[dragonwriter]

> Saying they're "nearly identical" seems to miss the point that the former is a paen to the military

Its been quite a long time since I read Starship Troopers, but IIRC it doesn't read like much of a paean to the military on any but an extremely shallow reading.

[efuquen]

Then I guess I, and Heinlein, read it pretty shallowly, since he's has been quoted as saying his novel glorifies the military. I still really enjoyed the book, but I don't know how you could possibly read it as not a pro military sort of novel. Obviously the point isn't to glorify violence for violence's sake, he attempts to morally justify the use of force in the same as has been customary for generations.