Helpful Score: 2
Great ground based battle book. One man against an entire planet. It isn't the way he planned it, it is just the way it turned out. Too bad the author hasn't written anything else like this.
The only irritation about this book is the author interleaved two different story lines that only come to gether at the end of the book. My suggestion is to read the chapters about the Ants first - these stand quite well on their own - then if you want go back and read the skipped chapters.
The only irritation about this book is the author interleaved two different story lines that only come to gether at the end of the book. My suggestion is to read the chapters about the Ants first - these stand quite well on their own - then if you want go back and read the skipped chapters.
Helpful Score: 2
One of the best Science Fiction books I've read. The action a fast paced and intense.
Helpful Score: 2
I read this book twice. Very good!
Helpful Score: 1
This book is in "well-read" condition, meaning good condition for being a 1984 published book.
Basically, if you liked Starship Troopers, more for the battles and mechanized suits and less for the post-modern militaristic politics, you will like this book. Steakley's vision of this future war against a savage insect aggressor is more valid today than ever. You can just imagine the soldiers fighting in the Middle East asking the same question Felix asks himself: "Why am I here and what am I fighting for?" As the war rages on, the fighting becomes less focused on any political or patriotic cause and more focused on each man and woman's will to survive.
Basically, if you liked Starship Troopers, more for the battles and mechanized suits and less for the post-modern militaristic politics, you will like this book. Steakley's vision of this future war against a savage insect aggressor is more valid today than ever. You can just imagine the soldiers fighting in the Middle East asking the same question Felix asks himself: "Why am I here and what am I fighting for?" As the war rages on, the fighting becomes less focused on any political or patriotic cause and more focused on each man and woman's will to survive.
I am so glad I read the reviews, because I also read this book twice. Maybe more. I know that the two story lines are a bit confusing, but there is a message involved.
It's a fast paced thriller, but it's not just that. It, at least in my opinion, explores what heroism is. Or, is it only one thing? How does a person become hero? Voluntarily? Or is s/he just trying to survive? How does it change a someone's personality to be a hero, or does it?
These questions can have multiple "correct" answers.
Still, if you just want well described action and scary aliens, this is a great book for you.
It's a fast paced thriller, but it's not just that. It, at least in my opinion, explores what heroism is. Or, is it only one thing? How does a person become hero? Voluntarily? Or is s/he just trying to survive? How does it change a someone's personality to be a hero, or does it?
These questions can have multiple "correct" answers.
Still, if you just want well described action and scary aliens, this is a great book for you.
Unlike the others, I didn't see the purpose of this story. It didn't go anyplace and I stopped reading about half-way through.
