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Books matching: challenges of soldiers

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  1. #1

    The Good Soldiers by David Finkel
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    The Good Soldiers by David Finkel is a searing and distressful account of a Ranger battalion in Iraq during the surge from April 2007 to April 2008. Finkel's writing style is powerful and poignant, capturing the faith, despair, and struggles of US soldiers on deployment, as well as the toll of war on both their physical and mental well-being. The book provides a vivid and intimate look at the experiences of ordinary men enduring extraordinary circumstances in the midst of the Iraq War.

    Through a journalistic lens, Finkel chronicles the harrowing injuries, deaths, and the war at home as families cope with deployments, offering a must-read for anyone with an opinion on the war in the Middle East. The narrative is not overtly political but focuses on the personal stories of soldiers, portraying the human cost of war and the enduring compassion and sadness for those impacted by the conflict.

    He would wake up in eastern Baghdad, inhale its bitter, burning air, and say it. “It’s all good.” He would look around at the fundamentals of what his life had become—his camouflage, his gun, his body...

  2. #2

    Whistle by James Jones
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    'Whistle' by James Jones is a raw and realistic depiction of the lives of four soldiers wounded in the Pacific Theatre of WWII and their journey back to the states for treatment and recovery. The book covers the period from just before their injuries, through transport home, treatment, recovery, and reintegration into mainstream life. Jones delves deep into the characters' experiences, focusing on PTSD (then known as combat fatigue) and the challenges faced by veterans returning home. The writing style captures the enlisted man's perspective and provides insights into the psychological struggles faced post-war.


  3. #3

    With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa by Eugene B. Sledge
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    'With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa' by Eugene B. Sledge is a first-hand memoir detailing the author's experiences as a Marine in the Pacific during World War II. The book provides a gritty and realistic account of the brutal battles at Peleliu and Okinawa, showcasing the horrors of war without any glorification. Sledge's writing style is honest, straightforward, and poignant, as he vividly describes the harsh realities of military life, the psychological challenges faced by soldiers, and the physical and emotional toll of combat.

    I enlisted in the Marine Corps on 3 December 1942 at Marion, Alabama. At the time I was a freshman at Marion Military Institute. My parents and brother Edward had urged me to stay in college as long a...

  4. #4

    Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener
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    'Tales of the South Pacific' by James A. Michener is a collection of linked stories that portray life in the South Pacific during World War II. The book delves into the experiences of American soldiers stationed in the Pacific, highlighting their struggles, relationships, and daily life on the islands. Through a mix of humor, tragedy, courage, and friendship, Michener paints a vivid picture of humanity amidst the backdrop of war, offering a nuanced exploration of individual coping mechanisms and the impact of conflict on ordinary men and women.

    I WISH I could tell you about the South Pacific. The way it actually was. The endless ocean. The infinite specks of coral we called islands. Coconut palms nodding gracefully toward the ocean. Reefs up...

  5. #5

    The One That Got Away by Chris Ryan
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    'The One That Got Away' by Chris Ryan is a gripping memoir that recounts the author's harrowing escape from Iraq to Syria after a failed mission during the Gulf War. The book delves into the intense survival journey of Chris Ryan, shedding light on the mechanics of soldiering in the field and the sheer determination required to endure such circumstances. Through a personal and deeply emotional narrative, Ryan shares the challenges faced by himself and his team, highlighting the human spirit's triumph in the face of adversity.

    Our target was a disused mental hospital – a large, redbrick, Victorian building, once handsome but now derelict, standing in spacious grounds that had gone to seed. According to the exercise scenario...

  6. #6

    House to House: An Epic Memoir of War by David Bellavia
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    'House to House: An Epic Memoir of War' by David Bellavia is a raw and visceral account of the horrors of war, focusing on the close combat experiences of US troops against Muslim fighters. Bellavia's writing style captures the in-your-face reality of the battlefield, showcasing the bravery, camaraderie, and gallows humor that develop in such life-threatening environments. provides a thorough and realistic description of the battlefield, highlighting the sacrifices and challenges faced by soldiers in day-to-day encounters, from door-to-door fighting to dodging house bombs.

    The narrative delves into the human aspect of war, portraying the author's respect for his enemies and his own moments of doubt and resilience. Bellavia's memoir is fast-paced, emotionally engaging, and offers a unique perspective on the hazards of the war zone. Readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster ride, experiencing the fatigue, fear, loss, and dedication of the soldiers as if it were their own, making it a compelling and gripping read.

    Seven months later, by the light of a full moon, we wade through chest-high sewage. We inch along, arms above our heads to hold our weapons out of the muck. The sludge that bathes us is exquisitely ra...

  7. #7

    Beasts Of No Nation by Uzodinma Iweala
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    'Beasts Of No Nation' by Uzodinma Iweala is a gripping and disturbing tale of a young boy named Agu who is forced into becoming a child soldier in the midst of a brutal civil war. The book is narrated in a raw and unfiltered first-person perspective, depicting the horrors of war through the eyes of a child who grapples with fear, confusion, and violence. The writing style, characterized by a unique vernacular and vivid imagery, immerses the reader into Agu's harrowing journey as he navigates through the chaos and brutality of his circumstances.

    It is starting like this. I am feeling itch like insect is crawling on my skin, and then my head is just starting to tingle right between my eye, and then I am wanting to sneeze because my nose is itc...

  8. #8

    Thank You for Your Service by David Finkel
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    Thank You for Your Service by David Finkel is a poignant and heart-wrenching account that delves into the lives of veterans struggling with PTSD, TBI, grief, family dynamics, treatment challenges, red tape, and the alarming rate of suicide among returning soldiers. Written by a journalist who embedded with troops in Iraq, the book weaves together personal stories of veterans, their spouses, and officials trying to address the crisis. Finkel's writing style is powerful and raw, providing readers with a realistic portrayal of the struggles faced by male and female veterans as they attempt to reintegrate into society after experiencing the horrors of combat.

    The book sheds light on the psychological toll that serving in combat takes on service men and women long after the fighting is over. Through well-researched narratives and moving accounts, Thank You for Your Service emphasizes the high cost paid by individuals who serve in war, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing the mental health challenges faced by our veterans and their families.

    The amazing thing was that no one knew. Here was all this stuff going on, pounding heart, panicked breathing, sweating palms, electric eyes, and no one regarded him as anything but the great soldier h...

  9. #9

    The Sergeant's Lady - The Arringtons and Wright-Gordons by Susanna Fraser
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    In 'The Sergeant's Lady' by Susanna Fraser, the story follows Anna Arrington, a Viscount's daughter, who finds herself in an unhappy marriage with a cruel cavalry officer. After his death, she forms a deep connection with Sergeant Will Atkins, a common soldier, as they navigate the dangers of wartime together. Their relationship evolves amidst societal constraints, forbidden love, and the harsh realities of the Peninsular Wars, leading to a bittersweet and tender love story that keeps readers engaged till the end.

    The plot of 'The Sergeant's Lady' is filled with gripping twists, detailed descriptions of military life, and the challenges faced by the characters as they break social barriers for true love. The writing style is fast-paced, engaging, and well-detailed, capturing the essence of the historical setting in 1808-1814 Spain and England, while also delving into the complexities of relationships and societal norms of that era.

    He hoped he spoke the truth, but he didn’t rightly know. His boyhood experience with lambing on his brother-in-law’s farm hardly made him a midwife. He was a Rifle sergeant, an eleven-year veteran who...

  10. #10

    Killing Rommel by Steven Pressfield
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    Based on the opinions provided, "Killing Rommel" by Steven Pressfield is a historical fiction novel set during World War II in North Africa. The story follows Lieutenant R. Lawrence Chapman, a tank commander who joins the Long Range Desert Group on a mission to assassinate General Erwin Rommel, also known as the Desert Fox. The book vividly describes the harsh realities of desert warfare, the camaraderie among soldiers, and the moral dilemmas faced during wartime. The narrative weaves together historical events with fictional elements, providing a compelling and detailed account of the mission to kill Rommel.

    DURING THE FINAL months of 1942 and the early weeks of 1943, it was my extraordinary fortune to take part in an operation behind enemy lines, the aim of which was to locate and kill Field Marshal Erwi...

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