Description:

This is the seminal novel of a young man's education as a member of an elite, paternalistic non-military organization of leaders dedicated to preserving human civilization, the Solar Patrol, a provocative parallel to Heinlein's famous later novel, Starship Troopers (which is about the military).Only the best and brightest--the strongest and the most courageous--ever manage to become Space Cadets, at the Space Academy. They are in training to be come part of the elite guard of the solar system, accepting missions others fear, taking risks no others dare, and upholding the peace of the solar system for the benefit of all.But before Matt Dodson can earn his rightful place in the ranks, his mettle is to be tested in the most severe and extraordinary ways--ways that change him forever, from the midwestern American boy into a man of the Solar Patrol. At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied. **The Barnes & Noble Review** To mark the centennial of the birth of one of science fiction's greatest writers, Robert A. Heinlein (1907-88), several of Heinlein's early works are being re-released to a new generation of fans. *Space Cadet* (1948), one of the very first published novels by the man described in *The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction* as quite possibly "the all-time most important writer of genre SF," has been the inspiration for countless novels featuring young spacefaring students since its publication more than half a century ago. With an idealistic young man -- Des Moines, Iowa, native Matthew Brooks Dodson -- as the novel's protagonist, Heinlein interweaves a compelling coming-of-age tale with a military science fiction-flavored adventure replete with long-lost spaceships, cunning villains, and bizarre aliens. While determinedly making his way through the grueling Patrol Academy, Dodson -- who has dreams of being a member of the elite Interplanetary Patrol -- learns a little bit about the world around him and a lot about himself as he is confronted with one crisis after another Science fiction fans who know Heinlein only from his award-winning standards (*Starship Troopers, Stranger in a Strange Land, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress,* et al.) should definitely take the time to read lesser-known -- but just as enduring -- novels like *Space Cadet*. Amazingly, more than half a century after it was first published, this story shows very little signs of aging. Aside from a few dated colloquialisms ("oh shucks," "go soak your head," etc.), this science fiction classic is virtually timeless and very suitable for readers of any age. *Paul Goat Allen*