Old Man's War

John Scalzi thanks and acknowledges Robert A. Heinlein at the end of this book and I can understand why. Although I've never read Heinlein's Starship Troopers (I must correct that at some point), the movie based on his story is one of my favorites. I couldn't help but think of the film Starship Troopers while reading this book. But what a clever twist on the interstellar warfare theme where old people get a chance for a new life by joining the Colonial Defense Force fighters for not less than 2 and very likely a 10 year hitch, and where the vast majority of them will never survive to the end of their term of service. And, if they do manage to survive they may never return to Earth again. The description of advanced technologies both biological and technological (kept secret from the general Earth population by the CDF) along with fantastical descriptions of various intelligent alien enemy races is fascinating, but the story told from the viewpoint of 75 year old widower John Perry and his experiences from raw recruit to blooded veteran contains a lot of heart also. For instance, what would ensue from a chance encounter with your dead wife who really isn't your wife? There is never a dull moment in this page-turner.