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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
informative
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, War, Injury/Injury detail
Junger was embedded in a company in Afghanistan. He gives an accurate account of what actually happens in war. He also looks at the psychology behind it. Worth reading for anyone interested in psychology, combat PTSD.
I heard this book was an amazing non-fiction story of a soldier's fight in Afghanistan. I attempted to read it, and I got why people like it. The writing style is gritty, real, and personal.
However, after 30 pages, I decided it wasn't for me.
However, after 30 pages, I decided it wasn't for me.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
This is an well written account of a year long deployment in Afghanistan. Junger does an excellent job relaying what it is like to spend a year in a war zone (lots of boredom occasionally interrupted by moments of terror and excitement). This is not just a book that recounts the events though. Junger peppers it with historical information about how men react in combat (both physically and psychologically).
On a side note, I'm currently serving in Afghanistan and I recently ran into members of the unit that Junger covers in the book. The people I spoke to said the book is accurate and highly recommended it. As do I. This is one of the best books covering modern combat and the men who take part in it.
On a side note, I'm currently serving in Afghanistan and I recently ran into members of the unit that Junger covers in the book. The people I spoke to said the book is accurate and highly recommended it. As do I. This is one of the best books covering modern combat and the men who take part in it.
An excellent first-hand account of the ongoing war in Afghanistan. Junger spent five months embedded with soldiers deployed in the Korengal Valley, the most dangerous place in the current wars with Afghanistan and Iraq. He maintains a neutral journalistic viewpoint, implying no opinion on the validity of the war, however his depiction of what the soldiers endure on a day to day basis as well as the losses suffered both in lives and mental health do much to raise questions about the cost-benefit for America's ongoing presence there.
The only problems I had with this book: Other than a simple map in the front of the book, there are no pictures and/or illustrations. I would have loved to have photos of the area since Junger references them constantly. Too, I always appreciate having faces to put to the names of the men in the stories.
Also, Junger sometimes goes into a level of detail about various missions and firefights that cause my eyes to glaze over. While fascinating, it becomes very hard to follow since it is a highly physical thing that is better seen and virtually impossible to describe. By the end, I tended to skim over details about specific action-heavy events.
And lastly, I would have loved a final, follow-up chapter that documented where these soldiers are today as well as acknowledge that the US decided to pull out of the Korengal Valley early in 2010, adding further questions to why we were ever there in the first place.
Overall, an excellent read that really helps bring the things these men have to endure to light.
The only problems I had with this book: Other than a simple map in the front of the book, there are no pictures and/or illustrations. I would have loved to have photos of the area since Junger references them constantly. Too, I always appreciate having faces to put to the names of the men in the stories.
Also, Junger sometimes goes into a level of detail about various missions and firefights that cause my eyes to glaze over. While fascinating, it becomes very hard to follow since it is a highly physical thing that is better seen and virtually impossible to describe. By the end, I tended to skim over details about specific action-heavy events.
And lastly, I would have loved a final, follow-up chapter that documented where these soldiers are today as well as acknowledge that the US decided to pull out of the Korengal Valley early in 2010, adding further questions to why we were ever there in the first place.
Overall, an excellent read that really helps bring the things these men have to endure to light.
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Very we’ll written and detailed account of war. Quite emotionally difficult.
This book really opened up my eyes as to why men continuously go back to battle in dangerous places. Junger examines the mental, psychological, and emotional elements of war deeper than most most other accounts. His resources were vast, from first hand accounts to in-depth health journals about evolution.
This book made me question the way I see war. I definitely still have an anti-war point of view, but my perception of the “grunts” and frontline men have definitely changed.
Down one star because the writing got confusing when going into battle scenes. But this book isn’t really about the battles. But also correlates with real life experience of battles- you never see it coming. Ok. I’m adding one star. 5/5!!
This book made me question the way I see war. I definitely still have an anti-war point of view, but my perception of the “grunts” and frontline men have definitely changed.
Down one star because the writing got confusing when going into battle scenes. But this book isn’t really about the battles. But also correlates with real life experience of battles- you never see it coming. Ok. I’m adding one star. 5/5!!
A wonderful account of war from the perspective of the soldiers, without political agenda. Junger does a wonderful job of capturing the complexities of being a soldier, from the fun, boredom, and the relationships formed. It made me much more understanding of the appeal of army and war and of the complexities of coming home. Highly informative and educational but also draws you in by making you feel attached to the men Junger talks about through out the book. I would definitely recommend it.
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced