Posted by tallman at 9:54pm Jul 26 '06Ok, so I figured I'd get things started with a little pre-read discussion. This means that you don't need to have read any of the book (or even own it yet) to participate. This is possible because the premise of the book is an intriguing one (I guess you could call disclosing the premise of the book a bit of a spoiler, but since you find this stuff out in the first few pages, I don't think it's that big of a deal).
The book starts thusly:
To be honest, at this point, you know about as much about the subject as the narrarator (the guy who's joining the army at 75). The assumption, of course, is that he'll receive a bit of a physical makeover (to the point where he could fight). The terms of service are a mandatory 2 years, with the possibility of another 8 years of mandatory service during times of war. After your 2-10 years, you'll be allowed to retire and settle down on one of the colonies (presumably to live another full lifespan with your newly improved body). You will not, however, be allowed to return to earth.
Speaking of which, earth in the novel is not very much changed. The Colonial Union (the government of the army) is completely separate from any of the Earth's governments, and is very secretive about what goes on outside of earth. There are bits and pieces of info that make their way back to earth, but for the most part, earth is quarantined from the rest of the colonies (there are some decent reasons for this, too).
Okay, enough background, here are some questions:
1. Given the above, would you sign up for the army at age 75? Why or why not?
2. Would you be willing to leave earth and never come back?
3. Assuming that physical makeovers are possible, what are the benefits of having a soldier with 75 years under their belt?
4. What are the disadvantages of having 75 years under their belt?
Some of these questions (most notably the "would you join?" question will be repeated several times in our discussion of the novel. It might be interesting to see if anyone's opinions change.
That's all now. Be sure to get your book and start reading soon!
~[private]
The book starts thusly:
I did two things on my seventy-fifth birthday. I visited my wife's grave. Then I joined the army.I know what you're thinking. This guy's 75 years old and he's joining the army? To do what? Tactical knitting?
To be honest, at this point, you know about as much about the subject as the narrarator (the guy who's joining the army at 75). The assumption, of course, is that he'll receive a bit of a physical makeover (to the point where he could fight). The terms of service are a mandatory 2 years, with the possibility of another 8 years of mandatory service during times of war. After your 2-10 years, you'll be allowed to retire and settle down on one of the colonies (presumably to live another full lifespan with your newly improved body). You will not, however, be allowed to return to earth.
Speaking of which, earth in the novel is not very much changed. The Colonial Union (the government of the army) is completely separate from any of the Earth's governments, and is very secretive about what goes on outside of earth. There are bits and pieces of info that make their way back to earth, but for the most part, earth is quarantined from the rest of the colonies (there are some decent reasons for this, too).
Okay, enough background, here are some questions:
1. Given the above, would you sign up for the army at age 75? Why or why not?
2. Would you be willing to leave earth and never come back?
3. Assuming that physical makeovers are possible, what are the benefits of having a soldier with 75 years under their belt?
4. What are the disadvantages of having 75 years under their belt?
Some of these questions (most notably the "would you join?" question will be repeated several times in our discussion of the novel. It might be interesting to see if anyone's opinions change.
That's all now. Be sure to get your book and start reading soon!
~[private]
Old Man's War Pre-Read Discussion - tallman