THE FIGHTERS by C.J. Chivers is a highly praised analysis of
military history and American
combat in Afghanistan and Iraq which offers the perspective
and experiences of six combatants described by the publisher as a fighter
pilot, a corpsman, a scout helicopter pilot, a grunt, an infantry officer, and
a Special Forces sergeant. Chivers said that his one organizing idea was to
convey “that they are human,” especially to readers who may not have served or
know anyone in the military. It is certainly eye-opening and at times an almost overwhelming emotional experience to read the personal details about the danger and suffering that these soldiers and their families faced, both during and after deployment.
Chivers was an infantry officer in the United States Marine
Corps in the Persian Gulf War and is a Pulitzer Prize winning correspondent for
The New York Times. THE
FIGHTERS was recently featured on PBS NewsHour and here is a short
video interview with Chivers:
THE FIGHTERS received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. You can read or here an excerpt here. Please look for
a copy on our shelves soon.
War by Sebastian Junger is a new favorite in this genre. Many people feel this way with the reviews noted in the front pages of the paperback published by 12.
Junger, a journalist reporting for Vanity Fair, is embedded with troops in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan between June 2007 and June 2008. The results include this book and the documentary Restrepo, produced and directed by Junger & Tim Hetherington.
Junger speaks to the reader about the soldiers - their experiences, brotherhood, the strategies of war, the interplay of military and community leadership. He opens with O'Byrne, a soldier who is a constant throughout the book, and I was immersed in the book immediately, This is the first book I read of the "embedded" perspective, and it made a difference.
There is always a human side to war, and Junger emphasizes this side, as the theme of brotherhood resonates throughout the story, as the book opens with an introduction to O'Byrne, a soldier Junger returns to throughout the book. Because Junger is involved on a day-to-day basis, the reader gets a glimpse into their work, their "down-time," their living conditions, the risks they take, and their "wins" and tragic loses. The reader can begin to understand the war these soldiers are fighting, and what the soldiers must do to survive - both physically and mentally.
While we must understand, or at least try to understand, their experiences, Junger includes the conflict of one soldier to return home to civilian life or to re-enlist. It is part of his writing and reporting. This last dose of reality is one more message of the human side of military and war, and what I sensed to be a significance message. Or, maybe it's just not common in the war genre. We - civilians and the government - must also be sure that they be able to survive upon their return home. Junger leaves us to wrestle with this and many other responsibilities.
Ghosts of War by Ryan Smithson is his experience in Iraq as a soldier of the U.S. Army. His story made me laugh aloud in front of strangers, brought me to tears, even though I tried hard not to cry, and gave me pause for reflection that I turned down corners on many more pages than I expected.
His writing is deeply personal - he says these are the words that
save him. At the same time, these words can save us - to remember, appreciate, and support. He informs and
explains, educates, and shares stories using various writing techniques throughout that carry the reader from
chapter to chapter. What is most heartening about Smithson's story is that his missions deal with dump trucks, concrete, sand bags, and other construction equipment. He is on the "front lines" with every mission to work on roads, water pipes, or other infrastructure. His role is not what first comes to mind when one thinks of soldiers in Iraq; however, this work does make a difference to many adults and children of Iraq - one hole sealed, one water main repaired, one bottle of water at a time. I think this book will find a place on my desk and sit high in my repertoire of books to recommend and/or booktalk. I hope that many readers can take something from Smithson's experience and insight to try to face our fears, have faith in humanity, and realize the power of brotherhood. To Smithson and all other military personnel on U.S. soil and abroad, thank you.
