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The Forever War

By: Joe Haldeman
Narrated by: George Wilson
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Summary

When it was first published over 20 years ago, Joe Haldeman's novel won the Hugo and Nebula awards and was chosen Best Novel in several countries. Today, it is hailed a classic of science fiction that foreshadowed many of the futuristic themes of the 1990s: bionics, sensory manipulation, and time distortion.

William Mandella is a soldier in Earth's elite brigade. As the war against the Taurans sends him from galaxy to galaxy, he learns to use protective body shells and sophisticated weapons. He adapts to the cultures and terrains of distant outposts. But with each month in space, years are passing on Earth. Where will he call home when (and if) the Forever War ends?

Narrator George Wilson's performance conveys all the imaginative technology and human drama of The Forever War. Set against a backdrop of vivid battle scenes, this absorbing work asks provocative questions about the very nature of war.

©1974 Joe W. Haldeman (P)1999 Recorded Books
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Critic reviews

"A vastly entertaining trip." ( The New York Times)

What listeners say about The Forever War

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

it's a gay old romp across the universe

i do love a happy ending. my only complaint is the somewhat overbearing focus on sexuality that crops up more often than its really needed. the themes are ALMOST progressive, but it still seems to matter over 1000 years in the future what your sexual preferance is. still abloody good story that really uses the time dilation of space travel to push the story forward in 3 neat acts.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story. Average narrator

I loved the story from the first to the last page. The narrator, however, could have made a little more of an effort in differentiating the various characters

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love the narrators gay voice

Who doesn’t love time travelling gays fighting aliens?
One of my favs. Highly recommended!

Glad 2007 didn’t turn out like how it is in the book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

So last century but the themes never age

Written in a different time but themes of pointless war, over population and gender are with us as ever, maybe some of the views are anachronistic as ours will no doubt be one day.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Amazing for its time, a bit too obsessed with homosexuality

Performance was great!

Story wise Being the original sci-fi I can see so many tropes that are common today but we’re super impressive at the time. Almost cliche but interesting to see where so many came from. He paints such an interesting picture. Author seems to be grappling a lot with homosexuality. Interesting take, maybe a bit too focused on, feels like he was working through some things.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Original, super funny and clever.

This is one of the best audio books I have ever consumed. Unexpectedly funny and superbly delivered. Although nearly fifty years old the story has not aged or seems outdated. It is strangely relatable.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A haunting looking into the mind of a soldier

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would highly recommend this book, it's narrative leaves you with an urgency to finish the book and learn the characters ultimate fates

What other book might you compare The Forever War to, and why?

I found it often drew similarities to starship troopers in its use of military propaganda and the way this fictional military treated it's peaceful war protesters

What about George Wilson’s performance did you like?

George wilson's voice broadcast a wide range of emotions that brought the story to life and helped you to empathise with the characters worries and trials

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

will not bringing tears to my eyes, the book took me on a journey through a range of emotions, all of which culminating into the crescendo of the books ending

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow. Just Wow.

I bought this because of reviews saying how much of a seminal piece of science fiction it was but was delighted to find it was that AND an incredibly good read. So many ideas from this book have gone on to become reality it's almost unbelievable to think the author didn't have a time machine. Could not recommend more highly.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Still The Best

Still has it after all this years. Been a while , but yes it still the best

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Not as dated as I’d imagined!

Considering this novel was penned back in the 70’s I was genuinely surprised at how up to date and relevant it still felt. It was especially interesting to read about LGBTQ issues which are a hot topic for debate these days. It wasn’t dealt with with the same refinement as for example Banks’ Culture novels, but even so it was in some ways prophetic in its detail.

The narrator was good and the book itself was an enjoyable listen. Overall it seemed a bit lightweight and sci-fi trashy, but it did keep my interested until the end.

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