The Forever War

It was my first moment of literature as Great Conversation. And as I read some political philosophy, I could see Haldeman as a Chomsky / Rousseau "it's all socialization!" response to the Locke / Hobbes rationalism of Heinlein.

on HN, 2011

Take one part Starship Troopers (the book), add a dash of conscription and another of superluminal travel with full time dilation effects, and you end up with this superb novel. I've read it a few times already because it's so damned good and concise.

on HN, 2011

Do go and read Haldeman's _The Forever War_ as a counter to it, though. (It's also an excellent book.)

on HN, 2016

The Forever War Joe Haldeman and Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers are also indispensable.

on HN, 2018

This book was interesting because its use of novel pronouns based on thee/thou (I think Mx. was around in the early seventies), and its use of wearables (rings instead of watches).

on HN, 2023

Other goodies include Dune (of course), Gateway, and The Forever War.

on HN, 2025