Starship Troopers

Rating:
Summary: Very good SF, no more to say
Review: The author Robert A. Heinlein has written a very interesting and exciting book; not to much or less bug splatter and heroistic battle scenes. But the "moral"opinion pointed out in the school lessons of moral philsophy shouldn't go the wrong way in the brain of the reader, because the way, Heinlein shows (in this case militaristic and facistic), isn't the only chance for human society development.So the reader have to think about a future society on his own and take Heinleins book-opinion only as one out of all future theories.

Rating:
Summary: Great book, and not just for the action
Review: I read this book and really liked it. When the movie came out I naturally watched it, knowing that it would be nothing like the book. However, the movie was even worse than I expected. Sure, it had great action and mediocre special effects, but it was totally lacked intelectually. In the book there is a lot of really thought provoking ideas about society. In the movie, nil. (My dad says I should pay no attention to his philosophy just because he was possiblly a nazi, but that is a load of @#$&, especially with the dog training analogy)

Rating:
Summary: disappointing -- no match for Ender's Game
Review: After reading so many glowing reviews, I was immensely disappointed in this book. Although it had a few good moments, I generally found it slow, a bit juvenile, and no match for a novel it inspired: Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card, a book I couldn't put down.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Libertarian Tale
Review: This book works on a couple of levels

One can read it as a simple sci-fi yarn about earth battling for survival against a race of highly intelligent insects. But Heinlein was a outspoken proponent of what is today termed the "Libertarian" ideal. The main story actually focuses in on the philosophical and political education of an army infantry officer, Johnny Rico, in a postulated libertarian society that succeeds today's democratic republics.

The interesting thing about this is that many of the problems that led to the downfall of the "noble experiment" (the curent U.S. of A.) are discussed as historical notes in the John Rico's various classes on "Moral Philosophy". Today's rampant crime rate and the various social experiments we've conducted seeking to mend it are listed with their outcomes in the past tense. Of course, Heinlein wrote Starship Troopers before any of these problems we have gone through in the past two and half decades actually materialized. The book, written in the late 50s, accurately predicted the consequences of social activism in before any of the activism even got under way and led to the breakdown of societal mores and rise of crime in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

This makes the book particularly interesting. In the 90s, many of the cities that are now successfully reducing their crime rates are employing watered-down prescriptions from Starship Troopers. (Arrest and punish early and severely the minor infractions before the criminal moves up to the major ones.) It's an amazing piece of predictive fiction.

The society presented in the book has existed once before. Heinlein quite simply has recreated the political structure of the Ancient Greek Republic of Aristotles' day. To ensure that citizens do not follow their narrow self interest and seek to vote themselves into prosperity (the number one cause of the failure of the USA in the book) everyone who wishes to be a voting citizen with full rights must first demonstrate the ability to think above the level of his of her own self-interest by joining the military and going into harm's way to defend the society that he or she would be a full member of. (Civilians in this society have property and privacy rights only and nothing else.)

The book blends the military republic concept in with a full course in libertarian ideals and sets the story of how such a cociety would work against the back-drop of a sci-fi battle against the "bugs".

Of course, the recent feature film went after the cool and groovey battle against the bugs and made Heinlein's society into a neo-facist state. The adventure flick has little to do with the real story of the book, to the point that the two are pretty much unrelated. (One cynically wonders why they had to wait for Heinlein to be dead and gone before making such a film.) Please read the book!

Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest science fiction novels of all time
Review: STARSHIP TROOPERS is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining novels ever written. Following the exploits of Johnnie Rico, the story provides a fascinating look at the possible state of military service in the future. A great amount of detail is applied to characterization as the life of a soldier during "The Bug War" is viewed through Rico's perspective. Throughout the book, Robert A. Heinlein skillfully blends pulse-pounding action and suspense with intriguing political and moral observations. By combining all of these different elements, Heinlein has created a true science fiction classic.

Rating:
Summary: Way Better than the Film
Review: More interesting, more palatable, and shorter than the movie, the book also makes much more military and technical sense. All the co-ed trooper stuff is gone, as well as the silly tactics and whatnot from the movie. The book is very much a political statement however, arguing the need for more discipline and greater sense of duty, which could be interpreted as semi-fascist I suppose. Good, short fun.

Rating:
Summary: Thought-provoking
Review: After reading the book, I have to say: 1) I do not think that the society portrayed in it is right, or acceptable. 2) I enjoyed the book.

Nobody asks an author to suit his writing to the preferences of the potential readers. Heinlein has created a society which I would personally oppose. But that does not make him an "apologist of fascism"! By the way, that does not make him a right-wing hero facing the evil liberals, either. Quite probably Heinlein had his own political ideas and kept them to himself.

The book makes you think, whether you agree or disagree with the society portrayed therein. And that is one of the missions of SF: To use "future" settings to make people think about the *present*.

Finally, I would like to recommend the following experience: Read "Starship Troopers" and then read "Bill, Galactic Hero" by Harry Harrison (the first book, written only by Harry Harrison, published in the 60's! The later "additions" to the saga are crap).

Together, both books will give you a broad vision and two points of view diametrally opposed with respect to the military (both points of view being, I suspect, right and wrong at the same time).

Rating:
Summary: If you love action and alien bugs, this book is for you!
Review: This book, by Robert A. Heinlein, is very enjoyable and fun to read. Starship Troopers is in reference to a futuristic mobile infantry. Jonnie Rico is the main character, he defies his parents and joins the Starship Troopers instead of going to Harvard College. He notices when he gets there that he should have taken the latter. However, he turns out to be one of the best in his squad. Eventually, he goes to war against an enemy that is very deadly, Arachnoids, a type of alien bug. Jonnie discovers that all of his training in mobile infantry would never prepare him for this epic war. This book was one of the most controversial novels of the century, and I agree because I do not believe that man will be able to travel the speed of light or use some of the weapons used in this book. But, that aspect is irrelevant because I really enjoyed the book. It draws similarites to Star Wars, but this book has a much darker, serious tone. There are some humorous parts that go well with the novel. This book is nothing like the twisted comedy of the movie that based on it. I thought when I was going to read this book it would be similiar to the movie, but it isn't. The plot is the same but some of the characters act differently and some are completely cut out of the movie. I would recommend for anyone from the ages of 13-40 that loves science fiction books to try this one out and read one of the most controversial novels in the century and make your own opinion.

Rating:
Summary: This book is sensational, it's like going to the future.
Review: This book is excellent. When you are reading it it feels like you are actually in the war. I know many books do that but in this book yo actually want to go to war. Heinlein's discriptive talents are phenomenal. He is my one of my favorite authores of all time and im only 16. There is only one thing to say about this book AWESOME!!

Rating:
Summary: An essential part of every sci-fi reader's library.
Review: The movie was excellent but the book is even better. It explore each of the characters in much more detail, and expands the scope of the war. There's more focus on the philosophy of war, and as Juan Rico grows up and matures, he learns the reasons why a nation goes to war, and what it means to be a soldier. It's a fascinating story from a grandmaster of science fiction, and it grabs you right from the beginning and doesn't let go. There are good reasons why this novel is recognized as one of the greatest science fiction novels ever, from the fascinating characters to the interesting science to the mind-provoking philosophy to the superb pacing and storytelling. Heinlein is one of my favorite authors, and this is one of his best works. xibo.com/books.html