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Starship Troopers Paperback – May 15, 1987

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 18,733 ratings

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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...

“A classic…If you want a great military adventure, this one is for you.”—All SciFi
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Amazon.com Review

Juan Rico signed up with the Federal Service on a lark, but despite the hardships and rigorous training, he finds himself determined to make it as a cap trooper. In boot camp he will learn how to become a soldier, but when he graduates and war comes (as it always does for soldiers), he will learn why he is a soldier. Many consider this Hugo Award winner to be Robert Heinlein's finest work, and with good reason. Forget the battle scenes and high-tech weapons (though this novel has them)--this is Heinlein at the top of his game talking people and politics.

Review

Praise for Starship Troopers

“Nothing has come along that can match it.”—
Science Fiction Weekly
 
“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
 
“Heinlein’s genius is at its height in this timeless classic that is as meaningful today as when it was written...a fast-paced novel that never gets preachy. This is a definite must-have, must-read book.”—
SF Site

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ace (May 15, 1987)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 263 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0441783589
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0441783588
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 920L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.21 x 0.88 x 7.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 18,733 ratings

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Robert Heinlein
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Robert Heinlein was an American novelist and the grand master of science fiction in the twentieth century. Often called 'the dean of science fiction writers', he is one of the most popular, influential and controversial authors of 'hard science fiction'.

Over the course of his long career he won numerous awards and wrote 32 novels, 59 short stories and 16 collections, many of which have cemented their place in history as science fiction classics, including STARSHIP TROOPERS, THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS and the beloved STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
18,733 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable. They describe the story as interesting and monumental in the genre of military science fiction. The book is thought-provoking and insightful, with great concepts and ideas. Readers praise the writing quality as well-written and thoughtful. They appreciate the well-developed characters and authoritative character rants. The pacing is described as fast-paced or beautifully paced.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

885 customers mention "Readability"885 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find the writing interesting and enjoyable, making it a worthwhile read. The novel has entertaining aspects that readers can laugh about.

"...in battle and focuses on a character who isn't too smart but gets by in a time of war...." Read more

"...Utopian visions aside, the book is extremely enjoyable, has a good story line with compelling characters, and keeps you reading; it is also light on..." Read more

"...But his writing is good and interesting enough to keep you reading. This was a fun read. I think I’ll give some of Robert Heinlein other works a shot." Read more

"...I hadn't read it for 50 years and it is still grand. Not only is the story believable, if futuristic, but the characters are strongly drawn...." Read more

580 customers mention "Story quality"544 positive36 negative

Customers find the story engaging. They describe it as a solid science fiction novelette that explores political realities. The book takes its theme fairly seriously, and the military descriptions are entertaining.

"...This is sci-fi warfare at its finest and its ideas are just as impressive now as they were in 1959. So sit down, read, and enjoy." Read more

"...Utopian visions aside, the book is extremely enjoyable, has a good story line with compelling characters, and keeps you reading; it is also light on..." Read more

"...The movie is most definitely satire. The book takes its theme fairly seriously, and Johnnie Rico was a great character with very human motivations..." Read more

"...Not only is the story believable, if futuristic, but the characters are strongly drawn...." Read more

467 customers mention "Thought provoking"443 positive24 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and insightful. They appreciate the great concepts and ideas presented, as well as the brilliantly articulated meditations on history, human nature, and world-building in a microcosmic way. The book is described as an inspiring and intelligent exploration of what it means to be a citizen in a smart and easy-to-read science fiction novel.

"...The way Heinlein speculates the future of war is phenomenally well done and having the story told from the perspective of a protagonist who is..." Read more

"...There is a lot of philosophy in this book, however much of is not as palatable as the above example...." Read more

"This is not the movie. It’s better. I was really surprised by this. This was more a love letter to the arm forces than anything else...." Read more

"...This reaches the top of his very high pile of work. I hadn't read it for 50 years and it is still grand...." Read more

211 customers mention "Writing quality"166 positive45 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality of the book. They find it well-written, thoughtful, and easy to read. Readers praise the author as a prolific science fiction writer with simple narrative.

"...how extraordinary the events and technology are by with a simple worded narrative...." Read more

"...with compelling characters, and keeps you reading; it is also light on violence (surprisingly) and sex (none explicit at all)...." Read more

"...I read Friday and that book wasn’t without issues. But his writing is good and interesting enough to keep you reading. This was a fun read...." Read more

"...But, on to the novel... It’s vintage Heinlein—imaginative, but with a tangible flavor of realism and an accurate anthropology...." Read more

77 customers mention "Character development"58 positive19 negative

Customers like the well-developed characters and satisfying action. They appreciate the authoritative character rants to onlookers. The portrayal of men is good, but the author doesn't neglect women. There are interesting observations on gender differences with women having an active role.

"...the book is extremely enjoyable, has a good story line with compelling characters, and keeps you reading; it is also light on violence..." Read more

"...The book takes its theme fairly seriously, and Johnnie Rico was a great character with very human motivations to his reaction and decisions...." Read more

"...Not only is the story believable, if futuristic, but the characters are strongly drawn...." Read more

"...The main character is resoundingly consistent. He's arrogant, and he dreams about his professor Dubois all the time...." Read more

77 customers mention "Pacing"59 positive18 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pacing. They find it fast-paced with plenty of action and character development. The book is described as engaging and ahead of its time. Readers also mention that the book is a quick read with better flow and deeper character development.

"...The Arachnids also exploit their ability of fast reproduction...." Read more

"Excellent book, way ahead of it's time. Highly recommend to anyone." Read more

"...Regardless, it is a quick read and actually quite interesting...." Read more

"...have a very real feel to them, but are sometimes hard to follow...." Read more

53 customers mention "Military reading"44 positive9 negative

Customers enjoy the book's military insights and recommend it for OCS in the Army. They find it an accurate portrayal of the military mindset during training and combat, as well as the author's inside perspective on life in training for service. The book provides a good overview of government, military service, and human morals.

"...He asked to read Starship Troopers again. It is dedicated to all sergeants from all times. Is that cool, or what? Humans will ALWAYS make war...." Read more

"...I believe that this book should be required reading for high school students. It holds up wonderfully despite it's age...." Read more

"...is also considerable commentary on that era's conduct and attitudes about military service, honor, citizenship, and personal responsibility...." Read more

"...A must read for any junior officer or NCO. Great for a military professional development discussion or class. Heinlein was a prolific SF writer...." Read more

248 customers mention "Movie quality"106 positive142 negative

Customers have different opinions about the movie quality. Some find it superior to the book, while others say it's not as good as expected, with a disappointing ending.

"...this, and very much unlike the film, there's very little actual military action in the book...." Read more

"A good companion to the Movie, this book (Which of course came first) gives a riveting window into the mind of a soldier fighting a futuristic war...." Read more

"...By corollary, unskillful work can easily subtract value;an untalented cook can turn wholesome dough and fresh green apples, valuable already, into..." Read more

"...as a mobile infantry man, i for one am glad that the book barely resembles the movie because it is easier to understand the military experience that..." Read more

Why do some consider this satire?
5 out of 5 stars
Why do some consider this satire?
A day in the many lives of a soldier fighting in a war against the Bugs with his platoon(s), always on the bounce, learning and growing through each experience.What a gem this was to read. Arrived on Friday and thoroughly consumed by Monday. Reads like a first-person retelling of Juan Rico's life as soldier (Mobile Infantry Division) in the Terran Federation, the story beginning shortly before he signs up.The universe in this novel is not entirely made up, earth is real, many historical moments mentioned and discussed are real and often used as philosophical examples. Most of the pages are spent deep in Juan Rico's head, and Heinlein does a magnificent job of narrating Rico's thoughts and experiences in a beautiful way.The controversy. Yes it does seem to promote militarism. The book describes civilians as "happy" but spends roughly zero words actually delving into the life of a civilian, nor is there any dialogue between one. Most references, if any, to civilians were in the short few pages before Juan Rico signed up to join the Federation and was a "civilian" himself.This book shows the pride, determination, and fears of the individual soldier throughout his journey. Something that may be forgotten when the only focus is the pride and determination of the masses. I greatly enjoyed reading it and very glad I discovered it (despite a publication of 1959..).Oh, and, the wear and tear in the photos are 100% mine! It was perfect when it got here :)
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2010
    What are my favorite books? Well, that is a hard question when you get down to it. There are many books I like, or even love, but naming favorites is hard. I suppose to name a favorite I need to choose ones that inspire my own creative thought. One novel that has always managed to do just that is Robert. A. Heinlein's controversial sci-fi adventure Starship Troopers. Forget the butchery that was the 1997 movie by Paul Verhoeven because the two share nothing in common.

    Starship Troopers revolves around an intergalactic war between the Terran Federation of Earth and the Arachnids of Klendathu. The Terran Federation is a limited democracy that revolves around meritocratic beliefs, nationalism (or is it planetism in this case?), and extreme militarism. The only way an individual can earn the right to vote is if they've served in a military branch (which earns the title of "Citizen") while those who haven't do not receive the right to vote and are looked down upon ("civilians"). The Arachnids are a Hive based society where countless worker and warriors meet the needs of the ruling class composed of "Queens" and "Brain Bugs."

    The story is told from the perspective of Juan Rico, son of wealthy Filipino businessman Emilio Rico. His father is a civilian but despite his lack of political power has amassed a great fortune and when Juan expresses interest in becoming a Citizen his father scolds him. Eventually however Juan gives into pressure from his friend "Carl" (no full name given) and high school crush Carmen Ibanez.

    Military service is dependant upon intelligence and Juan hopes to make it into the Naval Academy, which is where Carmen intends to enlist. Unfortunately, Juan is not the smartest kid on the block. While Carmen happily accepts entry into Naval services and Carl makes it into Research & Development ("Starside Research & Development" located on Pluto, to be precise), Rico only manages to meet the standard for Mobile Infantry; the lowest branch. He joined to be with his friends, but from this day on he never sees them again except for few, brief moments.

    Rico is soon shipped to Camp Arthur Currie where under the strict care of 1st Sergeant Charles Zim. Here Rico is trained to become an instrument of war under the harshest conditions. Training consumes most of the days, so much so that Rico along with many other recruits acquires the ability to sleep during the morning jogs without missing a beat. Public floggings of disobedient recruits, or those attempting to escape their duties is a constant event meant to keep the others in line.

    Towards the end of his training Rico is shocked to discover that the Arachnids (or "bugs" as the soldiers prefer to call them) have declared war by launching a surprise bombardment that has wiped out his home of Buenos Aires. With the full tide of war pushing him, and outfitted with a fully armored mechanized combat suit Rico is prepared to engage the bugs up close and personal. The rest of the novel follows Rico's exploits throughout the "Bug War."

    On its surface Starship Troopers is a basic grunt story with a sci-fi setting, but it still manages to be ahead of its time. It feels a lot like post-Vietnam era war fiction in the fact that it doesn't show glory in battle and focuses on a character who isn't too smart but gets by in a time of war. The simplicity of this story also allows Heinlein to give full attention to his innovative, and at times controversial ideas.

    Aside from Heinlein's controversial picture of a militaristic society that many feel supports a fascist society (I would disagree on this...) Heinlein manages to work in military tactics and technology well ahead of his time. You want to know where the idea of strength enhancing combat suits and the ability to deploy troops by dropping capsules from orbit came from? Why, these ideas copied countless times in anime, video games, movies, and other novels all stem from Starship Troopers! But even aside from those awesome concepts Heinlein presents ideas that have taken hold in today's military. Such tactics as smash-and-burn raids, and surgical precision strikes become tactics that for the first time are fully elaborated upon in the written word and are surprisingly accurate to how the tactics are conducted today. Other technology such as night vision goggles, personal radar, and self-contained environmental suits are also laid out in great detail by Heinlein.

    As a race the Arachnids set the standard for all future "humanity vs. insect race" scenarios. They have a hive based society. Where there is a central intelligence class (Queens and Brain Bugs in this case) and a lower class which consists of warriors and workers. The Arachnids also exploit their ability of fast reproduction. Aside from being sentient (the Arachnids of Heinlein's book have built spaceships and utilize plasma based weaponry) the Arachnids really exploit the fact that they're insects. Rico speculates at one part that if they kill 10,000 Arachnid warriors in a day and lose a single member of the Mobile Infantry it is a loss for humanity because in the Arachnid hives wait Warrior eggs that will hatch to meet demands. A human Mobile Infantryman takes eighteen years to mature and two years to train. In this way Heinlein really goes in-depth on "What advantages would a sentient insect race have over humans if they were at war?"

    Story is probably where Starship Troopers falls short, being a fairly routine military coming of age chronicling the adventures of the protagonist and the horrors of war. In short: The ideas and concepts of the novel overshadow the story. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this book and its characters, but when comparing its basic plot to some of the novels it inspired, such as Ender's Game, it doesn't hold as much strength...But as an exploration into the mechanics of science-fiction is unmatched. The way Heinlein speculates the future of war is phenomenally well done and having the story told from the perspective of a protagonist who is essentially a common grunt really drives home how extraordinary the events and technology are by with a simple worded narrative.

    I highly suggest picking up a copy of this book and throwing aside any knowledge of the 1997 movie. The movie simply uses the names of characters and slaps on the title "Starship Troopers" but never will you see a less accurate interpretation of a book. This is sci-fi warfare at its finest and its ideas are just as impressive now as they were in 1959.

    So sit down, read, and enjoy.
    61 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2016
    I read Starship Troopers at the recommendation of a friend after he found out that I liked another one of Heinlein's books, "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress". I had seen the film years ago, and because of that I thought I knew what I could expect.

    Starship Troopers centers around the main Character Juan "Johnny" Rico and his military career, starting from his enlistment. Despite this, and very much unlike the film, there's very little actual military action in the book. The whole of it boils down to maybe three battles that Johnny takes part in, and the rest of the book describes his martial and ethics training as a lens on the futuristic society he lives in. This is touched on in the film, but the two works interpret the message to readers (or viewers) completely differently.

    The movie is very much a parody of military culture, patriotism, and human exceptionalism. These aspects of the culture are the result of capitalism, and by extension Americanism, run Amok; the most cogent point is that you must have served time in the military to be a citizen and have voting rights. This is presented in the film as a sortof top-down macho ideal, that the military are bullies imposing their will on the rest of the weak-spined poulace. The book, on the other hand, presents this in a very different way. There is one speech in particular that addresses this point where a main character says that the reason people must "serve" (though, note, that not all "military service" is necessarily martial, but can also include research positions and test-subject positions; the positions are all extremely physically grueling however) to vote is because they must demonstrate that they are willing to put societal needs ahead of their own. This presents an ideal of self-sacrifice rather than bullying.

    There is a lot of philosophy in this book, however much of is not as palatable as the above example. Corporal punishment is used on the populace, for example; additionally, the military-industrial regime (while presented as Utopia) is little more than extended martial law fueled by utilitarianism. This gives the astute reader a chance to critically evaluate the voting system they present without having to mix wires with whether or not you agree with the wider social structure that the fictional government puts forth (utilitarianism, of course, is impossible in practice). It also forces the reader to consider the voting system we currently have in our own countries, and what we as individuals do to earn that right. In the USA for example voting is considered an intrinsic right of all citizens above age 18, with no military service required. The question the book offers seems to be, "should this be so?". Some countries (Norway among them) have widespread conscription programs, but include the ability to conscientiously object and perform community service instead. Imagine the USA having a civil labor force of even 1 million people (25mil 18-24yr old, divided by 5 (only 18 year olds), divided by 5 (conscientious objectors)), repairing infrastructure across the country inexpensively, or working in hospitals, or helping the elderly, or doing any number of other community improvements. They would be fed and housed, but perhaps unpaid (or a fixed amount). This is of course untenable because of the drop in GDP associated with removing 8% of the population from the workforce, but it seems like a tempting idea nonetheless.

    Utopian visions aside, the book is extremely enjoyable, has a good story line with compelling characters, and keeps you reading; it is also light on violence (surprisingly) and sex (none explicit at all).

    I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (I liked that one better) or Gates of Fire (an excellent read).
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2024
    This is not the movie. It’s better. I was really surprised by this. This was more a love letter to the arm forces than anything else. We got to see how a soldier was made basically, from enlistment to career. The war against the
    Bugs was second fiddle to the saga of a soldiers life. I actually enjoyed it. Truthfully, I read this because my husband likes the movie and I wanted to see if the movie was at all like its source material. The movie is most definitely satire. The book takes its theme fairly seriously, and Johnnie Rico was a great character with very human motivations to his reaction and decisions. It does portray the army through rose colored glasses at time though, so I can see why this book is controversial. I’m not a huge fan of Robert Heinlein. I read Friday and that book wasn’t without issues. But his writing is good and interesting enough to keep you reading. This was a fun read. I think I’ll give some of Robert Heinlein other works a shot.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Bruno Correa Gauto
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good product.
    Reviewed in Canada on December 10, 2024
    Good product.
  • Lucas Sancho
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buenas condiciones
    Reviewed in Spain on July 12, 2024
    Buenas condiciones alguna hoja doblada pero nada que no tenga arreglo
  • Manolo Macchetta
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is the book that inspired Yoshiyuki Tomino to create Gundam
    Reviewed in Italy on May 16, 2023
    This is the book that inspired Yoshiyuki Tomino to create Gundam and has been on my nightstand for years. The plot is very simple and straightforwar... it is almost just a pretext for an almost orgiastic glorification of military culture, sense of responsibility and duty.
    The book is little more than a diary of a recruit (Rico): there are very few action scenes and most of the time it is about the life of a private.

    I can see why many people are triggered by such a book: I liked it and still am not sure if it is an anti-military book or not. It doesn't affect me much actually: I've learned to enjoy the journey.

    I am torn whether to rate it with full marks or a more plain 4 stars.
    5 stars would put it on the level of Dune, Star My Destination, and other masterpieces (but also Stranger in Strange Land by the same author) -- and this one I don't know whether to consider as such.
    Maybe I'm used to modern expanded fiction (where in 1,000 pages nothing is done) but this tale could have really stretched 4 times the space.

    For those who have seen the film: The plot of the book is only superficially similar but the satire themes are not there or at least not as obvious as in the film.
  • Client Kindle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brillant.
    Reviewed in France on April 16, 2020
    Je n'aurais jamais cru que ce livre a été publié en 1959, bien que les indices étaient là. L'auteur rentre tellement dans certains détails qu'on dirait qu'il y a assisté. Ce livre est un mélange entre ces détails là (avec souvent des sujets à débat et les arguments qui vont avec, qui font bien reflechir), et les aventures d'un soldat, le tout conté à la première personne.
    Je n'arrive pas à savoir si c'est de la science fiction militaire, ou une étude philosophique de sujets politiques, économiques, sociaux, scientifiques. Cette lecture se ressent comme le journal trouvé d'un soldat (qui aurait une très bonne memoire), sans pour autant traîner de la patte. En fait, c'est dynamique et rapide à lire, et surtout très intéressant.
    Je n'arrive aussi pas à cerner le personnage principal, c'est peut-être le but. Sa personnalité n'est pas très présente, il a l'air d'être un monsieur tout le monde (alors que tout le monde autour de lui a une personnalité plus marquée), au final on croirait qu'il n'est pas le personnage principal. Et pourtant, et pourtant, on en vient à l'apprécier, à se demander ce qu'il va faire ensuite, à quoi pense-t-il, comment son histoire va-t-elle se dérouler, vas-t-il arrêter de trembler avant chaque saut.

    Au final on se retrouve avec un livre unique. Je n'ai jamais lu un livre de fiction qui a poussé mon intérêt pour des sujets de science bien réelles, tout en me captivant du début jusqu'à la fin, sans jamais devenir barbant. J'aurais aimé qu'il soit plus long.
  • Cliente Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Grata surpresa
    Reviewed in Brazil on March 27, 2018
    “I Always get the shakes before a drop”. (p.1) Como Juan Rico, o leitor também “gets the shakes” antes de cada mergulho num capítulo de Starship Troopers. Algumas obras são canonizadas por fatores extraliterários — esta não é uma delas.
    O in media res é raramente mais que um clichê, porém ainda mais excepcionalmente é imprescindível. A primeira frase do romance já imerge o leitor ao pô-lo defronte a um mergulho no desconhecido — literalmente. O primeiro capítulo, “deslocado” da metade da narrativa, apresenta sem circunlóquios a ideologia da xtópica sociedade humana deste futuro, em prática. Xtópica porque ambígua, embora por vezes tendenciosa.
    Neste mesmo capítulo não sabe ainda, o leitor, que não são humanos os inimigos, e o retardar calculado desta informação já traz à tona, logo no início e sem relativizações, o culto à violência, o prazer fetichista do manuseio da arma e do homicídio contraposto ao dever máximo — e martírico — de salvar vidas. A Infantaria Móvel mata e morre em nome da vida, ou da eficiência e da ordem? Talvez pela ordem eficiente?
    A retomada da vida do protagonista narrador se dá no momento preciso em que este tem de escolher como se portar perante seu mundo e a sociedade. O ingresso no serviço militar é voluntário e contraindicado, mas apenas os que serviram um termo de dois anos são cidadãos e têm direito ao voto; afinal é “mais fácil restaurar a visão a um cego do que dar virtude moral — responsabilidade social — a alguém que não a tem, não a deseja e se ressente de ter tal peso imposto a si.” (p.236) A partir daí, este exército xtópico funciona de maneira existencial-humanista, no intento de fazer com que seus soldados — os futuros cidadãos — desenvolvam pessoal e introspectivamente tais virtudes morais.
    Eis a genialidade da disciplina “História e Filosofia Moral” (“H. & M. P.”), lecionada à maioria dos humanos, desde a tenra idade. O que há de mais curioso nesta disciplina — neste universo considerada ciência exata como a física e a química — é o fato de todos serem obrigados a toma-la, mas ninguém a passa-la, ou seja: enquanto ciência é, utopicamente, detentora de uma verdade histórica e da certeza de que o valor da virtude social é absoluto e cada um o encontrará em si, se em si o tiver; porém, distopicamente, a própria ideia de moral como absoluta, numa matéria em que não se é avaliado, permite a exclusão sistemática e silenciosa (anticonflitos, logo antirevoltas) daqueles que não dividem os mesmos ideais, ao mesmo tempo em que perpetua esta democracia imperialista e beligerante na qual somente militares são cidadãos, e apenas cidadãos podem tornar-se professores de “H. & M. P.”
    Portanto, muito para além do mérito da engenhosidade estrutural e estilística da narrativa, e da qualidade e coerência estética do texto, como um todo, a própria premissa de narrá-la na visão de um “soldado-cidadão ex-civil privilegiado” possibilita o atrito de diversos argumentos, assim como nas aulas de “H. & M. P.”, de modo que, no final, ainda haja a circularidade programada no sistema, pois trata-se de uma ciência exata “Man is what he is, a wild animal with the will to survive, and (so far) the ability, against all competition. Unless one accepts that, anything one says about morals, war, politics — you name it — is nonsense. Correct morals arise from knowing what man is — not what do-gooders and well-meaning Aunt Nellies would like him to be.” (p.238)
    O ciclo se completa e eis que se apresenta, outra vez, a hora do mergulho. Porque o que move o mundo não é a resposta ao dilema: “If two men are starving and cannibalism is the only alternative to death, which man’s right is ‘unalienable’? And is it ‘right’?” (p.151) O que aí move o mundo é a ação calculada e o que o faz funcionar são a ordem, o dever e, junto deles, a responsabilidade. Para tanto é necessário que se esteja bem treinado, armado e on the bounce — “To the everlasting glory of the Infantry—“.