Rating: 
Summary: Vintage Heinlein at its best -- and surprisingly timely toda
Review: This is a great adventure story, and the prototype for a whole science fiction genre (e.g., John Steakley's "Armor," Gordon Dickson's "Dorsai" books, etc.). I had the experience of rereading it just after reading Stephen Ambrose's "Citizen Soldiers," and the congruence between the two books was astonishing. Beyond that, however, it's a surprisingly sophisticated meditation on what it takes to make a society work when -- as always -- most of its members would rather be free riders. Starship Troopers is a thought experiment along those lines that seems surprisingly prescient today. Ignore the movie tie in. Although the film quoted some big chunks of the book verbatim, it completely missed the point of the book, and was mostly about killing big bugs with surprisingly primitive weaponry and amazingly unsophisticated tactics.
Rating:
Summary: thought provoking on many levels
Review: OK, I'm over 40 and have read this book many, many times. Each time I get a good read and a new perspective. If you're a teen, as I was the first time I read it, it's just a good sci-fi war story. But it also says a lot about the right to vote, military duty and honor, and the way we humans react to 'otherness'. But one thing a lot of people miss is what Heinlein was trying to say about propaganda. Propaganda can be used for good or bad but the human reaction to it is about the same. While he saw the dangers of totalitarian governments like Nazi Germany or Communist Russia, he also saw the pitfalls of blind reactionary fervor leading us down the same path. Read the book and think 1950's McCarthyism and you'll see what I mean.
Rating: 
Summary: Highly engaging, a pleasant surprise.
Review: Starship Troopers is a thoroughly engaging novel with highly intelligent social and political commentary. Many of the principals put forward offer interesting ideas for how things may turn out for humankind, but, more specifically, the novel deals predominantly with aspects of human nature as they exist at every moment. Why do we go to war? Why does a soldier, knowing full well that he will, more than likely, be killed, actually get up and fight? It seems to defy human nature. Those who think it is predominantly for the good of the human race shall meet a bit of a surprise. This, and much of the philosophical ideas of the novel, is not mere babble by an egotistical author, but true supported facts. War is not encouraged in this book; rather, it is accepted as a facet of human existence which cannot be ignored and will probably never be left behind. For those who are looking for an action packed novel full of violence and bloodshed, look elsewhere. There is combat in this novel, but that is not what is being strived for. The recent film based on the book is a horrible adaptation of the novel, purely insulting in some respects. This novel is science fiction in its purest foundational form: commentary on aspects of human existence today, shrouded in a cloak of the future. If you are a thinking person, give it a try. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Duty, Honor, and Country,,do these ideals still exist?
Review: I first read this book in Jr. High School and became hooked because of the great battles described. (I even bought the board game, which I still have). I later read it in high school and started to read the entire book,,not just the action chapters, and it started to make more and more sense. Now some 15 years later the book sounds like my own thoughts. As a Jr. High School teacher myself now, the book rings so true with every line. Starship Troopers is a classic. I am now reading Starship Troopers for the 5th time and it always seems to get better. If you want a twinky book move on, if you want a full meal this is for you. Does every one get the meaning of this book? Of course not,,look how many people voted for Clinton for crying out loud! Long live the name Roger Young!
Rating:
Summary: Doesn't anybody get it?
Review: The majority of these reviews seem to have misinterpeted the message of the book. First of all, if you read Expanded Universe you'll find that Heinlein advocates restricting the right to vote in the manner the society in his book did. A lot of this books criticism is complaining that the vote should not be limited in any way. Hello! In the United States you cannot vote until you're 18. Does this not prevent certain individuals from voting? Its a damn good book and Heinlein is a wonderful writer, he also knows the military well. This book is not pro-war. It's pro defense of the rights which are properly derived from ones existence as a human being. If you're confused about Heinleins political beliefs read the Moon is a Harsh Mistress, in particular the Professors speech while forming the cell, about Rational Anarchism.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't bother
Review: Holy smokes, was this a boring book! If you like reading books where something actually HAPPENS, don't bother with this one. It's just a long, boring diatribe, no action to speak of. And it's not like you're listening to Johnny pondering the vagaries of the universe after seeing his buddies slaughtered in battle, you're listening to his PROFESSOR drone on about in CLASS! I don't think Heinlein could've made it any duller.Bottom line: if you want to read the book because you liked the movie, DON'T. I wish someone had told me that.
Rating:
Summary: Must get book
Review: It inspired me to go fight the huge bugs.It was packed full of adventure and quality.
Rating:
Summary: A remarkable book! A prescription for healthy society?
Review: A gripping story and racy narrative makes the book extremely interestingand the philosophical foundation is laid very artfully so as not to bore the reader.
Rating:
Summary: A remarkable book!,A prescription for healthy society ?
Review: The basic premise of the book, that Military service is the highest moral attitude, is quite acceptable. The sketch of a cadet's impression of military Training, is superbly done, with a careful interweaving of the philosophical foundation. The book can even be set in today's time, and could be called contemporary fiction. a must read for everyone worried about today's tattered social fabric. It is also a gripping story with racy narrative.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome BABY!!!!! Political Thought 101
Review: There are two types of people in the world, those who think, and those who spout uninformed opinions. If you are human (Long Live Paul Muad'Dib!), you must admit that RAH through this book causes us to evaluate the swinging pendulum of democracy. I was discombobulated when I was first exposed to the elitist mentality in governing, but it was from Thomas Jefferson! RAH just gives us a plausible outcome of true, "I Care" citizenship. And for those of you with attention spans of two seconds, who must be entertained by the blinking lights and loud sounds (Long live Sideshow Bob!), perhaps this book is too deep for you. See the movie. (But it is NOT a true Star Ship Troopers). Let me know what you think!
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