22 Military Science Fiction Books You Need to Read in 2022
Contents
Science fiction books have been around for a long time, and the military subgenre is one of the most popular.
These stories often explore the implications of war and technology, and can be extremely entertaining and thought-provoking.
In this list, we will take a look at 20 of the best military science fiction books ever written.
Some of these novels are considered classics, while others are more recent releases.
So whether you are a fan of old-school sci fi or modern tales of warfare, there is something for everyone on this list!
1. Starship Troopers
by Robert A. Heinlein
Publish Date: 1959
One of the most iconic military science fiction books of all time, Starship Troopers is a classic tale of future warfare. Set in a dystopian world where the human race is locked in a never-ending battle against alien bugs, this novel is full of action and adventure. It also explores controversial topics such as democracy, militarism, and social inequality.
Starship Troopers is about a young man named Johnnie Rico who enlists in the military to fight against an alien menace known as “Arachnids” on a distant planet. He soon finds himself fighting not just for his life but also for honor, loyalty and courage.
The novel is considered one of Heinlein’s best works and has won several awards including the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1960.
Starship Troopers was initially published as a serialized novella titled “Starship Soldier” before being expanded into its current form with additional chapters added later on (the first edition of this book only had six chapters). It has been adapted into two feature films: Paul Verhoeven’s 1997 film adaptation starring Casper Van Dien as Rico, and Edward Neumeier’s 2018 animated film adaptation with Dina Meyer voicing Rico.
2. The Forever War
by Joe Haldeman
Publish Date: 1974
The Forever War is about a young man named William Mandella who is drafted into a war against the Taurans, an alien race that has attacked humanity. The novel follows him and his fellow soldiers as they are sent to fight in various parts of the galaxy. What makes this war so unique is that it is fought using time-travel technology, which causes the soldiers to experience massive amounts of time dilation. This means that while only a few years have passed for them, centuries have passed on Earth.
The Forever War explores many themes such as the effects of warfare on soldiers and their families, PTSD, and the implications of time travel on society. It was first published in 1974 and won both the Hugo Award and Nebula Award for Best Novel. It has also been adapted into a comic book series and an anime film.
Joe Haldeman served in the Vietnam War, and The Forever War is based on his own experiences. He has said that he wrote the novel as a reaction to the glorification of war in works such as Starship Troopers.
3. Old Man’s War
by John Scalzi
Publish Date: 2005
Old Man’s War is about a 75-year old man named John Perry who, in the year 2040, joins a military unit to fight off aliens attacking Earth. John Perry is a former farmer who lost his wife and was left without children or family. In 2040 humans have discovered the ability to transfer consciousness into new bodies that can withstand harsh conditions on other planets.
The United Nations has formed an interstellar defense force called CDF (Colonial Defense Forces) which recruits people like Perry to join their ranks because they are more expendable than younger soldiers. Older people don’t contribute as much to society as younger ones do so there is less loss when older folks die in battle against alien enemies known only as “The Others” since no one knows what they look like.
Perry joins the CDF and is given a new body that is genetically enhanced with increased strength, speed, agility, and intelligence. He then undergoes training at a boot camp on another planet before being shipped off to fight in an intergalactic war against The Others.
4. Ender’s Game
by Orson Scott Card
Publish Date: 1985
Ender’s Game is about a highly gifted boy who is selected to go and attend a school in space to train as a commander of Earth’s military forces. The novel is set in the future, where an alien race known as the Formics have attacked Earth twice and Ender is the only one who knows how to stop them.
Ender’s Game was made into a movie in 2013, starring Asa Butterfield as Ender and Harrison Ford as Colonel Graff. The movie was very well-received by both fans of the book and general audiences alike.
5. Dune
by Frank Herbert
Publish Date: 1965
Dune is about a boy named Paul Atreides who goes to a planet called Arrakis in order to learn how to control the spice Melange and save his family.
This book was made into a movie directed by David Lynch starring Kyle MacLachlan as Paul, also known as Muad’Dib. The first film adaption of Dune has been seen by many critics as one of the best science fiction movies ever made.
It is also considered one of the most important books in history along with 1984 and Brave New World.
6. Revelation Space
by Alastair Reynolds
Publish Date: 2007
Revelation Space is about a future where humans are colonizing planets outside of Earth and a scientist discovers an extinct alien race that could be the key to stopping humanity’s extinction. This book is part of a larger series, but each book can be read as a standalone novel.
Alastair Reynolds was born in Barry, South Wales in 1966 and earned his Ph.D. from St Andrews University with research into quasars and supermassive black holes at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory (part of University College London). He’s worked for both British Aerospace (1988-89) and the European Space Agency (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany as well as pursuing work on Radar Oceanography Satellites from 1990-92. In he moved to the United States, working for a start-up company in Silicon Valley (1992-95) before becoming a full-time writer.
7. The Forge of God
by Greg Bear
Publish Date: 1987
The Forge of God is about an alien race that comes to earth in order to wipe out humanity.
This book was made into a film by the same name, starring Fred Ward as Dr. Robert Eisenhardt and Daniel Stern as Colonel Kermit Tanner.
The movie is set during World War II but it has been said that “the story could have easily happened at any other point in history”, which means viewers can relate more easily because they know what war looks like on our planet today (at least until we’re invaded!).
This book also explores themes such as morality versus survival instincts – humans tend towards self-preservation even when faced with extinction events like nuclear weapons being used against them…
8. The War of the Worlds
by H. G. Wells
Publish Date: 1897
The War of the Worlds is about an alien invasion of Earth and the human race’s struggle to survive.
This book was made into a film by the same name, starring Gene Barry as Dr. Clayton Forrester. The movie is set during World War II but it has been said that “the story could have easily happened at any other point in history”, which means viewers can relate more easily because they know what war looks like on our planet today (at least until we’re invaded!).
This book also explores themes such as morality versus survival instincts – humans tend towards self-preservation even when faced with extinction events like nuclear weapons being used against them…
The novel takes place from an anonymous narrator’s perspective who recounts his experiences living through World Wars I & II along with other historical events such as Hiroshima (Hiroshima Mon Amour) and Nagasaki bombings which were caused by nuclear weapons dropped on Japan during WWII.
The book has sold over five million copies worldwide and inspired many adaptations including films like Spielberg’s War of the Worlds (2005) starring Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning; John Carpenter’s The Thing from Another World (1982); plus TV shows like Doctor Who (‘Day of Reckoning’) featuring David Tennant as William Hartnell.”””
9. Red Mars
by Kim Stanley Robinson
Publish Date: 1992
Red Mars is about the colonization of Mars by humans, and what happens when they start to disagree on how best to terraform the planet.
This book won the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1993.
It also won Best Novella at both Locus Awards in 1994 as well as Hugo awards 1996 (tied with “A Song For Lya” by George R.R Martin). The novel takes place from an anonymous narrator who recounts his experiences living through World Wars I & II along with other historical events such as Hiroshima Mon Amour) or Nagasaki bombings which were caused by nuclear weapons dropped on Japan during WWII.
10. Foundation
by Isaac Asimov
Publish Date: 1942
Foundation is about a scientist who creates an empire on a planet called Terminus; he knows that the Galactic Empire will fall in 500 years and wants to preserve human knowledge for future generations.
It became a trilogy, then an even larger series of novels
Many people consider the Foundation books to be the best science fiction books ever written but in my opinion they are just too long and get boring at times.
11. All You Need is Kill
by Hiroshi Sakurazaka
Publish Date: 2004
All You Need is Kill is about Keiji Kiriya, a soldier who is killed in battle but wakes up the day before the fight and has to relive it over and over again. He meets a fellow soldier called Rita Vrataski and together, they try to find out how to end the loop.
This story is also known by its movie name Edge of Tomorrow (2014) starring Tom Cruise. The book was published in 2004, so it came out before the movie itself. This is one of those cases where there are great differences between the source material and its adaptation.
12. Armor
by John Steakley
Publish Date: 1984
Armor is about a soldier named Felix who is sent to a planet called Armaggedon. He and the other soldiers are there to fight in a war that has been going on for centuries. The book follows Felix’s journey as he tries to find his way through the conflict and survive.
Armor was one of the first military science fiction novels ever written and it’s still one of the best ones out there. If you’re looking for an intense, action-packed story, then you should definitely check this one out.
13. Death’s Head
by David Gunn
Publish Date: 2008
Death’s head is about a soldier named Max who is sent on a mission to kill the leader of an enemy force. He must survive in order to complete his mission and save humanity from extinction.
This is a fast-paced book with lots of action and a great twist at the end that you won’t see coming. It’s definitely worth reading if you like military science fiction novels or books about futuristic warfare.
14. Hammer’s Slammers
by David Drake
Publish Date: 1979
Hammer’s Slammers is about a fictional mercenary tank regiment in a future interstellar society. The book has been called a “classic of military science fiction”. The volume is a collection of short stories about Colonel Alois Hammer and his regiment.
15. Rogue
by Michael Z. Williamson
Publish Date: 2011
Rogue is about a future interstellar society that has been divided into a number of competing nations. The book follows the story of a man who is forced to become a fugitive after he is falsely accused of being a terrorist.
Rogue is a well written book that focuses on military action and technology. The main character in the book is interesting and likable, which makes it easier for readers to relate to him.
16. Terms Of Enlistment
by Marko Kloos
Publish Date: 2014
Terms of Enlistment is about a future interstellar society that is at war with an alien race. The book follows the story of a young man who enlists in the military to fight in the war. He soon finds out that there is more to the military life than what meets the eye, and this affects his decision to stay in the military.
17. Valor’s Choice
by Tanya Huff
Publish Date: 1993
Valor’s Choice is about a young officer named Torin Kerr who is assigned to a platoon of the Confederation Marines. They are sent on an illegal mission to investigate a claim by the Hunters that there’s something more than meets the eye happening at an archaeological site.
18. Semper Mars
by Ian Douglas
Publish Date: 1998
The military sci-fi book opens with an alien attack on Earth and humanity’s loss in this first contact war. The humans have been forced into their own Solar System where they have lost control of most planets, but they still possess Mars as it serves as their primary military stronghold against the aliens. The human race has also formed its own coalition called United Nations Space Marine Corps (UNSMC) which is a military force comprised entirely of Marines.
However, it soon becomes apparent that not everyone in the human army has their best interests at heart which puts Semper Mars’ protagonist, Captain Ian Strom and his platoon into a dangerous situation where they find themselves fighting for both sides.
19. Red Planet Blues
by Robert J. Sawyer
Publish Date: 2013
Red Planet Blues follows Alex Lomax, an ex-cop who works as private investigator on Mars—a planet filled with criminals who are looking to escape justice on Earth and start anew somewhere else in space. One day he starts investigating the mysterious death of his friend Gulliver Foyle while also dealing with two beautiful femme fatales who want him to solve their respective cases.
20. A Hymm Before Battle
by John Ringo
Publish Date: 2000
A Hymm Before Battle is the first book in the Posleen War series. The military sci-fi novel is set on Earth where a race of aliens known as the Posleen are invading. Humanity has been forced to create an army called the Mobile Infantry which is a unit that’s comprised of infantry soldiers who fight using powered armor suits.
The story follows Michael O’Neal, a sergeant in the MI, as he and his platoon are sent to take back Florida from the Posleen invaders. It soon becomes apparent that defeating these aliens won’t be easy and they will have to fight tooth and nail if they want to survive.
21. A Talent For War
by Jack McDevitt
Publish Date: 1989
A Talent for War is about a starship captain and his crew who are sent on a mission to investigate the disappearance of a man named Alex Benedict.
The novel is written in McDevitt’s trademark style; he doesn’t write about battles or explosions, rather he focuses more on character development and storytelling. It’s an interesting read that gives readers insight into what life might be like as an astronaut living aboard ship for long periods at time (without any access to television shows). This story also features some great twists along the way too!
22. Dauntless
by Jack Campbell
Publish Date: 2006
Dauntless is about a naval officer who is transferred to a new ship after his old one is destroyed. The new ship is full of untested officers and crew, and they are sent on a mission that could determine the fate of the human race. The plot of Dauntless is full of action and suspense, and it is a page-turner that will keep you hooked until the end.
Bonus: Battlefield Earth
by L Ron Hubbard
Publish Date: 1982
Battlefield Earth is probably one of the most famous (or infamous) military science fiction books ever written. It tells the story of humans living on Earth after they were conquered by an alien race called the Psychlos. The humans are forced to work in mines, and they eventually overthrow their Psychlo oppressors.
This book has been criticized for its poor writing, but it’s still a fun read if you’re looking for something mindless and enjoyable.
Where to start
Which book should you read next?
Military science fiction is a genre that explores the future of warfare, often with themes of militarism and social order. The books on this list explore a range of different futures, from those where the military has taken over society, to those where war is just another industry.
They are all excellent examples of military science fiction and will keep you entertained for hours on end. If you’re looking for an introduction to the genre, then I recommend starting with Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card.
It is one of the most popular military science fiction novels ever written and tells the story of a young boy who is drafted into Battle School to save humanity from an alien threat.
If you’re looking for something more core to the Military Sci Fi Tropes, then Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein, which is also a classic of the genre and tells the story of humanity’s first contact with an alien race known as “bugs”.
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