Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Forever War
Forever War | Joe Haldemann
53 posts | 106 read | 43 to read
The legendary novel of extraterrestrial war in an uncaring universe comes to comics, in a stunningly realized vision of Joe Haldeman's Vietnam War parable! The visionary Hugo and Nebula Award-winning SF tale by Joe Haldeman is beautifully realized in full color by the legendary artist Marvano. An epic SF war story spanning relativistic space and time, The Forever War explores one soldier's experience as he is caught up in the brutal machinery of a war against an unknown and unknowable alien foe that reaches across the stars.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
TheSpineView
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

#Movie2BookRecs @Klou
Movie: Universal Solider

There are lots of good military science fiction books put there. This series is one of my favorites in the genre.

Klou Perfect 9mo
46 likes2 comments
review
Clare-Dragonfly
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
Bailedbailed

I tried, I really did. I can even see how this is considered a science fiction classic. But it seems to me you could do “the Vietnam war in space” without all the rape and homophobia.

AbigailJaneBlog Sounds like a book I'll be avoiding! 2y
TieDyeDude I remember listening to the audio on a road trip. If I remember, those less savory aspects are addressed later on, but it's understandable if it is hard to get through. 2y
Clare-Dragonfly @TieDyeDude I made it to 75%! Mandella showed his willingness to take advantage of a drunk woman and I couldn‘t power through anymore. 2y
TieDyeDude @Clare-Dragonfly Ah, yeah, that'd make sense. I don't remember that part 2y
20 likes4 comments
blurb
Lauredhel
Forever War | Joe Haldemann
post image

This graphic novel was originally done in 2002 and re-produced and colorised in 2017, but it looks like they changed nothing from the 1974 original.

blurb
SpaceCowboyBooks
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

Today's reading

27 likes1 stack add
review
Paul.VandenElzen1
Forever War | Joe Haldemann
post image
Pickpick

Since my last post, lots has happened in this book. It went from a war experience based book to a story about a man who is re-discovering earth after being gone over 100 years, and then going through another experience of having to go back to war. He gets hurt in battle and we see how he deals with losing limbs and how his relationships are affected by war. If you like books that focus on one persons experiences through different situations,

Paul.VandenElzen1 …you‘ll love this book. The theme I have identified so far is how a persons relationships are affected by traumatic experiences, and whether they are pushed apart or drawn closer than ever. This book is in first person point of view from the POV of a man named mandella. 2y
MissYaremcio Thank you for the review Paul! I was just missing how the pOV was established. 5/6 2y
1 like2 comments
review
Paul.VandenElzen1
Forever War | Joe Haldemann
post image
Pickpick

The ‘Forever War‘ is about a inter-galactic war between the humans and another race called the Taurans. The Taurans attacked earth and killed lots of humans and were barely fought off, so the humans gathered the people with the highest Iq‘s and most athletic to join a small army to go to one of the Tauran‘s home planets to attack and scout them out. If you like books that are science fiction about space and aliens you would love this book.

Paul.VandenElzen1 The theme of this book would be about how war affects people and society in various negative ways. It could also be about how individual people have to deal with committing acts they may not see morally acceptable for their own race. 2y
MissYaremcio Nicely done Paul! What a cool sci-fi book! 6/6 2y
1 like2 comments
blurb
adrien.fox
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

This book is military style fiction. About a special group inside the military that train to fight against an alien force in the “forever war”. They fight in a interstellar war against aliens known as Taurans. If you like books that tell a story with good detail and try to connect our views on life with the fiction then you‘ll love this. The theme is dealing with people who are different from us. In this case the aliens are different from us.

MissYaremcio Thank you for the review Adrien! 6/6 2y
2 likes1 comment
blurb
Leniverse
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 👏🏻📚👍🏻 2y
TheSpineView I choose the same book! Great minds! 2y
Leniverse @TheSpineView I didn't have a lot to choose from with this prompt. 😅 I try to stick to books I own (and very often haven't read yet 😬) 2y
TheSpineView @Leniverse Yeah... I get that!📚📚📚 2y
Eggs 📚👍🏼👏🏻 2y
30 likes5 comments
blurb
TheSpineView
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

#BeginsWith @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs
#Forever

I read this several years ago. A traditional military Sci-Fi story. Not as fluffy feeling as the newer space operas.

Eggs 💙🖤💙 2y
59 likes1 comment
review
ljmcm
Forever War | Joe Haldemann
Pickpick

An easy read that mashes war and time dilation well.

blurb
Twainy
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

I shouldn‘t buy the tagged book BUT it‘s only $5 BUT it‘s free on Hoopla BUT Book Club doesn‘t read this book for months what if it disappears like Netflix switches their line up, why do I have to justify spending $5, well to be fair that‘s per book & there‘s completely new books each day.

I LOVE seeing “Already Purchased”!! Audible, please only sell books I already own or don‘t want!

I listened to the sample. Bought 2 today.

#AudibleSale

review
bookishbitch
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image
Pickpick

This book is amazing! The world building is just incredible. So many things I have not seen done in other sci-fi books, and I've read quite a few. Written in 1974 by a Vietnam Veteran, it really tackles the insanity and futility of war. But it is also so much more. It had a very satisfying ending as well. I highly recommend this one. (Fair warning: it does have quite a bit of battle tactics described.)

iread2much This book was really awesome, fascinating and also unique. 3y
bookishbitch @iread2much Yes! You've summed it up perfectly. 3y
iread2much @bookishbitch 😄 you‘re too kind. Have you read A canticle for Leibowitz? It‘s long but also really interesting and from the same era. 3y
bookishbitch @iread2much No, but I will check that out. Thanks! 3y
iread2much @bookishbitch you‘re welcome! 3y
16 likes1 stack add5 comments
blurb
Angeles
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

Here is my book loot from the “library of baby brother “ it is great to get free books and know if I don‘t return them he STILL has to talk to me!😄

Scochrane26 My family and I borrow books from each other, too. 3y
8 likes1 comment
blurb
Eggs
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image
Klou Okay, this sounds really good. 4y
Eggs I haven‘t read it-hope you enjoy! @Klou 4y
Klou @Eggs ❤❤ 4y
57 likes3 comments
review
Danielthewriter
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image
Bailedbailed

QOTD- What are your feelings on military scifi?

Forever War is easy to read and has some strong world building, but unless you already know you love hard, military scifi, this one isn't worth trying.

5/10

review
TracyReadsBooks
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image
Pickpick

First published in the early 70s, this book is considered to be one of the exemplars of military science fiction & it‘s easy to see why. Written by a veteran of the Vietnam War, the depiction of war, in this case humans fighting an alien species light years away, is raw, visceral, & unrelenting. It‘s hours of boredom & travel & preparation punctuated by moments of frenetic action. A powerful story about the cost & futility of war.

blurb
TracyReadsBooks
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

With all our extra time at home, we decided to make our patio a little more comfy—a new couch, some pillows, and a couple little tables later and this is my new favorite reading spot. I especially love my new reading buddies! Finishing the tagged book this morning and then it‘s on to Harrow the Ninth.

RebelReader Looks so inviting! 4y
squirrelbrain So pretty! 💕 4y
LiteraryinLawrence Such a magical place! 4y
23 likes3 comments
blurb
TracyReadsBooks
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

John Scalzi describes this book as one of the two cornerstones of military science fiction (the other being Starship Troopers). I originally picked it up for my son who is a huge Scalzi fan. He read it and really enjoyed it which is recommendation enough for me.

17 likes1 stack add
blurb
TheSpineView
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

#JamminJune @Eggs
#Forever

This is the first book that came to mind. I think because I read not long ago. 📚📚🤩

Eggs Looks powerful 👌🏼 4y
48 likes1 comment
review
TheSpineView
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image
Mehso-so

I am really on the fence on this book. While I liked the plot and the pacing was good, it lacked the character development I crave. Also there was a lot of fight scenes, which is okay, but there was not much meat elsewhere to counter balance it. I was expecting so much more. Disappointed! 3.7ish stars

blurb
TheSpineView
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

1️⃣ Tagged
2️⃣ Both, just depends on my mood.
3️⃣ The Heart of the Matter by Evan Currie. It is book.#2 in the Odyssey One series and I read it in April.

blurb
TheSpineView
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

"Tonight we're going to show you eight silent ways to kill a man." And then the dragons arrived.

To play, add to the first line of the book thou are reading the phrase 'and then dragons arrived.'

Mine was not too interesting, but I bet some will be!

TieDyeDude I hope you're enjoying the book. I was impressed by it. The audio version was great. 4y
TheSpineView @TieDyeDude Not very far in, but so far I like it. 4y
56 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
InLibrisVeritas
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image
Pickpick

This was my first book finished in about 2 months, and while I definitely enjoyed reading again the book was only so-so. I loved the sci-fi elements, the time dialation and combat deployment being used to show how jarring it can be for soldiers to return home was intriguing. The war itself, while barely explained was also interesting. But the look on society was something that veered into cringe territory.

review
HighLordGugu
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
Mehso-so

It's ok. Weak ending.

blurb
writeropolis
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image
review
Squidapus
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image
Pickpick

Squidapus often feels many "classics" people hail as cornerstones of literature are often products of their time and do not hold up over time. The Forever War is not one of those fallen classics. A very obvious parallel to the Vietnam War, it's story can still resonate to this day. Even without the greater themes it tackles it's just an entertaining read about a war over thousands of years that the people who started it never saw the end of.

review
2BR02B
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image
Pickpick

I can understand why this won the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards, as it's quite wonderfully written- Haldeman's prose is efficient and utilitarian, managing to weave sophisticated concepts into the story while neither over-explaining to the reader or leaving them at sea. It would undoubtedly be a five star read if the dated attitudes towards sexuality weren't so uncomfortable to read, and profuse.

REPollock Ugh yes. It‘s jarring when you come across that kind of stuff in an otherwise great book. 6y
TieDyeDude Yes, excellent book. I don't remember the issues of sexuality being too jarring. Considering when it was written, I thought it was fairly progressive, unless I'm misremembering... 6y
2BR02B @GoodForCirculation I'm sure it was progressive at the time, but definitely not by today's standards. The protagonist describes himself as "tolerant," yet reiterates his disgust for "homolife" several times over the course of the book. 6y
See All 6 Comments
TieDyeDude @2BR02B Okay, that's what I remember. My read of it was that Mandella, and his view on homosexuality, were a product of the past, the time he came from, and the author was advocating sexual fluidity, almost challenging those who consider themselves tolerant to consider possible sexual norms in the eras he sends Mandella. 6y
2BR02B @GoodForCirculation I could almost buy that, except that the "happy ending" involved the MC and his lady love retiring to a hetero colony, and two of the gay characters being "straightened" and marrying one another. A bit too pat, in my opinion. 6y
TieDyeDude Well, who wants a bunch of old homophobes running around ruining everyone's good time? 😝 I don't remember the straightenings, though. That's unfortunate... 6y
53 likes6 comments
quote
2BR02B
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

Here's where the book really starts to date itself (it was published in 1974.)

A general is trying to convince soldiers to re-enlist instead of returning home to Earth, because homosexuality has become widespread and the men are all sissies now. 🙄

DGRachel Ugh 6y
42 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
2BR02B
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

1. Fran lookin' all nonchalant while hugging her tail.
2. About to start the tagged book for my IRL book club.
3. A soy latte and a chocolate-almond croissant.
4. A handful of pecans. I has tummyache.
5. I don't know. The cake is a lie.

#HumpDayPost @MinDea

rubyslippersreads 😻😻😻 6y
TricksyTails Fran‘s so beautiful! 😻 6y
AmyG Gorgeous cat. 6y
See All 6 Comments
CouronneDhiver Cake is a lie. Lol 6y
MinDea 😻😻😻 so cute. I love when they hold their tail. 6y
SassyBookworm She is beautiful!!! Love her eyes!!😻 6y
78 likes6 comments
review
tobypfrench
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
Pickpick

Those aliensm. Sheesh!

blurb
eshchory
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

Some of the attitudes make me cringe they are so dated and it is worse when he is trying to be open-minded but the story-telling is thrilling and I care enough about the characters to keep turning the pages.

review
LSDuigi
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
Pickpick

When I finally made the effort to get into the Vietnam-era war mentality, and set aside all of my "well, that's clearly dated" snap-judgments, Forever War turned in to one of my all-time favorite books (genre nonspecific), and ended up being 1/3 of one of the best SciFi trilogies that I've ever read... Sure, you can clearly tell that the author was drawing upon that Vietnam, GI Joe, must-kill-Charlie headspace from the time, but it was so great

blurb
Oryx
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

This is that book that came to mind for #war A war against an unknowable enemy that lasts centuries, with soldiers returning to a world they don't recognise. One of the few sci fi books I've read that deals with concept of time dilation. It's also a love story. Recommended. #maybookflowers @RealLifeReading #dogsoflitsy

Lwiesman I need that dog!! So cute! 7y
Oryx @Lwiesman She knows how to work the camera 😊🐶 7y
46 likes3 stack adds2 comments
review
Nancethepants
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
Mehso-so

Maybe, as a fan of "Doctor Who" and "Back to the Future," I expected too much from the book's title. Like, deliberate menace instead of sloppy incompetence. And a "forever" that lasted a bit longer. But Haldeman definitely captures the culture shock and PTSD of warriors returning to a home they no longer recognize, and I feel that was the point. The ending was a bit too pat; but if anyone deserved a clean break, it's these characters.

blurb
natesiuk
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

Even though it's the 4th book on my to read list, I'm looking forward to piecing together the time traveling idea.

review
TieDyeDude
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image
Pickpick

I thought there was a great balance between science fiction, military strategy, and examination of potential future societies. The concept of time-dilation in relation to space travel is rarely addressed in sci-fi. Though I would have liked a deeper exploration of the effects than pining for Marygay, it was a fairly unique plot devise. I didn't expect everything to wrap up as neatly as it does, but it didn't feel cheap.

blurb
KatieLovestoRead
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

I'm feeling some classic science fiction but I'm not sure which to choose

#tbr #books #scifi

EllanaRose I've not read either but I've heard a lot of good things about Forever War 7y
Celeste57 I haven't read The Forever War, but Flowers for Algernon was wonderful. Sad, but wonderful. 7y
10 likes2 comments
blurb
ColleenLindsay
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

Um, guys? Amazon and Google are both selling Joe Haldeman's amazing book The Forever War for just TWENTY FIVE CENTS. Head over and grab it before they figure out their mistake.

LLColbeck Dang it! Just another reason I should have Litsy open at all times. 7y
32 likes4 stack adds1 comment
blurb
FourofFiveWits
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

It certainly is 70s science fiction, I will say that. It's... problematic.

FourofFiveWits There's a well-intentioned but flawed spproach to the 60s/70s idea of free love and homosexually. 7y
5 likes2 comments
blurb
TheNextBook
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

#outofthisworld indeed. This is one of my favorite sci-fi books. I loved the concept of a wafr constantly affected by the space time continuum. Our protagonists end of being extremely old in Earth years even though they have barely aged. It was fun and interesting and #outofthisworld. #booktober #photochallenge

Oblomov26 Great book 😉 7y
TheNextBook @Oblomov26 I loved this book. I know there were sequels but I never read them. This one ended really well to me. 7y
Oblomov26 @TheNextBook agree entirely, the ending was perfect and have no urge to read the sequel. 7y
BooksRockMyWorld Great pick! This is a spectacular book. 7y
48 likes2 stack adds4 comments
blurb
Acal
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

Loving this book. And this mug.

pjmayhair Adding to stack because the author of this blurb obviously has good taste. 7y
4 likes3 comments
review
Booksbooksbooks
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image
Pickpick

I can't put this book down! A great science fiction full of action and romance. Interesting take on what the future world would be like. A little to much focus on sexual orientation but a quick read and highly recommended!

blurb
Booksbooksbooks
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman

I'm reading this book and it seems alright, neat ideas. I'm only about 50 pages in and it's a bit hard to read. Does it get better? Is it worth reading?

review
BookDude
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image
Pickpick

The Forever War is military science fiction, but it's so much more. It's a book about the Vietnam War. But it's also a book about every armed conflict the US has been in since. It speaks of the futility of war, the necessity, the disillusionment, an enemy that behaves and fights differently...and it also deals with the time issue. The soldiers have to deal with leaving for a few years and coming back to an Earth centuries older.

14 likes2 stack adds
review
Oblomov26
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image
Pickpick

I read this many years ago. Haldeman was a Vietnam vet and this book is in many ways a metaphor for this war. The story follows a draftee into mankinds first interstellar war fought against an enigmatic race for nebulous reasons and because of relativity, each engagement occurs further in the future alienating our hero from any life except the military and his fellow veterans including his lover from whom he becomes separated in time.

Booksbooksbooks Thanks for the review! I'm currently reading this book and stuck. It seems slow paced- I'm glad that your review says I should keep going 8y
29 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
ZackE89
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
Pickpick

I loved this book! I really enjoyed how it was a great fun thought provoking sci fi tale but also had some themes from the Vietnam War. The characters were great and moments in this book had me laughing and crying. Give this one a read as well.

MrBook Will do 😊👍🏻👌🏻! 8y
ZackE89 Sweet! Tell me what you think when you get around to it :) 8y
11 likes3 stack adds2 comments
blurb
BookDude
The Forever War | Joe Haldeman
post image

I'm excited about finally starting this.

Liberty It's the freaking best. 8y
8 likes1 stack add1 comment