War Stories [Hardcover]

Joe Haldeman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 10, 2006

An omnibus of Joe Haldeman's war stories, this will be an important book that gives massive insight into Vietnam from the perspective of one of the finest science fiction writers in the field. Includes the stories "War Year," "1968," "Time Piece," "The Private War of Private Jacob," "To Howard Hughes: A Modest Proposal," "The Monster," "Graves," "A Separate War," and "Giza." Plus the long narrative poems "Saul's Death" and "DX" as well as three essays by Haldeman about his experiences in Vietnam and about writing "The Forever War," "1968," "War Year," and short fiction.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Haldeman (Camouflage) is much more than just a military SF writer, but it's clear that Vietnam remains central to his existence and the nightmare inspiration for some of his best work. This collection brings together the author's two Vietnam novels, the autobiographical War Year (1972) and the later, more sophisticated 1968 (1994), along with a variety of stories and poems. The shorter work is all Vietnam-inspired, but each piece also qualifies as SF or fantasy. In the powerful "A Separate War," a sequel to the author's The Forever War, two soldiers have been sent on a series of missions at translight speeds. Though only a few years have passed for them, centuries have gone by on Earth and the soldiers find themselves more and more alienated from the culture they're supposedly fighting to protect. Two other stories, "The Monster" and "Graves," take place in Vietnam and involve possibly supernatural encounters with creatures brought to light by the horrors of war. Far from escapist, Haldeman's art provides a devastating retrospective of a particularly black time in American history. (Mar.)
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 450 pages
• Publisher: Night Shade Books (January 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597800228
• ISBN-13: 978-1597800228
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,453,646 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars War Stories a Must Have for Haldeman fans, October 30, 2006

By 

Steven Samuels (Colorado Springs, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: War Stories (Hardcover)

I've been enjoying Haldeman's new work so much that I forgot how focused and powerful his older writing was. While not as polished as the writer he is today, the emotional impact of this book is simply unequaled. It took me back to the first time I read Herbert's Dune, Simmons' Hyperion, Tepper's Grass, etc.

The two bookends of War Stories (novels in their own right), War Year and 1968, are the kinds of books you can't put down, but absolutely need to for sanity's sake. Both are semi-autobiographic in that they are both stories of Viet Nam combat engineer (although they are not Haldeman's specific story). It is a good thing these are separated by several short stories and poems as they are simply too intense to read back-to-back. Even separately, they leave the reader shaken... for all the right reasons.

The middle portion of short stories and poems contain old favorites, sharp interludes, intense horror, fun, sadness... your basic Haldeman buffet.

Before each section, Haldeman gives personal insight into the situations surrounding the writing. All-in-all, a must have for Haldeman fans and readers of war fiction from someone who's been there and lived through it. I think I speak for Haldeman when I say even when you live through it, a piece of you is left behind. This collection helps you remember and cherish those forgotten pieces.

5.0 out of 5 stars Memory Lane, April 21, 2011

By 

Tripledimple - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: War Stories (Hardcover)

I purchased Haldeman's "War Stories" not really knowing what to expect, I had thoughts of a science fiction themed story instead I fell head first into an account of the Vietnam war that immediately brought to the fore memories of a time I had long set aside, as much as possible. Before I was finished I had laughed, I had cried and I had paused in silence for long periods remembering my own experiences in that conflict. Many times I found myself nodding my head and mumbling in agreement with something Joe Haldeman had written that echoed my own memories and experiences.
After reading War Stories that day and for a couple of more days beside, I would go to bed and walk through my mind in my dreams from the memories that had been aroused and wakened. I also remembered some unfinished business that I had promised to do when I came home, I have now finished what I had promised then. I owe a thank you and a salute to Mr. Haldeman for being the instrument in bringing about that completion.

I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to experience and learn a little more from that time, even secondhand.

His other short stories in this collection were both amazingly thought provoking and deliciously new and novel and from a former soldier's point of view, scary. The what if's that come to mind and the possibilities that frighteningly jump out at you make for geat reading. Thank G0d I do not have to experience them.