Rating: 
Summary: Citizen Soldier
Review: I must agree with Robert Aarhus on his thought provoking statement in his review. The ideal of Honor is scoffed and laughed at by most of todays elitist society. Heinleins treatise put forth in this book is a view that should be pondered by anyone seeking insight into the problems that the U.S. faces. Love of country, and especially LOVE OF COUNTRYMEN was displayed with the highest honor by a diverse group of people on an airliner over Pennsylvania in September 2001. We can all take a lesson from that action. Honor, courage, and selflessness are key ingredients to strengthening this nation.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic in Military of the Future
Review: Juan "Johnnie" Rico is a young man who becomes a member of the Mobile Infantry, a part of the army in the not to distant future. This book should satisfy many different kinds of readers. It has the action one looks for in military classics. Beginning with an action packed battle against the "Skinnies" and ending with the "Bugs". For all those interested in the plausibility of the science, there are many things to ponder over, from the suits that make soldiers look like gorillas and are the equivalent of one armored tank, as well as the Karpolov drive which reminds one of the "hyper drive" of Star Trek. To me the area where the book really shines and is considered the most controversial are the philosophical aspects of the book. Understandably so, for most of it is spent talking about the ineffectiveness of governments of the past. It does help in understanding the political and Darwinian principles which it represents in their futuristic culture. I found it intriguing, but many would find preachy. Heinlein gets up on his soapbox, telling us how he feels the world should be run, what's wrong with the way we are running it, and why. Though the philosophical and political elements were enjoyable, and powerful, they lose base when Heinlein "proves" all of his theory and messages mathematically making all ethical and philosophical theory less effective. Like many of his books including Citizen of the Galaxy Heinlein uses the protagonist's education to describe the structures of the society in this case militarily. In the society of the future everyone is a resident and doesn't become a citizen until they, both men and women serve in the army. Our protagonist is forced into the Infantry, for not being qualified for anything else. Much of the book deals with Juan's training which Heinlein has a sharpness and understanding of some one who has a clear vision of what the Infantry would be like. The battle themes are as realistic and believable as one can get for fights with aliens. Many of themes in the book add a family sense to the story, but most are done in a way where they are picked up periodically and then brought up again fifty or so pages later, they work but not well. One theme that I found peculiar in the book was that the war being fought with the bugs relates to wars with communism and the continued struggle to destroy. The book is an amazing read which I thoroughly enjoyed, and would suggest to anyone interested in reading a book about political and military philosophy.
Rating:
Summary: Basic Training, Advanced Politics
Review: I've read Starship Troopers through at least three times now. Having gone through Army basic training, I can say Johnny Rico's experiences as a soldier are real enough. But this novel is much more than just basic-training-made-sci-fi. It is a study of social orders -- civilian vs. military, enlisted vs. officer. It is a study of human motivation in the struggles of man against himself, and man against an uncaring, unfeeling enemy. It describes the loss of good friends, the fear and fog of war, the "shakes" just before the fight and the long periods of self-doubt after. It also asks the fundamental questions: have we taken our freedom too lightly? Is citizenship without sacrifice a good thing? C.S. Lewis once said, "We laugh at honor, and are shocked to find traitors in our midst." In this post 9/11 world, these questions, and many others, are well worth pondering again. I've read no novel that asks them quite as bluntly, as effectively, or as entertainingly as Starship Troopers.
Rating: 
Summary: Preconceptions galour
Review: Well, for starters, let me say that the reason this book got a mediocure score from me is that I, unfortunately, had a lot of preconceptions and misconceptions about this book when I first picked it up. You see, Starship Troopers is one of my all-time favorite movies and that sole reason is what gave me the determination to plow through this rather dense, at times, book. The book standing alone (without the hinderance and blessings of seeing the movie beforehand) would receive about a 2. It's really compelling at times (with its insightful views into moralities and political philosophies) and at other times down right dreadful. The scarce battles seem to be an afterthought, with not much care or effort put into them. The biggest bust is the very anti-climatic way the story is resolved. And then there's the nagging sensation you get whenever the author plows away on another seemingly irrelevant tangent, though, in fairness, it sheds some much needed light on the story in the end. All in all (as much as it hurts to say), the movie was much better (even though the book preceeded it). I never thought it possible that a movie based on a book could be better than the book itself, and in some ways it's not fair to say that it is because the movie couldn't exist without the book, right? Well, I now stand corrected and it can be done. If you liked the movie, you might just want to read this to compare and contrast, or if you're interested in political philosophies, but otherwise, steer clear of this one.
Rating:
Summary: Lighter than they say...
Review: I picked this book up having heard that the actors playing the space marines in "Aliens" (a film I enjoyed) were required to read it before filming. I also heard this book is supposed to be a scifi classic, so I just had to clean up any bad memories from that piece of trash of a movie under the same name, "Starship Troopers." I enjoyed the book, but I sorta' wished I had read it in highschool. By now, I have read far too many military history, operations, training, etc. stories, so the majority of this book came up a bit light for me. A lot of the book was devoted to the Mobile Infantry and general military training and lifestyle descriptions, and politics, which was fine, but I felt in the end that there needed to be more action and a greater climax to fill it out. I must agree though that some of the thoughts and viewpoints presented in the book are interesting considering it was originally published in 1959. Another good thing is that you won't get the movie poster on the cover, but a nice illustration instead ;). A quick read and definitely worth it if you're curious.
Rating:
Summary: Military Socialization
Review: A story covering Juan Rico from a socially active
but academically average high schooler to a Mobile
Infantry Platoon Leader. Throughout the book much
effort is made to justify this world's caste of
warrior-citizens - where only military service
justifies the right to vote and hold political
office - the reasoning being that only those who
demonstrate they have successfully served/defend
the political institutions have earned the right
to control it. This militaristic society is sort
of a futuristic Sparta. The two figures keep
reoccuring in the story - Mr. Dubois and Sargent Zim -
which act as philosophical-political catylst/anchors
that indoctornate Juan Rico into this
socio-political-military society mindset.
Much of the book is in the first person.
Rico is pretty self-centered and there isn't
much soul searching nor does Rico do any
detailed character analysis -- so the
characterization in this story is minimal.
One might say the story is "on the bounce."
This soldier's story lacks details ( as if
the details censored out by Military censors).
Some of the battle scene ( especially the last
scene for the brain bug ) was worded rather
awkwardly. Heinlein's portrayal of human reaction
in the heat of battle seems numbing, detached
and unreal, e.g. the reaction to a comrade literally
loosing his head. Luckily, the battle scenes are few.
Overall the book is not difficult reading.
A good portion and the best parts of the book covers
bootcamp and Rico's experience within this military
society which Heinlein gives a pragmatic and gritty
feel to. Heinlein story runs into trouble when
he attempts to pass off philosophical arguments
as scientifically based. Heinlein's society which
claims its philosophy and idealogy is based on
scientific inquiry doesn't appear to be based on
science at all - but rather the philosophy Heinlein
portrays seems more to be mimicking the ancient
dialogues of Socrates (Plato). In particular the
philosophically bludgeoning by Major Reid with
regard to the number of prisoners (or any acts of
hostilites) which would necessitate a war doesn't
reflect game theory or even pseudo science like
economics. Given the logic of Heinlein's society
- the correct answer is not that men aren't
potatoes - but that War is extension of political
survival and interest of the political-socio-economic-
military societies that wage those wars. Me thinks that Heinlein has not read Clauswitz's treaties
on War.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Rarely can I say that a movie is better than the book that it is derived from; however, this was the case with Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers. The book started off promising, detailing John Rico's struggles through boot camp and dabbling in the philosophy of citizenship. But from there on it only held my interest sporadically. The remainer of the book is less a novel and more of detailed military description. The plot itself is meandering and often interupted by far too many details about the armed forces. Heinlein is no wordsmith. The actual battle scenes in the book are rather vague, generic, and stunted; the novel's action is like reading a comic book without the pictures. Other than Rico, Heinlein's characters lack emotion or depth. They are just cardboard-like figures that amount to no more than a motely association of names by the novel's conclusion. The novel ends with a rather anti-climatic battle scene just does not seem to really resolve much in the "Bug" war. Overall, it seems like that purpose of the novel is for Heinlein to offer his skewed philosophy of citizenship. But ultimeatley, it is unclear whether he admires or condems the military, or what his greater purpose for the story was in the first place. The novel, however, does have some promising parts which I believe were further elaborated on and better displayed in the movie of the same title. Whoever wrote that screen-play took this skeleton of a novel and turned it into a descent film with more action and character analysis, and less military jargon. I'd recomending watching the movie and skipping the book.
Rating:
Summary: Second best sci-fi ever- I think...
Review: This novel is a wonderful example of what can be done with a combination of modern political sensibilities and a little imagination. The brilliant Heinlein takes you on a thrilling voyage to alien planets, where super-tough space marines engage in Aliens-style combat drops, and then shred massive bugs with fusillades of automatic fire. All I can say is that this novel is original, fun, thrilling, imaginative, addictive and oh-so readable. A novel that really puts you in the thick of it, immerses you in fantasy warfare. Heinlein won the Hugo award for this, and when you read it, you'll easily understand why. One of my favourite books ever, period.
Rating:
Summary: selfless government?
Review: The problem I have with the world in this book is that the people in power are totally trustworthy and benevolent. The teachers in the book downplay the need for rights, but they don't realize that in their fairytale world no one NEEDS rights. If the police would never unfairly harrass members of a particular ethnic group, plant evidence, or take bribes then of course no one would need rights. If Heinlein had been able to problematize his world by putting moraly flawed humans in power, it would have been a more interesting book. The author just didn't seem mature enough to question the world he created. For this reason the book seemed to predictable and real (interesting)problems seemed glossed over (i.e. if anyone in power was ever selfish or dishonest what would happen?). A little childish philosophically if you ask me.
Rating:
Summary: I wanted to like this but...
Review: Starship troopers was somewhat of a dissapointment for me. I can't stand it when authors gratuitously inject their political opinions into their work. This felt more like a political statement and history lesson than a work of fiction. And for those of you looking for the same kind of jaw-dropping action that you witnessed in the movie, look elsewhere. The pace is slow and the battle sequences are sporadic. Although I admire the prodigious talents of this visionary sci-fi author, I could not bring myself to enjoy this book. Even though Starship Troopers won a Hugo Award for best novel back in 1960, it also signified the beginning of Heinlen's decline, a period where he wrote sci-fi novels not for escapism but instead for preaching his political and sociological opinions. For better entertainment value, watch Paul Verhoeven's excellent film adaptation instead.
|
