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Old Man's War Kindle Edition
Perfect for an entry-level sci-fi reader and the ideal addition to a veteran fan’s collection, John Scalzi's Old Man’s War will take audiences on a heart-stopping adventure into the far corners of the universe.
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 aliens willing to fight for them are common. The universe, it turns out, is a hostile place.
So: we fight. To defend Earth (a target for our new enemies, should we let them get close enough) and to stake our own claim to planetary real estate. Far from Earth, the war has gone 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, which shields the home planet from too much knowledge of the situation. What's known to everybody is 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 your time 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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Redshirts
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- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherTor Books
- Publication dateApril 1, 2007
- File size1452 KB
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What's it about?
A 75-year-old man joins an interstellar military force, unexpectedly thrust into brutal warfare across the cosmos.Popular highlight
The problem with aging is not that it’s one damn thing after another—it’s every damn thing, all at once, all the time.1,580 Kindle readers highlighted thisPopular highlight
“I didn’t mind getting old when I was young, either,” I said. “It’s the being old now that’s getting to me.”1,490 Kindle readers highlighted thisPopular highlight
“I’m not insane, sir,” I said. “I have a finely calibrated sense of acceptable risk.”1,223 Kindle readers highlighted this
Editorial Reviews
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From Booklist
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Review
--Cory Doctorow
"John Scalzi is a fresh and appealing new voice, and Old Man's War is classic SF seen from a modern perspective--a fast-paced tour of a daunting, hostile universe."
--Robert Charles Wilson
About the Author
JOHN SCALZI is one of the most popular SF authors of his generation. His debut, Old Man's War, won him the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His New York Times bestsellers include The Last Colony, Fuzzy Nation, Redshirts (which won the 2013 Hugo Award for Best Novel), The Last Emperox, and 2022's The Kaiju Preservation Society. Material from his blog, Whatever (whatever.scalzi.com), has earned him two other Hugo Awards. He lives in Ohio with his wife and daughter.
Twitter: @scalzi
Website: whatever.scalzi.com
Facebook: facebook.com/scalzi
Instagram: @jscalzi
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Old Man's War
By Scalzi, JohnTor Books
Copyright ©2005 Scalzi, JohnAll right reserved.
ISBN: 0765315246
"In this room right now are 1,022 recruits," Lt. Colonel Higgee said. "Two years from today, 400 of you will be dead."
Higgee stood in the front of the theater, again. This time, he had a backdrop: Beta Pyxis III floated behind him, a massive marble streaked with blue, white, green and brown
"In the third year," he continued, "another 100 of you will die. Another 150 in years four and five. After ten years -- and yes, recruits, you will most likely be required to serve a full ten years -- 750 of you have been killed in the line of duty. Three quarters of you, gone. These have been the survival statistics -- not just for the last ten or twenty years, but for the over two hundred years the Colonial Defense Forces have been active."
There was dead silence.
"I know what you're thinking right now, because I was thinking it when I was in your place," Lt. Colonel Higgee said. "You're thinking -- what the hell am I doing here? This guy is telling me I'm going to be dead in ten years! But remember that back home, you most likely would have been dead in ten years, too -- frail and old, dying a useless death. You may die in the Colonial Defense Forces. You probably will die in the Colonial Defense Forces. But your death will not be a useless one. You'll have died to keep humanity alive in our universe."
Continues...
Excerpted from Old Man's War by Scalzi, John Copyright ©2005 by Scalzi, John. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Product details
- ASIN : B000SEIK2S
- Publisher : Tor Books (April 1, 2007)
- Publication date : April 1, 2007
- Language : English
- File size : 1452 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Sticky notes : On Kindle Scribe
- Print length : 321 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #9,512 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
John Scalzi writes books, which, considering where you're reading this, makes perfect sense. He's best known for writing science fiction, including the New York Times bestseller "Redshirts," which won the Hugo Award for Best Novel. He also writes non-fiction, on subjects ranging from personal finance to astronomy to film, was the Creative Consultant for the Stargate: Universe television series. He enjoys pie, as should all right thinking people. You can get to his blog by typing the word "Whatever" into Google. No, seriously, try it.
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Customers find the writing style riveting and light. They describe the book as an easy, digestible read with engaging characters. They also appreciate the original premise, well-rounded characters, and thought-provoking themes. Readers appreciate the educational value, pacing, and storyline. Opinions are mixed on the emotional resonance, with some finding it funny and heartbreaking, while others say it's cheesy.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the storyline entertaining, cracking good, and great. They also say the author presents unique ideas well. Customers also mention that the book grabs their attention from the first sentence and keeps it to the end.
"...What sets "Old Man's War" apart is Scalzi's ability to infuse humor and wit into even the darkest moments...." Read more
"...The story flowed better and I filed it away to be submitted this week. As a reward I decided to try another of Scalzi's books, `Ghost Brigade.'..." Read more
"This story had it all adventure, thrills, romance and some thought provoking ideas on space travel. An excellent and entertaining read" Read more
"...but it's very, very good...." Read more
Customers find the plot intriguing, original, and complex. They also appreciate the cool science elements, imagination without limits, and weighted themes. Readers also say the characters are believable, well-rounded, and identifiable. They mention the fighting scenes have energy and tension.
"...In conclusion, "Old Man's War" is a triumph of science fiction storytelling, a gripping adventure that transcends the genre's conventions to deliver..." Read more
"...when killing is the only answer to a thousand questions, the book is as real as it gets. My only harsh critique is the use of dialogue tags (DT)...." Read more
"This story had it all adventure, thrills, romance and some thought provoking ideas on space travel. An excellent and entertaining read" Read more
"...Premise aside (old people are the only military recruits) the universe is believable and you settle into it comfortably, almost immediately...." Read more
Customers find the writing style enjoyable, simple, and understandable. They also appreciate the author's enthralling narrative voice, clear, coherent prose, riveting narrative, and dry wit. Readers also describe the book as light, breezy, and effective.
"...is a tour de force in the realm of science fiction literature, a riveting narrative that seamlessly blends action, philosophy, and profound human..." Read more
"...His internal monologue is excellent, descriptions, sights and sense of place carried me through, but once the conversations started again, I felt I..." Read more
"...Combining challenging ideas, good character development, and clear, coherent prose style seems to be impossible for most current SF authors...." Read more
"...The story is gripping. The protagonist's narrative is engaging, and the action is well-paced. Fight sequences are excellent...." Read more
Customers find the characters in the book relatable.
"...Scalzi's sharp prose, engaging characters, and thought-provoking themes make this novel a timeless classic that will resonate with readers long..." Read more
"...John Perry, the hero, is personable, a man who is not every man, but enough so that you want him to come out on top...." Read more
"...Combining challenging ideas, good character development, and clear, coherent prose style seems to be impossible for most current SF authors...." Read more
"...Scalzi does a nice job of setting up the protagonist, with his wry-and-unappreciated sense of humor, in the first chapter or two...." Read more
Customers find the book well-paced and a quick read. They also appreciate the weighted themes, pulsing action, and mind-bending tech.
"...This novel flows easily, without the awkwardness or irrelevent fluff of, say, Greg Bear...." Read more
"...The protagonist's narrative is engaging, and the action is well-paced. Fight sequences are excellent...." Read more
"...doesn't require a particularly large amount of thought as the plot moves very quickly and the characters are pretty much one dimensional cut-outs...." Read more
"...The genre is jam-packed with weighted themes, pulsing action, and mind-bending tech that often provides new and interesting ways of thinking about..." Read more
Customers find the book educational, with mind-bending tech, original concepts, and interesting perspectives. They also say it's a solid introduction to the work of John Scalzi, a modern master of the art. Readers also mention the aliens are tough, advanced, and non-welcoming of humans. They say the book seamlessly blends action, philosophy, and profound human emotion.
"...literature, a riveting narrative that seamlessly blends action, philosophy, and profound human emotion...." Read more
"...The genre is jam-packed with weighted themes, pulsing action, and mind-bending tech that often provides new and interesting ways of thinking about..." Read more
"...Fighting aliens whenever and however he is told to. His training is outstanding because it will need to be...." Read more
"...novel (Old Man’s War) is good: it’s filled with action and gives you a lot to think about...." Read more
Customers find the book easy to understand, accessible, and entertaining. They also say the story is digestible and difficult to put down.
"...I don't know if I invented the drill, but I find it to be difficult in its execution and useful for improving my own prose...." Read more
"...I love the humanity of John Perry and how easy it is to connect to his experiences...." Read more
"...I visited my wife's grave. Then I joined the army." Simple, direct, and immediately intriguing...." Read more
"...What didn't I like? This book is just a bit too simple for my Sci-Fi tastes...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the emotional resonance. Some mention emotion, humanity, brash, descriptive violence, tragedy, and a love story. They also describe the book as cheerful and occasionally bittersweet. However, others say there's barely any emotion in the occurrences, it's disturbing, and crazy.
"...I discovered that while battles were present, they were portrayed without excessive violence...." Read more
"...aliens was presented to the reader in a rather confusing and somewhat bungled manner ... it's hard to explain without spoilers, or large plot..." Read more
"...Deaths are tragic, love is deep, humor is grin bearing and action is quick and engrossing.An excellent read." Read more
"...it’s heavy on detailed descriptions of war games and light on emotional/plot development...." Read more
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At the heart of the story is the protagonist, John Perry, a seventy-five-year-old widower who decides to enlist in the Colonial Defense Forces on his 75th birthday. Little does he know that this decision will lead him on an epic journey of self-discovery, camaraderie, and sacrifice. Through Perry's eyes, readers are thrust into a universe teeming with alien species, advanced technology, and moral ambiguity.
Scalzi's narrative prowess shines as he explores themes of mortality, identity, and the ethics of warfare. The concept of elderly individuals being rejuvenated into superhuman soldiers adds a unique twist to the age-old trope of space warfare. As Perry undergoes the transformation process and joins his fellow recruits in the interstellar battlefield, the novel delves into the moral implications of trading one's humanity for the promise of extended life and adventure.
What sets "Old Man's War" apart is Scalzi's ability to infuse humor and wit into even the darkest moments. The banter among the soldiers, their gallows humor in the face of danger, serves as a stark reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. Amidst the chaos of intergalactic conflict, Scalzi crafts moments of genuine camaraderie and warmth, grounding the narrative in the emotional bonds forged between comrades-in-arms.
Furthermore, Scalzi excels in world-building, painting a vivid picture of a universe populated by a kaleidoscope of alien species, each with their own unique cultures, technologies, and motivations. From the enigmatic Obin to the fearsome Rraey, each alien race Perry encounters adds depth and complexity to the narrative, challenging both his preconceptions and the reader's assumptions about the nature of conflict and diplomacy in the cosmos.
As the plot unfolds and Perry finds himself embroiled in a larger conspiracy that threatens the stability of the entire galaxy, "Old Man's War" hurtles towards a breathtaking climax that is equal parts heart-pounding action and profound introspection. Scalzi masterfully juggles multiple plot threads, weaving together personal drama, political intrigue, and cosmic spectacle into a cohesive and satisfying whole.
In conclusion, "Old Man's War" is a triumph of science fiction storytelling, a gripping adventure that transcends the genre's conventions to deliver a poignant meditation on what it means to be human in a universe teeming with wonders and horrors. Scalzi's sharp prose, engaging characters, and thought-provoking themes make this novel a timeless classic that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page.
I recognized his use of DTs after I decided to do a drill, a practice exercise if you will, to improve my own writing. The drill is to take a piece of your own work, which is dialogue intensive, and remove all of the dialogue tags (DT). The story and or pages must be coherent and flow without DTs, and the reader must never become confused. SO you have to work to make the dialogue make sense. The writer - me - has to use action, movement, sense, sound, smell, something to identify who is speaking without using he said or she said.
I don't know if I invented the drill, but I find it to be difficult in its execution and useful for improving my own prose. For me, it makes me look at the characters as people and not constructs on the page. I have to see their quirks, habits, and each idiosyncrasy. For instance if a character is carrying on a conversation with three other people in a room, how do you execute the carousel of dialogue without the DTs.
I worked for two hours peeling back the DTs on `Nathan's New Suit,' my mind was trashed and I had what amounted to three new pages. The story flowed better and I filed it away to be submitted this week. As a reward I decided to try another of Scalzi's books, `Ghost Brigade.' I did not buy the book outright, instead I used the Kindle's "Borrow function" (this is not what Kindle calls it) and I was assaulted by Dialogue Tags. My mind was fresh from my drill and every `he said' and `she said' blasted me out of the story. Every page had them, not a sprinkling, but a deluge, a flood of DTs assaulted me like insurgents on an improvised explosive strewn road in Baghdad. I pulled back and regrouped. I went back and read 'Old Man's War' again to see if the problem systemic, not some accident. It is how he writes, how he keeps track of who is speaking.
Since `Ghost Brigade' was John Scalzi's second book in the `Old Man's War' series I thought he must have had a bad run: I continued to drudge forward. From chapter to chapter the tags were present in all conversations. His internal monologue is excellent, descriptions, sights and sense of place carried me through, but once the conversations started again, I felt I was riding a unicycle on a speed bump littered parking lot. He said and she said are, in my opinion, only necessary in the beginning of a two person dialogue, and only if those persons are stationary, which in real life never happens.
I hate how my mind works. I want to the dialogue tags, push them aside, but I can't. I notice them like a leaky faucet, a too tall blade of grass on a manicured lawn, they are fingernails on a chalkboard, and I want them gone.
I know such a minor inconvenience will not stop other readers from enjoying John Scalzi's writing, and I hope many people purchase his books. He is an otherwise excellent story teller. His use of technology is not an assault on ones senses more like an excellent array of spices on a marvelous steak. John is up there with Jack Campbell and David Drake when it comes to military Science Fiction. I just need him to delete the dialogue tags.
Old Man's War
Top reviews from other countries
19 years later this book has already become a classic and rightly so.
A fantastic sci-fi novel where the "military" subgenre is correct but just the tip of the iceberg.
Action-packed, full of inspirational parts that push the reader to ponder on and investigate the nature of war and morality.
An amazing novel.
Reviewed in Mexico on January 29, 2020