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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
Great look at Marines during the Iraq invasion. I think this book puts a very human face on the troops we're sending overseas. Not overly heavy in military jargon.
What an amazing book,the guys are such unbelievable characters that actually exist,the language the rules the way this war was fought all eqaully unbelievable but true.I read this after I watched the mini series which was also extremely weel done. I really recommend this to anyone with any interest on the subject.
I've read more than a couple negative reviews of Generation Kill, which recounts an embedded journalist's journey with Recon Marines through the first stage of 'Iraqi Freedom.' These folks all seem dismayed that the young marines are portrayed as reckless, or crass, or lacking heroism. That there were no real obstacles, that their mission was mishandled, or futile.
I think that was the whole point. Like a slice of the war as a whole, their superiors made terrible judgment calls, they took an unacceptable amount of friendly fire, and killed a lot of civilians. It's not like this was a tale of fiction where soldiers have strong morals and the enemies are 100% evil. In a way, the marines of Generation Kill are much more human. They routinely show remorse, question their actions, and above all, question their superiors.
I watched Band of Brothers and it made me cry. Reading Generation Kill made me lament my misspent tax dollars. Nevertheless, it was a gripping read that I think accurately depicted this generation of enlisted and their officers. Like Band of Brothers, it's also been adapted as an HBO miniseries.
I think that was the whole point. Like a slice of the war as a whole, their superiors made terrible judgment calls, they took an unacceptable amount of friendly fire, and killed a lot of civilians. It's not like this was a tale of fiction where soldiers have strong morals and the enemies are 100% evil. In a way, the marines of Generation Kill are much more human. They routinely show remorse, question their actions, and above all, question their superiors.
I watched Band of Brothers and it made me cry. Reading Generation Kill made me lament my misspent tax dollars. Nevertheless, it was a gripping read that I think accurately depicted this generation of enlisted and their officers. Like Band of Brothers, it's also been adapted as an HBO miniseries.
Grim and candid, but also exciting and very well put together
I really enjoyed this book. My take on the war notwithstanding, it is both refreshing and heartbreaking to read of the personalities in our armed forces and how organizational failures really impact those men and women (but mostly men).
adventurous
fast-paced
Wright effectively mixed the initial sense of adventure the Marine crave with the actual realities of the war. The boom is characterized by incompetence at a higher level and individuals struggling to rationalize their role in an unforgiving war machine
challenging
dark
funny
informative
medium-paced
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
This is a truly remarkable book. Wright doesn't hide the truth, from Marine language and unsavory habits to the monotony of driving around the desert waiting to be attacked to the incompetence of some military leadership to the difficult choices and situations that soldiers encounter. It's not overtly anti-war or pro-war, but rather a snapshot of how it was for one unit during one small block of time.
I'm glad that I both read this book and watched the HBO mini-series. I felt like the book had a lot more in the way of explaining the purpose and procedure involved in the military maneuvers, while the mini-series illustrated that soldiers are just men, and unique individuals at that.
I would highly recommend this book, especially to military historians or those who like such strong realism that it feels like being in the narrative personally. Really, I think I would recommend this to almost anyone (as long as you can stand language, violence, and morally/ethically questionable action).
I'm glad that I both read this book and watched the HBO mini-series. I felt like the book had a lot more in the way of explaining the purpose and procedure involved in the military maneuvers, while the mini-series illustrated that soldiers are just men, and unique individuals at that.
I would highly recommend this book, especially to military historians or those who like such strong realism that it feels like being in the narrative personally. Really, I think I would recommend this to almost anyone (as long as you can stand language, violence, and morally/ethically questionable action).
Particularly after reading We Were One, I found Generation Kill to be a raw and honest depiction of Marine culture.
I was thankful that it didn’t pull heavily on the heart strings, but rather showed the chaotic nature of war.
It raised some very pointed questions about funding, leadership and the rules of engagement.
I was thankful that it didn’t pull heavily on the heart strings, but rather showed the chaotic nature of war.
It raised some very pointed questions about funding, leadership and the rules of engagement.