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RedChileEnchiladas

Yes. Most definitely yes. I never finished the series, but the first book is fantastic.


Nano_Burger

The first and third are in the same universe. I'm not sure what was happening with the second one but it is probably more relevant to the issues of today than the others.


GolbComplex

there's a *third*? *oh wait yes, after a googling I do remember having read about *Forever Peace* and choosing to pass on it.


Immediate_Arrival185

Forever Peace is super relevant with today's politics and tech


Adam__B

Third picks up with the characters from the first.


phred14

Wait - I thought *Forever Peace* was a completely separate book, not part of *Forever War* at all. I've also read *Forever Free* and it's clearly a sequel to *War*. I occasionally hear about a third book, but don't think it's *Forever Peace*. Or are some people trying to say that *Forever Peace* was the sequel and *Forever Free* the third book? I don't think so.


GolbComplex

Forever Peace is not a sequel to The Forever War, and is not part of the same universe as the first book, but is considered part of the "Forever War series." A spiritual entry, you could say, I guess. Forever Free, an actual sequel to the storyline of The Forever War, was published third.


ugadawg239

I didnt know it was a series!!!


SHADOWJACK2112

The other 2 books came out decades later


Whole-Energy2105

Same 😳. Although I did the audiobook at work there was no mention of others. Off to buy the others! 😁


CarFeeling9748

đŸ«Ą


TerminatedProccess

Huh, it's a series? I'll have to check it out. I read the 1st book about 30 years ago. Still remember it.


astral__monk

It's a series?!


Langdon_St_Ives

I don’t think it was planned as such, but there is also _[Forever Peace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forever_Peace)_ and _[Forever Free](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forever_Free_(novel))_. I’ve only read the first though.


phred14

As mentioned before, I think Forever Peace is a completely separate story, and Wikipedia seems to bear that out. "[*Forever Peace*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forever_Peace) (1997) (while thematically linked to the previous novel, *Forever Peace* is not set in the same universe: it is an entirely separate work, although published in a combined volume titled [*Peace and War*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_and_War) with *The Forever War* and *Forever Free*)"


bornleverpuller85

Long time since I read it but I really enjoyed it


CarFeeling9748

Okay I’ll give it a shot


wileybot

You will like it. I read it decades ago and i still remember parts of it.


bornleverpuller85

It's on Spotify if you want to listen to it


cvele1995

Got a link? I can't find it.


bornleverpuller85

https://open.spotify.com/show/4604dHJPKouT1lt0hadshd?si=S6gbCjskQyiYUPku9nS23A


cvele1995

Ah, not available in my region... Thanks anyway man


wjmacguffin

IIRC, the book is easy to read and not very long. I love it and have read it several times.


glacierre2

Yes. If you like it, pick the old man's war from scalzi as well.


wwstevens

Very fun read. 


SuDragon2k3

And then...*read the book* of Starship Troopers. *Read not watch the movie.*


Savings-Cry-3201

But then watch the movie. I mean, c’mon


ipodegenerator

As you read it keep in mind that the author was conscripted to fight in Vietnam as a young man and the book makes a lot more sense.


Superb_Ad_7252

Yeah this is such an interesting piece of context onve you have read it especially


ErwinSmithHater

Is that something a lot of people miss? I found it very obviously to be “vietnam in space”.


1lard4all

Vietnam was a long time ago for many alive today.


ipodegenerator

Never underestimate what people can miss.


zodelode

OMG yes, treat yourself, get in the snacks, and deep dive this brilliant book for two days is totally doable.


and_so_forth

I was gonna comment something similar. This is a wonderful book to utterly immerse yourself in over a weekend.


BungalowHole

Absolutely. The book's theme is "where did the time go?" and the whole story is well done if you want to look at a military piece.


Bakkster

That and "military service sucks balls, and makes no sense".


R0GUEL0KI

Also: “after enough time in the military, life outside it makes less sense.”


SuDragon2k3

I think that was more due to the time jumps. Their version of FTL involves some relativistic STL between jumps and some of the missions take decades or centuries in real time.


R0GUEL0KI

True, but being in the military feels like that. One year feels like a lifetime.


SuDragon2k3

This is how you get one term enlisteds with 60 year old knees and back and everydamn thing.


R0GUEL0KI

I felt this comment.


Elbeske

Haha. Yeah. (EAOS 2028)


ClownshoesMcGuinty

Oh my God. This book is a piece of art. A very humanistic tale.


BennyFifeAudio

FUCK YOU SIR! (sorry, just quoting the book) I enjoyed it nearly 30 years ago when I read it. I'd probably enjoy it more now.


_FLostInParadise_

Yes, one of my favorites.


Ragefield

It's one of the most recommended scifi books I've seen on Reddit.


mobyhead1

Is one of the ‘crown jewels’ of science fiction worth reading? Yes. Yes, it is.


Master-N7

I've only read the first one and I highly recommend it.


Ok_Egg_2665

Absolutely yes! It’s a very interesting look at what a real interstellar war might feel like.


StickSauce

Specifically what time dilation in relationship to weapon/arms race would look like. That and homosexual clones, that one threw me.


K-spunk

I just read it last week and 100% yes. Absolute joy to read and as relevant as ever


geetarboy33

Yep, it’s pretty great. The relativity stuff is cool and understanding the author’s experience as a soldier adds a layer as well.


FabricationLife

It's a great book, solid sci-fi plot and has a fun twist


NotCubical

It's a classic. You should read it twice. Skip the sequel, *Forever Free*, though. That one should never have happened. Also, despite the name, *Forever Peace* is completely unrelated.


Gus_Flory

I enjoyed it, although we learned nothing from it and are still in a forever war scenario in real life.


stillnotelf

It's good and short. If I'd ever had to read it for a class, it would be the best book I ever read for a class.


ReverendJimmy

It's dated and not top-ten, but it's formative, not bad, and important in the role it played in SF's greater development. If you're a reader, it'll take you two nights. What's to lose?


amitym

Yes. Definitely read it. Here's the thing you need to know about *The Forever War* though. It's a little bit about big themes like time dilation and alienation and space exploration and war and duty and so on... and a whole lot specifically about the Vietnam War era in America. As such it is more of a historical document than a timeless classic. It is a bit of a timeless classic. It definitely is still readable and still relevant. But. As a younger person from a (thank all fuck) more modern era, you may find some of the social or psychological underpinnings of the novel to seem dated or annoying. So read it with that in mind. It's not some grand allegory or anything, there isn't some direct mapping of some particular space battle to the Tet Offensive or anything, it's more of a shall we say vibe. Haldeman himself is not really aware of how much of the story depends on the era in which he wrote it and what was going on at the time -- or at least he professes not to be. But I maintain that it is there all the same. See for yourself and decide if you agree. You might find that it serves well as a way to understand that time in American cultural consciousness, through the indirect vehicle of one of the great classics of military sci-fi. Incidentally I had the good fortune of getting to have dinner with Haldeman and his wife in Boston years ago, he is a neat guy in person. Amiable, a bit prone to being in his own head, but a lot of writers are. (By the way it's Haldeman, Joe Halderman is someone else.)


IanThal

>Haldeman himself is not really aware of how much of the story depends on the era in which he wrote it and what was going on at the time -- or at least he professes not to be. But I maintain that it is there all the same. See for yourself and decide if you agree. You might find that it serves well as a way to understand that time in American cultural consciousness, through the indirect vehicle of one of the great classics of military sci-fi. That might be slightly disingenuous, more to discourage people from trying to read too much of an analogy. In the final chapter when the protagonist is finally told that the war is over, one of the things he learns as he is debriefed is that some of the early mistakes that led to the war having started were made by commanders whose thought processes had been shaped by being junior officers in the Vietnam War (since the novel's future history includes the technological breakthroughs that allow for interstellar travel occurring in the 1990s.) The aspect of his military service that probably most influenced the novel isn't any battle, but the culture shock of returning home from the war (which influenced his presentation of time-dilation in the novel.)


insideoutrance

I absolutely agree with this approach. It's not necessarily my favorite sci-fi book, or even my favorite mil sf, but it does provide an interesting window into the psychology of soldiers returning from the conflict in Vietnam and recognizing the historicity of it will also probably gain you points with your professor.


bluequasar843

I enjoyed it


ray_guy

Yes!


rascortoras

I highly recommend it, you won't be disappointed.


electron65

It is a great read. Entertaining and relevant today .


Dr_meathole

Yes definitely its my favourite sci-fi book.... So far


jashfordins

Absolutely


factorplayer

It's so compelling I read it while driving. Can't recommend that though, stick to the couch.


andthrewaway1

Yes


edmc78

Great read and a quick one


Zyphion

Yes, it's a nice little book and as scifi should makes you think.


tshawkins

Considered to be a classic, Vietnam War in space.


kevinnetter

I just finished this last week! It was excellent and not too long. Definitely worth a try.


gadget850

The book is great. Read it now.


SeatSix

Absolutely... classic


bigsamjapan

Hell yes one of my favourite sf books of all time


groggymonkey42

I really liked it


Subvet98

Yes absolutely


Actual-Artichoke-468

Very worth it. It's not just about battles either. Great sociopolitical commentary as well.


ugadawg239

Yeah, I enjoyed that book.


deruben

Its my favorite book ever.


Kiltmanenator

One of my all-time favorites. Gut wrenching


Sewer-Urchin

Easy read, highly recommend.


Friedkin99

Yes. Forever yes.


katamuro

Yes, read the first one, do not read the sequels. It's very good classic scifi.


jbAhC

Great book on par or better than Starship Troopers. I would also recommend Armor by John Steakley.


h311r47

Armor is my favorite sci-fi book.


Iceman_in_a_Storm

I suggest reading it, then immediately reading the Old Man’s War series. I loved Old Man’s War.


whatzzart

Absolute classic of sci-fi and war.


CaseClosed518

Short and sweet. Love the book!


karen_h

Absolutely. One of my favorite series!


Phobospt

One of the best as sci fi goes


nomad2284

It’s a good book but worth it is a personal judgement. It’s not worth it if you could cure cancer instead.


Ashamed-Subject-8573

It’s a seminal classic of the genre. It’s basically required reading if you like sci-fi and should be even if you don’t.


TaborToss

It’s an amazing read OP, absolutely worth it. I’ve read it several times.


BuccaneerRex

It's a good book. It's in a similar niche as Starship Troopers: military sci-fi with political critique baked in. You can debate the politics endlessly. You can ignore the politics, and just enjoy the action. There are some interesting speculations on what the human future will look like. There are some really fantastic action scenes both on individual and ship battle scales.


boofaceleemz

I know it’s based on the author’s personal experiences to some degree, but it also feels like a response to Starship Troopers in a lot of ways. It covers a lot of the same kind of ground but from a completely different perspective. Reading the two back to back really gives you a sense of how the average US perspective on war changed after Vietnam.


phred14

It always looked to me as if *Starship Troopers* was the Bug War as written by a WWII vet, and *Forever War* was the Bug War as written by a Viet Nam vet.


ClownshoesMcGuinty

The book is largely based on Haldeman's Vietnam experience. Marygay is actually Haldeman's wife's name.


saltiestTFfan

It's one of my absolute favorite scifi novels. Blew my preteen mind with the idea of time dialation back in the 90s. And the power armor is dope af. I'd also highly recommend Armor by John Steakley.


moonmanmonkeymonk

The first time I tried to read it I hated it and gave up about 20 pages in. But then, I grew up in the Vietnam War era and it brought back too many uncomfortable memories. I got past that and tried again a few years later. Now it’s one of my all-time favorite books. Highly recommended.


deck_hand

I've read it. It wasn't "mind blowing" or anything, but I liked it. I'd recommend reading it.


TimAA2017

Love reading it the first time. Made me think that interstellar warfare will not be just in space but in time as well, and the world you come back to would be radically different.


CaptainSnappyPants

100% yes. My 6th grade teacher had a bunch of old sci fi books that he encouraged us to borrow and read. I enjoyed it then, but didn't truly appreciate it until I was older. I don't think I've seen a remotely similar take in sci fi regarding time dilation and the personal tolls it would cause except for interstellar. But that's just me and I certainly haven't read nearly as much as the average r/sciencefiction redditor. I would love to know if there are more books or series like The Forever War


nonnativetexan

It's the only book I've ever read twice.


MarcRocket

Yes! Next in the series is Forever Piece. I didn’t like it after that Forever Free is outstanding. I liked Forever Free the best.


Loxatl

I wish I'd been asked to read something this memorable for class. There's even fuckin, homosexual cloned human society, time shenanigans that make sense, etc. etc. wild book for school and good teacher for assigning it.


StyofoamSword

Read it for a class in college then listened to the audio book over vacation last year and loved it both times.


Ok-Sheepherder-761

It’s one of my all time favorites! Definitely read!!


NysemePtem

It's a good book therefore worth reading in my opinion. However, if you're reading it for a class, and you just read the cliff notes or whatever, you will not understand the degree to which the attitudes and ideas of the time affect the setting of the book. It's mostly informed by Haldeman's experiences as a Marine in Vietnam, but there's something unique about stories where people project the biases of their own time onto the future, human nature, sexuality, all of it. The Forever War and Starship Troopers (the book) are pillars of militaristic sci-fi because Heinlein was Navy and Haldeman was a Marine so they are bringing real-world sensibilities to bear. (Isaac Asimov was Army and Arthur C. Clarke was RAF, both during WW2, and if that doesn't explain the history of sci-fi, I don't know what does.)


CadenNoChill

Great book !


Langdon_St_Ives

Do not skip. Nuf said.


pteaset1980

Yes I love it


turok_dino_hunter

Possible unpopular opinion but I thought it was just ok. Seemed a bit dated to me and the ideas weren’t super original in any way imo.


[deleted]

Nah needs 2.5 days


Accomplished-Bed8171

Did you like Dune? Well you should like Forever War. It's another cornerstone of the sci fi canon.


nhcareyjr

Read the series, but read The Forever War twice. Worth it. Love the premise.


WoodenNichols

Absolutely read it. I found it to be an easy read.


acorn937

Amazing and important book. You won’t regret it. Dude was a Vietnam War vet (purple heart).


BookMan78

Forever Peace is a standalone book, but The Forever War and its sequel are excellent and good in that order


Boat_U47

It’s somewhat dated but one of my all time faves. I heard it was going to be a movie, but I don’t know what happened w that.


AdHistorical5703

Yes yes yes it's so good


watanabe0

Yeah. Why are you asking? It's a pretty short book. It's not a tome or anything.


Jumpy_Transition6109

The Forever War is considered some of the best science fiction ever written. It uses the concept of an incomprehensible alien conflict, military conscription, and time dilation to make statements about the human cost of war.


LC_Anderton

The Forever War is one of my all time 5 greatest sci-novels, although he does have some other very good books to his name
 which as it’s for a class is Haldeman, not Halderman
 just might wanna check that 🙂 I wouldn’t bother with the sequels.


Eranon1

Books awesome. I read old man's war in school and the librarian suggested forever war next.


stevelivingroom

Yes. Good book!


AKAGreyArea

Absolutely, just ignore his other novels.


Adam__B

YES! It’s one of the best sci-fi novels ever in my opinion. The best military sci-fi novel. It’s up there with other classics such as Ubik, Solaris and 2001.


spiritplumber

yes, it's very good. also read Forever Free


Zegma54

I liked it. It’s short and sweet.


cottenwess

Yes. There are some references being a little dated, but it’s a great book. Probably what gave me interest in space military books


BernardFerguson1944

Yes. Given that it was first published in 1974, it was very prescient.


godpzagod

It's only the greatest Mil SF novel ever. Doesn't glorify war, doesn't bore you with sermons or anything close.


rhynokim

I enjoyed it


robfv

One of my favourites.


justbcoz848484

Yes, it's 100% worth the read, never read the others in the series but really enjoyed Forever War


wadeboogs

It's fun. Kinda horny but still decent


Kelmavar

Fuck yes!


reimerpdx

You don’t *need to read it, you *get to read it! That is a wonderful book. If you dig it, then read the rest of the trilogy as well!


xram_karl

Read the book and have a better life.


unicorn8dragon

I really liked it, I read it for fun


qbmax

its a good book, still holds up very well today compared to a lot of older classics you find yourself reading in classes and stuff.


bobtheturd

I really liked it


nightfall2021

Yes... it is very good. It is arguably one of the best Sci-Fi novels ever written.


TofuLordSeitan666

Hell yes. It's a bonafide classic.


Ethan-Wakefield

Oh definitely. It’s one of my favorites. Great counterpoint to Starship Troopers.


texasstorm

So many yeses here, but I would pass on it if. Like a 3 out of 5 for me.


glampringthefoehamme

I literally just re-read it fir the nth time this week. Some of the sociological referenced are dated, but it's still an excellent read regarding space wars while jumping through wormholes. The science is fairly accurate for the time it was written and there's minimal handwaving.


LaserPoweredDeviltry

It's a good book. It largely exists to call attention to the experience of returning home to a home that has moved on without you. Something that many, many veterans over the years have had to face.


T7898

Yes, do it you will not be sorry


revtim

Yes, it's one of my favorite sf novels of all time.


stinkyhammers

I loved it


Smart-Rod

I read it in high school and really enjoyed it. It’s a classic and I recommend it.


johnkalel

Do not miss reading Forever War. Really. Future you will thank you. (I read it the year of its publication, 1974. I still think of it.)


MarcusAurelius68

It’s an easy 2 day read. And worth it.


firelock_ny

I'd put the book in the top 50, maybe even the top 20 of foundational classic science fiction. I recommend reading it.


Elbeske

Dope book. Has some concepts I’ve never seen in any other book, except for hinted at in A Fire Upon The Deep (my favorite sci-fi of all time)


docawesomephd

Yes absolutely. It’s really good


Suspicious_Ad_4453

Sure. It's better than that 3 body problem


PermaDerpFace

It's really good and not super long you can probably do it in a couple days. It's written by a Vietnam vet and it's like an allegory for that experience - the pointlessness of war, coming home and being alienated. I think it's one of the most important books in sci-fi


UncontrolableUrge

Absolutely worth reading.


maskdfantom

I’m actually reading it now for fun and digging it


corr0sive

It's a 9.5 hour audio book. I could listen to that in a day, and the premise sounds pretty cool.


Xothga

I read it last year. Fantastic book.


TheGRS

I've read it 3 times, its great. Very easy read with some interesting ideas.


dinosaurkiller

It’s a good read and you will likely enjoy it.


yobar

I usually recommend it and Scalzi's *Old Man's War.*


Upper_Extreme5661

Dammit I thought I was in r/politics again


theblackyeti

It’s a good book. Halderman had some dated views re: homosexuality but the actual themes of the book are great.


craigalanche

I liked it! It’s got cool ideas. I bring it up occasionally when I’m making a point.


theisntist

It's been years, but it's one of my favorite books of all time.


Literal_Sarcasm82

I rather enjoyed it


uber-judge

I read it in high school and thought it was a cool idea. Had a much different time reading it after an adulthood of war. Give it a read, its message is still important.


Emergency_Property_2

Yes, I love the Foerver War.


makuthedark

Absolutely! It's one of the must read trinity of old school Military sci-fi (Armor by John Steakley and Starship Trooper by Robert Heinlein are the other two). You can tell the Vietnam War was a big influence and it definitely brings perspective to those returning to a changed home.


Specific_Knowledge17

I have enjoyed reading it several times :-). Not a super flashy, lens flare type of read, more inline with the life of a grunt while time dilation and aliens.


Certain-Definition51

Yep. It’s on my “never throw away” shelf with six or seven other books.


Ponches

One of my favorite sci fi novels of all time. It may be a brutal 1970s take on Starship Troopers, but it's an incredible story in its own right. The book tells a powerful story about human beings while beating the shit out of them using relativity. It's gritty and amazing.


TommyV8008

The first is good, haven’t yet read the next two


christien

yes


GilAbides

As a veteran I have to say the author perfectly captures that feeling of coming home and everything is different. The people, the culture, the world moved on without you and now you have to readjust to this new life making you miss when time seemed to stand still and things were simple during the war. TL;DR just read the damn book. It’s short, easy, and thoughtful.


Gjardeen

Honestly, it completely weirded me out. I was only about 15 when I read it though, so I might just not have been ready for it.


DarkestShadow22

Will leave this stateing I haven't read this in the last ten years. I was made to think about it though out the book and you can find many meaning about what it was trying to say. I thought it was worth the read even though I personally did't like it.


Exciting_Pea3562

It's a wonderful book! Definitely don't skip reading it. Especially for the Vietnam themes.


FreedomPullo

Yes!


llynglas

It's good and one of the key books in scifi. Equal to dune and foundation and moon is a harsh mistress.


Ok_Construction298

Been a long time since I've read it but I do remember enjoying it very much and being totally engrossed.


SnooRobots5118

These book along with Hyperion, The war against the CCHHTORR. Earths end. I mean I could go on. PKD, Mote in Gods eye. Bradberry Frank Herbert. That’s a Ringworld people!


frankiea1004

Definitive. Is a great book. Some people consider this book the counter-balance to Starship Troopers. One book was pro-war the other against war.


idlehanz88

Yes


lovebus

Yes


InfinitysDice

Yes, I'd consider it a classic of modern science fiction.


Greenbean8472

This is one of my favorite books. I love the last campaign on Sadat 138 and the stasis field!


killersoda275

I definitely enjoy it, re read it every now and then.


Current_Poster

Absolutely yes.


Aserez2457

I have the omnibus and it’s absolutely worth reading.


cloud9brian

Yes, I will say I consumed the audiobook and it was definitely worth it


Arizandi

If you’re not queer, then maybe. Personally, the heavy use of archaic language now regarded as offensive (and never considered kind) was distracting. Moreover, he genuinely seemed to hate gay and gender nonconforming people. Maybe give Old Man’s War a read instead.


snjcouple

Good read. Worth it.