A review by zare_i
Tunnel in the Sky by Robert A. Heinlein

4.0

Rod Walker is one of the many students that wants to see and explore outlands - wild and untamed planets not yet colonized by Terran Federation. But in order to achieve his goal [and become officially certified explorer] he must take and pass survival test, test taking place in unknown surroundings crawling with unexpected dangers.[return][return]All starts fine (well, let us say there are gradations of fine, ok :)) but soon all test takers find themselves cut off from civilization and forced to group themselves in order to survive.[return][return]Like all Heinlein's books this one also explores human nature and society, what works and what does not work, role of true leadership etc (readers may not agree with every point author makes but again that is not the goal - goal is to make readers think about "what-if" scenarios). Test-takers are not your average kids, they know a lot and they are ready to use that knowledge to survive but is that all that is required to survive in the unknown surroundings?[return][return]Very interesting book. [return][return]Recommended.