Don't want to think about Memorial Day.

I am in the middle of Sebastian Junger's new book War, which I am not particularly enjoying, but which I thought it was important to read all of so I had a leg to stand on if I reviewed it. I also promised my favorite library worker I would try and get through it fast and return it, as he is a ways down the waiting list for it. But, as of page 114, I don't know if I can continue.

It's a fast read, and Junger is a skilled writer. But I have read so many of these books from the "soldiers' point of view" lately that I literally cannot read any more. So, in honor of Memorial Day, a short list of books about soldiers, and what they go through and inflict on others, and why war is stupid and pointless.*

Finkel, David. The Good Soldiers. Embedded reporter Finkel relates the experiences of Battalion 2-16 (nicknamed the Rangers), serving in Iraq during the height of the Iraq War.

Frederick, Jim. Black Hearts: One Platoon's Descent Into Madness in Iraq's Triangle of Death. Frederick tells an ugly story of atrocities against civilians, perpetrated by soldiers, but he tells it with nuance and empathy.

Key, Joshua. The Deserter's Tale.** Enticed into the Army primarily because of his poverty and because they were offering dental care and sub sandwiches, Key found himself serving in Iraq but eventually went AWOL to Canada because he felt he could not, in good conscience, return to Iraq.

Mason, Robert. Chickenhawk. A classic from the Vietnam War, told by a helicopter pilot.

Pyle, Ernie. Here Is Your War. Pyle was the original embedded reporter (during World War II), and the soldiers loved him for his dedication to telling their stories and for living along with them and enduring the same danger and hardships they did. He actually died in a battle on the Pacific island of Ie Shima.

*Sorry for the grouchy tone. Unlike Labor Day, which is my favorite holiday ever, Memorial Day makes me grouchy. I am not interested in the glorification of war, and I am only interested in supporting soldiers by never sending them to die in any war.

**If you only read one book on this list, make it this one.

Comments

[Rick]

Even fought for good intentions, wars go wrong and never actually solve any long-range problems. WWII stopped Hitler but taught many others the ways of war. The world has been more dangerous since.

[Citizen Reader]

I'm not entirely convinced WWII was fought for good intentions; I think it had much more to do with power and economics than it did with human rights and conscience. Very few countries were knocking themselves out welcoming Jewish refugees before the war, or at least that is my understanding of the pre-war years.

WWII also left us with a dangerous legacy of glorifying war, for which we are still paying. And I totally agree with you, Rick, that the world has been more dangerous since.

[Rachael]

From what I've read, very few wars have not ended up making the next war inevitable. My personal favorite being WWI, which was both gloriously pointless and made WWII entirely unavoidable.

Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori, indeed.

Also, just finished Kaboom, by Matt Gallagher. Very interesting take on being a young officer in Iraq, though a few too many stream of consciousness bits thrown into the mix for it to be a must read.