Starship TroopersStarship Troopers
Score Classic
What it's about
Johnny Rico, a rich kid, enlists in the Mobile Infantry against his father's wishes, and goes through brutal training to become a soldier in powered armor. In a future where only veterans can vote, he fights in a war against an alien race of 'Bugs', rising through the ranks and learning what the army, and citizenship, mean to him.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Hugo Award and is one of the most influential military science fiction novels ever written. It's also one of the most argued about.
You'll love it if you liked
Old Man's War
The Forever War
The Moon Is a Harsh MistressGood to know
Much of it is classroom lectures on politics and morality, which some readers find militaristic. The 1997 film is a satire of the book.
By the numbers
- Readers45 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics56 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller33 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #117 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #360 of the 762 classics we rank
- #1223 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Dark, Thought-provoking
More by Robert A. Heinlein
The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress
Stranger in a Strange Land
Double Star
FridayIf you like this, read next
Ender's Game
Dune
The Lord of the Rings
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FoundationExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is Starship Troopers worth reading?
Yes. It won the Hugo Award and is one of the most influential military science fiction novels ever written. It ranks #1,223 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 70.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Starship Troopers about?
Johnny Rico, a rich kid, enlists in the Mobile Infantry against his father's wishes, and goes through brutal training to become a soldier in powered armor. In a future where only veterans can vote, he fights in a war against an alien race of 'Bugs', rising through the ranks and learning what the army, and citizenship, mean to him.
How long does it take to read Starship Troopers?
About 7 hours (288 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has Starship Troopers won?
Hugo Award winner (1960).
What should I read after Starship Troopers?
If you liked it, try Old Man's War by John Scalzi, The Forever War by Joe Haldeman or The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein.