Starship Troopers

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Summary: This book is an all-time classic, and it shows why!
Review: This book is great. When I bagan reading this book, I was reading primarily for the science fiction and action. I soon learned that that is not all this masterpiece encompasses. The way Heinlein depicts society at the time this book was written is magnificent. Although I am not greatly into politics, I could get into the philosophical meaning of the political environment of the time. In addition, the boot training depiction and battles are vivid and thorough. I recomend this book to anyone who is interested in 31st century combat (this means you, mechwarriors) and analytical thinking. Or for that matter, anyone who wants THE BEST!

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Summary: not what I thought it was going to be...
Review: I checked out these reviews before buying and reading Robert Heinlein's "Starship Troopers." I was looking forward to a good read. Boy was I in for a surprise!

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Summary: Best Sci-Fi book I ever read
Review: Jonnie Rico decides to join the Terran Federation. Although it wasn't his coice he was assigned to the Mobile infantry (that's all he was qualified for).He goes through the toughest training ever and barely makes it out alive.He is in the biggest and most dangerous war ever faced by Terra.will he make it out alive?Read the book to find out.

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Summary: A science fiction and political classic for our generation.
Review: This could be the story of a young man who runs off to be a soldier and tear apart some bugs. Nothing more. But it could also be a political doctrine, a new view on government- all told by someone who believes in it and is ready to uphold these ideals at all costs. Unfortunately, some of the people nowadays let the title and even the cover throw them off, but this story truly belongs on the shelf with all the other esteemed sci-fi classics of this day, like "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" and the like. One may not see the symbolism, so the reader must look closer at times. The story revolves around Johnny Rico, an idealistic eighteen year-old who goes against his parent's wishes to join the Mobile Infantry and become a legitimate citizen. With the help of powered battle suits, futuristic weapons and mentors that range from school teachers to Officer Academy instructors, Johnny will grow from boy to man, see the galaxy, meet new and interesting individuals- and kill them. Fast paced, exciting, amusing and even moving at times, Heinlein's "Starship Troopers" is a good read. One might even get something out of it.

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Summary: A good book, a must read for those who like to think! : )
Review: Although many people seem to have bad opinions of this book, I myself found it very enjoyable. This book, along with providing an entertaining story about the life of a young soldier, provokes readers to think about their morals, politics, and beliefs. Heinlein's views may not all be right or agreeable, but they do raise interesting points. If you like SF and enjoy books that don't just cater to the stereotypes, get this one. AWS

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Summary: In your disgust, you have proven this to be a good book.
Review: Many reviews have focused on Heinleins failings in the fictional future society he created in ST. Whether or not it is possible, whether or not punishment is a good ides, whether or not everyone should be able to vote, or any of those issues he brings up that are constantly and long-windedly contested, are all irrelevant. The fact is, by causing such a controversy, Heinlein achieved exactly what it took to create a book that will sell for ages and probably never lose its intrigue. People will read the book to see what all the fuss is about, and whether they agree or disagree, they will still discuss it at length, often taking the conversation to a shouting match. With Heinlein's knowledge of engineering and mathematics, he has also fused fascinating technology into his story. This book should be required reading in schools! Not because it's theories are right or wrong, but because it provokes thought, something lacking in 'modern' society. For the record as well, I'm 100% in favor of the society Heinlein portrays in this book.

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Summary: ARMOR WAS BETTER
Review: dont waste your time with this crap. Check out Steakley's ARMOR. People claim it as a ripoff. They obviously missed the point. At least the military in ARMOR was smart enough to get past the machine gun and come up with some real weapons...

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Summary: Worth reading
Review: Its a good story and worth reading. I would not rate it as one of my all time favorite SF books, but it was entertaining.

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Summary: An unappreciated classic
Review: Honestly one of the best books I've read - period, Starship Troopers is an absolutely wonderful book about battle, maturity, responsibility, and might. Devoid of the metaphysical elements of Heinlein's post-"Stranger" works, the criticisms of everyone in the book being perfect are moot since this is a futuristic work in an ideal totalitarian society. And if you have a problem with totalitarianism, wait until I'm King.

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Summary: Irresponsible, but well written
Review: This book has plenty of action to keep one on the edge of one's seat. It is well written, and as such it takes its place among the classics of science fiction. The militarism of the book, however, is irresponsible, and the contant moralising tiresome. Many of the fundamentals of Heinlein's future society are philosophically dubious and abhorrent. This book is a glorification of militarism, a paean to violence, a call to solve problems via brute force. It is a neo-fascist blueprint for a nightmare society, where brutality is considered a noble ideal. The "grunts" in the Mobile Infantry that the main character, John Rico, belongs to voluntarily give up their individuality to become cogs in an infernal machine. This supposedly gives them the right to the vote, a right that ANYONE who is part of a society should have. Heinlein's philosophy appears to be the fascist "might is right" philosophy - and the humans, as presented in his book, are hardly any different to the mindless and subservient arachnid aliens. In fact, this reviewer found it difficult to sympathise with the humans in this book any more than the aliens. It is ironic that Heinlein continually harps on the question of individual responsibility, given his irresponsability in writing this book. Though it may be a fun read, the message presented is abhorrent. Paradoxically, in spite of the lousy treatment that the movie gave this book, the movie presented a much better message. In the movie, Heinlein's closet fascism is parodied, and manages to clearly demonstrate the stupidity of militarism.