Starship Troopers

Starship Troopers is a technically fantastic book that falls short by a whisker as a thriller.

It's also sullied by a derided 1990s satirical movie that turns a serious social narrative into a joke.

But broadened by incredible writing skill and attention to militaristic detail, with lots of politics, sociology and philosophy.

It starts impressively with jump ship action before bedding down into the main plot and characters, confident the action will ramp up again, deftly done to anticipate impending peril and potential loss.

Technically brilliant, knowledgeable of all things war, soldier training and troop morale, covering education, fitness and motivation - boot camp being the best part of the book.

There is an element of satire but the book is far from a joke!

It goes into extensive detail about mobile infantry and their jump suits, who can carry enormous loads, fight, survive and tactically plan on alien planets.

There's so much to be loved.

The controversial politics aren't a major issue either - young men and women choose their paths and fight.

The book's controversial politics aren't a major issue either - young men and women choose their paths and fight. The insight into why they fight and the realism of boot camp and command are incredible pluses - Full Metal Jacket anyone? - with some touching and emotional scenes of camaraderie.

This outlook, buildup and speculation make for a fantastic experience, coupled with the spectacular writing style of Robert A. Heinlein, while not quite a 5 star read for several reasons.

The Bugs/Skinnies and their perspective are reminiscent of the Morlocks from The Time Machine by H.G. Wells - inexplicably habituating in the underworlds of other planets yet somehow also controlling fleets of intergalactic spaceships! it's unexplained and too much of a jump.

And the endless political explanations instead of real fighting action. The expected thriller doesn't quite materialize and makes the development feel top heavy.

It's such a forward thinking book with otherworldly speculation, strongly reminiscent of Ender's Game for logistical science and boot camp hell, while lacking a pinch of tension and excitement for an action classic. It isn't quite a Forever War romp.

A great achievement for military insight and atmosphere that's not quite a top thriller by the end.