Mac L. (mac) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Like the experience of war that Anthony Swofford describes, this book is thrilling, funny, messy, both well and poorly done, capable of insight as well as surprising lapses of judgement, fascinating, and ultimately anti-climactic.
It has many faults, but never was I disappointed to have been reading, and always I wanted to continue, so I could see what would happen.
It has many faults, but never was I disappointed to have been reading, and always I wanted to continue, so I could see what would happen.
Damaris C. (Erinyes) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 279 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Anthony Swofford spares the reader nothing. I actually found myself cringing while reading this book.
I remember this war, this conflict, this whatever. I was glued 24/7 to CNN like the rest of the world. I really felt like I was 'supporting' the troops and the like. My dad was in Vietnam and I was absolutely militant about the troops. Any whiff that someone was less than enthused and I was like a rabid terrier. So while I was reading his account of the war, I was comparing in my head how I felt at the time with his actual experiences. In comparision, I was a real ass.
This book is a must read. Especially now. There are hundreds of thousands of Swoffords right now deployed. Read this book.
I remember this war, this conflict, this whatever. I was glued 24/7 to CNN like the rest of the world. I really felt like I was 'supporting' the troops and the like. My dad was in Vietnam and I was absolutely militant about the troops. Any whiff that someone was less than enthused and I was like a rabid terrier. So while I was reading his account of the war, I was comparing in my head how I felt at the time with his actual experiences. In comparision, I was a real ass.
This book is a must read. Especially now. There are hundreds of thousands of Swoffords right now deployed. Read this book.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a raw book but a well-written first-hand chronicle of Swofford's time served in the Gulf War. It allowed me to see what really happens during war time...no glamour in it! Refreshing honesty...
Herbert M. (vunderbar) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 209 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is a grungy account of the US Marine Corps as it really is, without all the flag waving and hero BS. Heros they may well be, but salty grunts is also what they are. This shows the Corps warts and all from the inside by a man who was there and lived it and in spite of himself - loved it.
