Old Man's War by John Scalzi
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Book Reviews of Old Man's War
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: 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!
Book Review: Superlative Military SciFi
Summary: 5 Stars
When John Perry turned 75 he joined the Colonial Defense Forces...the military organization that is tasked with protecting Humanity's colonies against alien incursion. The CDF only recruits those who have gained the experience that comes with being three quarters of a century. In return for their enlistment, the CDF bestows these elderly recruits with new, souped-up bodies. Stronger and faster is only the beginning. Increased resistance to detrimental environments (including the vacuum of space) and a heck of a computer plugged right into the brain are only a small portion of the gifts the CDF imparts to all its recruits.
John Perry's Earthbound life is over. Thrust into battle with aliens who can't be bargained with, Perry must use his new body to not only defend himself, but also to defend those he has come to care for as well.
Scalzi's Old Man's War is one of the finest science fiction novels I have read in a long time. The characterizations are strong; you really get to know who the characters are, both in their former lives on Earth, and in their new lives, enlisted in the CDF. The pacing of the story feels the way a story should...one idea into the next, into the next..... The plot itself is hole-less; never once did I notice any contradictions or other such vagaries within the story. And the real kicker is...this tale is Scalzi's first novel! Old Man's War is an outstanding first novel and goes well beyond merely being highly recommended. Pick this one up!!
Book Review: This novel shows why Scalzi won the Campbell Award for Best New Writer
Summary: 5 Stars
Old Man's War is simply amazing for a debut novel. As an author my hat is off to John Scalzi for this work. Featuring an imaginative plot with what will soon be classic science fiction settings, this is a "can't put it down" adventure.
The premise in itself is imaginative: the Colonial Defence Force, which defends human colonies in the stars, fulfills it's manpower requirements by signing up old men and women and "revamping" their bodies (to say more would give story points away). John Perry joins on his 75th birthday, and begins a journey which includes the revamping of his body, boot camp and battle. Along the way, different pieces of technology/culture are introduced. Some are not explained (taken for granted) but others (skip drive and beanstalk transports to name a few) are discussed as lunchtime talks between recruits, well in the flow of the story.
Scalzi's humor is excellent, and well on display in his dialog. I actually laughed out loud at points (I usually only do that with Christopher Moore books).
There are few big philosophical ideas here (other than classic military "what are we fighting for?" concepts), and there could be quite a bit more discussed deeper. But that is a minor issue that does not diminish the enjoyment of reading this book.
Highly recommended. On to Ghost Brigades (the next story in the saga).
Book Review: Finally, a sci-fi writer with a real sense of humor!
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this after reading Spin, because the 2 titles kept appearing together in various Amazon.com lists. What a world of difference between the 2 books! Where Spin is somewhat dry and very focused on the science of what is going on, Scalzi's books do not get bogged down in the "future science", and instead focus on the premise (what if old people could become young space-soldiers with enhancements?) while tracing a larger story arc (the nature of war; why we fight; what it means to be human or even alive).
And the humor! This book is hilarious - so many things, from the juvenile to the intellectual, are just laugh-out-loud funny!
I heartily recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun (and funny!) "space opera" adventure trilogy (read The Ghost Brigades and The Last Colony as well - you won't be disappointed). The only caveat I would add is that there are some sex scenes, but they are more implied and not nearly as graphic as your average "bodice-ripper" romance novel. (Apparently, this is something that was remedied in the other books of the series.)