Old Man's War Books in Order
John Scalzi's military science-fiction saga follows elderly recruits given youthful, enhanced bodies to fight humanity's wars among the stars, then widens into the politics and survival struggles of the Colonial Union. The series begins with John Perry's enlistment and expands across multiple viewpoints as interstellar diplomacy and conflict intensify.
Publication order
In the order the books were originally released.
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Buy on Amazon2005 · John Scalzi
On his seventy-fifth birthday, John Perry leaves Earth behind to enlist in the Colonial Defense Forces, which recruit only the elderly with the…
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Buy on Amazon2007 · John Scalzi
Former soldiers John Perry and Jane Sagan, now settled into quiet civilian life, are recruited to lead a new human colony called Roanoke. They soon…
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Buy on Amazon2008 · John Scalzi
This retelling of the Roanoke colony's struggle unfolds through the eyes of Zoe Boutin Perry, the teenage adopted daughter of John Perry and Jane…
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Buy on Amazon2015 · John Scalzi
As the Colonial Union finds itself cut off from Earth and surrounded by hostile alien powers, a shadowy conspiracy threatens to shatter the fragile…
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Companion & related books
Short-story collections and companion titles in this series.
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Buy on AmazonYear unknown · John Scalzi
In this short story set in the Old Man's War universe, a recruit who has joined the Colonial Defense Forces poses blunt questions to a veteran…
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Frequently asked questions
What order should I read the Old Man's War books in?
Publication order — Widely recommended by readers and reflected in the author's and publisher (Tor/Pan Macmillan) listings Start with “Old Man’s War.”
How many books are in the Old Man's War series?
We list 4 books by John Scalzi , published between 2005–2015.
Where can I buy the Old Man's War books?
Each title above links to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted an error? We continuously correct the catalog.