The Forever War Series Reading Order

One of the very best science fiction novels of all time. An intelligent and thought provoking allegory for the Vietnam W… One of the very best science fiction novels of all time. An intelligent and thought provoking allegory for the Vietnam War. Private William Mandella is a reluctant hero in an interstellar war against an unknowable and unconquerable alien enemy. But his greatest test will be when he returns home. Relativity means that for every few months' tour of duty centuries have passed on Earth, isolating the combatants ever more from the world for whose future they are fighting. Readers can't stop thinking about The Forever War: 'More than just a book about a futuristic war, Haldeman describes a society built around the codependency of the industrial military complex and with a fluid dynamic socio-economic culture that is fascinating to watch unfold' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A hugely important story from a very human angle . . . It will come as no surprise that this was written as a reaction to America's war in Vietnam' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Catch-22 is often cited as one of the great books about the futility and inherent paradoxes of war. I think this is easily its equal' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'This book is a masterpiece, both as a straight-up science fiction story, but also as an allegory for the horrors and hopelessness of war' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'This is military-flavoured bootcamp-to-war Science Fiction in its finest form, as refreshing and thought provoking as it no doubt was when it was released in 1974 . . . a landmark classic of Science Fiction' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Haldeman's story touched on a number of different themes (the horrors of war and those of personal traumatic injury, loneliness, alienation, loss, cultural indoctrination, and societal change over time) . . . a really good sci-fi classic' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ read more

Civilian life in space yields epic challenges for two married ex-soldiers in this visionary science fiction adventure se… Civilian life in space yields epic challenges for two married ex-soldiers in this visionary science fiction adventure sequel—now with a bonus story. Ranked at the top of virtually every list of the greatest military science fiction adventures ever written is Joe Haldeman's Hugo and Nebula Award–winning classic, The Forever War, now celebrating its 50th anniversary. In Forever Free, the Science Fiction Writers of America Grand Master and author of the acclaimed Worlds series returns to that same volatile universe where human soldiers once engaged the alien Taurans in never-ending battle. While loyal soldier William Mandella was fighting for the survival of the human race in a distant galaxy, thousands of years were passing on his home planet, Earth. Then, with the end of the hostilities came the shocking realization that humanity had evolved into something he did not recognize. Offered the choice of retaining his individuality or becoming part of the genetically modified shared Human hive-mind, Mandella chose exile, joining other veterans of the Forever War seeking a new life on a wasteland world they called Middle Finger. Making a home for themselves in this half-frozen hell, Mandella and his life partner, Marygay, have survived into middle age, raising a son and a daughter in the process. Now, the dark truth about the colonists' ultimate role in the continuation of the Human group mind will force Mandella and Marygay to take desperate action as they hijack an interstellar vessel and set off on a frantic escape across space and time. But what awaits them upon their return is a mystery far beyond all human—or Human—comprehension . . . In Forever Free, Joe Haldeman's stunning vision of humankind's far future reaches its enthralling conclusion in a masterwork of speculation from the mind and heart of one of the undisputed champions of hard science fiction. And in the bonus story included in this volume, "A Separate War," Marygay, reassigned and separated from her lover read more