes led me to follow Heinlein's own example, and choose the Navy when I faced the war in Vietnam and the draft lottery at age 19. Left-handed, non-athletic and somewhat solitary, I'd have made a terrible cap trooper and an even worse Marine. But I did okay in submarines. Today I wear a ponytail and work in software, and my politics have swung leftward to cross the centerline. But I still agree with the basic premise of Starship Troopers: while the <> to earn full citizenship must be open to all, there is a lot to be said for expecting people to earn their right to hold elected office in some fashion. As a Heinlein character points out in Starship Troopers, military service needn't be the only means of earning this right. The key is for each candidate to have first spent significant time and effort contributing individually--and at some level of personal sacrifice--to the well-being of the nation and its people. To extend Heinlein's list of citizenship paths somewhat, I would add the following examples: - service in VISTA or the Peace Corps - full-time service in an American Red Cross disaster relief unit - as a full-time mother, successfully raising one child through completion of high school with a B average, no suspensions, and no arrests - full-time practice as a certified health-care professional (physician, registered nurse, pharmacist, etc.) providing low-cost service to under-served populations (examples include both inner-city and rural communities) - full-time service as a certified public-school teacher, guidance counselor or principal in under-served rural or inner-city communities - full-time service as a policeman, sheriff's deputy, state trooper, community corrections officer, prison psychologist, or Child Protective Service officer - military service in the Army (including the Corps of Engineers), Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, or any of their reserve or National Guard units - full-time service in the Environmental Protection Agency, in the NOAA uniformed service, as a ranger in the National Park Service or the USDA Forest Service, or in a similar public-service conservation role - full-time public service to under-served communities as a registered professional engineer (P.E.), working to improve water, waste disposal, public utility and transportation systems There could be many more such paths to an earned citizenship, but Heinlein's basic premise that it should be earned is still worth investigating. It's also worth noting that all four of the upcoming presidential election's currently credible candidates have--each in his own way--met Heinlein's minimum criteria for full citizenship. Alphabetically: Bradley was in the Air Force Reserve; Bush served as a pilot in the Air National Guard; Gore served as an enlisted Army journalist in Vietnam; and McCain's service as a Navy pilot included several years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. That's food for thought. I thought the movie did little justice to the book. But Starship Troopers is well worth reading again as we approach the presidential primary season, and I'm grateful to Robert Heinlein for writing it. Hmmm... Governor Jesse Ventura of Minnesota also meets Heinlein's criteria, since he served as a Navy SEAL. D'you suppose he ever read Starship Troopers?
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting book...-but I liked the film better
Review: I did see the film first, and I enjoyed it. I expected that in reading the book, that I would gain much more background on the film. Such was definitely not the case! The film can stand on its own, but it should not be taken to truly reflect the contents of the book. The book is much more philosophical and character-driven. The film surely depicts the Heinlein Citizen-State as fascist. The book does not depict this as strongly, and I would argue that, without having read more of Heinlein's other work and gaining background information on his core beliefs (i. e. a biography), it is difficult to determine from this work alone what he is trying to tell us. I suspect that it is critical in interpreting this work to understand the 1950s context in which it was conceived. In any case, this work should NOT be taken as simply a recreational sci-fi novel for beach reading. It seems the author intended rather more than that in composing it.
Rating:
Summary: Labeled fascist by some, I would call is rational instead
Review: Forget the movie, Starship Troopers is not an action, adventure story, but is a sociopolitical study of war and society in a somewhat distant future. Labeled fascist by some, I would call is realistic and rational instead. After the failure of democracy and various and sundry world-wars, the human race decides that political power falls in the wrong hand and henceforth only "citizens" can vote or hold political office. The only way to become a citizen is to serve as a soldier, which is generally peacetime duty. The reason for this is simple, only those people who actually care about their fellow man, as demonstrated by a willingness to die for them, have adequately demonstrated that they are fit to serve society (rather than just serve themselves...). We follow the initiation of one Juan Rico as he makes the transition from civilian to soldier and citizen. The terrifying war with the bugs is just an interesting backdrop to make the soldiers sacrifice more meaningful and actually plays a fairly small part in the book . It's worth noting that Starship Troopers was written in 1959, where a new generation of America's leaders were emerging from our pool of WWII heroes. I think Heinlein's vision was that of a better future where former soldiers would guide our society to a new morality and responsibility.
Rating:
Summary: The novel helped get me through a very long and scary night.
Review: I was very young and very frightened when I first read this book along with Glory road . I cannot recall how I appropriated both volumes , but I have never regretted the moment I reached over and began to read them . Heinlein's novel is NOT a story about the so called crypto facists ideal society as one moronic reviewer reported. I would recommend said people to read this book in context with other books he wrote during his life time . Heinlein believed that the sexs were equal while simulataneously he believed that those who need the aide of those of us who have testosterone should expect aide or counsel without care about reciprocity. Read the tale about the nameless hobo who gave his life without hesitation in the futile attempt to save the wife of total stranger . To you have never had the experiece when death looks you square in the eye and you survive.... I can never explain to you what it means to live past that moment and the life lived beyound it . Johnny Rico filipino-american and starship trooper would understand even you of the PC crowd might understand a bit but I doubt it . To the ever lasting honor to those who believe in their souls 'to free the opressed' and those willing to spend their lifes blood in the attempt. Yours Al Padavano
Rating:
Summary: An incredible book destroyed by a horrible movie
Review: I first read Starship Troopers when I was 16, and since then I have always come back to it. It is full of quotes and relevant philosophy for our modern age. The average reader takes only the seemingly fascist overtones that are present in the book, but they do not see the deep analysis of why the current system of rule works. There is a specific passage where an instructor in Juan's O.C.S. informs the class that during peacetime, most of the veterans that come from the Federal Service (and have the right to vote in Heinlein's world) are not soldiers, but rather come form the non-combatant auxiliary services. This key point is often overlooked in reviews that paint the novel as a fascist war utopia. Heinlein uses the science fiction genre to explore pressing philosophical questions with his novels, and Starship Troopers is no different. This novel asks the reader to do a lot of thinking about their beliefs and philosophy, especially about the concepts of humanity and citizenship. I think that everybody should read this novel, especially those who consider themselves "liberal." Often times I have found that many people take being a citizen of the United States for granted (especially liberals, but some conservatives as well). There is not a glorification of conservative values here, just an examination of what it means to be a citizen of a government and to serve your government. That's the reason the U.S. Marine Corps has this book on its required reading list for O.C.S. students. I personally really dislike the movie. Verhoeven destroyed a great novel with his arrogance and lust for sex and violence. The only redeeming value in the movie is the special effects. Hopefully in the future a director will want to tackle the challenge of bringing powered armor to the silver screen.
Rating: 
Summary: Forget the movie!
Review: If you thought you knew what Starship Troopers was about because you saw Verhoven's horrible abomination of a movie, forget everything you think you know. Starship Troopers is a thoughtful exposition of Heinlein's views regarding freedom, natural rights, social responsibility, and the necessity of violence in defense of civilization. Whether you agree with his positions or not, this book forces you to at least confront them. Thinking about them is your responsibility. In addition to the exposition, Starship Troopers is a slam-bang action novel that hovers on the more realistic fringe of space opera, and is responsible for introducing some of the things we now consider standard concepts, like personal battlesuits. If you're into military SF action, you'll enjoy this book. If you're into political exposition, you'll enjoy this book. If you like both, you'll be ecstatic.
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: Just plain great. The commentary on society is much better than the actual war story.
Rating:
Summary: Just scratches the surface...
Review: I thought this book was a little superficial in its treatment of the "Hero" archetype. Contrary to the first reviewer I would say that this book is anything but rational. The archetypes and myths employed in this book have been examined much more closely by non-fiction authors such as Joseph Campbell, Jung and Freud. Heinlein has just taken an old myth and covered it with a sci-fi veneer. Nevertheless, it is entertaining. For those of you with honorable tendencies I recommend "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius. Aurelius recorded the thoughts collected in this book while on campaign with the Roman legions. He was also emperor at the time. His ideas are morally courageous, well thought and grounded in practical experience.
Rating:
Summary: Better than the Movie
Review: I must admit that I did not get around to reading this book until after I'd seen the movie. I liked the movie, and so I figured "why not read the book" well... the Book, aside form being dang near a compleatly diffrent story from the movie, was, in my humble oppinion, way better. I am a big fan of the war based sience fiction type books. I think the Bigest thing that Cought on me about this book was that its not telling the story about a guy that joins the millitary, and goes off to fight some aliens, It's telling you a story about how joining the millitary and going off to fight some aliens has changed from a once dumb civilian, into a soldier, and a citizen. It's about how Juan Rico, evolves from a boy to a man, and from a follower into a leader.
I particularly liked the use of technology, and how for as cool as it is, it's not even an issue in the book. The book didn't get all carried away with fancy weapons and armor, but instead gave you a basic outline and let your own imagination fill in the rest. There were a lot of Socialistic idiologies, in this book, but I still liked how their govenment was set up, and I think it's too bad we couldn't make a system like that work in today's sociaty.
It's definatly a deep read, with a lot of questions that you may find you ask yourself, but that's part of the joy I found in reading it. so if your looking for some straight "balls to the walls" action like you saw in the movie, this might not be your book, but if your in for some real Sci-Fi that'll keep you woundering what'll happen next, and just who Rico will become in the end, this is your meal ticket!
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