Starship Troopers
by Robert A. Heinlein
science fiction
copyright 1959
read (again) in November 2013
rated 6/10: read to pass the time
The classic how-to manual on democracy and war. Heinlein corrects the misunderstandings of generations of political and military theorists and practitioners. Wow !
As usual -- with Heinlein -- his characters are happy to stop the action in order to spend several pages explaining how the world should be organised. Despite that, there is enough action to make for an enjoyable book
Unbelievable. But enjoyable.
Remember Haldeman's Forever War ? (I hope that I am remembering the right author ! ) Men and women fight side by side and enjoy the between-battle benefits of shared bunks. Heinlein is not just strictly segregated... His ultra-macho soldiers are inspired to fight in order to defend the delicate flowers of womanhood who are left at home... Presumably in the kitchen.
So it's badly dated. And was probably just as badly dated when it was first published...
Still, it's fun. And there are some interesting ideas.
I would guess that I agree with 20% of Heinlein's political and social ideas. And strongly disagree with (or laugh at) another 20%.
Is there a reader who would agree with all of Heinlein's ideas? Just in case, let me adapt a suggestion from an article that I recently read:
Go off by yourself. Spend an hour or two spanking the monkey. And come back when you have calmed down...
Read it, enjoy it, just don't accept it as the best way to run the world :-)
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