Thursday, August 4, 2011

331: Dispatches by Michael Herr

Dispatches by Michael Herr

Published in 1977 Dispatches remains one of the best books written about the Vietnam war. It's notable because it presents the war from the soldier's experience. There's no analysis of strategy or politics, only stories of the soldiers fighting the war. Herr reported back the chaos, the violence, and the tragic absurdity of war. Every person thinking about joining the military should read this book first.

Why this is progressive/liberal: War is hell. Most of the combat US soldiers have been involved in is unnecessary for maintaining this nation's sovereignty. Books like this one by Michael Herr help dispel the myth that war is glamorous. As Herr aptly notes in the second chapter, Hell sucks.

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