The release date for the English version of 'Old Man's War' by
John Scalzi is Apr 2007. If you enjoy this novel, it is available for buy as a paperback from Barnes & Noble or Indigo, as an ebook on the Amazon Kindle store, or as an audiobook on Audible.
John Perry celebrated his 75th birthday in two ways. He started by going to his wife's grave. He then enlisted in the army.
The good news is that interstellar travel by humans has finally occurred. The bad news is that there aren't many planets suitable for life, but there are plenty of extraterrestrial cultures ready to battle us for them. Thus, we argue. to protect Earth and lay claim to our own piece of space on Earth. The conflict has been raging far from Earth for decades; it is vicious, violent, and unstoppable.
The planet Earth is a backwater. The Colonial Defence Force controls the majority of human resources. Everyone is aware that you may join the CDF upon reaching retirement age. They are not looking for youth, but rather someone with decades of experience and wisdom. You'll be removed from Earth and will never be permitted to return. You'll be on the front lines for two years. In addition, if you make it through, you'll get a sizable homestead stake on one of our fought-for colony worlds.
That's a bargain John Perry is accepting. He doesn't even know what to anticipate. Since what he will become is much weirder and the real battle is far, far tougher than he can conceive, they are fighting light-years away from home.