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Old Man's War (Old Man's War, 1) Mass Market Paperback – January 15, 2007

by John Scalzi (Author)

11,072 ratings

Book 1 of 6: Old Man's War

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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 alien races willing to fight us for them are common. So: we fight. To defend Earth, and to stake our own claim to planetary real estate. Far from Earth, the war has been going 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. Everybody knows 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 two years 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
The Android’s Dream
Agent to the Stars
Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded
Fuzzy Nation
Redshirts
Lock In
The Collapsing Empire

Book 1 of 6

Old Man's War
Print length

318 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Tor Science Fiction
Publication date

January 15, 2007
Dimensions

4.2 x 0.9 x 6.75 inches
ISBN-10

0765348276
ISBN-13

978-0765348272
Lexile measure

860L
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Popular Highlights in this book

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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.
Highlighted by 1,230 Kindle readers
“I didn’t mind getting old when I was young, either,” I said. “It’s the being old now that’s getting to me.”
Highlighted by 1,216 Kindle readers
“I’m not insane, sir,” I said. “I have a finely calibrated sense of acceptable risk.”
Highlighted by 1,032 Kindle readers

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Though a lot of SF writers are more or less efficiently continuing the tradition of Robert A. Heinlein, Scalzi's astonishingly proficient first novel reads like an original work by the late grand master...This virtuoso debut pays tribute to SF's past while showing that well-worn tropes still can have real zip when they're approached with ingenuity.” ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Solid…[Scalzi] sidesteps most of the cliches of military science fiction, delivers fast-paced scenes of combat and pays attention to the science underpinning his premise.” ―San Francisco Chronicle

“Thought-provoking!” ―Entertainment Weekly

“Smartly conceived and thoroughly entertaining, Old Man's War is a splendid novel.” ―Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Gripping and surpassingly original. It's Starship Troopers without the lectures. It's The Forever War with better sex. It's funny, it's sad, and it's true.” ―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

“I enjoyed Old Man's War immensely. A space war story with fast action, vivid characters, moral complexity and cool speculative physics, set in a future you almost want to live into, and a universe you sincerely hope you don't live in already.” ―Ken MacLeod

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,and Redshirts (which won the 2013 Hugo Award for Best Novel), and 2020's The Last Emperox. Material from his blog, Whatever, has also earned him two other Hugo Awards. Scalzi also serves as critic-at-large for the Los Angeles Times. He lives in Ohio with his wife and daughter.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tor Science Fiction; Reprint edition (January 15, 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 318 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0765348276
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0765348272
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 860L
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.2 x 0.9 x 6.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #34,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #111 in Colonization Science Fiction
- #372 in Space Marine Science Fiction
- #927 in Space Operas

Customer Reviews:
11,072 ratings

About the author

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John Scalzi

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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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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

11,072 global ratings

5 star		68%
4 star		24%
3 star		6%
2 star		2%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2023

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A good solid story of an old/new soldier facing a new life.
This is worthy of multiple reads and recommendations. Action, humor,and solid military storytelling. A solid introduction to the work of John Scalzi, A modern master of the art.

old man’s war

Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2023

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I really liked the premise. A few things were different, love the fact that finally in a society that the elderly were not put out to pasture

Amazon Customer

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2023

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Quick fun read. It transports you to another world. Highly recommend to anyone interested in sci-fi with an engaging story.

anonymous in ok

Surprisingly good.

Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2023

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There seems to be a dearth of good SF nowadays. Last really great one was The Long Run by Daniel Keys Moran.
This series may compete.

Part The Notebook and part Starship Troopers

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2023

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Good easy read. Entertaining through the last page. There is a movie to be made here somewhere. Can’t wait to read the next one in series.

starship troopers but matured

Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2023

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Very much in the mode of Heinlein’s starship troopers except instead of a bunch of fresh kids it’s old farts looking for a new start. New tech but much of the same problems of making a hostile universe safe for human colonization. Interesting little twist I could see coming but well done enough that I didn’t mind.

My new favorite book in the military sci-fi genre

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2020

Verified Purchase

Military science fiction is one of the most popular and beloved subgenres in fiction. Titles like War of the Worlds and Starship Troopers continue to captivate readers to this day. Hollywood took notice, gifting us mega-hits like Aliens and Battlestar Galactica. The genre is jam-packed with weighted themes, pulsing action, and mind-bending tech that often provides new and interesting ways of thinking about the universe we inhabit.

Starship Troopers has been a personal favorite for years, written by the legendary Robert A. Heinlein. It courts controversial topics with an eerie effectiveness, a testament to Heinlein’s enduring brilliance. His understanding of the military machine oozes from the page and sucks you into his character motivations. I thought for sure that this book would endure as my go-to measuring stick for the genre.

That is, until I read Old Man’s War.

John Scalzi is a New York Times bestselling author with a Hugo Award under his belt. Dude has some serious cred, so I went into the book with lofty expectations. Old Man’s War is the first of a six-book series that I plan to gleefully devour. The first book was in my to-read pile for quite some time, as the recommendation kept rearing its head in conversation. Once it reached the top, I actually felt a wash of relief. “Finally, I can see what all the fuss is about.” Several hours later, I put the book down and simply uttered, “Holy ****.”

Without giving anything away, as a happy husband in a two-decade relationship that is still going strong, this book hit me hard in the feels.

I was not expecting that from a military sci-fi novel, albeit one with an enthralling narrative voice. The “old man” part refers to an advanced version of Earth where retirees are the ones who join the Armed Forces. The idea is that a wealth of experience is far more valuable than youthful vigor. And when you live in a world where the military can provide you with a brand new combat-ready body (complete with green skin), it makes a hell of a lot of sense.

The story follows John Perry, a 75-year-old senior who lost his wife and is reaching the end of his days. He joins the military, because why not. He is promised a new and exciting life beyond the stars, fighting for ... well, something. It doesn’t matter. He’s moving forward, and that’s all that matters. John makes new friends along the way and discovers that he is quite adept at his new life battling aliens from planet to planet.

Old Man’s War takes several dives into familiar themes, first and foremost, what it means to be human. Others include the role of advanced technology and the psychological stresses of war. But what Scalzi manages to do is frame them inside a new landscape (or hellscape more like it), one that paints foes as unbeatable and treats characters like members of a hive colony. In many ways, it’s a complete role reversal of books like Starship Troopers, which gives the reader a fascinating new perspective on personal relations and interstellar conflicts.

The book is engrossing up to the third act, at which point it rises to the rank of classic. It pains me to stay mum about it, but it would pain me more to spoil it for anyone else. Old Man’s War is not only my new favorite book in the genre, it’s also a new favorite all around.

The saga continues with The Ghost Brigades, which is exactly where I’ll be shortly after posting this review (with apologies to my to-read pile).

11 people found this helpful

surprisingly good

Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2023

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I thought just another sy fi novel ,but really good and thought out ,I enjoyed it a lot can’t wait to start the next book

Top reviews from other countries

Married to she who must be obeyed

Great Writing and loved the story line

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 23, 2020

Verified Purchase

I discovered John Scalzi because I'm locked-down and vulnerable due to age for the C19 Virus pandemic. I read a great variety of genres. I had in a week brought kindle books and then after three chapters discarded them and doubt I will ever read them again. Then saw the title 'Old Mans War', so being an old man, thought 'why not' , I'm bored being in lock-down, I have to read something. WOW! I was gripped in the first few pages and read the whole thing in two days, the premise was pretty original and the characters attitudes easy to relate to and the plot line just kept 'opening up' to lead us on to the next page and then the next book. I have read all five in 10 days I recommend them all , even Zoes Tale, which is a retelling from another point of view of The Last Colony, was written so well that although you knew what happens it was still a great read. A skilful writer and teller of tales if I could give 10 stars I would

10 people found this helpful

FallenGrace

75 is the new 20.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 22, 2019

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I'd heard a little bit about this series from my reading group so decided to give it a try being a huge fan of sci-fi. The best way I can describe it is if you take the film Avatar and mix it with Joe Haldeman's Forever War and Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers. It's an interesting mix and a fun story well worth reading.

Old Man's War follows John Perry, a 75 year old man who upon turning that age has signed up with the enigmatic Colonial Defense Force. No one on earth knows much about them except for they only recruit people over the age of 75 and have more advanced technology than anyone else on earth. With the rumor they can stop people aging John signs up as he has nothing to lose but gets a hell of a lot more than he expected.

The story was pretty addictive, as John finds out who the Colonial Defense Force really are, why they keep earth in the dark and that earth is located in a really nasty neighborhood. I don't want to spoil anything more than that but it's a a real page turner I read in two sittings. It's a solid, easy to read novel with imaginative ideas and great action at times. The cast of characters are all pretty likable but the story really focuses on John and his experience with the CDF.

All in all, if you're into space opera or military science fiction this is well worth giving a try to.

Recommended.

+ Interesting idea.
+ A real page turner.
+ Great pacing.

4 people found this helpful

Randal

When it comes to looking age-related illness and death in the face these good citizens of America (I don't think any other country's ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 11, 2018

Verified Purchase

n interesting and unusual concept. When coming to the end of their life individuals can sign up for the army - no not an earth-bound army of geriatrics, but an army, newly rejuvenated, defending colonies in the galaxy from the predations of many races whose prime objective is to massacre (and possibly eat) colonists who are occupying planets they want. (It seems that humanity hasn't actually discovered any peaceful alien species.) The Colonial Defence Force gets young, fit soldiers with mature minds. When it comes to looking age-related illness and death in the face these good citizens of America (I don't think any other country's individuals are mentioned) overturn their pacifist beliefs and take a leap of faith. And leap of faith it is, because though they know there's a rejuvenation process, they don't know what it is or how it works, and they don't know what horrors they're going to be facing out there. It turns out things are way more extreme than they ever imagined, both in terms of their bodies, and in terms of the likely death rate amongst recruits.

John Perry and his wife sign up at the age of sixty-five for service ten years hence. His wife, unfortunately, drops dead with no warning, so John, a few years later, goes off alone, knowing that he'll never see earth again. If he survives he'll be given a homestead on a colony planet. On board the transport he meets up with a bunch of similar individuals and they bond, calling themselves the Old Farts. But they don't stay old for long. The reality of their rejuvenation is stranger than they could have imagined. They are mostly split up, but they keep in touch and a series of skirmishes against enemy aliens takes the lives of some of them. Things get even stranger when John is injured and sees his wife in the rescue party…

I really enjoyed reading this though I did wonder about the logic of it all, especially when the rational for the Ghost Brigades came into play. Why did they need all those mature minds when eighty percent of them were likely to die? As it turned out John Perry's mature mind comes in handy and he's a likeable main character. The pacing is great. It's a real page-turner. I heartily recommend this despite my old fart misgivings about the logic of old people abandoning the beliefs of a lifetime to go to war against aliens.

8 people found this helpful

Alessandro

The start of all things.....

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2020

Verified Purchase

Well what can I say that hasn't been said in fifteen years of people reviews....probably not much , I just want to say read it .
Read this book with no more intentions to have fun , this is not the next big thing or the sci-fi version of game of thrones, but is entertaining, well written, make you smile, and occasionally share a tear if you are a particular emotional individual.
I buy and read books to have fun, enjoy reading and dream of far far away worlds full of adventure and likeable characters and this book tick all the boxes.

5 people found this helpful

Paul J. Fleming

Amazing read from start to finish

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 18, 2017

Verified Purchase

Flipped the book open yesterday evening with the honest intent of passing the odd idle hour with a chapter or two. Problem is that Scalzi sucks you in and delivers you neatly from one chapter into the next. Just a few more pages. Just read on a little to find out what happens to x, y or z...

Next thing you know the hours have passed and the end of book acknowledgements assault your eyeballs with the cruel taunt of offing you the next book in the series. Go on....just a bit more...

Quite seriously, I enjoyed this book from start to finish and am eager to move onto Ghost Brigade. I read End of All Things first which was more a compilation of novellas with a common thread, so returning to where it all began with a full length novel was very pleasing.

Highly recommended. Maybe look for the Old Man's War box set if you intend to read the series.

8 people found this helpful

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