Starburst isn't a bad book, but there's nothing particularly compelling about it, either. Definitely not one of Pohl's best efforts. And it shows its age--it was published in 1982--in its theme and pessimistic worldview. The technology or lack thereof isn't what makes it dated, it's the decidedly pessimistic Cold War mentality that overpowers an otherwise interesting story. In the end, it is unconvincing in its portrayal of humanity and of humans in particular. Its ideals are the broken ideals of another age.

I do not recommend it. Choose A Plague of Pythons (aka, Demon in the Skull) if you want to read a book by Frederik Pohl.