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  • The Forever War

  • By: Joe Haldeman
  • Narrated by: George Wilson
  • Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (8,063 ratings)

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The Forever War

By: Joe Haldeman
Narrated by: George Wilson
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Publisher's 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

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

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4,133
  • 4 Stars
    2,546
  • 3 Stars
    1,032
  • 2 Stars
    248
  • 1 Stars
    104
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3,709
  • 4 Stars
    2,116
  • 3 Stars
    755
  • 2 Stars
    138
  • 1 Stars
    63
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    3,686
  • 4 Stars
    1,931
  • 3 Stars
    864
  • 2 Stars
    210
  • 1 Stars
    107

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An Old Favorite

I first read this book in 9th grade, checked out from the public library. It was my first step into a brauder Sci Fi pallet. This was also the book that taught me to greatly dislike checed out books. (they have to be returned) Over the years I have searched for it to re-read and been unable to find it. What a joy it was to enjoy it in audiobook format. It may be just a little bit dated, but as a person who came into her own in the 1990's it was fun to read this alternate "future"

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A good read

What did you love best about The Forever War?

Time travel has always been a fascination of mine.

Who was your favorite character and why?

William Mandella of course

What about George Wilson’s performance did you like?

He did a very good job not being mono toned, kept it interesting

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It could have been, you really didn't need a break.

Any additional comments?

Very good SiFi.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Ahead of its time...

A very enjoyable book... Very different than other space infantry books I've read. Futuristic topics were detailed, and handles superbly.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Well read, liked the original version better

The book is well read, very enjoyable. I just prefer the original version of the book (1974 release) to this one.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic through and through

Great story. Interesting take on relativistic travel and war. First rate narration. If you enjoy sci-fi by audiobook then I couldn't recommend this any more.

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1 person found this helpful

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

That Relativity'll Get Ya' Every Time...

For Sci-Fi fans, this is a good one to have in your collection. It examines an interesting problem in interstellar warfare that no other book (or movie or TV show) has attempted to tackle: relativity.

It's been a few months since I listened to this one, and I don't recall anything especially memorable about the characters, but this isn't about who the people are as much as it's about the cultural impact upon the characters of "moving through time". There's a lot of orginal and thought-provoking ideas here, and overall it's worth the time and credit.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible

Incredible and so original, one of the best books I've ever read. A must read

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1 person found this helpful

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

A classic sci-fi

This is a classic Sci-fi but it feels very dated to the 70's. The performance was great , but I found myself at times hard pressed to finish the story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Just when you thought it would crush you with loss, it makes the prospect of fighting interstellar war not so bad.

"Why is the sky blue? Because God loves the infantry!" - U.S. Army saying.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Forever War Review

An original classic, this story took me from the late 20th century, and traveled over a Millennium to a time when the alien war came to a practical peace tre

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