Rating: 
Summary: As dark as our future could be.
Review: This novel ist great. No superman-mega-heroes, no oh-so-good-high-tech and especially no evil space monsters to rid the universe of. There is comic-version of "The Forever War" - read it!
Rating: 
Summary: No depth
Review: No depth in the parsonae. No serious plot. Not much SF in it. I did read it to the end.
Rating: 
Summary: For fans of Military Science Fiction
Review: THERE ARE *NO* SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEWThis should be quick and easy. You want to know if you should buy the book, right? If you're a fan of Military Science Fiction, this is as good as it gets--so get it! If you're NOT a fan of Military Science Fiction, first of all... my apologies. There may be enough thematic issues to keep you interested, but I'm not sure. While it IS primarily a war-oriented novel, this doesn't mean that it doesn't explore some interesting issues like a) the warriors' role in peaceful society b) what the relativistic effects of space travel does to relationships c) how soldiers make peace with their killer natures. Bottom Line: Vietnam era/Military Sci-fi fans--get it! Besides, it's a short read so what do you have to lose?
Rating: 
Summary: Not too good.
Review: I will be concise.This book is highly overrated. This "science fiction masterpiece" doesn't come close to the engaging prose obtained in his short stories.For starters, this world is poorly detailed, hardly any historical info of his "future world" was given and I'm sure Mr. Haldeman could somehow have integrated some of that info. into the story.Secondly, where's the detail?Oh, of course detail is given, but at sparse intervals, and even then it doesn't present any real feeling of atmosphere.Lastly, where's the emotional depth?All this book is is one superficial view of human emotion; its just a poor atempt at a futuristic action story. If you like overrated,propaganda backed,literary drivel then this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Space 'Nam
Review: "The Forever War" is authored by a Vietnam Veteran who uses the colorful setting of the future "Forever" War as an allegory for The 'Nam and the feelings of its vets. This powerful book grabs the reader quickly and throws him straight into the first-person world of William Mandela, would-be physics professor turned soldier by the Earth's military fight alien Taurans in a war with nebulous origins. Due to complications posed by relativity, each time the combatants engage, the battle is completely lopsided because one race will have the technological advantages endowed by time on their side. For example, if Earth sends a mission that takes 300 years for the mission to reach it's goal, the enemy already had 300 years to prepare and upgrade defenses, so the mission's tech is obsolete. Then, if the Taurans attack our outpost, the same thing happens. With no communication between the two races, no chance of winning, but the ever present chance of defeat, an eternal war is created. Halderman also captures the disorientation experienced by GIs who came back from horrific combat, and were expected to instantly adjust to 1960's "Ozzy and Harriet" American culture. The "Forever War" has a cynical ring that I instantly loved, as well as sublimely juxtaposing the positive and negative potentials of humans as individuals and a race. The military details are right on target, from the lingo and attitudes to soldiers' attitudes. Overall, I'd definitely recommend "The Forever War" to anyone with an interest in Sci-Fi. It'll also teach you about the motivations of warriors who turn peacemakers.
Rating:
Summary: not recommended
Review: I stopped reading around page 100 it was so BORING. FLATliner. Unemotional. No depth what so ever. It is like procedural. This book is beyond over rated. I agree with all the 1-2 star ratings...this book, this author has nothing to offer. I would recommend to you Frank Herbert's Dune series. I can't find anything that even comes close to it.......and I've been searching a very long time.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Haldeman
Review: In anticipation of Forever Free, I re-read this classic. It was just as fun today as when I first read it about a decade ago. Haldeman has fun with his contribution to the interstellar war genre. When he wrote The Forever War he never expected that we would expose women to combat in the near future. However, his portrayal of women in the military of tomorrow is getting closer to being realized. While they don't yet have access to combat roles, women work side by side in every other part of the US Military. Granted, the sexual themes are unlikely to occur in today's world. This is a fun read, if a pessimistic commentary on the arbitrary way that the military decides things. Having just finished getting to know William Mandella again, I am can't wait to find out how this reluctant hero gets along 20 years (and a millenium) later.
Rating:
Summary: What I'd like to know is...
Review: Where all the 1 - 4 star reveiws have gone about this book, there used to be loads of them.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect Scifi
Review: This book is a perfect blend of hard-edged scifi, thrilling action and wrenching emotion. I was instantly enveloped in the story and involved with the character of Mandella, the almost accidental,reluctant everyman/hero. Many have compared/contrasted this book with Starship Troopers I have even read a critique referring to it as a "caustic reply" to the Heinlein classic. I feel thay have more in common then differences and in fact make a great companion pieces. Once you understand that both authors were involved in different kinds of wars in real life you can understand their different experiences of war, Heinlein,the "Great Crusade" of WW2, and Haldeman,the greatest foreign policy disaster in US history, Vietnam. It's no wonder Haldeman is somewhat more cynical about conflict, its causes and its purposes. But neither author is cynical about the spirit of the common man.
Rating:
Summary: I read it in 3 days
Review: Joe Haldeman's "The Forever War" is a sci-fi book that almost force you to keep on reading. It is about a young soldier fighting in battles far into space, and each time he gets back to earth, centuries has past by. Of course this creates problems. Well, I won't reveal anything more, but I assure you, this book is worth every dime.
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