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Questions for a Soldier [Paperback]

John Scalzi , Bob Eggleton
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)


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Product Details

  • Paperback: 28 pages
  • Publisher: Subterranean Press (December 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1596060484
  • ISBN-13: 978-1596060487
  • Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,906,408 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More 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, for which he won the John W. Campbell Award (2006) and has been nominated for the Hugo Award for best novel (2006, 2008, 2009). He also writes non-fiction, on subjects ranging from personal finance to astronomy to film, and 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.

Customer Reviews

QfaS is a very short story- it takes all of 5-10 minutes to read to whole thing. T. Davis  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
Harkens back to the golden age of Sci-Fi, Astound! Stephen Deane  |  2 reviewers made a similar statement
It shouldn't have been sold seperately. P. Thorkildsen  |  1 reviewer made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 44 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Fills in a Small Amount of Background May 2, 2006
Format:Paperback
This little tome does not seem to have ever been intended for wide distribution. It is intended just for fans of the universe conceived by John Scalzi in his books, OLD MAN'S WAR and THE GHOST BRIGADES. It exists merely to fill in a little of the background of the that artistic universe. To that degree, it has some small success but is not really a great entertainment value.

The situation is a PR tour by the protagonist of the first book. He is visiting some colonial worlds and pitching the mission of the military. The entire book, all 30 pages, is a transcript of a public interview he gives on one of the worlds. In it, he is asked some questions and he answers them without any dodging. Some of the questioners are supportive and some are antagonistic. Surprisingly, he seems to share some empathy with the antagonist at some points.

This is worthwhile if you are a great fan or if you want to fill in a small bit of the cultural background of this particular playground. If neither sounds appealing, wait for the next book.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A must for after finishing Old Man's War March 5, 2006
Format:Paperback
As soon as I completed Old Man's War, I went right online to pick up Questions for a Soldier. OMW was such a great read that when it was over I was left wanting more and couldn't wait to learn of what happens to John Perry. QfaS is a very short story- it takes all of 5-10 minutes to read to whole thing. That's right, ten minutes tops. Is it worth the price of admission? Absolutely! If you loved OMW, you can't not get it. As the title suggests, John Perry is the honorary speaker at one of the colonies that he and the CDF defends. There he is asked by townspeople what it is like being a soldier and the talk turns into a deeper discussion about the meaning of the CDF and what it is to be a colonist and a soldier. This really is a fun read and a great, if only minor, expansion to this great universe that Scalzi has created. As far as timelines go, you can read this before or after Ghost Brigades, QfaS is a stand-alone one shot- but worth reading. This is especially worth picking up because John Perry isn't a part of Ghost Brigades; Jane Sagan takes a more forward role in that story. So if you want more of John Perry, buy Questions for a Soldier. Here's hoping the third book reunites John and Jane for an entire story of their own!
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful sidenote to a fun book March 23, 2006
Format:Paperback
This is a signed, limited edition chapbook from Subterranean Press, with cover and interior illustrations by Bob Eggleton.

Captain John Perry, in Old Man's War, did a goodwill tour of the colonies after the Battle of Coral. This is the Q&A session from one of those stops, on the colony world of New Goa. There's no story here, really; just the back-and-forth between a combat veteran and some of the civilians the Colonial Defense Forces are defending-who have a variety of views of the CDF, the fact that it's composed entirely of old folks from Earth (colonists cannot enlist), and the perpetual state of war between humans and most other intelligent species they're in contact with. It's interesting, entertaining, and thoughtful.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic addendum
This short piece does a great job of sort of fleshing out the character of Perry a little more and gives some more back-story (mid-story? Read more
Published 6 days ago by James Palermo
4.0 out of 5 stars Very real.
Very interesting concept. Totally believable. Exactly what a war hero would be engaged in. A short story that tied up loose ends nicely.
Published 1 month ago by Ali G
5.0 out of 5 stars Lol
Mr Scalzi, I hope you stay safe from the misguided, corrupt, and ignorantly stupid folks (scum), who are rising to the top of today's 'melting pot'. Read more
Published 1 month ago by ERIC M JOHNSON
4.0 out of 5 stars Nice short read
I like most of the stuff John Scalzi has written, so it's no surprise I liked this. If you are a fan of Scalzi's Old Man's War universe, than this is a short read you will enjoy. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bud Sidener
5.0 out of 5 stars Ok book
A very poor follow up. I expected a better book from an author who had 3 good books in a row.
Published 2 months ago by Bear
3.0 out of 5 stars For fans only
No real story here.
A fill-in, some insight in John Perry's mind, some background of the Huckleberry colony and Savitri. Well worth USD 0.99 for dedicated fans of the series. Read more
Published 5 months ago by catullus
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good
But way too short. I'd love to delve into the mind of this character even more. Mr. Scalzi is an excellent story teller
Published 5 months ago by Mark F. Kitson
5.0 out of 5 stars Questions...
Scalzi has great range, a terrific sense of humor, and a vivid imagination. All important characteristics for a science fiction writer.
Published 6 months ago by Penelope B. Wildman
4.0 out of 5 stars Overpriced
I immensely enjoyed the 3 novels in the Old Man's War series, and this is a nice fill-in type item. However, way overpriced.
Published 7 months ago by Big Frank
1.0 out of 5 stars To short, not worth the price, unless you are fanatic
To short, not worth the price unless you are a fanatic for this series. This might have been a good thing to add on to the next book, or in a re-release of an older one in this... Read more
Published 8 months ago by P. Thorkildsen
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