Old Man's War: Elderly Citizens to Genetically Enhanced Soldiers

The “Old Man’s War” series by John Scalzi is a popular science fiction series known for its blend of action, humour, and thought-provoking themes. Here’s an overview of the series:

Old Man’s War

The first book introduces readers to a future where Earth is overpopulated and resources are scarce. To combat this, the Colonial Defense Forces (CDF) recruit elderly citizens from Earth and transfer their consciousness into genetically enhanced, younger bodies. These recruits then join the fight against various alien species to secure human colonies across the galaxy. The story follows John Perry, a widower who joins the CDF on his 75th birthday, seeking adventure and a chance to start anew. As he undergoes training and battles alongside his fellow soldiers, he grapples with the moral complexities of war, the nature of identity, and the sacrifices necessary for survival.

Buy Old Man’s War here!

The Ghost Brigades

The second book shifts focus to the Special Forces division of the CDF, known as the Ghost Brigades. These soldiers are created from the DNA of deceased individuals and trained from birth to be elite warriors. The story follows Jared Dirac, a member of the Ghost Brigades who discovers that his consciousness is derived from a traitor’s DNA. As he struggles to reconcile his own identity with the memories of his predecessor, Dirac becomes embroiled in a conspiracy that threatens both humanity and alien civilizations.

Buy The Ghost Brigades here!

The Last Colony

In the third book, former soldier John Perry and his wife Jane Sagan are recruited to lead a new human colony on a distant planet. However, their mission is soon jeopardized by political intrigue and the machinations of rival human factions. As they struggle to protect their colony from internal and external threats, Perry and Sagan must confront the ethical dilemmas of colonization and the consequences of humanity’s expansion into the stars.

Buy The Last Colony here!

Zoe’s Tale

This companion novel retells the events of “The Last Colony” from the perspective of Zoe Boutin-Perry, the adopted daughter of John Perry and Jane Sagan. As she grapples with the challenges of adolescence and her unique role in the colony’s survival, Zoe becomes embroiled in a desperate struggle for survival against alien adversaries.

Buy Zoe’s Tale here!

The Human Division

This book takes place in the same universe as the previous novels but follows a different group of characters as they navigate political intrigue and interstellar conflict in the aftermath of a devastating war.

Buy The Human Division here!

The End of All Things

The final instalment of the series explores the repercussions of a mysterious attack on human colonies and the efforts of various factions to uncover the truth behind the conspiracy.

Buy The End of All Things here!

Have you read any of the books on the list? What’s your favourite Old Man’s War Book? We’d love to hear from you.

Other things you might want to know:

What is the old man’s war about?

Earth is overpopulated and resources are scarce. To combat this, the Colonial Defense Forces (CDF) recruit elderly citizens from Earth and transfer their consciousness into genetically enhanced, younger bodies.