The Forever War

Rating:
Summary: Out On A Limb....
Review: I read The Forever War about seven years ago, when the 'original' material was still in the middle section. This material can be found comprising the graphic novel of The Forever War by Marvano. Instead of talking about how great Forever War is (both versions are) I'm goign to go out on a limb and dislike the new material. In making a more effective story that focusses on the changes to Earth throughout the course of the war, the new material succeeds. It comes as a much bigger hammer that hits the reader, much more directly showing how much has changed for Mandala. However, this tears the book in two. Forever War when I first read it was a war story, showing the horror of war and the humanity that gets violated over the course of what is perhaps the most tragic war one could fathom. The new material attempts to add another arc to the story, an arc that isn't explored at all once Mandala and Potter re-enlist in the army. I feel it detracts from the overall story, although I admit, as a story in and of itself, the new material does very well. Mr. Haldeman should have left the old material in, making the new material as it's own story, instead of the other way around. But that's just my two centavos!

Rating:
Summary: War's Dark Future
Review: Joe Haldeman's book The Forever War is as misunderstood as its doppelganger, Starship Troopers. Both are profound explorations of the reality of war and the relationship between individuals and the polity which controls them. Starship Troopers is considered to be an anti-communist polemic (it isn't) while Forever War was given tons of awards for its anti-war stance (which makes it impossible to judge it on its writing). Which is sad, because the writing is excellent. Haldeman's hero William Mandella is easily more real, more human than Heinlein's adolescent superhero Juan Rico. Both Heinlein and Haldeman write about the military with easy familiarity, but Heinlein to make a point veers too far towards the Platonic ideal. Haldeman, meanwhile, is always on the ground, pointing out the sad human failings of an army that wants to be perfect and falls way short. And interestingly enough, it is Haldeman's characters who become the real heroes. Heinlein is full of ideas about the ideal of war but Haldeman hits square on with what war always becomes: a game of survival. Haldeman's heroes win in the end because they learn that war is "kill or be killed". Everything else is secondary. Neither book is complete in itself; Heinlein's shows humanity at its best, Haldeman's humanity at its worst. Heinlein's heaven is human perfection, Haldeman's is honest love. What I think recommends Haldeman above Heinlein in the end is that Heinlein makes you think but Haldeman makes you >feel< and the latter is more difficult to do and more rewarding to experience.

Rating:
Summary: Action-packed with an underlying struggle.
Review: This story has the ability to grab the reader with an action packed story of human vs. alien conflict yet by the end of the story you have discovered the real conflict is between an old soilder and the cause in which he is fighting for. Very stimulating and thought provocative.

Rating:
Summary: as good as starship troopers
Review: i enjoyed both this book and starship troopers immensly. both offered thoughtful commentary on society, and where it may lead. this book had the time differences which was an excellent addition to the storyline. at times he threw in too much physics for the layreader, it is one of my problems with the book...not all of us have physics degrees. also, i think haldeman ended this book a bit too optimistically, but all in all, one of the better books i've read.

Rating:
Summary: deep
Review: I first read this book about 4 years ago.I didn't really know what to expect, although the lurid cover gave me some awful idea of what to expect.I was however quite surprised to find an intelligent read. Given the fact that the book came out around the end of the Vietnam war, it was a good portrayal of how a soldier might feel about war.(I personally do not know how soldiers might feel as I'm not one myself.)I like the way he writes about how man has progressed from bows and arrows to nukes and back to bows and arrows. Anyway this is a really engaging read and I do recommend it for everyone out there.

Rating:
Summary: Passed on to my son as his first Sci-Fi Book!!
Review: I took only 6 hours to read straight through back in 1983. I couldn't stop till I finished it. Now my 9-year old is devouring it. I hope he doesn't ask to explain the "French Corkscrew".

Rating:
Summary: A good, but not great book...
Review: I definately enjoyed this book, and I think it is better than Starship Troopers (both Vietnam obsessed). The time dilation angle was definately interesting, and I appreciated seeing a thousand years of history through the eyes of the soldier as he advanced from enlisted man to officer. But this book still isn't in the same league as Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game... This book touched on everything but focused on nothing (no char development, no clear picture of earth society). Still, I did like it alot.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Great book from cover to cover. It never drags!!! You better crack the physics book, you'll need it to really understand all the terminology and concepts Haldeman throws at you. I recommed this book to anyone who likes Sci-Fi. I hope some day they make a movie out of this one.

Rating:
Summary: it's worth reading
Review: I just finished reading this book and I thought it was very interesting. But,the only thing that I didn't like about it was that some passeges were a little vague and a times couldn't understand what Mr. Hadelman was trying to illustrate.

Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: A good book if you liked 'Starship Troopers'. In my opinion, a little better.