Rating: 
Summary: A great, scary book, closer to the movie than many think
Review: Many of the other positive reviews have stressed that this book is nothing like the movie. Aesthetically, they're right. However, it should be noted that the ideas behind the movie and book are quite similar.
In his book, Heinlein writes of a facistic society of the future. On the surface, the world seems to function quite well. The scary part, though, is the radical political theory behind the ruling government. Even more frightening, many of the points that Heinlein brings up seem quite logical, while being facistic in nature.
The movie, on the other hand, seemed to be pure eye-candy. However, the "news-reel" sections, as well as a few Nazi-esque costumes, put the film in a greater perspective. It is purposely disturbing that the heros we are rooting for are part of a facist rulership. Unfortunately, most people who saw the film either did not read into it enough, or thought that the movie glorified Nazis. Actually, the movie is thematically very similar to Das Boot.
Getting back to the book, Starship Troopers is a superb piece of fiction, as well as the obvious inspiration for RobotJox, BattleTech, Mechwarrior, etc. It was one of the most enjoyable sci-fi novels I've read, no sci-fi fan should miss this one.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome book! Much better than movie, though.
Review: My father recommended this book to me in 7th grade. It was amazing. I went to see the movie on my birthday (Nov. 7th, same day it came out). It arose an interesting question: why do movie producers warp the story so much? Heinlein must be rolling in his grave right now. On suggestion for the movie: Sex and war don't mix!
Rating: 
Summary: Well-written Military Sci-Fi Drama, Not Like the Movie
Review: I admit it. I saw the movie first. The book and the movie have a few of the same characters. That is where the similiarity ends.
The book is well-written. This makes it an easy read. However, at times it gets a little preachy. Occasionally Heinlein launches into tirades that reflect modern left-wingers' idea that government has to protect us from ourselves. Scary.
If you saw the movie, give the book a chance. If nothing else, it should make you ponder what the future holds for military service.
Rating:
Summary: Heck, yeah! Badass!! Cool!
Review: I thought ST was awesome!!! I loved the action and when they were slaughtering the Bugs. I can't wait to see the movie!! Starship Troopers rules!!!
Rating:
Summary: Solid, thought provoking book
Review: There are generally three types of reactions to this work.
1) Some readers were expecting a fast-paced thriller and were deeply disappointed that the book is deeper and more complicated. They scored it 1-4. If you want straight action, don't get this book.
2) Some readers misread the book. They took the main characters politics to be the author's, were offended by what they perceived to be the book's endorsement of that philosophy. Along similar lines were complaints about the writing style. The book does not endorse the politics of its characters. These people are not portrayed with the same sympathy Heinlein had for his characters in "Stranger in a Strange Land" or "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress". I think that Heinlein is very critical and mocking of the philosophy Rico comes to embrase. Remember that Communism was the putatively scientific philosophy when the book was written. I do not recall any one ever accusing Heinlein of being sympathetic to Communism. [Along these lines, I think that most people misunderstood the movie based on this book, which was a hilarious, over the top take on the John Wayne and Randolph Scott World War Two movies of the 1950s.] The interesting criticism here is the standard charge of sexism. I see many of Heinlein's female characters as being very feminist, especially for the time. At the same time, he has well defined gender roles. I think that his work is very difficult to assess along these lines, and will reserve judgment. Those who misread the book scored it 1-7, depending on the nature of their error.
3) Many readers found what they wanted, or some interesting ideas that engaged them, in the book. They tended to rate the book 8-10.
Personally, I found the book intriguing in a number of areas. Most interesting is the manner in which the society coopts a Rico. Rico starts out as a fairly spoiled, apolitical boy; enlists to impress a girl; and becomes a firm believer in the convoluted philosophy of his system. There are other interesting ideas that can be brought out in the book, the action is well written, and Heinlein demonstrates great dexterity in creating the voice of Rico: an intellectually modest junior military officer. A good read.
Rating:
Summary: Starship Troopers--A prophecy of our time?
Review: I first read Starship Troopers as a young 9th grader and was very much impressed. I reread the book when the movie was made and discovered that I had missed an important point of the book. Chapter 8 which is almost entirely a philosophical discussion of what "happened" in the "past". Here we find a discussion of the dangers of our juvenile oriented, no one is at fault society. How amazing that Mr. Heinlein, writing in the '50's when things seemed golden, could so accurately foretell what was coming in our society some 40 years later. I am buying the book--paperback edition--and highlighting Chapter 8 for my children so that they may learn. Perhaps copies of Chapter 8 should be sent to every judge, politician, and social worker in the US and perhaps it should be mandatory reading for evey parent or about-to-be parent in the US.
Rating:
Summary: Don't judge the book by the movie, There is no resemblance!
Review: It facinates me how many people wrote reviews for the book after watching the movie, but who obviously never cracked the book open. Don't review it if you haven't read it.
Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking, original, classic
Review: Starship Troopers is a must read for all ages. It proposes political and philosophical concepts as well as military training and strategies. It weaves all these themes together in one impressive book. A lot of people that gave ST a bad review didn't even seem like they read the book. This book is also original. The political and philosophical concepts in the book seem like they are of Heinlein's creation, but not his personal belief's. READ THIS BOOK.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've read
Review: I would have to rate this book as one of the best books I've come across. Outside of the entertainment value (excellent character development, good plot) it was an excellent source for philosophy, politics, and sociology. This novel made you think. In some ways Heinlein's future world is better off than our own (though there are some rather obvious flaws). This book is so thought provoking. It'd make an excellent subject for discussion in any philosophy, political science, sociology, or anthropology course. This book not only set out to entertain, but to make the reader think. And that is what makes this book one of the best I've ever read, it did both.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST READ FOR ALL WHO SERVE
Review: Be cautious when reading this book. Though it is easy to dismiss the politcal and societal ideology presented by the author as Cold-War rhetoric, there are underlying principles in these pages that even the most extreme civil liberarians must acknowledge. Service, duty, responsibility: timeless values that this country was built on and will fall without. For those who have no appreciation for these ideals, for whom they are merely words spoken by the elderly, militant sociopaths, and those on the Right, it is easy to see where your opinions of this book and its ideals are formed. The author should have included just three more words for these people, "You've been warned." As for the movie, I wish they would leave books with such an important message to those other than the director of "Robocop."
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