Forever Free

Joe Haldeman

Sept 2016 · The Forever War Series Book 2 · Open Road Media

About this eBook

Civilian life in space yields epic challenges for two married ex-soldiers in this visionary science fiction adventure sequel—now with a bonus story. Ranked at the top of virtually every list of the greatest military science fiction adventures ever written is Joe Haldeman’s Hugo and Nebula Award–winning classic, The Forever War, now celebrating its 50th anniversary. In Forever Free, the Science Fiction Writers of America Grand Master and author of the acclaimed Worlds series returns to that same volatile universe where human soldiers once engaged the alien Taurans in never-ending battle.
 
While loyal soldier William Mandella was fighting for the survival of the human race in a distant galaxy, thousands of years were passing on his home planet, Earth. Then, with the end of the hostilities came the shocking realization that humanity had evolved into something he did not recognize.
 
Offered the choice of retaining his individuality or becoming part of the genetically modified shared Human hive-mind, Mandella chose exile, joining other veterans of the Forever War seeking a new life on a wasteland world they called Middle Finger.
 
Making a home for themselves in this half-frozen hell, Mandella and his life partner, Marygay, have survived into middle age, raising a son and a daughter in the process. Now, the dark truth about the colonists’ ultimate role in the continuation of the Human group mind will force Mandella and Marygay to take desperate action as they hijack an interstellar vessel and set off on a frantic escape across space and time.
 
But what awaits them upon their return is a mystery far beyond all human—or Human—comprehension . . .
 
In Forever Free, Joe Haldeman’s stunning vision of humankind’s far future reaches its enthralling conclusion in a masterwork of speculation from the mind and heart of one of the undisputed champions of hard science fiction.

And in the bonus story included in this volume, “A Separate War,” Marygay, reassigned and separated from her lover, Mandella, continues fighting in military engagements across the stars—all the while planning how she and Mandella can reunite despite the time and space between them.

Ratings and reviews

A playfully twisted end to the Forever War series. In the end, as plausible an explanation for existence as any other. To many hard sci fi fans, the ending might seem a little "intellectually lazy". But what the heck, can't prove it's wrong...

The premise was great, but after takeoff the story died, horribly. I don't understand why author was in such a hurry.

Interesting story, and certainly an enjoyable read, but I wish there was more to it. Some very intriguing concepts that I wish were expanded on a little more.

About the author

Joe Haldeman began his writing career while he was still in the army. Drafted in 1967, he fought in the Central Highlands of Vietnam as a combat engineer with the Fourth Division. He was awarded several medals, including a Purple Heart.
 
Haldeman sold his first story in 1969 and has since written over two dozen novels and five collections of short stories and poetry. He has won the Nebula and Hugo Awards for his novels, novellas, poems, and short stories, as well as the John W. Campbell Memorial Award, the Locus Award, the Rhysling Award, the World Fantasy Award, and the James Tiptree, Jr. Award. His works include The Forever War, Forever Peace, Camouflage, 1968, the Worlds saga, and the Marsbound series.
 
Haldeman recently retired after many years as an associate professor in the Department of Writing and Humanistic Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He and his wife, Gay, live in Florida, where he also paints, plays the guitar, rides his bicycle, and studies the skies with his telescope.