Old Man's War

Wow! Just had a great time galloping through John Scalzi's Old Man's War. Cory Doctorow said this book was "Heinlein without the lectures" and I would call it "Heinlein on crack"! This is the sort of thing I had been hoping Haldeman's Forever War would deliver and didnt. Only problem was the miniscule print I have never read such small printing, which in addition was very light in colour, really difficult to read. But in spite of that I had a great time. Now must look for book 2, Ghost Brigades.

I just loved the basic training section, with cynical Master Sergeant Ruiz. Loved his denigration of all those fictional/filmic sarges with a tough exterior and a marshmallow heart. I couldnt get Sergeant Foley (ie. Lou Gosset Jr. in Officer and a Gentleman out of my head), and that's how I pictured Ruiz! :0) This was one really good first novel (Hugo nominee is not to be sneezed at!) Though the style is very different, the exuberance and panache just reminded me of the young Roger Zelazny. Lots of flash and bang and high octane enjoyment for the reader. Military SF at its best.