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The Forever War

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The Forever War

By: Joe Haldeman
Narrated by: George Wilson
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About this listen

 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 Fantasy Science Fiction

Critic Reviews

  • Hugo Award, Best Novel, 1976
  • Nebula Award, Best Novel, 1975
"A vastly entertaining trip." ( The New York Times)

What listeners say about The Forever War

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Profile Image for Bret

The life of a pleb

The story is focused on the life of an everyday American who doesn't realise he is a pleb, he believes he is important but is mediocre in every sense. His life has no impact on the world, the universe or the war campaign and yet he still believes that he knows better than those around him.

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4 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for K

Brilliant Passage of Time

Without giving too much away, Joe has found a wonderful tool to show how rapidly the world is changing, through the interaction of the main characters with society, And how the world has stayed so much the same but following the story of the characters through the military.

It is a great commentary on society.

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Profile Image for Ken K

PIAOWW! *laser finger*

Entertaining sci-fi which does a particularly good job in its portrayal of military strategies, time dilation and potential futures.

Brings a few original angles to some common genre themes. The narrative is a touch dated here and there as you’d expect from a book of its age but a thoroughly enjoyable story nevertheless.

If I had to be critical I’d say that The Forever War could be a little hammily performed by George Wilson; however, for me, that lent it a certain charm of its own.

Recommended for those that like a touch of Heinlein with their sci-fi.

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Profile Image for Rainer

A great story about time travel

What did you like most about The Forever War?

The insight into what the human race might be like hundreds of years from now.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Obvioulsy it has to be William, but Charlie was pretty cool too. William, the main character is very relateable to.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Probably when he first arrives at Heaven for rehab. Everyone is talking English, but with a weird dialect.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I liked the ending, can't say for spoiler reasons.

Any additional comments?

If you like time travel and stories about the future, then this is for you. If you don't like war stories, don't stress too much, the military stuff is very light, it's more about the characters.

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Profile Image for Phil Endley

Classic story

I enjoyed the plot and the message of the story - I took this to be the pointless nature of war. Narration is relaxed and unsentimental.

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Profile Image for billy

high concept sifi

this is a must read for hard core sifi fans really interesting story and very interesting use of time dilation

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

A Great Little Listen

What an entertaining Book and the Narrator was excellent.. I purchased on a recommendation from Audible as a Daily Special. So pleased I did, easy listen while I was catching various flights on business. I’m definitely going to read next in Series Immediately. Highly recommend.

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

My favourite book since 2006

I bought the war and peace omnibus release in 2006 as a child, I loved it then and listening through the book this year on audible it’s just as good as I remember. If you like sci-fi you’ll like the forever war.

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Profile Image for Nat

One of the Best of all time

I loved this book so much. I can't recommend it enough.
I have loved Sci Fi my whole life and read all the classics yet this left me floored. After I finished it, I started agin from the beginning straight away. It was magic.

This is easily one of the best future war stories ever, one of the best anti war stories ever and one of the best sci fi stories as well.

Truly one of the greats!!!

***
(Avoid the sequel Forever Free, it's garbage)

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Profile Image for Luke Arbuckle

Loved it!

Fantastic science fiction has not aged at all.
such a great listen hard to believe it was written so long ago, nearly all the science holds up.

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