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emilyrosebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
freckleduck's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
2.0
This was an interesting book but I think this is a case of book and reader not seeing eye to eye. I didn’t love the topic and I don’t particularly love how the author glorified war. I can understand the connections that can be created in challenging times but I still found this book wasn’t my favorite.
cr4nkyp4nts's review against another edition
3.0
I probably would have liked it more if I had read it instead of listened. The author/narrator was so monotone that there were several periods of listening when I realized that I had zoned out completely and had to rewind. Or didn't bother rewinding.
There were some very intense scenes and I got the point of the book and mostly enjoyed it. This is one of those audio books where the author shouldn't have done the reading.
There were some very intense scenes and I got the point of the book and mostly enjoyed it. This is one of those audio books where the author shouldn't have done the reading.
abaugher's review against another edition
4.0
While listening to this book, I remembered listening to another book from a very different perspective, Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson, and the vast gap between the two approaches to Afghanistan, its people, and its culture. Where TCoT was abot peace and inter-cultural understanding, Junger's book is all about American soldiers at war, and the impact the war has on them. It includes very interesting and telling findings from studies done during various wars and how negatively they affect those involved in the fighting. Why, then, do we not pay attention to these findings, and stop all the fighting? Perhaps because working toward peace seems like more effort than fighting to win. Very sad story.
loujoseph's review against another edition
3.0
reading this one on my brother-in-law's suggestion, i was a little worried due to the recent non fiction books i've read that the author would insert himself into the book too much (and judging by the photo he chose for the flap, i grew more worried) but so far it hasn't been that bad, about 1/2 way through the book..
finished it, still a little too much tough guy stuff, but still the vivid writing helps to show what's going on in that valley..
finished it, still a little too much tough guy stuff, but still the vivid writing helps to show what's going on in that valley..
remski's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
I’d highly recommend this book to anyone, but specifically if you’re in the military. The enduring feeling throughout the book is the immense importance and strength of brotherhood. Junger is so precise and articulate with his story telling and descriptions that everything he writes is clear and easy to follow.
addiesparkles's review against another edition
4.0
As a person who is not usually interested in the books/movies about war, I found Junger's book to be extremely fascinating and insightful on the war in Afghanistan. I have a lot of respect for his commitment in carrying out the book and the documentary ( Restrepo , and telling the stories of the soldiers despite being faced with the possibility of death.
duparker's review against another edition
4.0
Similar to Tribe, this book gives a unique look at a subject most people assume they understand but do not. There is a very human quality to the writing here, which is even more pronounced due to the subject. Really worth the read.
kimball_hansen's review against another edition
3.0
A good, honest, non-glamorization of war type book. It reminded me a lot of [b:Generation Kill: Devil Dogs, Iceman, Captain America, and the New Face of American War|543103|Generation Kill Devil Dogs, Iceman, Captain America, and the New Face of American War|Evan Wright|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441919496l/543103._SY75_.jpg|908023] (but that one was better). The author had the chance to go with some troops and see first hand what battle is like. This was a good description of war:
"Wars are fought with very heavy machinery that works best on top of the biggest hill in the area and used against men who are lower down. That in a nutshell is military tactics. And it means an enormous amount of war-fighting simply consists of carrying heavy loads uphill."
Notes:
"Military vets drink because they miss the good stuff (usually the fighting). But with that said, when soldiers say they miss combat, they don't mean the fighting but rather they miss being in a world where everything is important and nothing is taken for granted. They miss being in a world where human relations are governed by whether you can trust the other person with your life."
"The ultimate wound is the one that makes you miss the war you got it in."
"Wars are fought with very heavy machinery that works best on top of the biggest hill in the area and used against men who are lower down. That in a nutshell is military tactics. And it means an enormous amount of war-fighting simply consists of carrying heavy loads uphill."
Notes:
"Military vets drink because they miss the good stuff (usually the fighting). But with that said, when soldiers say they miss combat, they don't mean the fighting but rather they miss being in a world where everything is important and nothing is taken for granted. They miss being in a world where human relations are governed by whether you can trust the other person with your life."
"The ultimate wound is the one that makes you miss the war you got it in."
zare_i's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent book that shows the true nature of war and the way reckless rushing into conflict by powers to be leaves great scars on people that enter the fray in order to fight for their country and stay fighting for most important reason they have - to save the lives of those fighting with them and living the life on the battlefield with them.
Very fact that this view of fighting man, issues they have, their fears and brotherhood, confronting death every day, does not differ from views one can find in WW1 and WW2 books and biographies shows that only thing that changes when it comes war is technology. Everything else is as old as humankind itself.
Highly recommended.
Very fact that this view of fighting man, issues they have, their fears and brotherhood, confronting death every day, does not differ from views one can find in WW1 and WW2 books and biographies shows that only thing that changes when it comes war is technology. Everything else is as old as humankind itself.
Highly recommended.