Starship Troopers

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Juan Rico signed up with the Federal Service on a lark, but despite the hardships and rigorous training, he finds himself determined to make it as a cap trooper. In boot camp he will learn how to become a soldier, but when he graduates and war comes (as it always does for soldiers), he will learn why he is a soldier. Many consider this Hugo Award winner to be Robert Heinlein's finest work, and with good reason. Forget the battle scenes and high-tech weapons (though this novel has them)--this is Heinlein at the top of his game talking people and politics.

Book Description

Science FictionLarge Print EditionStarship Troopers is a classic novel by one of science fictions greatest writers of all time and is now a Tri-Star movie. In one of Heinleins most controversial bestsellers, a recruit of the future goes through the toughest boot camp in the universe and into battle with the Terran Mobile Infantry against mankinds most frightening enemy.

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I pity the fool who hasn't read this book
Controversy and illusion
Interesting experiment (look up Rodger W. Young) on the net.
Starship Troopers
An amazing book, but don't expect lots of battle scenes

Starship Troopers
Robert A. Heinlein
Manufacturer: Ace Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0441014100

Book Description

In one of Robert A. Heinlein's most controversial bestsellers, a recruit of the future goes through the toughest boot camp in the Universe-and into battle with the Terran Mobile Infantry against mankind's most alarming enemy.

Customer Reviews:

I pity the fool who hasn't read this book.......2007-09-20

I know I'm going to read this book again, and recommend it to all my friends. I especially recommend this book to anyone considering going into the military, because so much of this reflects Heinlein's personal experience. On top of that, this book is full of his wit, wisdom, and brilliant story writing...which means it's a great read even for those who don't normally enjoy sci-fi. The characters in this story are awesome. I don't want to give any spoilers, but don't expect a lot of action. Just good combat action. Rest assured that you won't be wasting your time with this one. Everything of any importance is founded on mathematics...might be hard to accept, but it's true.

Controversy and illusion.......2007-06-17

I first encountered this story in October of 1959, when the first part of a two-part serial entitled _Starship Soldier_ appeared in the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. I had just turned nine, so I didn't understand what I was reading all that well -- but I really liked the cover art for the second installment, in December, which was a stunning scene of the Mobile Infantry in combat, done by Emshwiller. My main memory of it at the time was that my father didn't think I could understand what I was reading; he asked me if I could explain "genetic impoverishment" (I couldn't).

I'm not going to give a neat plot synopsis here; most of the other reviews have that.

In the nearly 48 years since then, I have re-read this book more times than any other of my favorites. I don't know why this is, and it would probably be pointless to speculate on it. The point here is that I have come to see things about this story that others might miss.

This book represents a major watershed in Heinlein's career. _ST_ was his last juvenile novel, and it marks the beginning of Heinlein being a controversial figure. This book is one of the greatest bones of contention in the history of science fiction, with people arguing mightily (and seemingly endlessly) over it, dividing themselves neatly on opposite sides of the right-left faultline. Many opinions have been given on it, almost all of them quite worthless, a point which applies to those approving of the book as well as those disapproving of it.

This is one of Heinlein's strangest books, and one of his most convoluted. One has to read it closely (or many times, anyway) to really take note of it. The story is told from the first person point of view, a point which starts to take on significance when the reader realizes that there are entirely too many casual references to drugs and hypnosis through the
text, starting with the very first paragraph.

One might consider also that nowhere else in the body of Heinlein's work does he describe a society like that of _ST_ (a limited franchise democracy, with a decidedly right-wing, law-and-order ambience, complete with floggings and hangings). If he really were advocating this, one would expect to see this type of society depicted in many of his novels -- but it isn't. This is the only one.

And, of course, it's well-known that the opinions that authors put in the mouths of their characters are not necessarily the opinions of the authors. The opinions of Johnnie Rico's mentors and authority figures are not, I think, identical with those of Heinlein himself -- but that's sort of hard to tell, because Heinlein always maintained a closed front to the world, only displaying the sides of himself that he wanted to.

The one other thing I want to say about this book is the fact that you can keep on finding things in it that you hadn't previously noticed, even after many readings (that's also true of much of his other work). I noticed a new thing just a few months ago; this has to do with Heinlein's technique of showing rather than describing, and it makes for the sort of book you can read more than once. I won't go on about that; you can look for yourself, and maybe you'll find things that I've missed.

_Starship Troopers_, is one of the absolutely essential works that someone interested in Heinlein should read. The corollary to that is that, in order to have a valid opinion on Heinlein and his work, one needs to read more of his work than one book, or even half a dozen; depending on which ones one reads, that number would be around fifteen or twenty.

This book, of course, works on a number of levels. Whatever level you want to approach it on, I highly recommend it -- just don't stop here, because all of Heinlein's work deserves attention.

Interesting experiment (look up Rodger W. Young) on the net........2007-05-23

As with any good sci-fi the story and descriptions of the latest gadget are important; however this is just the window dressing or vehicle to carry a message or concept to you with out sounding too preachy.

Basically this book is not fascist like the movie. It suggests that people should be responsible for their actions and have a stake in what they make decisions on. Never did it say that these people were smarter or better, just that when you have a vested interest your decisions tend to work or you will pay.

I was intrigued in the process that Johnny Rico was going through in the story. The movie does not phase me as it looks like cartoon hype. But the book was too close to home. I hope my memory is flawed as I remember every one of the people types that he described. Actually I think with the volunteer Army today it is closer to the book than was Vietnam where conscripts looked on it this as slightly preferable to prison. I know that this story is not about the military but it is too real to be ignored as just the story.

You could have floored me with I found out there were no naked women in the book. Dizzy Flores must have had a great Swedish doctor. This could have been a genuine attempt to update the story; however it distracted from the original purpose.

Basically after school Johnny Rico is whisked into the military by peer pressure and to finds out if he is more than just the factory owner's son. While going through boot camp he learns of different cultures and the intricacies of military life. Naturally he makes mistakes and learns from others mistakes. As he grows he learns what make the world the way it is. I will not contrast this book with the movie because I think you enjoy the story more if you find out what happens as it unfolds.

Starship Troopers.......2007-02-21

"His head came off as I tried to take him out of his suit..."
This is one of the many gripping lines that doesn't let you put this book down. The story goes into the mind of a soldier going through boot camp and entering a career in the military.
The main character joins the army thinking that it would be an easy way to earn money and gain citizenship. His plan to earn some quick cash ended abruptly when the bugs attacked. In an attempt to avenge the innocent lives that the bugs had already slaughtered many were over zealous to fight their enemy. Most quickly learned that these were not the bugs you can spray with Raid and watch as they squirm in agony during their last moments of life. THESE bugs fought back!
Being outnumbered and outgunned the humans were fighting to survive. This book is an excellent read and is a must for any Sci-Fi lover. The author, Robert Heinlein, does an excellent job of pulling you in and keeping you suspended from beginning to end.

An amazing book, but don't expect lots of battle scenes.......2006-08-13

...because there aren't. This book has very little to do with the movie of the same name, other than some of the characters have the same name (but completely different personalities, not to mention different races), and the overall idea of fighting against an alien race known as the bugs.

This book is more about philosophy, why do we fight, why a volunteer army is important, and morality. Heinlein is one of the few people to admit that our Justice system is based on the principle of people wanting vengeance against criminals who have caused pain and harm to innocents. I believe he sums this up very in one particular line which states, "While a Judge's purpose is benevolent in nature, his rewards are supposed to make the criminal suffer". It also points out the failures in our modern society. In our society, people are punished more harshly than murderers sometimes. Disgusting.

Anyway, like I said, there aren't too many battles, but the few ones there are, are pretty cool. I find myself re-reading those parts because Heinlein also gets into the idea of fighting an enemy who won't roll over and die just because you throw a million nukes at their planet. Not gona work on the bugs pal. The technology they use is also really cool, the power armor in particular.

Bottom line, read this book.

Starship Troopers: The Klendathu Invasion (Starship Troopers the Minuatures Game)

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Starship Troopers: The Klendathu Invasion (Starship Troopers the Minuatures Game)
A. Hahn
Manufacturer: Mongoose Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1905176112

Product Description

The first major supplement for the Starship Troopers miniatures game, the Klendathu Invasion provides everything you need to expand your games to include the disasterous Klendathu campaign, Mankind's first strike against the Arachnid's homeworld. Included in this book, you will find: * The complete history of the invasion, including SICON reports on estimated bug strength and the changes made in the Mobile Infantry in the aftermath of disaster. * A brand new army list covering Light Armour Troopers, the brave men who joined the massive Invasion Companies. Poorly equipped and sent to battle with only half the training of Cap Troopers, these guys nevertheless pack a heavy punch with their own unique weapons, access to Fleet assets and nukes! * The Arachnid Response - full rules on the nasty tricks and ambushes the bugs employed on Klendathu, useable in any game. * A complete camapign, allowing you to chart the progress of your Mobile Infantry company during the Invasion. Will you make it back to the Retrieval Boats or will you be stranded on a hostile alien world?

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Starship Troopers
Classic book

Starship Troopers
Robert A. Heinlein
Manufacturer: Blackstone Audio Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 0786161426

Product Description

In one of Robert Heinlein's most controversial bestsellers, a recruit of the future goes through the toughest boot camp in the Universe - and into battle with the Terran Mobile infantry against mankind's most alarming enemy!

Customer Reviews:

Starship Troopers.......2007-08-23

Very nice to hear the origninal. Far superior to the movie(s). Well read

Classic book.......2007-07-24

The audio book was well done. It was good to hear the real story of this book and not the movie version.

I only gave it four stars as the CD's all had some minor audio quality problems.

Starship Troopers - Boot Camp (Starship Troopers)

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Starship Troopers - Boot Camp (Starship Troopers)
August Hahn
Manufacturer: Mongoose Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1905176155

Product Description

Bringing alive Robert Heinleins classic novel, and the movies and television series that have followed, Starship Troopers The RPG gives players the opportunity to experience the Bug War at first hand. Players can follow in the footsteps of Jonny Rico and his Mobile Infantry troopers as they face the menace of the Arachnids. Starship Troopers Boot Camp is a complete and ready-to-run introductory adventure for Starship Troopers: The Roleplaying Game. The adventure leads MI characters through the induction programme at Federations legendary Boot Camp, where the harsh trials, training, rivalries and military ritual will test PCs strength and resolve to the limit - experiences which will, will pale into insignificance when the recently graduated Troopers encounter the Arachnids for the first time!

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A Classic Science Fiction Story
A novel before it's time, perhaps our time...
A tribute to all soldiers of every era

Starship Troopers
Robert A. Heinlein
Manufacturer: ACE BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1568654308

Customer Reviews:

A Classic Science Fiction Story.......2007-08-21

STARSHIP TROOPER

Starship Trooper by Robert Anson Heinlein is a classic in the Science Fiction Genre. It is so good I believe one should read it about every ten years so that you make sure that you remember every little nuance and detail.

I'd love to see Heinlein's idea of obtaining the franchise implemented in the United States. Why should voting be easy. Soldiers have died to protect our right to vote, why should something that has been paid for at such a high price be easy? Beside that I think soldiers, especially those who have been in combat look at the world in a way that nobody else can. They understand that sacrifice for the larger group may be desirable. They aren't all just in it for themselves.

Highly recommended for Heinlein fans and for anyone who appreciates a good story told masterfully.

Gunner August 2,007

A novel before it's time, perhaps our time..........2005-12-13

When I saw the movie, I didn't even know it was based on a novel. The movie was fun. Big blockbuster. Nice effects. Gore heaped upon gore heaped upon even more gore. Really hot girls in showers. What's not to like?

Then I read the novel, and I found the desire to look into the minds and hearts of the subjects, not just their tops. Is it me, or is Dina Meyer smoking? Plus, you have Denise Richards in that spandex uniform. Sorry, got lost for a second.

The novel actually embraces the military and it's ideals. In the future the earth is ruled under one large federal government. People who serve in the military are granted special privileges, such as voting. Those who don't serve live by the laws and rules set by those that have risked their lives during their service.

The novel shows the camaraderie between the soldiers and certain disdain for those that don't enlist. The novel offers a different point of view than most other books and movies on the market. It doesn't say that "war is good" or "war is bad". It simply states that wars happen, and here are some of the reasons that men fight. Plus the book offers a few political views that are interesting to think about. I won't go into them here, some may find them inflammatory. But you may just find yourself thinking, "Why not?" as you read it.

Plus the Troopers don't fight like in the movie. They have these killer super suits they run around in. With rocket launchers and flame throwers and jet packs and machine guns and fire trucks... Sorry, got away from me again. If they ever do a sequel for the movie, they gotta to have the suits.

Now where is that Bachelor Party DVD?

A tribute to all soldiers of every era.......2005-11-25

It's a shame so many people will only know this story from the movie version. This book is so much better than the movie, its hard to know where to begin. Heinlein seems to have woven two books together into one. One the one hand, this is the story of every soldier, describing the brutal ordeal of basic training, and the logic behind military discipline. These details feel like a tribute to the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our societies. In spite of the science-fiction elements, this story is first and foremost about military service and puts the reader into the mind of the soldier like few other books I've ever read.

In addition, this book also explores the roles of rights and duties, and theorizes that society might be better if individual rights were constrained to correspond to the level of responsibility one is willing to accept. Since the right to vote is the ultimate power, it should only be given to those who demonstrate a willingness to put the good of society ahead of themselves. Its an interesting argument, but one that I'm not sure I find convincing enough to want to give it a try.

These two threads are set in a future faced with a nasty alien threat, providing an engaging coming-of-age story. Powerful and interesting, this book satisfies on many levels.

Starship Troopers: Mobile Infantry Field Manual (Starship Troopers)

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Starship Troopers: Mobile Infantry Field Manual

Starship Troopers: Mobile Infantry Field Manual (Starship Troopers)
Matthew Sprange
Manufacturer: Mongoose Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1905471084

Book Description

The ultimate MI handbook; tactics, society, notable units, new specialist equipment and training, more prestige classes. Plus a raft of new missions for ST:RPG players.

Customer Reviews:

Starship Troopers: Mobile Infantry Field Manual.......2006-07-10

The ST:MI Field Manual presented some interesting information based upon equipment from the movie, animated series and book. However it could have contained a bit more data about the various items. For instance in the weapons section the book could have given stats on dimensions (length, width, height) of the weapons presented. Compared to sourcebooks such as those for Star Wars, Battletech or Rifts it was a disappointment. Still I gave it three stars as a medium between terrible and outstanding.

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great
What a waste
What?
The only good bug is a dead bug!
It will be on my x-mas list.

Starship Troopers
Various
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1569713146

Book Description

Inspired by the classic novel by Robert A. Heinlein, it`s the tale of invading arachnids. Earth`s mobile infantry gears up to battle the inhuman enemy and discover the secret of the brain bugs. Come witness the earth`s first intergalactic war and the destruction of a distant planet with a unique philosophy!

Customer Reviews:

great.......2007-09-30

lush comic graphics and a great prequal to the movie is also included. based on the movie 1997 blockbuster.

What a waste.......2003-01-22

At least they saved the title. Or should we say they stole a good title to market trivial trash. It copies the movie, and has all the flaws. The troopers in the movie had no guns. We're expected to believe that they flew starships and the best personal weapon they could find was an automatic rifle hardly better than 20th century. They had no guns. Even a battery of civil war field pieces would have been a major improvement. A Sherman tank would have been a miracle. Given the starship technology a viewer/reader would expect them to carry real guns that fire real destruction, not those puny ineffective popguns they died holding. The lack of credible weapons makes these troopers seem like ineffective jerks and destroys the credibility of the whole thing.

Heinlein's troopers wore armored suits and carried weapons sufficient to destroy everything alive within several hundred yards. They had to pay attention when they got within half a mile of each other so they wouldn't wipe each other out. Not these fools, they have to fire a hundred rounds to kill one unarmed bug. Pathetic and unbelievable.

The original Starship Troopers spends half the book discussion moral philosophy of government, command structure of troops, and the morals of space exploration. This has none of that. What a waste.

What?.......2001-06-08

Maby I'm biased a little bit, but i found this book uninteresting and insulting to Robern Heinlein (may he rest in peace). I felt the book strayed too far from the original purpose of Heinlein's excellent book. This novel detailed the military aspect well, but completely missed the philosophical aspects of Heinleins book that made it a classic. The book is often thought of with the movie, even though they are nothing alike. It is unfortunate that this other seemed to have never even read the novel Starship Troopers, much less adhered to its purpose.

The only good bug is a dead bug!.......2000-07-28

I really liked this trade-paperback because my parents prohibited my viewing the 1997 sci-fi thriller. This comic sets the stage by showing the prequel (Insect Touch) in which man comes in contact with the vicious arachnids, the tie-in (Brute Creations) in wich Raczak tries to save the inhabitants of Port Joe Smith, and the actual adaptation of the film itself.

It will be on my x-mas list........1999-10-02

It is the number 1 book since the begining of tim

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Starship Troopers
Robert A. Heinlein
Manufacturer: Recorded Books, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
ASIN: 0788720236

Product Description

7 Cassettes. Hailed as one of the greatest science fiction writers of all time, Robert A. Heinlein pens fast-moving, action-packed tales. In this thrilling best-seller, he fast forwards to a controversial future world where law and order are harshly enforced, and only the ex-military can gain citizenship. Right out of high school, Johnny Rico enlists in the elite fraternity of the Mobile Infantry of planet Terra, once known as Earth. After weeks of the dangerously rugged bootcamp, Johnny is looking forward to some rest and relaxation. But when horrifying communist aliens attack Terran colonies, the entire human race becomes engaged in a terrifying struggle for survival. Starship Troopers is acclaimed as a science-fiction classic and has been made into a popular motion picture. Intergalactic war and daring invasions explode from the pages with narrator George Wilsons dramatic performance

Starship Troopers (Blaze of Glory: Alamo Bay, Book 1) (Starship Troopers: Blaze of Glory)

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Mr. Heinlein would be proud!

Starship Troopers (Blaze of Glory: Alamo Bay, Book 1) (Starship Troopers: Blaze of Glory)
Tony Lee
Manufacturer: Mongoose Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1904854532

Book Description

Blaze of Glory follows a new Mobile Infantry unit, Tamari's Tigers, and the fortunes of yet another raw recruit in the war against the bugs - William Tanner. The Tigers are sent on a recon mission to find out what has happened to an outpost only to discover Alamo Bay deserted and a recently arrived bug invasion swarm. (****Additional text****) You've read the book. You've watched the TV series. You've seen the movie. You know by heart the tale of Rico, Dizzy and Carmen. But in the war against the bugs, there is more than just one unit... Welcome to the world of Tamari's Tigers. Following the Pluto Campaign, the Tigers are sent on what seems to be a simple search and retrivial mission - a research base called Alamar Bay - but what they find there is far more than they ever imagined - a base overrun with bugs, a planet swarming with the enemy, and a band of survivors who will kill to save their secret research material. And for Trooper Will Tannen, fresh from boot camp, he finds that things aren't the same as the recruitment programmes, as his friends die around him, his sergeant seems traitorious, and his very life is in jeopardy... STARSHIP TROOPERS - ALAMO BAY is the first book in the BLAZE OF GLORY trilogy, chartering the rise, fall and rebirth of Will Tannen, a trilogy that has already been described as 'Sharpe in space'. Written by X-Men writer Tony Lee and drawn by Transformers Artist Paul Ridgon and Warhammer artist Jim Brady, this is a must for every fan of the book, TV series or Movies. This trilogy will give you new characters to care about as well as bringing in cameos from favourites from the original material, like Zim, Rico and Ibanez.

Customer Reviews:

Mr. Heinlein would be proud!.......2006-12-19

This graphic novel does an excellent job of bring new life into the classic military sci-fi novel. By combining elements of all three incarnations of the story (The original book, the movie and the cg tv series) the arthurs and artists create a great and enjoyable experience that stays true to the original book that started it all. I highly recommend this to all sci-fi military fans, even those not into graphic novels!

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