Share your thoughts in a quick Shelf Talk!
Old Man's War by John Scalzi
Senior citizens sign up for a second shot at life—by enlisting to fight humanity’s alien wars in upgraded bodies. What follows is sharp, funny, and razor‑tense: camaraderie under fire, ethical dilemmas, and battles that test what it means to be human. Fast-paced and full of heart, Old Man’s War is modern military sci‑fi at its best.
Have you read this book? Share what you liked (or didn’t), and we’ll use your answers to recommend your next favorite read!
Love Old Man's War but not sure what to read next?
These picks are popular with readers who enjoyed this book. Complete a quick Shelf Talk to get recommendations made just for you! Warning: possible spoilers for Old Man's War below.
In Old Man's War, did you enjoy ...
... the sardonic, laugh-out-loud voice cutting through high-stakes missions?
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
If what hooked you in Old Man’s War was John Perry’s wry BrainPal-enhanced commentary even while dodging Rraey missiles, you’ll love the snarky inner monologue of Murderbot. Like Perry defusing terror with jokes during CDF ops, Murderbot’s dry, self-aware humor punctuates firefights and corporate malfeasance, turning tense extractions into sharply funny character moments—without skimping on the action or heart.
... a boots-on-the-ground, first-person view of military life and combat?
Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein
You followed John Perry from senior-citizen recruit to CDF warrior through his own eyes—boot camp bruises, BrainPal banter, and alien encounters. In Starship Troopers, Juan “Johnny” Rico narrates his enlistment, brutal training, powered-armor drops, and battlefield leadership with the same you-are-there immediacy. If Perry’s first-person journey into the ranks grabbed you, Rico’s voice-driven rise through Mobile Infantry will feel like a direct hit.
... watching a recruit climb the ladder in a gritty, future military?
Terms of Enlistment by Marko Kloos
If you enjoyed Perry’s path from bewildered CDF newbie to seasoned operator—training hard, taking orders, earning respect—you’ll dig Andrew Grayson’s step-by-step rise through future infantry. Like Perry’s early deployments and hard lessons (and those "welcome to the front" wake-up calls), Grayson faces urban pacification, orbital deployments, and the politics of command, capturing that addictive rhythm of rank, responsibility, and survival.
... clever, character-driven military space adventure with heart?
The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold
Loved how Old Man’s War balanced big-ship battles and alien standoffs with quick-thinking gambits—like Perry’s improvisations against the Rraey and first contact with the inscrutable Consu? Miles Vorkosigan takes that fast, witty problem-solving to the stars, cobbling together a mercenary fleet and outmaneuvering stronger foes through audacity and charm. It’s the same blend of spacefaring derring-do, tactical twists, and warm, human connections you felt with Perry and Jane.
... a soldier’s transformation under alien war’s strange tech and time?
The Forever War by Joe Haldeman
John Perry’s rebirth into a young, engineered body—and how combat and tech reshape his identity—echoes in William Mandella’s decades-spanning tour through relativity-strained warfare. As Perry adapts to BrainPal, Special Forces, and unsettling alien foes, Mandella wrestles with time dilation, shifting societies, and the cost of staying a soldier. If Perry’s growth and hard-won maturity moved you, Mandella’s evolution delivers a deeper, poignant punch.
Unlock your personalized book recommendations! Just take a quick Shelf Talk for Old Man's War by John Scalzi. It’s only a few questions and takes less than a minute.