Captivating Sci-Fi Adventure: Old Man's War by John Scalzi (Book Review)
Old Man's War is a military science fiction novel by John Scalzi that was first published in 2005. The book follows John Perry, a 75-year-old man who joins the Colonial Defense Forces (CDF) to fight in an interstellar war against an alien species.
The book explores themes of war, death, and the nature of humanity. It is a fast-paced, action-packed novel with a witty and sardonic tone. Scalzi's writing is sharp and engaging, and he does a great job of creating a believable and immersive world.
Thrilling and Engaging: Old Man's War by John Scalzi (Book Review)
The story revolves around John Perry, a 75-year-old man who decides to share his experiences as a member of the Colonial Defense Forces (CDF). Yes, you heard it right - a man of his age embarks on a remarkable journey, becoming a soldier for human colonies in space. But why would a 75-year-old man choose such a path?
There are several compelling reasons behind Perry's decision. Firstly, he finds himself in the twilight of his life, bereft of companionship after the passing of his wife. With no attachments holding him on Earth, he embraces the opportunity to fulfill their shared dream of joining the CDF. Additionally, the allure of the CDF lies in their ability to rejuvenate and empower individuals of advanced age, making them young and resilient once again.
Related post: The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi: A Military Sci-Fi Thriller and Brilliant Sequel to Old Man's War
When Perry signs a contract it is also mentioned there:
“Paragraph four: I understand that by volunteering for the Colonial Defense Forces, I consent to whatsoever medical, surgical or therapeutic regimens or procedures are deemed necessary by the Colonial Defense Forces to enhance combat readiness.”
Here it was: Why I and countless other seventy-five-year-olds signed up every year.” (p. 14)
Prior to joining the CDF, the intriguing question loomed over the minds of John Perry and his fellow recruits: How would they transform a 75-year-old man into a capable soldier ready to fulfill his duties? Although the answer remained uncertain, one thing was definite - they would be granted a renewed lease on life, free from ailments and diseases that had plagued them before. However, this opportunity came with certain conditions.
Upon enlistment, each recruit committed to serving a minimum of 2 to 10 years within the CDF. Once their service was complete, returning to Earth was forever barred, leaving them with the option to establish themselves in one of the emerging human colonies. It is worth noting that these colonies were situated at a significant distance from Earth, emphasizing the magnitude of the journey they were about to embark upon.
“Alpha, the closest colony to Earth, is eighty-three light-years away. This makes lively gossip between planets difficult.” (p. 17)
Related post: The Last Colony by John Scalzi: A Space Opera with Action, Adventure, and Romance
COLONIAL DEFENSE FORCES (CDF)
Two fundamental questions arise: Why do human colonies exist, and why is there a pressing need for a substantial number of soldiers?
The genesis of human colonies can be traced back to a cataclysmic war that ravaged our world. Following their defeat, the vanquished were compelled to seek refuge among the stars. This exodus propelled them toward the discovery of habitable planets, propitious for sustaining life, thereby instigating unparalleled advancements surpassing those achieved on Earth. During their interstellar ventures, they encountered diverse extraterrestrial life forms, ranging from intelligent species to civilizations boasting advanced technologies.
“Humanity has two problems,” Lieutenant Colonel Higgee said. “The first is that it is in a race with other sentient and similar species to colonize. Colonization is the key to our race’s survival. It’s as simple as that. We must colonize or be closed off and contained by other races. This competition is fierce. Humanity has few allies among the sentient races. Very few races are allies with anyone, a situation that existed long before humanity stepped into the stars.
“Whatever your feelings about the possibility for diplomacy in the long run, the reality is that on the ground, we are in fierce and furious competition. We cannot hold back our expansion and hope that we can achieve a peaceful solution that allows for colonization by all races. To do so would be to condemn humanity. So we fight to colonize.
“Our second problem is that when we do find planets suitable for colonization, they are often inhabited by intelligent life. When we can, we live with native population and work to achieve harmony. Unfortunately, much of the time, we are not welcome. It is regrettable when this happens, but the needs of humanity are and must be our priority. And so the Civil Defense Forces become an invading force.” (p. 106-107)
This quote is like a summary of why human colonies have to fight and why 75 years old man John Perry will fight for them.
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AND SOLDIERS OF CDF
John Perry and thousands of other old men and women join the Colonial Defense Forces (CDF) and, from the very first day, they undergo a total upgrade. It is like they have a second life and look like they did 50 years ago. How does the CDF do this? I won't write too much about it here, so as not to give away too many spoilers.
However, one example of how they change their recruits is their blood. The CDF replaces their blood with a smartblood that is more efficient and can carry more oxygen. They also implant a BrainPal in their brain, which is a personal computer that allows them to access information and communicate with other soldiers.
“The Colonial Defense Forces, in their divine wisdom, have given human blood the boot. It’s been replaced by SmartBlood. SmartBlood is made up of billions of nano-sized ’bots that do everything that blood did but better. It’s not organic, so it’s not vulnerable to biological threats. It speaks to your BrainPal to clot in milliseconds—you could lose a fucking leg and you wouldn’t bleed out. Most importantly to you right now, each ‘cell’ of Smart-Blood has four times the oxygen-carrying capacity of your natural red blood cells.” (p. 130-131)
One of the main problems for the human colonies is that not all other sentient species are friendly. In fact, we can say that most of them are hostile. This means that the CDF needs to be prepared to fight for survival against any number of alien threats.
John Perry will encounter many different alien species during his time with the CDF. These species vary greatly in appearance and behavior. Some are insect-like, while others are tiny, like the people from Lilliput. One particularly hostile species is the Salong, who believes that humans taste good.
“…somewhere along the way the Salong decided that humans were good eatin’, so they attacked the humans and set up a human meat farm. All the adult human males but a handful were killed, and those that were kept were ‘milked’ for their sperm. The women were artificially inseminated and their newborns taken, penned and fattened like veal.” (p. 139)
A Thought-Provoking Science Fiction Adventure That Will Keep You on the Edge of Your Seat
From the first pages of the book, I was drawn into the fictional universe of John Scalzi. The protagonist, John Perry, is a relatable character who is easy to root for. I felt sad for him at first, but as he climbed up the ranks of the Colonial Defense Forces (CDF), I found myself wondering what would happen to him next. Would he survive? What surprises would he encounter in the universe?
I was so engrossed in the story that I spent all my free time reading it. I couldn't put the book down! The story is well-paced and exciting, and the characters are well-developed. I also appreciated the humor that Scalzi injected into the story, which helped to lighten the mood at times.
At the end of the book, there is a brief "love story" subplot. I'm not usually a fan of love stories in science fiction, but I found this one to be well-done. It didn't feel forced or out of place, and it actually added to the story. I'm curious to see how this subplot will be developed in the sequel, "The Ghost Brigades."
Overall, I really enjoyed "Old Man's War." It's a well-written, exciting, and thought-provoking story that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys science fiction.
by John Scalzi
A Tor Book
Old Man's War series: Book 1
New York
2005
314 pages.
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