Military SF Double Bill

This month and next we are embarking on a award-winning military SF double bill (it is difficult to think of a greater contrast to Moominvalley): Starship Troopers for April followed by The Forever War for May.

Robert Heinlein's Hugo winning Starship Troopers is still controversial 50 years after its release. It is a right-wing, might-is-right, military service is the measure of the man product of the post-war American dream. That said, it is also a cracking good read. You had best avoid the films though...

You can read more at http://sfbk.blogspot.com/2010/04/why-read-starship-troopers.html

Joe Haldeman's 1974 anti-war classic The Forever War is in sharp contrast. It again is an exciting read, but comes straight from Haldeman's experiences in the Vietnam War and trying to adjust to the rapidly changing US society at that time. It won the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards. Please note that there are several editions in circulation and recent versions are considered more definitive (the original was heavily edited by the publisher).

You can read more at http://sfbk.blogspot.com/2010/04/forever-war.html

Next meeting 19th April. Venue probably at Julia’s house.