In "Old Man's War," John Scalzi presents a compelling science fiction story where elderly individuals are given a chance to join the Colonial Defense Force, leaving Earth behind to fight for humanity in space. The plot follows John Perry, a 75-year-old man who embarks on this new journey, facing battles against various enemies while exploring themes of identity, consciousness, and the future of mankind. The writing style is described as witty, engaging, and humorous, with a blend of action-packed sequences, thought-provoking dialogues, and intricate world-building that keeps readers engrossed in the story.
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Has Romance?
There is a moderate level of romance, particularly through the protagonist's memories of his late wife and later interactions with a female character.
From The Publisher:
John Perry did two things on his 75th birthday. First he visited his wife's grave. Then he joined the army.
The good news is that humanity finally made it into interstellar space. The bad news is that planets fit to live on are scarce-and alien races willing to fight us for them are common. So: we fight. To defend Earth, and to stake our own claim to planetary real estate. Far from Earth, the war has been going on for decades: brutal, bloody, unyielding.
Earth itself is a backwater. The bulk of humanity's resources are in the hands of the Colonial Defense Force. Everybody knows that when you reach retirement age, you can join the CDF. They don't want young people; they want people who carry the knowledge and skills of decades of living. You'll be taken off Earth and never allowed to return. You'll serve two years at the front. And if you survive, you'll be given a generous homestead stake of your own, on one of our hard-won colony planets.
John Perry is taking that deal. He has only the vaguest idea what to expect. Because the actual fight, light-years from home, is far, far harder than he can imagine-and what he will become is far stranger.
Old Man's War Series
#1 Old Man's War
#2 The Ghost Brigades
#3 The Last Colony
#4 Zoe's Tale
#5 The Human Division
#6 The End of All Things
Short fiction: "After the Coup"
Other Tor Books
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Agent to the Stars
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Lock In
The Collapsing Empire (forthcoming)
Ratings (216)
Incredible (44) | |
Loved It (99) | |
Liked It (49) | |
It Was OK (16) | |
Did Not Like (7) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (451):
Read It (227) | |
Currently Reading (3) | |
Want To Read (164) | |
Did Not Finish (9) | |
Not Interested (48) |
7 comment(s)
This is the best military science fiction book I have ever read. I haven't read all of them, but I have read quite a few. I spent the entire time I read the book saying "This book is so fantastic!" over and over again. It isn't really heavy on the plot, as it is mainly a character driven story, but I think a lot of military sci-fi is like that. Definitely reminiscent of "The Forever War" and maybe a little of "Starship Troopers", but without as much about politics. This book is an absolute must for anyone who likes science fiction.
The easiest way for me to describe this book is "Ender's Game but with retirees instead of children". And possibly a little less introspection on the part of our hero, not that I'm complaining.
I snagged a copy of this book from my local used bookstore after a friend heartily recommended it. (Thankfully the dust jacket was missing, because I found what the cover art probably looked like and. No thanks.) When a succession of historical fiction, children's fantasy, and classics left me feeling a little bored, I decided it was time to pick up
Old Man's War.
I tore through it inside of 24 hours.
While the main character's voice is a little bland, the writing itself is fantastic: bantering dialogue, masterful strokes of world-building, a good balance of humor and gravity, just enough techno-babble to convey the stakes without bogging down the story, and moments of sincerity that made me tear up. Solid sci-fi all around.
Great book, really enjoyed it and defo want to read the rest.
This was an exciting adventure tale and a very quick read. The basic concept is that, in a future society, 75 year olds are recruited for a special intergalactic combat force, made young again, and trained to fight alien races so that humans can colonize the universe. I'll definitely be picking up the two other books set in the same universe - The Ghost Brigades and The Last Colony.
Surprisingly amusing.
Different cover-art version of this book:
Yeah, they are green. It's the chlorophyll.
Old Man's War is a book you read for the concept because there wasn't much to love about the characters. That's not to say that Henry was some horrible person, but I forgot his name occasionally due to his lack of dimension and overall charisma.
The idea of having elderly individuals join the war for colonization in space is fascinating, and there's more I'm curious to learn about the world and the technology that exists in it. I just don't know if the appeal of learning more is enough to entice me to the second book.
1st offense: It's terribly boring.
2nd offense: It does not live up to its cool premise.
3rd offense: It already feels very dated.
4th offense: It's sexist. The doctors and leaders are all men. The women are all sheltered, soft, nurturing. The men are all gregarious, abrasive, scientists.
5th offense: The men get happy, important, and fulfilling endings. The women get to be happy to be their wives.
What can you read after
Old Man's War?
About the Author:
John Scalzi won the 2006 John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, and Old Man's War, his debut novel, was a finalist for science fiction's Hugo Award. His other books include The Ghost Brigades, The Android's Dream and The Last Colony. He has won the Hugo Award, the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award for science-fiction, the Seiun, The Kurd Lasswitz and the Geffen awards. His weblog, Whatever, is one of the most widely-read web sites in modern SF. Born and raised in California, Scalzi studied at the University of Chicago. He lives in southern Ohio with his wife and daughter.
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