Old Man's War
by John Scalzi
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Book Reviews of Old Man's War
Book Review: Fast paced action among the stars.
Summary: 5 Stars
Such a fascinating concept, to send not our young, but our old off to war. (I shouldn't be surprised if there are people out there wondering if we couldn't adopt that policy now, starting with those very folks who voted for our current entanglement.) There's a long tradition of military fiction within SF. Probably almost as far back as we imagined taking to the stars, have we wondered what warfare might be like when we got there. Perhaps because looking back at history, we see all the warfare and strife of our past, that we can only assume such will continue well into the future. It could be that reading about humans defeating aliens gives us an ability to cheer for the victors without feeling as if we should also sympathize with the losers. Scalzi portrays a remarkable breadth within that simple niche of the genre. Providing not merely warfare among the stars, but intriguing and innovative technologies that arise with it. (I wonder what he thinks, now that some mathematicians have shown it mathematically possible that there are parallel universes much as the way described in this novel.) Definitely an engaging novel, that sucks you right in and through the gimmick of following a recruit into the space military, you get to learn about the way of the universe outside Earth as he does. Action in plenty, as you might expect from a war novel, but beyond that, you see a lot diversity in the types and nature of aliens, the tactics of space warfare, and I dare say even some questioning about the whole nature of war, and these wars in particular. No surprise that this book was nominated for a Hugo. I look forward to the followup novel: The Ghost Brigades.Book Review: I can't believe I waited this long to read Old Man's War!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've read The Last Colony, by John Scalzi, and I remember thinking, "Wow, I should read the early books in this series." I finally got around to it (thanks to a friend loaning me the book).
It was worth the wait.
Old Man's War (the male pronoun is, fortunately, is not indicative of a future gender bias) is the story of widower John Perry who, on his 75th birthday, joins the Colonial Defense Force (CDF). Earth is but one planet colonized by humans, and the many other intelligent species in the galaxy compete with humans for habitable planets. The CDF defends the colonies, the recruiters say. Now, this isn't some future where, at 75, you've had "rejuvenation" treatments that have you looking and acting as a much younger person. In Old Man's War, at 75, you clearly are looking into the grave. But the rumor is that CDF has the technology to make you young. After all, they recruit OLD PEOPLE! Because of strict quarantine regulations, no CDF recruit ever returns to Earth.
You will follow John Perry through induction, boot camp, and his initial career in CDF. And you will be as surprised as he regarding what this truly involves.
Old Man's War is engaging, exciting, and engrossing. You'll experience new technologies, new species, and new cultural attributes of humans. I was recommending it minutes after I finished it, and I really look forward to the next book in the series, The Ghost Brigades.
Book Review: Just the thing for a week at the beach
Summary: 4 Stars
I first discovered Robert Heinlein as a young teenager, which was great. Someone said the Golden Age of Science Fiction is about fourteen. I read all the "juveniles," including Space Cadet, Tunnel In the Sky, and Citizen of the Galaxy. When I was older I devoured Stranger in a Strange Land, Double Star, Farnham's Freehold, and Starship Troopers. This book takes me back to the pleasure I felt then, in discovering a new tome from the old master. Only it's really better, because the didactic dialogs are kept to a minimum, the misogyny is largely missing, and there is a fully satisfying ending, instead of the sudden ends when Heinlein seemed suddenly to run out of steam. This book made me laugh out loud several times, and (unlike much of Heinlein) the characters were developed such that I really cared what happened to them. I enjoyed in particular: (1) John Perry's move from his old body to his new body, (2) the naming of the Brain Pal, (3) the opening monologue of drill instructor Ruiz, (4) Perry's first meal with the Special Forces, and (5) the curious greeting of the Consu Ambassador and Perry the Honored One.
This is not Great Literature. It is one hell of a good read. It is a modern take on Heinlein (whose books I still reread from time to time), less depressing than Joe Haldeman, and quite a lot of fun. Try it. You'll like it.
If you like this, check out the earlier Heinlein (the old man became a little sex crazed later on), Joe Haldeman on a sunny day, David Gerrold's books about the war against the Chtorr, Panshin's Rite of Passage, and the Larry Niven/Jerry Pournelle novels.
Book Review: All right puke face. Give me 10!
Summary: 3 Stars
Wow. I'm all over the board with my feelings on this book. First off, I give it an "A", a "C", and a "B". How's that, you ask? The first 100 pages were some of the best writing around. You really get to know the characters. And being 44, I can somewhat relate to the aging process. Although, most of these characters reminded me more of my uncles...real believable, grumpy, funny guys -- the kind I'd like to hang with. Grumpy Old Men meets the Odd Couple? Top that off with the decent world building. It was different how the extremely futuristic sci-fi stuff broke off from planet earth...planet earth being almost as we know it today.
The 1st 100 pages is all about getting there. The storyline is "joining the army". So, this section is all about the anticipation of the "science". The author just gives you little hints and theories about what you are about to experience. The best part is toward the end of the fist 100 pages when the science gets introduced. I don't want to give it away, but it is good, trust me. Whatever your preference, you'll love the first 100 pages.
If you like drill sargeants, you'll like the second 100 pages too. Personally, I hated it. I just don't like boot camp scenes. Juvenile in my opinion.
Finally the last 100 pages. "B". There is some cool science, but not enough. This section is mostly combat. And, I don't even think the combat sequences are "told" very well.
I liked this book, but I was glad to be done with it. The good news is that there are only 300 pages, and the pages each read very fast.
Book Review: The DEFINITIVE 5 Stars
Briefly, this is a brilliant page-turner of a novel, somehow combining themes redolent of classic Heinlien and Haldeman, with accents of Hemingway, Stephen King, Dale Carnegie and even a little Danielle Steele!Almost any detail shared herein raises the spectre of being a plot spoiler, so I'll keep my comments brief; -
I found the introduction a touch 'uphill sledding' for the first few pages, but it soon became apparent that Mr. Scalzi was merely using this dialogue and narrative to set up the plot, and make the whole thing flow so readily thereafter.
I was also a tad disappointed about the end....it seems to me that authors lately have lost the knack of allowing a book to wrap up without being set up for a sequel. Annoying! Sequels are fine, and I surely look forward to one or two in the same vein as this, but dammit, bring all of your threads together tidily as part of the conclusion, please!
Having critiqued the only parts that I took issue with, it must be emphasized just how enjoyable a read this book truly is.
I was SO absorbed, almost every other activity went by the wayside whilst I read it, staying awake the whole night, and quite forgetting to eat!
Additional to the grand yarn storytelling, the author explores the chasm between the members of the military and the public they're pledged to defend, which given the current efforts of the US Military ('America's Military is at war, but most of Main St USA is at lunch.....) is a very piquante perspective.
All in all...read it. Read it soon. FIERCELY reccomended!