Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein is a military science fiction novel that follows the story of Johnnie Rico as he navigates his career in the Mobile Infantry, a futuristic Marine Corps, during an interstellar war against the Bugs, an alien species. The book delves into philosophical ideas about government, citizenship, military life, and social virtues, all while providing a realistic portrayal of what life in a future military might look like. Heinlein uses the vehicle of interstellar war to comment on social and military virtues, presenting a society where citizenship is earned through service and where militarism is valued.
The book explores themes of duty, honor, loyalty, and the morality of military operations, all while challenging fundamental precepts of society such as the concept of inalienable rights and the role of militarism. Heinlein's writing style is straightforward, action-packed, and thought-provoking, with a focus on military structure, philosophical discussions, and societal norms. While some readers find the book's political views controversial and its subtext dated, others appreciate its depth, realism, and the exploration of complex ideas within a sci-fi action adventure narrative.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of militarism, corporal punishment, and societal attitudes toward violence.
From The Publisher:
In Robert A. Heinlein's controversial Hugo Award-winning bestseller, a recruit of the future goes through the toughest boot camp in the Universe-and into battle against mankind's most alarming enemy…
Johnnie Rico never really intended to join up-and definitely not the infantry. But now that he's in the thick of it, trying to get through combat training harder than anything he could have imagined, he knows everyone in his unit is one bad move away from buying the farm in the interstellar war the Terran Federation is waging against the Arachnids.
Because everyone in the Mobile Infantry fights. And if the training doesn't kill you, the Bugs are more than ready to finish the job…
"A classic…If you want a great military adventure, this one is for you."-All SciFi
Ratings (113)
Incredible (20) | |
Loved It (40) | |
Liked It (31) | |
It Was OK (17) | |
Did Not Like (3) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (168):
Read It (114) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (35) | |
Did Not Finish (2) | |
Not Interested (16) |
2 comment(s)
The quintessential book which laid the foundation for a thousand more SciFi novels. If you've ever read and enjoyed anything SciFi, put away whatever preconceptions you may have about this, ignore anything you may have heard about it or the Author, and give it a try.
The book shows that war isn't a fun thing - it exhausting, dangerous and dirty. The ordinary soldiers have more in common with a typical "cannon fodder" instead of "glorious heroes"
What can you read after
Starship Troopers?
About the Author:
Robert Anson Heinlein was born in Missouri in 1907, and was raised there. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1929, but was forced by illness to retire from the Navy in 1934. He settled in California and over…
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