Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Starship Troopers
Book Review: A controversial novel--is it Heinlein's best?
Summary: 5 Stars
I've read nearly everything Heinlein ever wrote. I like to group his novels into three general categories. They are:1. "Youth" novels such as the excellent "Citizen of the Galaxy", "Tunnel in the Sky" and "Podkayne of Mars." These feature young heroes or heroines in challenging situations.
2. "Future History" novels, such as "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress","Time Enough for Love", "Methuselah's Children", "To Sail Beyond the Sunset" and "Friday."
3. Novels with metaphysical or philosophical leanings such as "Stranger in a Strange Land" and "Starship Troopers."
You could put "Starship Troopers" in the category of a youth novels. Rico, the young hero of the novel is barely out of high school when he volunteers for military service in order to win citizenship privileges--and impress pretty fellow student Carmen. She's volunteering for service, hoping her mathematics talent will gain her a pilot's seat.
Wait! Citizenship privileges--what's that? Aren't we all endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the vote? Well, not in John Rico's world. There, citizenship is earned by military service, and it isn't all flowers and pancakes, either. If war breaks out, your short stint becomes...indefinite.
So why would anyone risk life and limb, plus some very unpleasant times in boot camp, just to be able to vote? That's the philosophical underpinning of "Starship Troopers." Heinlein creates a republic based on a sort of responsible freedom, where liberty is granted, but the right to direct it is earned by those who paid in a stake.
So, is this book a boring political rant? Heck no! In amongst the lectures on liberty and good government a la Heinlein is an incredibly action-packed adventure. The Bugs are an alien race bent on destroying the Earth. And Earth armies have little idea how to stop them except they know they must do so to survive.
The scenes in boot camp are gripping. The battle scenes are realistic. The "special effects"--the armored suits the infantry wears are amazing "seven-league boots" that impart near-Superman powers on the soldier who wears it. The film that was based on this book caught the excitement of a society at war with a deadly enemy, but the book has more action than the film ever could have...and a lot more explanation of what motivates each character.
If you haven't read this, you are in for a real treat. This is, in my opinion, one of Heinlein's best novels, along with "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" and the rambling but brilliant "Time Enough For Love." It's so good that I almost make a fourth category for just "Starship Troopers" by itself. It's my favorite of Heinlein's works.
Book Review: A defense of the military mentality
Summary: 4 Stars
Heinlein would have been more honest to title this work 'History & Moral Philosophy', just like the courses in high school and OCS. It's really a polemic on why war is necessary and fighting for your society is good and moral. It just throws in some soft (not hard) sci-fi as window dressing. It tries to show that all authoritarian military structures are based on the same principles, all the way back to (and he quotes it himself) Troy. The futuristic sci-fi is weak, cloudy, hesitant, as are the alien 'bad guys'. The movie goes on where the book left off, making the world and the aliens vividly real, but skimming the philosophy. Hence, viewing the movie doesn't mean you've read the book, or vice-versa. As a philosophical thought product, I'd give it 4 stars; as a novel, 3. But I gave it 4 overall 'for the benefit of the doubt', like Rico's commander gave him :) His native language is Tagalog? :)Book Review: A fantastic, thought provoking book. Truly a classic.
Summary: 5 Stars
What can you say about a book that resonates so clearly with common sense? Most people of a liberal bent are attacking the political ideas as "facist", to the point that I've seen the term "right-wing" applied in the newspaper reviews of the movie. RAH's idea that the franchise is purchased with service (not combat service mind you, which most of the half-wits seem to miss) is not far removed from Thomas Payne's statement, paraphrased, that freedom is purchased each generation with the blood of patriots. How about holding people responsible for their actions? What a concept! In an age where only 20-30% of the electorate bothers to vote (how many of you bothered to even find out if their were any ballot issues this Nov 4?) perhaps the vote should be earned; maybe then we'd have some people who knew the true cost. Bottom line, the book was not only a great read, but helped mold some political ideas that have lasted (in this reader) over 25 years.Book Review: A fascinating tale of future warfare
Summary: 5 Stars
Juan Rico is a spoiled brat, trapped into signing up for the military in order to impress a pretty girl. Through rigorous and often brutal training, and then deployment against an implacable and terrible foe, he discovers something inside of himself he never suspected.
Don't worry about the science fiction elements, don't worry about the fact that the book celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year, this is a rollicking good read that is as relevant today as it ever was.
Critics level the charge that Starship Troopers was little more than a soapbox for Heinlein's radical and fascist political beliefs, but his observations on 20th century life are--almost without exception--spot on and even more accurate today than ever.
Sure, Heinlein shows that he's human and fallible, that some observations are made that are inaccurate (Mr Dubois' rant about cruel and unusual punishment springs to mind--that's not what the word 'unusual' means in that phrase), but overwhelmingly the book stands up. Rico's observations on women are a trifle dated--but I challenge any man to say, truthfully, that they don't agree with them, at least on some level.
The military tactics and attitudes have held up almost perfectly, and the research done into military history is still eye-opening. The points raised concerning all-volunteer vs conscript armies are still valid.
But, under all this, is the story of a boy becoming a man, finding himself and being surprised at what he finds.
In all, a great book, well worth the read.
Book Review: A glimpse into a very possible future...
Summary: 5 Stars
This is Heinlein's masterpiece. In it you will find a new society in which to become a citizen and given the right to vote, you must serve in the military...below you will see a few negative reviews of this book. This is mainly due to certain readers going into arms because they feel heinlein is not being critical enough in his presentation of this neo earth society. If you wish to read a critical analysis might i suggest 1984, Animal Farm, and A Brave New World (All great by the way). If you want to read something that is completely new to you then i suggest this story. If you read through this book (and believe me you will do it quickly) you will find that the setting that Heinlein creates may have been one of his true visions for the future...this book is truly interesting stuff and as you follow rico's exploits you will be surprised how you come to care for his character and those around him just as if you were in his cap troop.