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What It Is Like to Go to War by Karl Marlantes (2011, Hardcover)
AlibrisBooks (502138)
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About this product
Product Identifiers
PublisherGROVE/Atlantic, Incorporated
ISBN-100802119921
ISBN-139780802119926
eBay Product ID (ePID)102847424
Product Key Features
Book TitleWhat It Is like to Go to War
Number of Pages272 Pages
LanguageEnglish
Publication Year2011
TopicMilitary / Veterans, Military / Strategy, Military / Vietnam War, Military / General, Military
GenreBiography & Autobiography, History
AuthorKarl Marlantes
FormatHardcover
Dimensions
Item Height0.7 in
Item Weight14.5 Oz
Item Length8.2 in
Item Width5.5 in
Additional Product Features
Intended AudienceTrade
ReviewsKarl Marlantes has written a staggeringly beautiful book on combat—what it feels like, what the consequences are and above all, what society must do to understand it. In my eyes he has become the preeminent literary voice on war of our generation. He is a natural storyteller and a deeply profound thinker who not only illuminates war for civilians, but also offers a kind of spiritual guidance to veterans themselves. As this generation of warriors comes home, they will be enormously helped by what Marlantes has written—I'm sure he will literally save lives."—Sebastian Junger What It Is Like to Go to War is a well-crafted and forcefully argued work that contains fresh and important insights into what it's like to be in a war and what it does to the human psyche."— The Washington Post What It Is Like to Go to War ought to be mandatory reading by potential infantry recruits and by residents of any nation that sends its kids—Marlantes's word—into combat."— San Francisco Chronicle In this thoughtful, literate work of self-exorcism, Marlantes tells tales of incredible bravery as well as brutality."— People Magazine A precisely crafted and bracingly honest book."— The Atlantic Marlantes knows what he writes. . . Raw, unsettling honesty pervades the work."— Time.com Marlantes has written a sparklingly provocative nonfiction book. . . He is an exceptional writer and his depictions here are vivid."— BookPage A gripping, first-person plea to consider the impact on the human spirit of being a soldier."— Huffington Post To say that this book is brilliant is an understatement—Marlantes is the absolute master of taking the psyche of the combat veteran and translating it into words that the civilian or non-veteran can understand. I have read many, many books on war and this is the first time that I''ve ever read exactly what the combat veteran thinks and feels—nothing I have ever read before has hit home in my heart like this book."—Gunnery Sergeant Terence D'Alesandro, 3rd Batallion, 5th Marines, U.S. Marine Corps Wrenchingly honest. . . . Digging as deeply into his own life as he does into the larger sociological and moral issues, Marlantes presents a riveting, powerfully written account of how, after being taught to kill, he learned to deal with the aftermath."— Publishers Weekly (starred review) A valiant effort to explain and make peace with war's awesome consequences for human beings."— Kirkus Reviews What It Is Like to Go to War offers profound insight on how we must prepare our youth who become our warriors for their hard and uncompromising journey through war's hell and back home again."— Vietnam Magazine With war such a part of contemporary American life, this book is deeply important, as timely and urgent as contemporary on-the-ground reporting from Afghanistan and Iraq."— The Minneapolis Star Tribune A sound debunking of anything smacking of the glory of warfare—but written with compassion, honest and wit for men and now women who fight and for all of those who care about them."— St. Louis Dispatch A slim spiritual guide. . . Marlantes's book is a sincere plea for better soldiers and veterans."— Seattle Weekly What It Is Like to Go to War is a courageous, noble and intelligent grapple with myth, history, and spirituality that beautifully elevates the cultural conversation on the role of the military in today's world. It is an emotional, honest, and affecting primer for all Americans on war and the national psyche, and we ignore this book at our own peril."—Ed Conklin, Chaucer's Books, Santa Barbara, Karl Marlantes has written a staggeringly beautiful book on combat—what it feels like, what the consequences are and above all, what society must do to understand it. In my eyes he has become the preeminent literary voice on war of our generation. He is a natural storyteller and a deeply profound thinker who not only illuminates war for civilians, but also offers a kind of spiritual guidance to veterans themselves. As this generation of warriors comes home, they will be enormously helped by what Marlantes has written-I'm sure he will literally save lives."-Sebastian Junger To say that this book is brilliant is an understatement-Marlantes is the absolute master of taking the psyche of the combat veteran and translating it into words that the civilian or non-veteran can understand. I have read many, many books on war and this is the first time that I've ever read exactly what the combat veteran thinks and feels-nothing I have ever read before has hit home in my heart like this book."-Gunnery Sergeant Terence D'Alesandro, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, U.S. Marine Corps Wrenchingly honest. . . Digging as deeply into his own life as he does into the larger sociological and moral issues, Marlantes presents a riveting, powerfully written account of how, after being taught to kill, he learned to deal with the aftermath."-Publishers Weekly (starred review) What It Is Like to Go to War is a courageous, noble and intelligent grapple with myth, history, and spirituality that beautifully elevates the cultural conversation on the role of the military in today's world. It is an emotional, honest, and affecting primer for all Americans on war and the national psyche, and we ignore this book at our own peril."-Ed Conklin, Chaucer's Books, Santa Barbara
Dewey Edition23
Dewey Decimal355.02019
SynopsisFrom the author of the award-winning, best-selling novel Matterhorn , comes a brilliant nonfiction book about war In 1968, at the age of twenty-three, Karl Marlantes was dropped into the highland jungle of Vietnam, an inexperienced lieutenant in command of a platoon of forty Marines who would live or die by his decisions. Marlantes survived, but like many of his brothers in arms, he has spent the last forty years dealing with his war experience. In What It Is Like to Go to War , Marlantes takes a deeply personal and candid look at what it is like to experience the ordeal of combat, critically examining how we might better prepare our soldiers for war. Marlantes weaves riveting accounts of his combat experiences with thoughtful analysis, self-examination, and his readings--from Homer to The Mahabharata to Jung. He makes it clear just how poorly prepared our nineteen-year-old warriors are for the psychological and spiritual aspects of the journey. Just as Matterhorn is already being acclaimed as acclaimed as a classic of war literature, What It Is Like to Go to War is set to become required reading for anyone--soldier or civilian--interested in this visceral and all too essential part of the human experience.
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Ratings and Reviews
Most relevant reviews
- Mar 28, 2017
Some things people need to know.
This book tells the true story of a man sent to kill on behalf of the American people. Those who do not go to war like to think they are not responsible for the actions of our nation - they protest, they "go about their own business", etc. But like it or not, agree with the government policies or not - THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WARS of this nation. And the people need to understand the implication of what they do on the people who do the dirty work of killing on their behalf.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Apr 13, 2016
An actual and honest account of the war from a soldier's experience.
IT was very well written with great details of actual events and of the men who fought . The marine who wrote this was well grounded and able to maintain level headed thinking in the chaotic turmoil of war time. His thoughts and comments are both amusing and straight forward. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and found it very relative even in today's time. In fact, I bought it for my library after reading a copy from the library. I would recommend young and older folks to read. It is enlighting to say the least.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Aug 01, 2018
This book is about the effects of combat on our warriors from an expert!
An excellent read for anyone interested in the War in Vietnam or understanding the reality of warfare. Karl Marlantes' academic and military warrior experiences make him an expert. I highly recommend this work.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Dec 03, 2019
Every soldier and young man should read this
Marlantes gives such a great view of how war effects every single aspect of a man before, during and after serving.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Apr 13, 2017
Compelling and riveting
Wow. An awesome read. Was in VN with the Marines and this book tells it like was!!!Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Mar 21, 2017
Revealing
Quite helpful in dealing with PTSD stemming from my service in Viet Nam!Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Jan 21, 2016
Vietnam
Read this if you want to know what happened to you in Vietnam.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
