War is Hell

“You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.” 
Paul Sweeney

"The Yellow Birds" by Kevin Powers was a very moving and a very descriptive book. 

From Michiko Kakutani, the New York Times book reviewer:  Kevin Powers joined the Army when he was 17 and served as a machine-gunner in Iraq in 2004 and 2005. Drawing upon those experiences, he has written a remarkable first novel, one that stands with Tim O’Brien’s enduring Vietnam book, “The Things They Carried,” as a classic of contemporary war fiction. 

Throughout the book I felt his pain, fear, and sense of loss. There is also a sense of frustration with our military and how they care for our soldiers after going through battle.

I would also highly recommend reading "Matterhorn" by Karl Marlante. This book is about a troop in the jungles of Vietnam during the turbulent 1960s as well as bureaucratic nonsense that takes place in headquarters. This book made me feel even more compassion and admiration for our WWII vets who fought in the jungles of the Pacific.

Our soldiers who go into battle truly go through hell. Sadly too many people have no idea of all the ramifications of battle and the toll it takes on people. Of course those clueless people seem to be the ones the most hawkish and vocal about going to war.