Science fiction · Classics
Starship Troopers
A young man joins the Mobile Infantry in a future where only veterans can vote, and takes part in a war against insect-like aliens. The book follows his training, his battles and his ideas about duty.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1959
- Pace
- Fast
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 288
- Format
- Part of Heinlein's Juveniles
Read this if you want a lean military science-fiction classic and enjoy arguing with a book's politics.
Skip this if you dislike long lectures on civic philosophy in the middle of a war story.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Starship Troopers
- What is Starship Troopers about?
- A young man joins the Mobile Infantry in a future where only veterans can vote, and takes part in a war against insect-like aliens. The book follows his training, his battles and his ideas about duty.
- Who should read Starship Troopers?
- Read it if you want a lean military science-fiction classic and enjoy arguing with a book's politics. Skip it if you dislike long lectures on civic philosophy in the middle of a war story.
- How long and how fast is Starship Troopers?
- It is a fast-paced, short read of about 288 pages, first published in 1959.
- Does Starship Troopers have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, War, Death.
- Can I borrow Starship Troopers for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Starship Troopers; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Starship Troopers?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Forever War, Old Man's War, Ender's Game.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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Because you might love it
If you loved Starship Troopers
-
The Forever War A famous reply to this book, which sees the same kind of war as exhausting and pointless.
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Old Man's War
A modern, funnier descendant with a similar soldier's-eye view of fighting aliens.
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Ender's Game Another training-and-war story, with more emphasis on strategy and a much younger hero.
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