Starship Troopers

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: R. C. Bray

In Robert A. Heinlein’s controversial Hugo Award–winning bestseller, a recruit of the future goes through the toughest boot camp in the Universe—and into battle against mankind’s most alarming enemy.

Johnnie Rico never really intended to join up—and definitely not the infantry. But now that he’s in the thick of it, trying to get through combat training harder than anything he could have imagined, he knows everyone in his unit is one bad move away from buying the farm in the interstellar war the Terran Federation is waging against the Arachnids.

Because everyone in the Mobile Infantry fights. And if the training doesn’t kill you, the Bugs are more than ready to finish the job.

©1959 , 1987 by Robert A. Heinlein. © 2003 by the Robert A. & Virginia Heinlein Prize Trust (P)2024 Blackstone Publishing

Critic reviews

“R. C. Bray employs a staccato tone and spot-on pacing, taking listeners into the thick of battle…Bray’s performance—enhanced with evocative character voices, precise timing, and perfectly realized tension—dazzles. Verdict: This new recording of Heinlein’s groundbreaking military sci-fi, a controversial classic, is not to be missed.”

(Library Journal (starred audio review))

“For sf fans, the book is not merely a must-read but an absolute requirement.”

(Booklist (starred review))

“A classic…If you want a great military adventure, this one’s for you.”

(All SciFi)

“Nothing has come along that can match it.”

(Science Fiction Weekly)

“Heinlein’s genius is at its height in this timeless classic…A fast-paced novel that never gets preachy. This is a definite must-have, must-read book.”

(SF Site)

“A book that continues to resonate and influence to this day, and one whose popularity and luster hasn’t been dimmed despite decades of imitations.”

(SF Reviews)

Lets be honest, I bought this for Bray's Narration

I have never listened to, or read any version of Starship Troopers, when I pre-ordered and waiting 2+ years I remained positive and unlike many I did not cancel or complain, I heard about health issues holding the release up and I hope Mr. Bray is doing well.

Today I was prepared to binge this book as I do many of R.C Bray's Narrations. Unfortunately This this the 1st R.C Bray narration that is not a home run for me. The pacing seems off, there is less room between words and/or sentences. Slowing the speed down doesn't help this, you cant create space between words or sentences you can only slow everything down all at once.

I will be keeping the book, and i'll be trying to get thru it as I can, but this wont be a Bray narration that I keep in my rotation, I often fall back to other Bray narrations daily to take breaks from other books, or to fill in a gap when i don't have a new book. This book I can't currently see being one of those default listen to over and over again books.

I will add perhaps you wont have the same issue, I am a veteran, I have PTSD and the speed and unatural conversation style here for sure makes my anxiety levels rise, try the sample and hopefully it will help you decide if you find the pacing off for you.

Amazing SIFI milltary drama

The book gives a look at milltary life without overtly shoving it into our face. The reveals were subdued like in life, they were not the focus but nice nodds to how real life is. I don't want to contrast this with the movie, they did uses some of the books sources meterial but too obvious poetic license. As a stand alone book we'll woth the listen. I could listen to R. C. Bray read a phone book.

Not the Movies

It's a terrific story well told by Mr. Bray. However, do not expect a repeat of the movies. Honestly, I read these books, but it's been a long time, so some of the plot points are surprising to me.

voice actor best in the business

I've never read the book myself but it gets rushed pretty quickly near the end. voice actor was great though

Cliche, poorly directed and edited vocal performance.

the book is fantastic. a classic. nothing needs to be said. the vocal performance was very middling. mispronunciations, not respecting sentence breaks and putting incorrect emphasis on improper words, poor editing leaving no pause between sentences or paragraphs, and generally cliche and inappropriate choices made in depicting characters. Reader generally reads too fast and adopts a gruff affect because obviously anything about a military of any sort has to be as badass masculine as possible. The original audiobook is vastly superior.