Rowan Tree and Red Thread

I've just finished Old Man's War by John Scalzi. I enjoyed middling-much, but really can't see what all the fuss was about. It's a well done first novel, very much in the Heinlein mould, with some hard to swallow moments where my suspension of disbelief just choked. (nhw will recognize at least one such moment.)

( spoilers follow )

That said I did enjoy the book as a quick read with some good characterisation. It just didn't set me alight the way I was expecting from some of the buzz I'd read beforehand.

One other thing. What the fuck is going on with Tor's trade paperback covers? My copy curled up like a pubic hair, front and back cover both. Most other paperback cover books in my possession manage to survive my rough touch, so what's the problem with Tor's covers?