From my list on military sci-fi books that actually understand what it feels like to be in the military.
Why am I passionate about this?
I was 4 years old when I first saw Star Wars, and it changed my entire world view. Basically, from that moment forward everything was cooler if it was in SPACE! Eventually, I grew up, and today, I’ve served more than 20 years in uniform, but I discovered along the way that most sci-fi doesn’t portray the military accurately. When I started writing, one of my goals was to present as realistic a depiction of the military as I can (in space!) and I’ve always enjoyed books like the ones on my list that do the same.
Bennett's book list on military sci-fi books that actually understand what it feels like to be in the military
Why did Bennett love this book?
I have never read a book that more perfectly captures the day-to-day reality of military life. Having served in the Navy for over twenty years, I found Heinlein’s descriptions of shipboard life, basic training, and the camaraderie of brothers in arms to be pitch-perfect and laced with the subtle humor of cynicism that every sailor feels.
But beyond that, I was fascinated by Heinlein’s exploration of the ethics of war, and how the society in Starship Troopers was able to justify its actions against the enemy. Despite all they go through, none of the characters ever question why they’re fighting and I think this is one of the core issues Heinlein is exploring: how is it possible to convince an educated public to support terrible actions?
10 authors picked Starship Troopers as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
'The historians can't seem to settle whether to call this one 'The Third Space War' (or the fourth), or whether 'The First Interstellar War' fits it better. We just call it 'The Bug War'. Everything up to then and still later were 'incidents', 'patrols' or 'police actions'. However, you are just as dead if you buy the farm in an 'incident' as you are if you buy it in a declared war.'
5,000 years in the future, humanity faces total extermination. Our one defence: highly-trained soldiers who scour the metal-strewn blackness of space to hunt down a terrifying enemy: an…