The Forever War, Joe Haldeman
The Forever War, Joe Haldeman
14 Rating(s)
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The Forever War

Author: Joe Haldeman

Narrator: George K. Wilson

Unabridged: 9 hr 20 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 04/18/2008


Synopsis

When it was first published over 20 years ago, Joe Haldeman's novel won the Hugo and Nebula awards and was chosen Best Novel in several countries. Today, it is hailed a classic of science fiction that foreshadowed many of the futuristic themes of the 1990s: bionics, sensory manipulation, and time distortion.

William Mandella is a soldier in Earth's elite brigade. As the war against the Taurans sends him from galaxy to galaxy, he learns to use protective body shells and sophisticated weapons. He adapts to the cultures and terrains of distant outposts. But with each month in space, years are passing on Earth. Where will he call home when (and if) the Forever War ends?

Narrator George Wilson's performance conveys all the imaginative technology and human drama of The Forever War. Set against a backdrop of vivid battle scenes, this absorbing work asks provocative questions about the very nature of war.

About Joe Haldeman

Joe Haldeman is an American author of award-winning science fiction and nonfiction works and a part-time professor at MIT. He earned a BS in physics and astronomy, as well as an MFA in writing. Drafted into the military, he served in Vietnam as a combat engineer in 1968 and 1969, was severely wounded, and earned a Purple Heart. His experience in war and in returning to civilian life are themes he uses in much of his writing. He is the author of numerous novels and several series, including the Forever War series. His science fiction has earned many awards, including five Hugo Awards, five Nebula Awards, a John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel, a Locus Award, three Rhysling Awards, a World Fantasy Award, and a James Tiptree Jr. Award. Haldeman was named a Grand Master by the Science Fiction Writers of America in 2009, received the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement in 2010, and was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2012.


Reviews

AudiobooksNow review by Christine on 2009-06-30 15:07:27

I'd have to agree with the second review here. I appreciated the book for what it was trying to achieve in it's time, but I couldn't get over how silly it was that in the book, the government ends up psychologically conditioning every human being to be homosexual for 'population control' purposes. I mean really, BC doesn't exist in a future with collapsars and stasis fields?! And then at the end, they offer to turn them all straight so they can live a 'normal life' on another planet, and even though some of the soldiers are disgusted by the idea they agree to it!. The author's complete ignorance of homosexuality was probably acceptable when the book was released, but now it just harms the overall quality of the work.

Goodreads review by Kemper

This book is a military style space opera with …..Wait! Where are you going? Get back here. I hadn’t got to the good part yet. Give me a second to explain. Geez… OK, so yes, there is an interstellar war with human troops in high-tech armored suits battling an alien enemy on distant planets. I know it......more

Goodreads review by Emily

Maybe a generous 2.5? Just for the overall concept. Let's start with the positive... I enjoyed following a main character struggling to adapt to the changes on Earth while he's at war. 2 years for him end up being 26 on Earth due to time relativity. It only gets worst as the war progresses. The rest......more

Goodreads review by J.L.

“The 1143-year-long war hand begun on false pretenses and only because the two races were unable to communicate. Once they could talk, the first question was 'Why did you start this thing?' and the answer was 'Me?” While it reminded me of Heinlein's Starship Troopers and Avatar (especially the beginn......more

Goodreads review by Baba

SF Masterworks 1(!). That's right, this book was the first released under the SF Masterworks brand, so it's gotta be good then? It sure damn was! This book! A star gate like natural phenomena has been discovered that allows man to roam the stars - but each journey albeit instantaneous, sees the passi......more