Starship Troopers (1959)

A very interesting political, social, and military tale that engaged my imagination.

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The top was my first review. I thoroughly enjoyed the re-read. The biggest thing that I get out of this book is respect for those that have served, are serving, and will serve in military service. This book highlights some of the highest ideals of military service - that they are sacrificing their lives for the safety and well being of others, discipline and brotherhood (and sisterhood) are earned through action and sacrifice, and that despite the desire for peace (which is the greatest goal), unfortunately military action is needed - the past has shown that with the many wars that we have had. This isn't to justify the cause of many wars - there will always be those that pursue war as a means to get gain. Oftentimes the war will be fought for an unjust reason, but many of the men and women fighting in it will be honest, and giving their all.

I long for the day when war is not taught anymore, but it will require the changing of hearts of all men and women. Until that time, I am glad that there are brave men and women who sacrifice to defend my freedom.

This book isn't so much a story, but a window into the protagonist's process of learning, and digesting the things that he has learned. There is not a conclusion to events, and the events that occur are used to highlight his journey. ( )

Lots of exposition. He sometimes tries to disguise it in conversation or classroom discussions, but a large portion of the book is describing the world Johnny Rico lives in.

This isn’t necessarily bad, but certainly not what I expected in a Heinlein book, nor anything resembling the movie. There are some interesting ideas, and certainly more depth than the movie. ( )

Date approximate ( )

I'm now a little over halfway through the NPR "Your Pick" Sci-Fic/Fantasy list, and am starting to get into a lot of books that aren't necessarily ones that I'd enjoy. Although I appreciate Heinlein's writing and the way that it is the foundation for many other novels that I have enjoyed, military fiction is not something that I will read for pleasure. ( )

Engaging, and a bit surprising to have such a strong pro-military book. But in the end, it left me somewhat unsatisfied as I wasn't sure what the point was beyond "sometimes, violent force is the only solution" and "a pure military hierarchy where you follow orders without questioning is set up that way for a reason". The bugs were fun, but not nearly as interesting as the alien bugs in Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game. ( )