![]() ![]() ![]() And yes, you read that correctly - in the novel, Dizzy Flores is a man, a compatriot of Rico's in the Mobile Infantry who "buys it" before the story has barely begun. Dizzy, meanwhile, only appears on a single page, and is dead when he first appears. In fact, the character of Zander doesn't exist in the original text, while Carmen is mentioned only a handful of times. For those reading the book for its right wing political message, the film's clear satire likely ruffled more than a few feathers, assuming they noticed it. Though some critics didn't see it at the time, the film is an attempt by director Paul Verhoeven to criticize Heinlein's belief in a government ostensibly run by the military. ![]() ![]() But the book is indeed overtly political, with the Bugs described in no uncertain terms as representing communism, and several key passages muse on the benefits of authoritarianism over a free democracy. The book is also filled to the brim with minutiae and detail, exploring the command structure and tactics of the Mobile Infantry, making it often feel like a technical manual. For those familiar with the movie, it might raise an eyebrow to learn that the combat action only plays a small role in the book, with Heinlein much more interested in discussion of moral philosophy, critiques of early 20th century liberalism, individual rights, and responsibility to the collective. ![]()
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