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1 Burnside Military- Afghanistan

War

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War Cover

 

Staff Pick

When the author of The Perfect Storm writes, "War is insanely exciting," you have to assume he knows what he's talking about. Sure enough, Junger's new book offers a thrilling account of the sustained adrenaline rush that is modern warfare, coupled with a horrifying depiction of humans pushed to their limits.
Recommended by Hank, Powells.com

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

In his breakout bestseller The Perfect Storm, Sebastian Junger created a wild ride that "brilliantly captures the awesome power of the raging sea and the often futile attempts of humans to withstand it" (Los Angeles Times Book Review). Now, Junger turns his brilliant and empathetic eye to the reality of combat — the fear, the honor, and the trust among men in an extreme situation whose survival depends on their absolute commitment to one another. His on-the-ground account follows a single platoon through a 15-month tour of duty in the most dangerous outpost in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley. Through the experiences of these young men at war, he shows what it means to fight, to serve, and to face down mortal danger on a daily basis.

Review:

"War is insanely exciting....Don't underestimate the power of that revelation,' warns bestselling author and Vanity Fair contributing editor Junger (The Perfect Storm). The war in Afghanistan contains brutal trauma but also transcendent purpose in this riveting combat narrative. Junger spent 14 months in 2007 — 2008 intermittently embedded with a platoon of the 173rd Airborne brigade in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley, one of the bloodiest corners of the conflict. The soldiers are a scruffy, warped lot, with unkempt uniforms — they sometimes do battle in shorts and flip-flops — and a ritual of administering friendly beatings to new arrivals, but Junger finds them to be superlative soldiers. Junger experiences everything they do — nerve-racking patrols, terrifying roadside bombings and ambushes, stultifying weeks in camp when they long for a firefight to relieve the tedium. Despite the stress and the grief when buddies die, the author finds war to be something of an exalted state: soldiers experience an almost sexual thrill in the excitement of a firefight — a response Junger struggles to understand — and a profound sense of commitment to subordinating their self-interests to the good of the unit. Junger mixes visceral combat scenes — raptly aware of his own fear and exhaustion — with quieter reportage and insightful discussions of the physiology, social psychology, and even genetics of soldiering. The result is an unforgettable portrait of men under fire." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"Although ostensibly about combat in Afghanistan, War examines the raw, brutal reality of combat — period — and why men fight....Highly recommended — not simply for those interested in military history but for all readers concerned with the human condition." Library Journal (starred review)

Review:

"An often harrowing...account of the physical and psychological toll of modern warfare on the average soldier." Kirkus Reviews

Review:

"Junger's great eye and honesty about the gamut of emotions that come into play in combat leave one swerving between highs, lows and the surreal." Chicago Tribune

Review:

"Those seeking insight into war's innards will appreciate the details Mr. Junger so sharply and respectfully delivers." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Review:

"Gripping, gritty, blunt and honest, War is an outstanding portrait of American soldiers at the front in a relentless conflict." Providence Journal

Review:

"Junger blends popular science, psychology and history with a breathlessly paced narrative.... An often harrowing, though mostly conventional, account of the physical and psychological toll of modern warfare on the average soldier." Kirkus Reviews

Synopsis:

The author of the gripping bestseller The Perfect Storm turns his brilliant and empathetic eye to the reality of combat. War follows a single platoon through a 15-month tour of duty in the most dangerous outpost in Afghanistan.
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About the Author

Sebastian Junger is the New York Times-bestselling author of The Perfect Storm and A Death in Belmont. He is a contributing editor to Vanity Fair, and has been awarded a National Magazine Award and an SAIS Novartis Prize for journalism. He lives in New York City.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 7 comments:
John Lewis, January 2, 2012 (view all comments by John Lewis)
This is a must read for anyone wanting to gain a better understanding of the war in Afghanistan and a greater appreciation of the US troops who are deployed there; it is a fascinating account of the lives and actions of a small band of warriors stationed in one of the most dangerous outposts in the country; Junger's ability to convey to the reader the mindset and psyche of the modern "warrior" in extremely hostile territory is fabulous - you cannot help but view the Afghanistan situation differently after reading this work - and, yes, it contains a lot of action as he describes the various "firefights" that are encountered
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mgreiner1, September 2, 2011 (view all comments by mgreiner1)
Junger does a great job of reporting the war experience. He captures the job and the emotions of the men.
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jin3rd, January 1, 2011 (view all comments by jin3rd)
Powerful insights that take us beyond the violence, heroism, chaos, tragedy and even thrill of war to an essential understanding of - surprisingly - community and even love. A challenge to anyone who works for peace.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780446556248
Author:
Junger, Sebastian
Publisher:
Twelve
Subject:
Military
Subject:
Military - Afghan War (2001-)
Subject:
Military - United States
Subject:
General-General
Publication Date:
20100531
Binding:
Hardcover
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
287
Dimensions:
9.22x6.60x1.08 in. 1.10 lbs.
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Related Subjects

History and Social Science » Military » Afghan War (2001-)
History and Social Science » Military » Afghanistan
History and Social Science » Military » Gulf Wars
History and Social Science » Military » Recent Military History
History and Social Science » Military » US Military » General
History and Social Science » Sale Books

War Used Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$14.50 In Stock
Product details 287 pages Twelve - English 9780446556248 Reviews:
"Staff Pick" by ,

When the author of The Perfect Storm writes, "War is insanely exciting," you have to assume he knows what he's talking about. Sure enough, Junger's new book offers a thrilling account of the sustained adrenaline rush that is modern warfare, coupled with a horrifying depiction of humans pushed to their limits.

by Hank
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "War is insanely exciting....Don't underestimate the power of that revelation,' warns bestselling author and Vanity Fair contributing editor Junger (The Perfect Storm). The war in Afghanistan contains brutal trauma but also transcendent purpose in this riveting combat narrative. Junger spent 14 months in 2007 — 2008 intermittently embedded with a platoon of the 173rd Airborne brigade in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley, one of the bloodiest corners of the conflict. The soldiers are a scruffy, warped lot, with unkempt uniforms — they sometimes do battle in shorts and flip-flops — and a ritual of administering friendly beatings to new arrivals, but Junger finds them to be superlative soldiers. Junger experiences everything they do — nerve-racking patrols, terrifying roadside bombings and ambushes, stultifying weeks in camp when they long for a firefight to relieve the tedium. Despite the stress and the grief when buddies die, the author finds war to be something of an exalted state: soldiers experience an almost sexual thrill in the excitement of a firefight — a response Junger struggles to understand — and a profound sense of commitment to subordinating their self-interests to the good of the unit. Junger mixes visceral combat scenes — raptly aware of his own fear and exhaustion — with quieter reportage and insightful discussions of the physiology, social psychology, and even genetics of soldiering. The result is an unforgettable portrait of men under fire." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Review" by , "Although ostensibly about combat in Afghanistan, War examines the raw, brutal reality of combat — period — and why men fight....Highly recommended — not simply for those interested in military history but for all readers concerned with the human condition."
"Review" by , "An often harrowing...account of the physical and psychological toll of modern warfare on the average soldier."
"Review" by , "Junger's great eye and honesty about the gamut of emotions that come into play in combat leave one swerving between highs, lows and the surreal."
"Review" by , "Those seeking insight into war's innards will appreciate the details Mr. Junger so sharply and respectfully delivers."
"Review" by , "Gripping, gritty, blunt and honest, War is an outstanding portrait of American soldiers at the front in a relentless conflict."
"Review" by , "Junger blends popular science, psychology and history with a breathlessly paced narrative.... An often harrowing, though mostly conventional, account of the physical and psychological toll of modern warfare on the average soldier."
"Synopsis" by , The author of the gripping bestseller The Perfect Storm turns his brilliant and empathetic eye to the reality of combat. War follows a single platoon through a 15-month tour of duty in the most dangerous outpost in Afghanistan.
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