Old Man's War
The first of three planned sci-fi book review posts.
When I first read the title, I thought rather cynically, "Aren't all wars old man wars? Who ever heard of twenty-year olds starting wars?" But I pressed on and read the back cover.
In turns out, the Colonial Defense Forces (CDF) want old people rather than young people so as to make use of their 75 years of life experience and skills. To work around the physical limitations of their septuagenarian bodies, the CDF downloads their consciousness into new, cloned bodies. You just have to commit to two years of service. After that, you can muster out and get the futuristic equivalent of 40 acres and a mule on one of Earth's new offworld colonies.
Unfortunately, most recruits don't survive the two years. The galaxy is a very dangerous place.
We follow John Perry as he befriends his fellow new recruits, becomes familiar with his new, enhanced body complete with BrainPal (think a wetware version of an iPod but ten times better), goes through basic training ("Nukes are for pussies!") and eventually his first taste of combat.
While this could just be a military sci-fi story, it is not. The CDF is just a vehicle to carry Scalzi's story along. The real focus is on Perry and his small band of friends and how they adapt to their strange new surroundings. And just as Perry successfully acclimates to his new life, he receives a surprise from his old life that throws everything out of whack.
Scalzi's writing has been likened to Robert Heinlein. However, Scalzi's style is complementary rather than imitative. Fans of the old master will appreciate this new story. I loved it, finding it very hard to put it down each night. I finished it in no time at all. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
\_/
DED
When I first read the title, I thought rather cynically, "Aren't all wars old man wars? Who ever heard of twenty-year olds starting wars?" But I pressed on and read the back cover.John Perry did two things on his seventy-fifth birthday. First he visited his wife's grave. Then he joined the army.That got my attention.
In turns out, the Colonial Defense Forces (CDF) want old people rather than young people so as to make use of their 75 years of life experience and skills. To work around the physical limitations of their septuagenarian bodies, the CDF downloads their consciousness into new, cloned bodies. You just have to commit to two years of service. After that, you can muster out and get the futuristic equivalent of 40 acres and a mule on one of Earth's new offworld colonies.
Unfortunately, most recruits don't survive the two years. The galaxy is a very dangerous place.
We follow John Perry as he befriends his fellow new recruits, becomes familiar with his new, enhanced body complete with BrainPal (think a wetware version of an iPod but ten times better), goes through basic training ("Nukes are for pussies!") and eventually his first taste of combat.
While this could just be a military sci-fi story, it is not. The CDF is just a vehicle to carry Scalzi's story along. The real focus is on Perry and his small band of friends and how they adapt to their strange new surroundings. And just as Perry successfully acclimates to his new life, he receives a surprise from his old life that throws everything out of whack.
Scalzi's writing has been likened to Robert Heinlein. However, Scalzi's style is complementary rather than imitative. Fans of the old master will appreciate this new story. I loved it, finding it very hard to put it down each night. I finished it in no time at all. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
\_/
DED
Labels: books
posted by DED at 9:34 PM
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