The Forever War

De: Joe Haldeman

Narrado por: George Wilson

Duración: 9 h y 18 m

Resumen del Editor

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

Reseñas de la Crítica

• Hugo Award, Best Novel, 1976
• Nebula Award, Best Novel, 1975

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

Still one of the best,and well narrated.

Many years have passed since I have read this excellent book, it still rates for me as one of the best sci-fi reads. Not too much battle action, just enough romance and for a story, spread as the name suggests, over many centuries, it is entirely believable.
The main characters are entirely believable as well.
Written before many of our 2010 incarnations of technology, the authors mind picture of the immediate future is very close to reality but also much that he describes as happening in the far off future is real today.
Joe's depictions of society and his assumption that homosexuality would become more accepted prove very close to actuality, although happening earlier than Joe anticipated.
Altogether a great listen, well narrated.
If you missed this and like Heinlein, Moorecock, Aldiss, Asimov and the like, give it a go you wont be disappointed... Brian

Anti-War?...Might be...

"Back in the 20th century they had established-to everyone's satisfaction-that "I was just following orders" was an inadequate excuse for inhuman conduct". But what can you do when the orders come from deep down in that puppet master of the unconscious?"

A story that goes beyond stories. Is what Forever War is.

Homosexuality is used as a means of birth control. Currency takes the form of "Kilo-calories" (K) as the world-at that time-has become dependent upon food consumption and inadequate regulation. Frivolous excursions with accumulated capital. Injury and regeneration. Loss of love. The last campaign of the over 1300 year Forever War; successful due to a "stasis field".

Understandably, there are some very strong insinuations in the novel. But the writing and story are one, how do you say...for the books. I highly recommend this novel, no matter your stance on military actions.

Relevant Today

Written in the 1970s, this sci-fi novel is one of the greatest visualizations of space warfare you could find, period. It provides plenty of thought provoking themes, some of which are controversial to most people. Just avoid the sequels, they're rubbish.

Great Listen

If you could sum up The Forever War in three words, what would they be?

Thought provoking, entertaining

What did you like best about this story?

The authors careful attention to detail and interesting yet believable future worlds.

Which scene was your favorite?

The returns to the Earth with grand seperations in time.

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

It made me think.

An incredibly technical war book

I don't think I have ever read so much physics in a fiction but the story was fun overall. Enders game is a little lighter reading. This is hard core science fiction.

A good use of time

Well writing and a good linear story. Some interesting physic's but it lacked personal development and I didn't connect with the main character.

Dated but still holds up

What made the experience of listening to The Forever War the most enjoyable?

I had heard about this book but never had been able to get around to reading it. Its a very interesting story with regards to the issue of near light speed travel and time dilation and the impact it has on the lives of the soldiers who travel back to Earth. I do reccommend this book highly.

So glad I discovered this scifi classic

My main comment about this book is the narrator: he was completely perfect. He brought the main character fully to life, which really added a great dimension to the story for me. There is a lot of military jargon and battle scenes which might have been a struggle to read through, but delivered in the first person narration it all worked. He was also able to present other characters in an engaging way. I especially liked the strange diction of one person William meets while recovering from injury and the laconic style of Charlie in the last section.

The story was episodic and thus the narrative momentum was uneven. But there was a lot to like and a ton of intriguing ideas about how warfare and society might develop over the centuries.

well written novel that left me wanting more

well written novel that left me wanting more at the end. felt like enders game

Classic with classic issues

I can see why this book is a classic and why it won the awards when it did. It does have material that is dated. It is not misogynistic as Heilien’s Strange in a Strange Land, but does contain dated views of homosexuality and women. It is a good commentary on war and the odd experience of the soldiers that fight.

It is a worthwhile read and useful exploration of what it would be like to essentially not age in during a thousand year war.