Review: “Starship Troopers” (Robert A. Heinlein) and “Starship Troopers” (Paul Verhoeven)

PODCAST:

Listen to the podcast here (click to play/right click and select “save target as” to download):

S1E5 – Starship Troopers (Book/Movie)*

WRITTEN BOOK REVIEWS:

Ryan: 3 Stars “Full Metal Jacket with Bugs (minus the bugs)…”

Wilk: 4 Stars “This is a great book in its own right- do not read this expecting an action filled romp like the movie…”

Rick: 1 Star “There is such a disproportionate description of military technology, military protocol, ‘morals’, and ‘ethics’ juxtaposed with the minute story line, I have every reason to believe it is merely a propaganda tool rather than artful sci-fi…”

Bob (guest): “I enjoyed Heinlein’s subtle but consistent portrayal of women being equal or superior to men. He doesn’t hammer it, it is just part of the thread…”

(Click the links to read full written reviews on Goodreads.com)

SUBJECT MATTER:

“Starship Troopers” by Robert A. Heinlein

Book: “Starship Troopers” by Robert A. Heinlein

“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 frightening enemy.” (from Amazon.com)

*** * ***

“Starship Troopers” by Paul Verhoeven

Movie: “Starship Troopers” by Paul Verhoeven (Casper Van Dien)

“STARSHIP TROOPERS charts the lives of elite members of the Mobile Infantry, a corps of dedicated young men and women soldiers fighting side-by-side in the ultimate intergalactic war… the battle to save humankind. The enemy is mysterious and incredibly powerful with only one mission: survival of their species no matter what the human cost. ” (from Amazon.com)

WILK’S SHOW NOTES:

Another month and another podcast. As our inevitable and forgettable lives dwindle away we measure the banality by talking into a plastic bubble. Our words are sent into space where they exist to provide solace to others. The solace in knowing that they have succeeded where we have failed. As we live upon our knees we meekly use a medium that requires no eye contact. Our only prayer is that no mirror catches our gaze, in that we cannot bear to look upon ourselves.

This month we explored the novel “Starship Troopers” written by Robert A. Heinlein. We also had our first guest, Bob Wilkinson. It was later revealed, in a classic “No Deodorant” style twist, that Bob was the father of Wilk. Hilarity ensued.

In all honesty it is hard to recall what actually did ensue. The writer of the show notes, me, drank to the point of almost blacking out during the podcast. I recall saying that I did not support the troops and discussing liberal vs. libertarian philosophy, but other than that everything else is a blur (here is a link to the Heinlein Society website mentioned in the show: http://www.heinleinsociety.org/). So, below are some bullet points of things that may have happened:

• Everyone but Ryan enjoyed the book despite the lack of action
• Rick is against nuclear testing
• Ryan said “no one is requiring you to drink”
• The movie is fantastic and has a different political viewpoint than the book
• Something offensive (actually many offensive things)
• The book was very well written but had a political bent that many may disagree with.

I can only speak for myself and my Dad, but we both loved this book. I think that the nostalgia element of the book played a factor for Bob.

Overall, I would wholeheartedly recommend that you do not drink a fifth of bourbon while discussing this book.

So, until next time, don’t eat a lot of raw garlic, because there is no deodorant in Outer Space! * – Wilk

 

 

* DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that the views and opinions of the hosts and guests of NDIOS are completely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of the other hosts and guests or that of NDIOS.