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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A SCI FI cllassic
I loved it when I was 14. Too jingoistic now
Much better than the movie.
Heinlein is always good
I have to admit I am biased. I do not believe Heinlein ever wrote a book I did not like.
Always a classic. The movie just doesn’t do it justice.
A classic. If you haven’t yet, you need to now.
Of an era.
Interesting character growth by the main character. A bit heavy handed about government control and how only a few people should vote.
If you saw the movie, forget all about that. The movie was at best a D, compared to the book which is an A. Go for it!
One of the Best from Heinlein, The Dean of Science Fiction.
Would make a great movie if Hollywood could get it’s head
out of it’s ass. Will never happen, I guess.
This is a classic sci-fi novel, with Heinlein delivering action along with some social commentary. Even though it’s a bit dated, it’s still a great read!
After another world war, the Terrans have developed a government system where those who serve are the ones who run the government. It is a harsher world, but it works. There are Citizens, those who have served, and Civilians, those who have not. When the Earth embarks on an interstellar war with an arachnid species, the self-sacrifice of the Citizens to protect everyone back home really shines through.
The book, obviously, is nothing like the 1997 movie or its sequels. There are some similarities, true, but there are some glaring differences as well. For one, the ground gear is never explored, and in the books it is pretty impressive. For another, the pilots are almost all women because of their physical advantage. Though the idea that only those who serve should run the government may not be attractive to all, Heinlein present a reasoning behind it which is sound. Especially after reading what Citizens must endure to earn that title – both in training and in the field. It is well presented, compelling, action-packed, and – for some – thought-provoking. A recommended read.
One of the great science fiction books. This novel has been copied by hundreds of writers and is the base for most of the military science fiction of today. This will be hated by many on the left but should be read and understood for the take on the world of the 1930s and 1940s.
Nobody does hard SF better the Heinlein. If the movie had been based on this book it would have spawned a series to compete with Star Wars. His cap ship troopers are battle mechs just 30 plus years before anyone else thought of them. If you don’t know Robert A. Heinlein and you like SF you should get to know him. This is a good place to start.
An amazing story that influenced a series of live action and animated films (that sadly missed the mark on so many levels).
Heinlein is one of the two or three best Sci-Fi writers of all time, and this is one of his best books. It is a political statement couched in a non stop action book. Politically, its not as popular as it once was, but it still a well-written, action-packed fun book to read, regardless of your politics. Extremely enjoyable, I first read it in my early teens and it is just as enjoyable to me today.
One of the original scifi powered armor books.
Heinlein is a master Craftsman and this story is original, witty, and fast paced. As usual, this book is much better than the movie.
I’ve been reading RAH since I was a kid. Great stuff – imaginative and thought-provoking science fiction that’s fun to read.