This is the seminal novel of a young man's education as a member of the Solar patrol, an elite, paternalistic non-military organization dedicated to preserving human civilization. Space Cadet is a provocative parallel to Heinlein's famous later novel, Starship Troopers (which is about the military). Only the best and brightest, the strongest and most courageous ever become Space Cadets. At the Space Academy, they train to become part of the elite guard of the solar…