Old Man's War

By: John Scalzi

Narrated by: William Dufris

Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Perfect for an entry-level sci-fi listener 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.

John Scalzi's Old Man's War is a stunning novel of the long war for human survival—in a universe replete with hostility

©2005 John Scalzi (P)2007 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC

Critic reviews

• Hugo Award nominee, Best Novel, 2006

"Scalzi's imagined interstellar arena is coherently and compellingly delineated." (The Washington Post)

“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

“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

A complete world, and a complete joy.

Tough. Smart. Full of the pain of sacrifice and the rewards of discovery. Love the adventure, humor, and characters.
I am getting the next in the series immediately. Then the next, and next, and the next.

Great story with a great narration

I was a bit apprehensive for my first fiction audibook . i worried the narrator would affect the story or the characters or the worlds...things I like to come up with in my own imagination. However , this was an unfounded worry, Willian Dufris KILLS it. The emotion and care with which he narrates this story is commendable, and made it all the more enjoyable.

Thrilling and touching

I'd heard about this book a while ago and the it into my wish list knowing it would be a solid listen. I was not disappointed.

This was a fresh look at science fiction for me

I enjoyed this different take on science fiction and the future of mankind. it was humorous at times but not a comedy.

great mix of humanity and science

Scalzi writes good stuff and this is more of that. something for everyone. space war, technology, sci _fi, friendship, romance, humor, philosophy. it's all in here and so smooth and easy to listen to.

A gem in a pile of stones

First, this is the first book I have listened to by this author so I cannot say if previous or future works will measure to this, but if this book is any indicator of what to expect then this is an author to watch for.

The story is a new twist on the space marine shoot-em-up adventure where in the end the main character learns about himself and the universe around him. The twist comes in the fact that the main characters are not the young 18-something snot nosed know-it-alls fresh out of High School, but instead a group of 65 year old men and women given a new lease on life. It's the age old "If I had my knowledge of today in my body at 20" wish lived out, with some alien slaughter to boot.

Even if you are not heavy into war type Sci-Fi I still think you will enjoy this book.

Worth buying and worth the time to listen.

Soild Sci-Fi

It's been a while since I've read some good sci-fi, and there is no doubt that this fits the bill. This book is first in it's series and develops a rich universe. Best of all, it builds that universe leaving you interested in reading further along without making you fell like you only bought half a book.

Great fun!

Exciting, funny and makes you glad there are more books in the series. Highly recommended!

Great Science Fiction

Old Man's War is a fantastic read. I definitely recommend it. It hat tips gently to Heinlein's Star Ship Troopers, and develops a universe that you can't help, but wish to experience. Certainly a story to will wish to listen to or read more than once.

I avoided it for the cover art and title! feeldumb

Honestly I thought it was a cliche sci fi cover art piece and title so I avoided it. This is great work. It was most refreshing, I read all the sci fi I can get my hands on (and ears I should say). I'm shocked I made it this far down the rabbit's hole without coming across this. I am buying/starting the second right now.
Thank you very much
-MAXX