Jarhead
Book description
Anthony Swofford's Jarhead is the first Gulf War memoir by a frontline infantry marine, and it is a searing, unforgettable narrative.
When the marines -- or "jarheads," as they call themselves -- were sent in 1990 to Saudi Arabia to fight the Iraqis, Swofford was there, with a hundred-pound pack…
Why read it?
2 authors picked Jarhead as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
It’d be hard to imagine a former marine, who served during the 1980’s or 1990’s, not identifying with Anthony Swofford’s Jarhead.
Swofford and his unit land in the desert sand to kickoff Operation Desert Shield, and months of boredom, anxiety, and self-doubt blanket the men. This isn’t your typical “shoot ‘em up bang bang” war diary. In fact, Swofford is a sniper who never fires a shot.
But months of patrolling an empty desert, living “the suck” life, eagerly awaiting a war to start, and the fear of the unknown drag on these marines and test their sanity. After months…
From Ronny's list on infantry life during modern war.
Anthony Swofford made a non-fiction book read like fiction. Period. He set the standard for writing about the “hurry up and wait” of the military. The grit of the sand in your mouth as you witness things that don’t feel right. And what happens when we go to fight abroad and come back different. I read this prior to deployment and it helped cast a light on what sacrifice can mean after we get out.
From Alicia's list on thrillers on veterans beyond “thank you for your service".
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