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 … 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
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I read this book in 1968 and it is as excellent now as it was when I was a 14 year old reader. Not going to do any spoiler alerts but to say if you saw the movie and read the book now. WOW what a difference. I loved the narration and story line. The actions scenes are well written and you may judge them to be alright for younger readers. I do wish that Dr. Heinlein had expanded on the bug universe. All in all I say two thumbs up!!!
Heinlein has some views that don’t make a lot of sense to me. He feels that the way to train humans to be good citizens is firm discipline started early. All adults are rational. Therefore, adults who commit capital crimes should be quickly and efficiently executed by public hanging. The fact that most homicides occur within families is ignored. The possibility that the criminal justice system is flawed is ignored.
This is an exceptional book that looks at military and social issue that are still relevant today. I have read it several times and each time it reveals something new to think about.
One of my favorite Heinlein novels, along with the Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Heinlein has the ability to create a future in such a way that it seems entirely plausible. Great stuff.
Heinlein’s work in this young adult novel was an original vision for military science fiction and for alternative politics. It remains a classic of the genre. Though much misunderstood (thanks largely to the 1997 Paul Verhoeven movie), the novel envisioned a world of gender and racial equality far in advance of where America was in the 1950s, when Heinlein wrote (the idea of women routinely in command of major warships–well, we ain’t there yet). It is best appreciated by those who can understand it as a work of speculative fiction produced in mid-50s America, by an author whose perspective was powerfully shaped by World War II and Korea.
A classic Heinlien novel about war, this details both the cruelty and glory of war. Written by a Navel Academy graduate, Heinlein’s later novels advocate war only as when necessary. The characters clearly represent an appeal to his then juvenile readers.
Read this book rather than see the movie of the same name! Very thought provoking and great characterization. More political science and philosophy than most science fiction. Well worth the read.
Heinlein, a military officer before he became a writer, believed in the necessity of a well-armed, high-tech, realistically-trained defense force. Here, he takes that argument and sets it in the future. Written for young (teen-aged) men, this enthralling story also works for adults. Don’t ever see the movie based on this book; it was a deep insult to Heinlein’s art and his message. Read the book instead, and enjoy.
One of Mr. Heinlein’s more controversial novels. Like it or not it will certainly get you thinking. I don’t completely agree with the authors conclusions, nor how he came to them. Still, I have to admit that some of what he says has become part of my personal morality.
This is one of Heinlein’s greatest works. I read this as a teenage boy and reread it recently while in my 60’s. The story lasts. It held my interest both times.
I highly recommend this book. Don’t judge this book by the movies based on it. The movies, although one was good, do not live up to standard of the book.
The best book EVER!!!!! Bar none I have read this one book no less than 50 times I have owned it 6 different tomes and when the copy I have is so worn down I will be buying it again. I would make this mandatory for all who are in the Armed Forces. To make sure they truly know why they are there.
First of all, forget the movie(s). They are completely different than the novel. Starship Troopers is a very interesting look at society and war. The main character in the story joins the military school at a young age and becomes a soldier. He performs his duties efficiently in fighting the enemy the State is at war with. After time goes by he begins to think about the ones he is killing. His killing is impersonal; he has no quarrel with the State’s enemy.
This is an excellent book.
I really do like this book. It established a style for a lot of contemporary sci-fi.
This is classic Science Fiction from one of the best or the Golden Age writers. A great story.
Far, far better than the movie.
One of my all-time favorites.
So many reviews and reviewers have dealt with ST that it seems superfluous to add much more than how much I enjoyed reading it. For anyone who might have seen the wretched movie, it bears little resemblance to the magnificent book.
First Heinlein book for me. Nothing like the movie. Very interesting read. There is a lot of militaristic jargon and going ons but it keeps the attention
Heinlein wrote it, what more can I say!