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Summary: Another book (series) reminiscent of ST
Review: I read ST when my Dad was stationed in Germany in the Mid-80's,at a time when we were regularly having anti-nuclear and pro-peacedemonstrations in our front yards. ST inspired a life-long love of Sci-Fi, particlularly of the military/ political/cultural analysis sort. I would also recommend, to those who are interested, David Gerrold's _War against the Chtorr_ series. The outlook is in some ways quite different than Heinleins, but those who enjoy the admittedly didactic classroom scenes, and the above mentioned analysis that Heinlein incorporates, should definitely check this series out. In addition, I liked Gerrold's work because it incorporates more fully the surprising, funny, and tragic elements of any real future of society. Also, action fans should find more than enough to satisfy. The basic plot of the series is a reversal of an old cliche of science fiction - where a planet has an ecosystem which is several dozen million years behind that of Earth's... just scatter a few seeds and earth's ecology takes over the planet - thus terraforming the planet cheaply for future colonists. The heroes and heroines of Gerrold's book find that they are in a war against an alien ecosystem which has mysteriously appeared and is begining to "chtorraform" the earth. I found the book to be highly, almost frightenligly intelligent, and somehow is able to be simultaneously very rich in detail but remain a very good read. (This from a master of the short attention span) The first book is entitled "A Matter For Men".
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Summary: It Kicks Ass
Review: I think this book has it all(and all the elments from greatsci-fi operas) Parts from star wars, the bible(and I ain't lyin') ,the alien trilogy, revenge , war, polotics, techno noble, and more. I'm 13,and did a book report , after it ALL of my classmates where quiet with awe(and amazement over the vastness of the plot), this book is amazing, and it is all in 272 pages!Can't wait till the movie!
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Summary: One of RAH best.
Review: I wasnt planning on writing a reveiw, even though this is oneof my favorite books, but seeing what some people thoght of it I wasforced to. Apparantly some feel that this is a facist book. Not true. The veiws represented, where only people who have served military time are citizens and allowed to vote, isnt facist, but just a system that works. In the book it explains how this came about after the decline of our government (how great is it, really) and the rouge years where noone trusted anyone else. It merley presents deep philosophical and moral ideas wrapped around one of the best stories I have ever read.
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Summary: Another wondrous one for Heinlein!
Review: I have read at least half of Heinlein's 78 novels (ok, ok, sothey're hard to get at my library) and Starship Troopers, one of thefirst ten I read, remains one of the top three. In fact, I used it and two other Heinlein novels as a basis for my literature thesis paper. The action is meaningless without the philosophy behind it. If Heinlein had written this as a shoot-em-up, he would have left out the political, social, and economic theories. Heinlein has always been one to express his ideas about society in his books, sometimes against the wishes of his publishers. I can only say that I hope the director of the upcoming movie did not leave out the background ideas in favor of more fight scenes.
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Summary: Science Fiction at it's very best!
Review: Robert A. Heinlein is one of the best sci-fi writers I haveever known of. His views, as well as his marveling ideas have thrilledme since "Red Planet" the cartoon, on channel 11 came on. When I first saw the cartoon, I rushed to the nearest book, reserved it ( because they didn't have it on the shelves.) and enjoyed every last word of it. I was hooked,on his books, ever since. Starship Troopers is, basically, a sci-fi fan's dream, come true. Not only do you get intense action, with neat-o technology, in the advanced style of Jules Verne, and H.G. Wells, but you also get to think, with all the politics, and military training detail involved. Robert A. Heinlein gave his readers a chance to think, about how war brings the animal out in everyone.
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Summary: Nothing to get excited about
Review: This is definitely not Heinlein's best work(I reserve that spot for "The Moon is a HarshMistress", but neither does it suck. Take it for what it is - another of Heinlein's political explorations. Responsibility is a hot topic in our society right now, which may explain the renewed interest in this book, and I believe ST is a useful study. If you agree with him, try to think of the complexities behind his simplifications, and if you think he's a fascist try to understand the appeal of the basic ideas he supports. You should try to learn something from this book, 'cos lord knows the action is so pathetic you won't have anything to distract you from the politics.
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Summary: A Staggering Impact
Review: This book made a staggering impact on me, and I believe it isdefinitely one of the best works of fiction I have ever read. RAH hasingeniously woven together a moral and philisophical tale with a superb adventure story, much in the vein of "Atlas Shrugged", another favorite. This work is an absolute must read in the genre or for anyone looking to understand how a master articulates his vision in the guise of a fictional work.
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Summary: If you put down this book you should be shot.
Review: Heinlein at his best. There's a little more action in this bookthan in some of his others, but it still contains all the originalideas that brand Heinlein's writing. Juan Rico, at his family's objections joins the military to earn his citizenship in a society where it must be earned. What started off as a one-term tenure turns into a career as Juan grows to love his new life. The courses in moral philosophy must be some of the most enlightening parts of this book. They may entertain the reader, but I'd hate to be any student in one of those classrooms. A 10 is too low a rating for this book. 10^10 is more like it.
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Summary: Not a shootem' up space opera
Review: I've read this book innumerable times, and still get chills atthe end of the first chapter. Exploring the coming of age of a youngman, this book is not about fighting and warfare. I've also read all of the reviews here... the reviewers that call this book ultra-right wing are missing the point completely. The fact that only service veterans can vote is *NOT* because that is the best possible society, but because it works.
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Summary: Old-time, outstanding Sci-Fi!!
Review: This book is an old and cherished friend. I would include itin any list of top books, including "The 10 Best I Have EverRead." Highly recommended!! For those reviewers who try to cop out with 'crypto-fascist', try to keep in mind that the point of view is that of a recruit (and later an officer) in a combat-arms military regiment. Hardly the place to hold daily elections, is it?? This is the granddaddy of the entire militaristic sci-fi genere, and very optimistic in its assumptions. However, optimism in the military does (now) have its place, i.e. the Allied performance in "Desert Storm". For an excellent counterpoint to "Starship Troopers", try Joe Haledman's "Forever War". It is as pessimic and dark as Heinlien is patriotic and (dare we say) heroic.
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