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Starship Troopers  By  cover art

Starship Troopers

By: Robert A. Heinlein
Narrated by: Lloyd James
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Publisher's summary

Join the Army and See the Universe. That is the motto of The Third Space War, also known as The First Interstellar War, but most commonly as The Bug War. In one of Robert Heinlein's most controversial best sellers, a recruit of the future goes through the toughest boot camp in the universe - and into battle with the Terrain Mobile Infantry against mankind's most alarming enemy.

©1959 by Robert A. Heinlein (P)1998 by Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

  • Hugo Award, 1960

Featured Article: The Best Sci-Fi Book-to-Film/TV Adaptations


Beyond raising fascinating possibilities, the best works of science fiction ask big questions: What does it mean to be human? What will the future look like? What mysteries does the universe hold, and what do they mean for life on Earth? Whether you choose to escape via audiobook, movie, or television, these science fiction stories are truly out of this world—in all their incarnations.

What listeners say about Starship Troopers

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    10,649
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Story
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome story

A true classic, follows the story of Johnny Rico from high school graduate to boot camp to OCS to platoon leader. Not so much "battle action" as a story with dialogue philosophy think a Russian novel. Interesting RAH take on some items as we see the results in the military today. I don't think he would be surprised but sad.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

if you love the movies you'll love this book.

if you love the movies you'll love this book. the narrative is nicely done. great.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book. Poor recording

What made the experience of listening to Starship Troopers the most enjoyable?

This is an amazing book. Great story with an extremely interesting political and philosophical underscore.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Lloyd James?

Possibly. This was a very bad recording.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I've read it repeatedly and it always makes me think.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story and performance

A very inspiring story. The best one of Heinlein I have read so far, and my current favorite. It's a book of depth and adventure. I just wish that I had read it when I was younger.

The performance is also great. I'm very impressed by the narrator's voice. It was a great fit to the age, personality & experience of the protagonist. Reminds me more of the great Japanese voice actors (senyu) who give life to the characters they portray, and make them realistic.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

This book is timeless and jam-packed with great life lessons. The military aspect of the book is impressive.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, but the audio needs work.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it is a great story. Longer and more in depth than the movie (as books tend to be) .It gives more insight into how society functions in a future where vets are the only ones with a vote. It has great sci-fi and military content.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Starship Troopers?

The description of dropping from the troop transport as well as the reading of the recall song.

What three words best describe Lloyd James’s performance?

Mellow, Even, Clear

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

The audio needs work and should be read by someone with a little a swagger in their voice.This was required reading at the Officers Basic Course at one time and when I read it I imagined one of the combat vets that I knew telling it as his story. The reading was a bit flat.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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good read

the way things could be in our future. all young men's choice to go fight of just be a civilian.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Love it!

I have loved this book from the first time I read it. This audio book makes it so much easier to enjoy again and again.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

fun, and more in-depth than the movie

I enjoyed the movie so I figured i would give the book a try. obviously there are differences but i still enjoyed it.

only offsite is that sometimes the audio base would be screwy for a few seconds.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Misunderstood classic

This very entertaining book explores a form of Military authoritarian democracy. it cannot accurately be described as fascism due to anti racism and religious freedom being central tenets of the philosophy. It lacks the extreme other-ism and revanchism of Fascism and replaces them with extreme solidarity and progress. A very fascinating world! Perhaps not one I'd prefer to live in, but also probably better than the one I currently do.

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