nicanical
I wanted to read Starship Troopers because it was the only science fiction book on United States military academy reading lists (e.g., West Point's). Watching Paul Verhoeven's 1997 film was not what made me want to read the book. Nevertheless, I feel compelled to first state: the book is very different from the movie.
Starship Troopers is a coming-of-age story, a bildungsroman. It follows Johnny Rico's federal service with the Mobile Infantry during the Federation's war with the Arachnids. Despite this, there are few scenes of combat: there's a little combat at the beginning against skinnies (another alien race); then later in the book during 'Operation Royalty' on Planet P. The book comprises exposition on military doctrine interspersed between scenes of military school life—first boot camp, then Officer Candidate School. (In this way, Starship Troopers is similar to Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game).
Although exposition-heavy, the exposition is well-written, and the arguments compelling in context. The level of detail frequently resists comprehension: from the positioning of units on the battlefield, and timing of capsule launches from the ships, to the various philosophical arguments for war. But, it's still all enjoyable to read because Heinlein's knowledge and passion come through so vividly.
I wanted to read Starship Troopers because it was the only science fiction book on United States military academy reading lists (e.g., West Point's). Watching Paul Verhoeven's 1997 film was not what made me want to read the book. Nevertheless, I feel compelled to first state: the book is very different from the movie.
Starship Troopers is a coming-of-age story, a bildungsroman. It follows Johnny Rico's federal service with the Mobile Infantry during the Federation's war with the Arachnids. Despite this, there are few scenes of combat: there's a little combat at the beginning against skinnies (another alien race); then later in the book during 'Operation Royalty' on Planet P. The book comprises exposition on military doctrine interspersed between scenes of military school life—first boot camp, then Officer Candidate School. (In this way, Starship Troopers is similar to Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game).
Although exposition-heavy, the exposition is well-written, and the arguments compelling in context. The level of detail frequently resists comprehension: from the positioning of units on the battlefield, and timing of capsule launches from the ships, to the various philosophical arguments for war. But, it's still all enjoyable to read because Heinlein's knowledge and passion come through so vividly.