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 Hei...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,. Only the best and brightest--the strongest and the most courageous--ever manage to become space cadets, at the space academy.