The Forever War

One of the very best science fiction novels of all time. An intelligent and thought provoking allegory for the Vietnam War. Private William Mandella is a reluctant hero in an interstellar war against an unknowable and unconquerable alien enemy. But his greatest test will be when he returns home. Relativity means that for every few months' tour of duty centuries have passed on Earth, isolating the combatants ever more from the world for whose future they are fighting. Readers can't stop thinking about The Forever War : ' More than just a book about a futuristic war , Haldeman describes a society built around the codependency of the industrial military complex and with a fluid dynamic socio-economic culture that is fascinating to watch unfold ' Goodreads reviewer, ' A hugely important story from a very human angle . . . It will come as no surprise that this was written as a reaction to America's war in Vietnam ' Goodreads reviewer, ' Catch-22 is often cited as one of the great books about the futility and inherent paradoxes of war . I think this is easily its equal ' Goodreads reviewer, ' This book is a masterpiece , both as a straight-up science fiction story, but also as an allegory for the horrors and hopelessness of war ' Goodreads reviewer, 'This is military-flavoured bootcamp-to-war Science Fiction in its finest form, as refreshing and thought provoking as it no doubt was when it was released in 1974 . . . a landmark classic of Science Fiction ' Goodreads reviewer, 'Haldeman's story touched on a number of different themes ( the horrors of war and those of personal traumatic injury, loneliness, alienation, loss, cultural indoctrination , and societal change over time) . . . a really good sci-fi classic ' Goodreads reviewer,

Private William Mandella is a reluctant hero in an interstellar war against an unknowable and unconquerable alien enemy. But his greatest test will be when he returns home. Relativity means that for every few months' tour of duty centuries have passed on Earth, isolating the combatants ever more from the world for whose future they are fighting. The Earth he knew is dead. The one he returns to . . . unrecognisable. Winner of the Nebula, Locus and Hugo awards, The Forever War was the first title selected for the SF Masterworks series when it launched in 1999. Inspired by Haldeman's experience in the Vietnam War, it has been seen as a critical work of anti-war SF. 'This is an enraged and enraging classic that deserves a place alongside Apocalypse Now and The Deer Hunter as an expression of the pain caused by Vietnam'- Guardian 'The book is near perfect'- infinity plus 'This book is not only one of the best military science fiction books ever written, but is one of the finest works of modern American literature' - Tordotcom Welcome to The Best Of The Masterworks: a selection of the finest in science fiction

One of the very best science fiction novels of all time. An intelligent and thought provoking allegory for the Vietnam War. Private William Mandella is a reluctant hero in an interstellar war against an unknowable and unconquerable alien enemy. But his greatest test will be when he returns home. Relativity means that for every few months' tour of duty centuries have passed on Earth, isolating the combatants ever more from the world for whose future they are fighting. Readers can't stop thinking about The Forever War : ' More than just a book about a futuristic war , Haldeman describes a society built around the codependency of the industrial military complex and with a fluid dynamic socio-economic culture that is fascinating to watch unfold ' Goodreads reviewer, ' A hugely important story from a very human angle . . . It will come as no surprise that this was written as a reaction to America's war in Vietnam ' Goodreads reviewer, ' Catch-22 is often cited as one of the great books about the futility and inherent paradoxes of war . I think this is easily its equal ' Goodreads reviewer, ' This book is a masterpiece , both as a straight-up science fiction story, but also as an allegory for the horrors and hopelessness of war ' Goodreads reviewer, 'This is military-flavoured bootcamp-to-war Science Fiction in its finest form, as refreshing and thought provoking as it no doubt was when it was released in 1974 . . . a landmark classic of Science Fiction ' Goodreads reviewer, 'Haldeman's story touched on a number of different themes ( the horrors of war and those of personal traumatic injury, loneliness, alienation, loss, cultural indoctrination , and societal change over time) . . . a really good sci-fi classic ' Goodreads reviewer,

Private William Mandella is a reluctant hero in an interstellar war against an unknowable and unconquerable alien enemy. But his greatest test will be when he returns home. Relativity means that for every few months' tour of duty centuries have passed on Earth, isolating the combatants ever more from the world for whose future they are fighting. The Earth he knew is dead. The one he returns to . . . unrecognisable. Winner of the Nebula, Locus and Hugo awards, The Forever War was the first title selected for the SF Masterworks series when it launched in 1999. Inspired by Haldeman's experience in the Vietnam War, it has been seen as a critical work of anti-war SF. 'This is an enraged and enraging classic that deserves a place alongside Apocalypse Now and The Deer Hunter as an expression of the pain caused by Vietnam'- Guardian 'The book is near perfect'- infinity plus 'This book is not only one of the best military science fiction books ever written, but is one of the finest works of modern American literature' - Tordotcom Welcome to The Best Of The Masterworks: a selection of the finest in science fiction

From the author of When America Stopped Being Great , an insightful and urgent reassessment of America's past, present and future - as a country which is forever at war with itself. The Forever War tells the story of how America's extreme polarisation is 250 years in the making, and argues that the roots of its modern-day malaise are to be found in its troubled and unresolved past. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the American experiment is failing. Division, mistrust and misinformation are now the country's defining characteristics. The storming of the Capitol, the prosecution of Donald Trump and battles over gun rights and abortion raise the spectre of further political violence, and even the possibility of a second civil war. Nick Bryant explains how the hate, divisiveness and paranoia we see today are in fact a core part of America's story. Combining brilliant storytelling, historical research and first-hand reportage, Bryant argues that insurrections, massacres and civil disturbances should sadly not be seen as abnormalities; they are a part of the fabric of the history of America. The compromises originally designed to hold the union together have never truly been resolved and today, a country that once looked so confidently to the future has become captive to its contentious past.

From the author of When America Stopped Being Great , an insightful and urgent reassessment of America's past, present and future - as a country which is forever at war with itself. The Forever War tells the story of how America's extreme polarisation is 250 years in the making, and argues that the roots of its modern-day malaise are to be found in its troubled and unresolved past. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the American experiment is failing. Division, mistrust and misinformation are now the country's defining characteristics. The storming of the Capitol, the prosecution of Donald Trump and battles over gun rights and abortion raise the spectre of further political violence, and even the possibility of a second civil war. Nick Bryant explains how the hate, divisiveness and paranoia we see today are in fact a core part of America's story. Combining brilliant storytelling, historical research and first-hand reportage, Bryant argues that insurrections, massacres and civil disturbances should sadly not be seen as abnormalities; they are a part of the fabric of the history of America. The compromises originally designed to hold the union together have never truly been resolved and today, a country that once looked so confidently to the future has become captive to its contentious past.