Title: War
Author: Sebastian Junger
First published January 1, 2010
304 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780446556248 (ISBN10: 0446556246)
Rating: 4.24
Overview
Sebastian Junger, the bestselling author of The Perfect Storm, takes us on an unforgettable journey through the harsh realities of combat in his latest book, War. With his trademark empathy and insight, Junger follows a single platoon on their 15-month tour of duty in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley, one of the most dangerous outposts in the region.
Through the eyes of these brave men, Junger explores the true meaning of honor, trust, and loyalty in the face of mortal danger. This gripping and insightful account of modern warfare is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the sacrifices made by the men and women who serve our country.
About the Author
Sebastian Junger, a renowned author, has written several bestselling books such as War, The Perfect Storm, Fire, and A Death in Belmont. He also co-directed the critically acclaimed film Restrepo with Tim Hetherington, which received an Academy Award nomination and won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.
Junger is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair and has received multiple accolades for his journalism, including a National Magazine Award and an SAIS Novartis Prize. He currently resides in New York City.
Editoral Review
War by Sebastian Junger is a gripping non-fiction account of the second-longest conflict in American history, the war in Afghanistan. With his signature immersive style, Junger spent 14 months embedded with a U.S. Army company in the remote Korengal Valley, where the soldiers faced constant danger from Taliban attacks and a harsh terrain that was as unforgiving as it was beautiful.
Junger’s previous work, including The Perfect Storm and A Death in Belmont, had already established him as a master of narrative non-fiction, and War is no exception. His prose is vivid and visceral, putting the reader right in the middle of the action, whether it’s a firefight in the mountains or a heated debate among the soldiers about the nature of sacrifice.
At its core, War is a meditation on the psychology of combat and the bonds that are formed between soldiers in the face of extreme adversity. Junger delves deep into the culture of the Army and the various factors that motivate men and women to risk their lives in service of their country.
He also explores the toll that war takes on the human psyche, both in the moment and in the aftermath, as soldiers struggle to adjust to civilian life and deal with the trauma they’ve experienced. One of the strengths of War is its nuanced portrayal of the soldiers themselves.
Rather than venerating them as heroes or reducing them to stereotypes, Junger presents them as complex individuals with their own hopes, fears, and flaws. We get to know the soldiers on a personal level, through their conversations, their letters home, and their reactions to the events around them.
As a result, the book feels less like a dry historical document and more like an intimate portrait of a group of people. Another standout feature of War is the way in which Junger weaves in broader themes and issues related to the war.
He explores the historical context of the conflict, drawing parallels to other wars in American history and the geopolitical factors that made the Afghanistan war particularly challenging. He also touches on topics such as masculinity, PTSD, and the controversial nature of the mission itself.
Despite its many strengths, War is not without its flaws. At times, the book can feel disjointed, with chapters that jump from one topic to another without a clear throughline.
Additionally, some readers may find Junger’s self-reflective passages, in which he discusses his own emotional reactions to the events he witnessed, to be self-indulgent. Overall, however, War is an impressive achievement, a rich and multifaceted account of a war that has had far-reaching effects on the world we live in today.
Junger’s writing is masterful, and his ability to convey the intensity and complexity of the soldier’s experience is unparalleled. For anyone interested in the psychology of combat, the impact of war on society, or simply a riveting and thought-provoking read, War is a must-read.
Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars.
