Space Cadet

Follow young Matt Dodson as he enters the academy in hopes of becoming a Space Cadet. Matt makes friends with Tex, who always has amusing tales about his Uncle Bodie, and a few others, as lessons are learned ... usually the hard way.

Space Cadets are the elite guard of the solar system. They accept missions others fear, take risks no others dare, and uphold the peace of the solar system for the benefit of all. (Much like the Jedi Order!) This novel will take you from Earth, to Mars, to Venus, and beyond. Matt and his friends are tested in the most severe and extraordinary ways that will change them forever, but still not prepare them for the alien treacheries that await.

**** If you have never read a novel by Robert A. Heinlein, then please keep in mind that this was written in the year 1948. The author renewed the copyright in 1975. I stress this because even though the story begins in July 2075, there are a few references to events that supposably happened in OUR past, such as the notation of the person who created the Patrol's Tradition who lived 1969 - 1996.

The fact that Robert A. Heinlein's novels are still being published today clearly expresses how outstanding readers find his science fiction novels. Once you read this, or any other novel by Heinlein, you will have no doubt as to how the man came about being crowned "The Master of Science Fiction". ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I have heard this book dismissed as "just another space cadet story." Check the date of publication (1948), this is THE first space cadet story. It started the genre. I've also heard it dismissed as a "kid's book." A "kid's book" would not have stuck in my memory for four decades now and provided me with inspiration and a model when I most needed it. A "kid's book" wouldn't have inspired me to stick out high school and college physics and mathematics instead of just throwing in the towel. It was remembering the example of this book, and _Starman Jones_, that got me through Calculus. I just wish the rest of the world would have lived up to the high ideals expressed in these books....

I recently reread this tale after many years. I was amazed at how "nondated" it was. Heinlein has a perfect description of cell phones and cell towers. Something else finally hit me too- this is where Gene Roddenbury got most of his ideas for Star Trek. Heinlein actuallly uses the term "the Federation." His Interplanetary Patrol is obviously the inspiration for Star Fleet with it's noble ideals, multi-cultural make-up (in 1948), it's commitment to keeping the peace, and it's 100 year record of keeping the peace (a phrase right out of Trek.) The importance of the Academy and its naval style of organization came from Heinlein, the Annapolis graduate. The way that the organization is entirely composed of officers and officers in training- that's also pure Star Trek. Heinlein wrote of all this almost 20 years before Star Trek aired....

Follow young Matt Dodson as he enters the academy in hopes of becoming a Space Cadet. Matt makes friends with Tex, who always has amusing tales about his Uncle Bodie, and a few others, as lessons are learned ... usually the hard way.

Space Cadets are the elite guard of the solar system. They accept missions others fear, take risks no others dare, and uphold the peace of the solar system for the benefit of all. (Much like the Jedi Order!) This novel will take you from Earth, to Mars, to Venus, and beyond. Matt and his friends are tested in the most severe and extraordinary ways that will change them forever, but still not prepare them for the alien treacheries that await.

**** If you have never read a novel by Robert A. Heinlein, then please keep in mind that this was written in the year 1948. The author renewed the copyright in 1975. I stress this because even though the story begins in July 2075, there are a few references to events that supposably happened in OUR past, such as the notation of the person who created the Patrol's Tradition who lived 1969 - 1996.

The fact that Robert A. Heinlein's novels are still being published today clearly expresses how outstanding readers find his science fiction novels. Once you read this, or any other novel by Heinlein, you will have no doubt as to how the man came about being crowned "The Master of Science Fiction". ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Follow young Matt Dodson as he enters the academy in hopes of becoming a Space Cadet. Matt makes friends with Tex, who always has amusing tales about his Uncle Bodie, and a few others, as lessons are learned ... usually the hard way.

Space Cadets are the elite guard of the solar system. They accept missions others fear, take risks no others dare, and uphold the peace of the solar system for the benefit of all. (Much like the Jedi Order!) This novel will take you from Earth, to Mars, to Venus, and beyond. Matt and his friends are tested in the most severe and extraordinary ways that will change them forever, but still not prepare them for the alien treacheries that await.

**** If you have never read a novel by Robert A. Heinlein, then please keep in mind that this was written in the year 1948. The author renewed the copyright in 1975. I stress this because even though the story begins in July 2075, there are a few references to events that supposably happened in OUR past, such as the notation of the person who created the Patrol's Tradition who lived 1969 - 1996.

The fact that Robert A. Heinlein's novels are still being published today clearly expresses how outstanding readers find his science fiction novels. Once you read this, or any other novel by Heinlein, you will have no doubt as to how the man came about being crowned "The Master of Science Fiction". ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Follow young Matt Dodson as he enters the academy in hopes of becoming a Space Cadet. Matt makes friends with Tex, who always has amusing tales about his Uncle Bodie, and a few others, as lessons are learned ... usually the hard way.

Space Cadets are the elite guard of the solar system. They accept missions others fear, take risks no others dare, and uphold the peace of the solar system for the benefit of all. (Much like the Jedi Order!) This novel will take you from Earth, to Mars, to Venus, and beyond. Matt and his friends are tested in the most severe and extraordinary ways that will change them forever, but still not prepare them for the alien treacheries that await.

**** If you have never read a novel by Robert A. Heinlein, then please keep in mind that this was written in the year 1948. The author renewed the copyright in 1975. I stress this because even though the story begins in July 2075, there are a few references to events that supposably happened in OUR past, such as the notation of the person who created the Patrol's Tradition who lived 1969 - 1996.

The fact that Robert A. Heinlein's novels are still being published today clearly expresses how outstanding readers find his science fiction novels. Once you read this, or any other novel by Heinlein, you will have no doubt as to how the man came about being crowned "The Master of Science Fiction". ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I hadn't read this one of Heinlein's in many, many years when I picked it up and was leafing through it in search of an answer to a trivia question. Doing this with any Heinlein novel is dangerous; in short order I was snagged into re-reading the entirety of this one. Heinlein has often been cited by many of today's scientists and engineers as their inspiration for getting into the sciences, and this book is a prime example of why. As the story of Matt Dodson, young man in training to be a Space Patrol officer, it is a very typical adolescent-to-man portrayal. The first half of the book deals with his training, from the rigorous testing to eliminate those who don't have what it takes to descriptions of the myriad of subjects an officer is expected to know. The second half details his experiences and on-the-job training as a school graduate, from long boring hours in space transit, to the finding of a missing Patrol ship, to his experiences in the art of negotiation with Venusian natives. At no point does this book ever become boring; I fully believe Heinlein could have written a twenty page exposition on watching grass grow and kept his readers totally engrossed. Some of the details he presents on the art of astrogation and space flight may go over the heads of some younger readers of this book, but it is precisely such details that will get those readers interested in studying such subjects.

This book was written in 1948, and some allowances must be made for that reason, such as the description of Venus as mainly a hot and very wet but habitable planet (at the time he wrote this, this was one of the main scientific suppositions about conditions on the this planet). At the same time, it is quite incredible just how accurate he was in describing everything from rocket ship design, fuels, space walks, space sickness, space habitats, eating utensils designed for space use, the utility of a global peace-keeping force (such as the U.N., which was just being formed when this was written), and even predicted the use of microwaves for cooking (this prediction is hidden in a throw away one-liner comment, typical for Heinlein, as he quite correctly portrays the inventions of the future as mere commonplaces of their time).

Some have called this a watered-down version of Starship Troopers, and there is some validity to this point, as there is very little of the heavy philosophy that characterized Starship Troopers here (although, like all of his 'juvenile' novels, there are strong threads running throughout on the importance of honesty, duty, personal responsibility, and the proper role of government), but much of the same flavor regarding military organizations.

Other than Matt himself, the characterizations are somewhat one-dimensional, in some cases near caricatures drawn with broad strokes. This is not necessarily bad in a book intended for young readers, who have not yet reached the sophistication to see the world in many shades of gray, but is a little grating for the adult readers. The depiction of Burke, supposedly good enough to survive all the testing and early training for the Space Patrol, but so dunderheaded as to effectively kidnap a local Venusian 'mother' and not see anything wrong with his actions is especially grating.

This book was the basis for an attempt at a TV serial: Tom Corbett, Space Cadet in the early fifties, and is very well suited to this type of treatment. The book is a fun, fast read. Adult readers may be disappointed in its lack of meaty subjects and sketchy characters, but it is near perfect for its intended audience.

---Reviewed by Patrick Shepherd (hyperpat)

The second of Heinlein's juveniles isn't discussed as much as several others, but is a great story with plenty of interesting and satisfying scenes. The Cadet's test as they enter the academy are worth the read all on their own. Then we get a couple of adventures that show off the character and skills of the young Patrolmen. It's all a lot of fun in the classic early Heinlein style.

Highly recommended.

Not Heinlein's best boy's book, but a good one. I hadn't read this one in many, many years, and it didn't hold up quite as well as the one in my memory. But at any rate, in today's world, a half-century after Heinlein first published this book, I really appreciate how Heinlein hammered in the need to look with respect at those who are different from ourselves, specifically in regard to Oz's work with the Venerians. The 360 on the "pie with fork" lesson was great.

I also like how the book's protagonist, Matt, isn't necessarily the sharpest pencil in the box. He works hard, he tries hard, he makes mistakes, and he tries to do the right thing. But it's often other characters who take the stereotypical hero's spotlight. I think there's an important lesson in there that Heinlein tries to impart.

As is often the case, Heinlein is pretty harsh on parents, especially mothers, but I made a decision long ago that this is simply part of Heinlein's baggage, and his many positives outweigh this negative theme.

Heinlein practically invented the sf juvenile novel (deliberately "juvenile," that is), and they still read pretty well. Of course, after sixty years, there's a bit of a culture shock -- "Mom, what's a slide rule?" -- but you can ignore all that. The principles of physics haven't changed, though, and you'll pick up quite a bit, which is never a bad thing. Matt and Tex and their two off-world friends, after several days of grueling tests, are newly inducted cadets of the Solar Patrol, enforcement arm of the Solar Federation and this is the story of their first couple of years of education and training, and of the nature of friendship and morality. Sure, the notion of a "space cadet" is a tired old trope -- but Heinlein invented it. Actually, it's not even a four-year academy, nor is there a standardized curriculum, beyond the most obvious math and engineering courses. They're more guardians than military. Heinlein's social ideas can sometimes be intrusive, but not this time, nor are the lessons he wants the reader to learn. In fact, there are a lot of interesting and thoughtful takes on what space-based training could be. Still a fun read.

Space Cadet is the story of Matt Dodson's training in the Space Patrol, a kind of peacekeeping force which serves the solar system as a "repository of weapons too dangerous to use." Heinlein cleverly points out the limitations of America's "current" (1949) military strategy, and shows how he would handle the disposition of weapons of mass destruction. Asked why he wants to become a Patrolman, Matt grudgingly admits that "people look up to an officer of the Patrol." The Patrol is composed entirely of officers, all of them volunteers, all of whom go through the same rigorous and at times almost sadistic elimination process Matt does. Besides grueling physical tests, an extensive battery of psychological and intellectual exams are used to narrow down the pool of candidates. There is a strong emphasis on education, moral responsibility, and esprit de corps. Heinlein does a good job of describing the Patrol and its ideals, the painful rigors of training, and a cadet's first experiences with space flight, zero gravity, and spacesickness. Heinlein shows his open-mindedness when our heroes are stranded on Venus, where the natives are friendly, collie-like creatures (all of them female) with their own language, their own traditions and taboos, and a command of technology that is both radically different from and superior to our own. On the other hand, human females are almost totally ignored (there are none in the Patrol). Characters come and go, as is typical of the service, with no more development than might be expected within so short a time period, but the focus is on the process of training cadets, rather than on the cadets' growth as individuals. Matt himself is engaging enough, as is his friend Tex, whose tall tales provide a touch of folksy humor, but roommates Oscar and Pete come off as little more than stuffed shirts. There's not a lot of slam-bang excitement, either; the conflict is largely internal as the cadets struggle to be all they can be in a generally peaceful social order. Absent the rabid militarism of the better-known Starship Troopers, this book is a pleasant, enjoyable diversion for young readers, but offers little in the way of big surprises, spine-tingling adventure, or even abstruse science. In the final analysis, Heinlein takes so few risks with this story that it fails to reach the heights of adventure and speculation that we look for in such a book. Teenage boys should enjoy this novel, but it's doubtful that they'll remember it very long.

I think this one was actually written more for both kids and adults . . . it's sort of a watered down Starship Troopers, but while that book was harsh and brutal, this one is much more lighthearted . . . there's some seriousness to it but it's more of the "aw gee whiz I hope we make it" type of deal. It follows the tale of a group of young adults who wish to join the Space Patrol, a guardian force (the quote they use as a slogan is the Latin form of "Who Watches the Watchmen" for those who read Alan Moore) that's fairly hard to get into (harder than the Marines, even!) . . . and so we witness the truimph and tragedy of these three or four youngsters as they go through training and more training to get to where they want to be. Most of the characters aren't what you'd call well rounded, Matt Dodson is about the best, Tex is utterly annoying, a good ol' boy redneck who if he mentioned is "Uncle Bodie" one more blasted time I was going to throw the book across the room, while the other two mostly are ciphers, sort of there to help the plot move along. Needless to say, the adventures they sustain are highly interesting, Heinlein interjects a lot of stuff that adults can think about, stuff about the role of a peacekeeping force, whether you can atom bomb your hometown, meaty stuff like that. The "golly gee whillickers" factor is pretty high unfortunately, but remember we're talking SF written for kids in the fifties, we're lucky that we have the sophication it does and Heinlein was light years ahead of just about everyone but Asimov. It winds up on Venus (again, weren't we just here in Between Planets?) and the natives there turn out to be the most interestingly worked out part . . . and even they're just tossed off. The climax comes completely out of nowhere (they can synthesize liquid oxygen . . . come on, but it was a different time kids) but it all ends happily and you can't complain that it's not entertaining. Again, light read that probably isn't worth the high paperback price today, but if you see it used snap it up for yourself or a younger relative, you won't be sorry.

Follow young Matt Dodson as he enters the academy in hopes of becoming a Space Cadet. Matt makes friends with Tex, who always has amusing tales about his Uncle Bodie, and a few others, as lessons are learned ... usually the hard way.

Space Cadets are the elite guard of the solar system. They accept missions others fear, take risks no others dare, and uphold the peace of the solar system for the benefit of all. (Much like the Jedi Order!) This novel will take you from Earth, to Mars, to Venus, and beyond. Matt and his friends are tested in the most severe and extraordinary ways that will change them forever, but still not prepare them for the alien treacheries that await.

**** If you have never read a novel by Robert A. Heinlein, then please keep in mind that this was written in the year 1948. The author renewed the copyright in 1975. I stress this because even though the story begins in July 2075, there are a few references to events that supposably happened in OUR past, such as the notation of the person who created the Patrol's Tradition who lived 1969 - 1996.

The fact that Robert A. Heinlein's novels are still being published today clearly expresses how outstanding readers find his science fiction novels. Once you read this, or any other novel by Heinlein, you will have no doubt as to how the man came about being crowned "The Master of Science Fiction". ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

I have heard this book dismissed as "just another space cadet story." Check the date of publication (1948), this is THE first space cadet story. It started the genre. I've also heard it dismissed as a "kid's book." A "kid's book" would not have stuck in my memory for four decades now and provided me with inspiration and a model when I most needed it. A "kid's book" wouldn't have inspired me to stick out high school and college physics and mathematics instead of just throwing in the towel. It was remembering the example of this book, and _Starman Jones_, that got me through Calculus. I just wish the rest of the world would have lived up to the high ideals expressed in these books....

I recently reread this tale after many years. I was amazed at how "nondated" it was. Heinlein has a perfect description of cell phones and cell towers. Something else finally hit me too- this is where Gene Roddenbury got most of his ideas for Star Trek. Heinlein actuallly uses the term "the Federation." His Interplanetary Patrol is obviously the inspiration for Star Fleet with it's noble ideals, multi-cultural make-up (in 1948), it's commitment to keeping the peace, and it's 100 year record of keeping the peace (a phrase right out of Trek.) The importance of the Academy and its naval style of organization came from Heinlein, the Annapolis graduate. The way that the organization is entirely composed of officers and officers in training- that's also pure Star Trek. Heinlein wrote of all this almost 20 years before Star Trek aired....

"Space Cadet" is Robert Heinlein's best Juvenile SF novel. It was quite a while ago when I first read it and enjoyed it. I am willing to bet serious money that 'Space Cadets' of 100 to 200 years from now will have an environment somewhat like the one Heinlein depicts. While Heinlein's ideas of an inhabited Venus may seem incredible and outdated today, they certainly weren't incredible when this novel was written. Perhaps today's technically more sophisticated juvenile would do better to imagine Heinlein's colony on an intersteller planet rather than on our sun's Venus, but Heinlein was very "sophisticated" in his SF writing. He wrote about radio telephones and computers at a time when they were considered nearly impossible and was, probably, the first S-F author who could actually calculate the various free-fall courses from earth orbit to Venus or Mars. As for 'monatomic hydrogen', it is still considered impossible. However, as a retired chemist, I think that catalysts still may make this dream rocket fuel possible. I live in a very rural area where twelve year olds drive and repair monster agricultural tractors (some farms look more like big road construction projects than the cute and cuddly "McDonald's farm" of yesteryear) and make the drama on Venus seem very plausable and possible, if not a probablity. Finally, it is a fun book to read!

Buy this book! Read this book! Tell your librarian to buy this book!

Fair warning, if you are not old enough to vote, please ask your nice librarian person which Robert Heinlein books are appropriate for your age and do not get into 'adult' reading before you are an adult.

My title does not have the ring that "Tom Corbett: Space Cadet" had, which was based on this Robert A. Heinlein book, but it is more accurate. Matthew Dodson sounds like a plain, ordinary person, and that was Heinlein's intent. Heinlein's belief always was that the backbone of America was the everyday person doing their job.

Matt Dodson has joined the elite Solar Patrol. Before Matt and his friends can be officers in the Patrol they must endure rigorous, multi-part training. They begin their training on Earth in a process that eliminates many would-be Space Patrol candidates. As their training continues, Matt and his friends become members of a small group of students that have passed one test after another. Finally, the remaining students leave Earth to continue their training on a school ship. The training on the school ship starts with the mundane and ends with the complexities of calculus and nuclear physics. At long last the students move on to an operational ship where their training will help them to overcome the challenges of an actual mission on Venus, where death awaits their first wrong step!

Many people call Heinlein preachy in his books. While there is probably some truth in that comment, if you think Heinlein's viewpoints had merit, you probably like the supposed preachiness. Regardless of which side you fall on, this book has little of Heinlein's explanations of the woes of the world is focuses primarily on the story.

The story in this book is excellent. There is practical science in this book, but Heinlein blended the science into the story so naturally that I hardly noticed it. Those who have been through basic training and technical school in the military will recognize features of both in this book. Robert A. Heinlein was a member of the U.S. Navy for a time, which I think must have helped him to create an extremely believable story regarding the training of the members of the Space Patrol.

It has been many years since I first read "Space Cadet." I wondered whether I would enjoy the story as much now as I did decades ago. The answer is yes. I must admit that some of my enjoyment is nostalgia, but part of my enjoyment was how much Heinlein got right. There are cell phone equivalents, flat screen monitors and more. The only thing Heinlein failed to predict was the increasing lack of enthusiasm for space exploration.

Heinlein wrote many good books. This one is one of his best. I recommend this book for every person who thinks of themselves as a fan of science fiction. This book is a winner from an author who won four Hugo awards during his life and the first Nebula Grand Master Award.

Enjoy!

In 1948, Heinlein wrote a book based on his (limited) military experience that pinpointed underlying cultural issues in the U.S. military that are still plaguing the Dept. of Defense after sixty years (despite the current lack of space-based Marines). No spoilers, but I'm refering to the discussion of the Space Patrol Academy's curriculum.

If a writer can identify an underlying issue that cannot be fixed even after 60 years, and offer visionary (still) solutions, I have to think he's earned the title "master".

"Space Cadet" offers inspiration and an element of hope while acknowledging that human nature is innately flawed. It speaks to the interrelationship between technology and humans, making it clear that technology should serve people, not people serving technology. It sketches out what looks like a viable organizational structure for an arm of the military that the U.S. will eventually need (and despite their claims to the contrary, the Air Force's belief that their culture can be adapted to extended spaceflight with crews of more than 4-5 people lacks plausibility). The emphasis on the need for cultural studies and language skills in his fiction rings true as the U.S. services realize that these are at least as important as vehicles and weapons.

In all, brilliant. Only four stars because it is not Heinlein's best work (though superior to 95% or more of the fiction in any bookstore today), and it was written for the adolescent market, when these concepts and the story line could have supported twice as much book as we have here.

Still, I'll probably read it again, and I would recommend it to any youngling who was considering the military (along with Starship Troopers).

E.M. Van Court

_I have heard this book dismissed as "just another space cadet story." Check the date of publication (1948), this is THE first space cadet story. It started the genre. I've also heard it dismissed as a "kid's book." A "kid's book" would not have stuck in my memory for four decades now and provided me with inspiration and a model when I most needed it. A "kid's book" wouldn't have inspired me to stick out high school and college physics and mathematics instead of just throwing in the towel. It was remembering the example of this book, and _Starman Jones_, that got me through Calculus. I just wish the rest of the world would have lived up to the high ideals expressed in these books....

_I recently reread this tale after many years. I was amazed at how "nondated" it was. Heinlein has a perfect description of cell phones and cell towers. Something else finally hit me too- this is where Gene Roddenbury got most of his ideas for Star Trek. Heinlein actuallly uses the term "the Federation." His Interplanetary Patrol is obviously the inspiration for Star Fleet with it's noble ideals, multi-cultural make-up (in 1948), it's commitment to keeping the peace, and it's 100 year record of keeping the peace (a phrase right out of Trek.) The importance of the Academy and its naval style of organization came from Heinlein, the Annapolis graduate. The way that the organization is entirely composed of officers and officers in training- that's also pure Star Trek. Heinlein wrote of all this almost 20 years before the television show aired....

_It used to bother me that the Heinlein that wrote this book and the Heinlein that wrote _Stranger in a Strange Land_ and all that came afterward seemed like two different men. I now think that I understand that too.

I love the Heinlein juveniles, but this is one of the weaker ones. The characters are cardboard, and the story takes a long time to (literally) get off the ground. The strengths of the book come from the way it draws on Heinlein's experience as a naval officer and later, during WW II, as an aerospace engineer. The book was highly innovative for its time, but now feels dated for a variety of reasons, including the all-male nature of the Patrol and the depiction of Venus as a habitable jungle.

A good space adventure novel. "Space Cadet" is one of Heinlein's coming of age type novels. Focused almost exclusively on male characters, it follows the exploits of aspiring young people who seek to be in the "Space Patrol" which oversees and keeps the peace. In the Heinlein cosmos, Mars, and Venus are inhabited, which some people might object to, but that is the FICTION part of science fiction. A fun distraction of a read.

Matt, along with Tex, Oscar and Pierre, join the Interplanetary Patrol. The four make their way through training and embark upon their first tour of duty.
I have mixed feelings about this book. Originally I was going to dock a few stars for it's rather pedestrian story, rife with simplistic mentalities of the 40s and 50s. Then I found myself remembering my reading adventures when I was 11 or 12. I would have loved this book. Even now, years later, I briefly wished that I too could join the Interplanetary Patrol and zoom around the solar system. Heinlein wrote great escapism for boys (and perhaps a few men).
My main complaint is the truly abominable deus ex machina ending. While it doesn't completely taint the book, it's bad enough that I cannot, in good conscience, give this book 5 stars.

and the book just gets more exciting from there. Matt Dodson and Tex Jarman are candidates for the position of
cadet in the Interplanetary Patrol. What is the Interplanetary
Patrol? It's not a military organization. What?! I said it's not a
military organization. It's repository for weapons too dangerous to be entrusted to the military. Heinlein explains
it better than I can. He says: "Sure you're trained to use weapons but the Patrol isn't a military organization...." He then gets technical with Lieutenant Wong's explanation of the gravity well. The first two chapters are just orientation and the beginnings of the tests. The rest of the book is space-based with the exception of the trip to Venus. The description of Venus is a bit dated but it's still a good read.
It would make a good movie.

I am a faculty member at a law school. When we considered revamping our curriculum, I gave the committee members passages from this book to read, where the Academy's approach is made clear. Universally, the response was: "Yeah, that's how we should do things. But we have to pursue a feel-good approach now." Heinlein understands that character matters, and that institutions should encourage responsibility, not undermine it. That, I suppose, is why he was never an administrator.... Nonetheless, this is not only a terrific story, but one -- like all of Heinlein's juniors -- with a point.

One of my favorites by Heinlein, this book is a great one kids who are getting interested in Sci-Fi. It contains a pretty good adventure story, with enough military sci-fi flavoring to keep you interested throughout the portion of the book where our hero is being trained. I finished this, and I had to track down the short story "The Long Watch" by Heinlein, to read it again so I fully understood the references contained within Space Cadet. You may also wish to read it first, it can be found in "The Past Through Tomorrow" by Heinlein, as well as several other of his books, I'm sure.

This may be the last Heinlein novella written in his 'young boys' Amazing-magazine era, or it may be the first book he wrote as he started aiming for a little older audience. I don't know how to judge - I read Stranger when I was 10 so my views are clouded. Needless to say, this is a truly great piece of science fiction. There is no gibson-esque drug use, no later-Heinlein gratuitous sex, no Neal Stephenson rock and roll... and yet, there is a true innocense to this book. It is like the fabled children's story written for adults, something like what Harry Potter almost accomplished. You read it, you watch Wennie-the-pooh, you listen to that one favorite piece of music... you can't help but smile, can't help but enjoy it. This is the quintessential story of Starship Troopers... except with people fighting with but their wits and their innate charm, not a bazooka and a jumpsuit. THIS IS NOT A BOOK FOR YOU BIG FLYING SHIP XWING FANS! This is for the Hari Seldon fans, the people who read Stranger in a Strange Land and like Jubal Harshaw the best. Ahhh, the innocense of youth!

I'm always glad to see the Heinlein's re-issued, particularly in nice hardcover editions, suitable as permanent additions to your home bookcase. There's one weakness of this (and other) re-issues: the wonderful Clifford Geary illustrations found in the original Scribner edition have been left out. For those who remember reading library copies of the Heinlein juveniles, you'll probably miss their absence.

The story itself, while not my top favorite, is still wonderful and a must for anyone who enjoys vintage Heinlein.

I read this item when I was twelve. It filled me not with a sense of wonder per se, but with a vision of what it means to be a part of something greater than myself, an ideal that needed to be upheld. Now, at twenty, I still consider those values of worth. In a world filled with Harry Potter and Video Games, where is the voice of inspiration for young people to hear? Potter is just fine for fantasy readers, but not all of us are. As an avid reader within the library field, with experience dealing with young adult readers my point is: This story is just as valid today as when it was written. Perhaps even more than that, it is necessary in an age when the only time virtues of humanity are extolled to teens is in a generally didactic manner, or one assuming they will not listen. This work displays good moral character in a non-confrontational way that lets young readers admire the characters of Matt Dodson and Tex, while disliking the ways of the morally bankrupt Burke.

Is this the best book Robert Heinlein ever wrote? No. Will fans of other Heinlein books recognize the Sci-Fi Master's style and philosophy? Yes. This book is a great introduction to Robert Heinlein, especially for a younger reader just starting out. It captures the philosophy which was an important part of all of Heinlein's military sci-fi, but is shorter than some of his later works and written in the tradition of his "juvenile" fiction. However, I would have to agree that it will still be entertaining for adult readers. Like all great writing, this book has several layers which readers will discover as they reread it as they age. All-in-all this is a wonderful book. If you are looking for a perfect gift for a younger fan of science fiction, look no further.

Check out my full review on my blog!

Now, I’ve read a couple of Heinlein’s books that I loved, so I had very high expectations for this book, which is probably why I only gave it a 3 star. I liked it, don’t get me wrong, but it just didn’t have quite the same effect as the others…

The first half of the book focuses mainly on Matt and his friends’ training and education. This was really the half of the book that disappointed me the most, see, when it comes to stories like this (kid getting special training) almost undoubtedly one of my favorite parts is the actual training, in which, this book was sadly lacking. It kinda’ve just skimmed over the specifics of the training. However, the second half of the book quickly got intriguing. The diplomatic aspect of it all fascinating, and the plot-line overall was exciting and quite an enjoyable read.

The characters… The only annoying thing here is Tex. (Can anyone guess where HE’s from? Texas, you say? How’d ya know?) At first he was hilarious – so stereo-typically Texan it’s insanity! – but towards the middle of the book, he got kinda annoying. However, towards the end he became a much better character. And that’s pretty much it, all the characters (aside from the ever-so-memorable Tex and Burke.) Kinda blended together for me. That could partly been simply due to the fact that I was listening to it, and therefore not paying quite as much attention, but I could hardly ever tell the differences in the characters.

To Sum it up: Despite the slightly-negative review above, I really did like this book, it just wasn’t quite as thought-provoking and action-packed as the others. It was a nice fun read, for when you’re bored and don’t want a book that makes you think too much. The last 3 chapters were probably my favorites, exciting, suspenseful, and fascinating! Simply becauseI don’t think it would hold the attention of anyone much younger, I recommend this book for 11+.

This is a typical, well written, Robert Heinlein book. Although outdated because it was written before the real days of computers, his mathematical background gets around that. I like Heinlein. His characters and stories are believable and fun.

I first read this book in 1970, a time that seems so long ago now it's hard to remember just what it was like. I happened upon it on my school library shelves, among the "H" books, among five other Heinleins. I read all of them, but this one was still the one that impressed me the most. Even though it's been nearly fifty years after its first publication, even though things didn't work out like Heinlein proposed, I can still recommend this as a good book to jump-start someone's interest in science fiction.

Make all Heinlein books on Kindle available for Europe
I'm a dedicated and avid SF reader and have been for many years. I own a collection of over 5000 paperbacks and hardcovers and those are filling up most places in my house. That has been the main reason for buying a Kindle. Now of course I would like to own all of my favourite books on Kindle, including - but not limited to - all of the works of R A Heinlein. Unfortunately from those who are already available in a Kindle format, many are NOT available for oversees customers. So the store: make it work! Make all those editions available for ALL of our customers ....

I loved this book as a young teen and read it over and over. It has a strong family in a classic adventure with a Swiss Family Robinson man vs. nature feel. The story is simple but meaningful and I still find it fun to read. Some of the dialog follows a 30's clipped and dense style which might make it difficult for a very young person. There is a subtext of coming of age and how becoming an adult is about taking responsibility. I read this book to my own boys and they loved it too. I'm old fashioned enough to call this a boy's book. I know a woman older than I am who also loves this book; she says its a boy's book too.

Great book. Good read. Terribly dated by today's standards...it was written for kids to read and enjoy and maybe hoped to emulate at another time.

The book stands up pretty well against time...and is a safe read for kids today. I just reread it again for the 20th time...and still enjoy it.

Most of this book is amazing. I loved reading about the imagined cirruclium for the Patrol Academy and the stresses of dealing with them. The interaction between Matt and his classmates was well written and believable.

And then the book changed. Suddenly, the focus narrowed to dealing with a single (though major) mission on Venus. This was interesting, but really ruined the mood of the book. It went from being about "learning how to be a Patrol officer" to "adventure story." It was still entertaining, but I looked forward to getting through that section and back to the basis of the book.

But there is no more book. Once they get off Venus, there is a little interaction between Matt and Tex and Matt talking about a meeting with the Commandant. Then it ends. The reader is left hanging regarding the future of the boys in the Patrol. (Pete falls completely out of the book even earlier.) Earlier, the reader hears the Commandant say something like "we change them until they are no longer civilians and then have to kick them out," but that statement is never explained.

I would have loved this book if Heinlein had actually finished it. As it is, the reader is just left hanging.

This was okay, not the greatest, but I think it was considered a jeuvenile, so whatcha whatcha whatcha want?
If I had to guess I would say this was probly one of the Boys Life serials - judging from the form and content, it seems likely, and I can see why you might want to go tailoring the tale to the audience.

Still, there is no chance of this joining Dark is the Sun - on my read over and over and over and over list, but the Pokeman mentality has me - Gotta read em all...

This book means more to me than any other I've ever read! That might sound a little strong but it was the first full length novel I ever read and I was in the second grade, 1974. I didn't quite understand all of it at the time but it opened me up to a whole new realm. I have since re-read it a couple of times and I have to say that I still love it. I have read everything Mr. Heinlein ever wrote and this might not be his best it is still my favorite.
I'm not Mary Ann by the way, this is her husband, Don

After seeing 'Star Wars' at age ten, and being introduced to an entirely new way of thinking, I wound up checking this book out at my school's library. Wow. I'm so glad a Heinlein book was my first foray into written SF - no telling what might've happened if I'd tried something bad! This book is still my favourite of Heinlein's works, and not entirely because of nostalgia, either.

I love this book, it's real science fiction, when so often i find that everything is so clutters with Fantasy or some other stuff ( not that i mind but still...) this book was what they had in mind when they came up with the term SCIENCE FICTION!

This boys' adventure, republished by Tor in a hardbound edition, was published in 1948 and was one of Robert Heinlein's first books. Set several hundred years into the future, the solar system has been colonized on one of Jupiter's moons and on Venus, where beneath the clouds the air is breathable and intelligent life was discovered. Keeping the peace is the Solar Patrol, whose atomic bombs circle the earth while its members continue exploring the planets, moons and asteroids.

"Space Cadet" follows the journey of Matthew Brooks of Des Moines, Iowa, and his friends Tex, Oscar and Pierre (from Texas, Venus and Jupiter's moon), through their education at the Space Academy, finishing up with an adventure when their ship runs into trouble during a mission to Venus. Heinlein spends the first hundred pages moving them through this world — the patrol bears significant resemblance to the U.S. Navy — then puts them onboard a ship for about the next 50 pages before bringing in a story.

There are a couple sections that shows themes Heinlein will explore in future novels. There's the wide gulf between the civilian and military worlds, that Matt discovers when he tries to explain how the atomic bombs circling the earth — ready to be dropped down the gravity well on any city that gets uppity — are maintained. This leads to some bizarre lines such as "Now, Catherine, you can't imagine Matt bombing Des Moines, now can you? And that is what it amounts to. Tell her, Matt."

So far adult readers, "Space Cadet" brings with it the charm of "Golden Age" science-fiction: the finned rockets, the elite space organization and a few aliens thrown into the mix. Heinlein nails portable phones, but computers are room-sized and rockets land on their tail. In his perfectly run Solar Patrol, he includes officers from all races (even a black officer is mentioned, but not seen), and yet the patrol is firmly phallocentric.

As for children, "Space Cadet" is pretty bland stuff. To children brought up on Harry Potter, video games and anime, "Space Cadet" is more likely to induce eye-rolling than a sense of wonder.

Matt Dodson joins the Space Patrol, whose work is not just fight and glory but to make sure peace is retained; the war would be too devasting to all nations. His comrades in the training are 'Tex(an)', Oscar from Venus, Pierre from Ganymede and Burke, the arrogant son of a wealthy spaceship builder. The training in 3, 5 and 7Gs kills some of the recruits but others do well to earn their stripes to be assigned to working Patrol ships as cadets. During patrol they receive an urgent message to investigate an incident on Venus. After disastrous landing they find their resigned former classmate, Burke, to have messed all up with the natives. Pompous Burke had taken the matriarch of the local clan hostage when she refused to let give him permission to exploit a rich deposit of radioactive ores. The rescue mission turns out to become a diplomatic conflict and the crew is taken into the captivity.

This is 3rd of Heinlein early juvenile novels. The chemistry of the classmates grow along the way when the young men learn to appreciate the code of conduct: the best defence is not to make war, but to use diplomacy to resolve conflicts. In the early training they are required to master variety of skills from space walks and biochemistry to politics. The training sessions are brief and graduating happens in breathtaking speed.

One (1) star. Written in 1948 the book is product of its time. The dialogue is like a machine gun which is dripping oil. Characters are typical boys stomping on boots bigger than what would be required. Of the whole book, the encounter with Burke and the venusians is a minuscule sparkle that rescues the book. Gaining the Venus matriarch's trust and convincing her that the space patrol is honorable and civilized, contrary to her opinion of Burke is well told. One would have wished the book would have extended the issue of amfibi venusians more. Light read.