The Forever War: The science fiction classic and thought-provoking critique of war
Nov 2011 · S.F. MASTERWORKS Book 1 · Hachette UK
4.5star
247 reviewsreport
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236
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About this ebook
One of the very best science fiction novels of all time. An intelligent and thought provoking allegory for the Vietnam War.
Private William Mandella is a reluctant hero in an interstellar war against an unknowable and unconquerable alien enemy. But his greatest test will be when he returns home. Relativity means that for every few months' tour of duty centuries have passed on Earth, isolating the combatants ever more from the world for whose future they are fighting.
Readers can't stop thinking about The Forever War:
'More than just a book about a futuristic war, Haldeman describes a society built around the codependency of the industrial military complex and with a fluid dynamic socio-economic culture that is fascinating to watch unfold' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'A hugely important story from a very human angle . . . It will come as no surprise that this was written as a reaction to America's war in Vietnam' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Catch-22 is often cited as one of the great books about the futility and inherent paradoxes of war. I think this is easily its equal' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'This book is a masterpiece, both as a straight-up science fiction story, but also as an allegory for the horrors and hopelessness of war' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'This is military-flavoured bootcamp-to-war Science Fiction in its finest form, as refreshing and thought provoking as it no doubt was when it was released in 1974 . . . a landmark classic of Science Fiction' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Haldeman's story touched on a number of different themes (the horrors of war and those of personal traumatic injury, loneliness, alienation, loss, cultural indoctrination, and societal change over time) . . . a really good sci-fi classic' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Private William Mandella is a reluctant hero in an interstellar war against an unknowable and unconquerable alien enemy. But his greatest test will be when he returns home. Relativity means that for every few months' tour of duty centuries have passed on Earth, isolating the combatants ever more from the world for whose future they are fighting.
Readers can't stop thinking about The Forever War:
'More than just a book about a futuristic war, Haldeman describes a society built around the codependency of the industrial military complex and with a fluid dynamic socio-economic culture that is fascinating to watch unfold' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'A hugely important story from a very human angle . . . It will come as no surprise that this was written as a reaction to America's war in Vietnam' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Catch-22 is often cited as one of the great books about the futility and inherent paradoxes of war. I think this is easily its equal' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'This book is a masterpiece, both as a straight-up science fiction story, but also as an allegory for the horrors and hopelessness of war' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'This is military-flavoured bootcamp-to-war Science Fiction in its finest form, as refreshing and thought provoking as it no doubt was when it was released in 1974 . . . a landmark classic of Science Fiction' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Haldeman's story touched on a number of different themes (the horrors of war and those of personal traumatic injury, loneliness, alienation, loss, cultural indoctrination, and societal change over time) . . . a really good sci-fi classic' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Ratings and reviews
4.5
247 reviews
David McWeeney
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August 2, 2016
Smart, but a little short. It has great scientific sections on space and relativity. I kind of thought that there was no point to it though. Theres no real insight into what the war is about, and also, theres no real insight into the character. Any time he builds a meaningful relationship with another character, its quickly ended and that plot line disappears. I guess this is part of the narrative thats being told here. Its a good book, but I can't give it more than 3 due to being short, and leaving a slightly unfulfilled feeling after reading it.
2 people found this review helpful
Steve Mac
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August 18, 2019
Interesting premise with a good enough story, I certianly wanted to keep reading but the science is awful. Im not talking about the tropes that make its sc-fi setting viable its basic stuff, that could be fixed so easily with zero impact on the story. It's a let down that its science dressing is bad. As a read though, it's engaging enough to want to keep reading it.
4 people found this review helpful
Ryan Taylor
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September 4, 2014
Sorry but in an age where we have digital goods that's not gonna fly. I really want to read this book, but this stupid restriction prevents me from getting it.
About the author
Joe Haldeman was born in Oklahoma in 1943 and studied physics and astronomy before serving as a combat engineer in Vietnam, where he was severely wounded and won a Purple Heart. THE FOREVER WAR was his first SF novel and it won both the HUGO and NEBULA AWARDS, a feat which THE FOREVER PEACE repeated. He is also the author of, among others, MINDBRIDGE, ALL MY SINS REMEMBERED, WORLDS APART and WORLDS ENOUGH AND TIME.
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