Private Mandella, Chapters 1-2 Summary

The Forever War by Joe Haldeman is a classic science fiction story of a man, William Mandella, who is in the top percentile of the world as far as intelligence, education and physical fitness. As a result, he is included in the elite group of people conscripted into the united armed services of the world to battle the unknown and elusive Tauran aliens. Although this war spans over a millennium, Mandella unwittingly sees it through from beginning to end due to the time differential created by travel through constantly evolving wormholes. Not only is The Forever War an intense, mind-bending space chronicle, it is also a social commentary regarding war, politics, and how executive decisions affect civilians and military personnel alike.

The story begins with Private Mandella sitting through a training class that is intended to teach...