SOLVED. SCI-Fi- some kind of future-earth space cadets testing, training and adventures in space. [s]

[Nick]

Read about 10 years ago, probably from around 1980-1990.

The main plot seemed to revolve around a small group of late teen/early 20's men going through aptitude training for space travel involving G-Force tests, courage, etc. traveling through space and I think being captured by aliens.

I remember a few scenes;

one scene involved the cadets being able to see out the window of their tram/train/etc to the nearby test facility. the most prominent feature being the long 'drop pod thing' that tested the cadets tolerance to increasing speeds and gravity. even being able to see the long drop ahead of time was a test of fortitude.

another scene was much later in the book and involved the cadets having been captured or held as 'guests' of aliens and on of the cadets appealing to the aliens by saying

'we don't even have private places to eat!'

the significance being that eating was somehow a much more person thing for the aliens than for humans and an attempt to make a civilized connection to the aliens.

[Andy]

This sounds like "Space Cadet" by Robert Heinlein. The bit about a private room to eat even shows up in the Goodreads quiz about the book https://www.goodreads.com/trivia/show...-

[Kate]

I agree that this is Space Cadet. This is a terrific book that i loved when I was younger.

[Andy]

I hope Nick comes back to confirm.

[Andy]

Bump.

[Nick]

I honestly haven't had time for much reading latwly. Can't confirm yet.

[Leonie]

I'd also agree with Space Cadet

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Nick, can you confirm this is "Space Cadet?"

[Banjomike]

Lobstergirl wrote: "Nick, can you confirm this is "Space Cadet?""

Nick hasn't been on Goodreads for 18 months but the book is certainly Space Cadet as others have said.