War

by Sebastian Junger
War cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Nonfiction
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  • ID: 7235
  • Added: 2025-12-13
  • Updated: 2025-12-13
  • ISBN: 9780007337712
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2011-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

For 15 months, journalist Sebastian Junger embedded with a platoon of thirty men from the renowned 2nd battalion of the U.S. Army. This book offers an unflinching look at the realities of war, capturing the camaraderie, fear, and resilience of the soldiers as they fought through a remote valley in Eastern Afghanistan. Junger's firsthand account provides a raw and intimate portrayal of the soldiers' experiences, highlighting the bonds they form and the challenges they face in the midst of conflict. Beyond the battlefield, the book delves into the psychological and emotional toll of war on the soldiers. Junger explores the concept of war as a primal human experience, examining how it shapes the individuals involved and the societies they return to. This powerful narrative offers a profound understanding of the human condition in the face of adversity.

Reviews
Literary Review · Patrick Hennessey · 2025-12-13
engrossing 4.00

The book acknowledges the impossibility of pure objectivity in war and focuses on the human experience. It provides a vivid and immersive account of the soldiers' lives, capturing the essence of their daily routines and the profound impact of their experiences.

The reviewer approached the book with caution but was quickly disarmed by Junger's honest portrayal of war. They appreciate the author's acknowledgment that pure objectivity is impossible and instead focuses on the human experience. The reviewer finds the book to be a vivid and immersive account of the soldiers' lives, capturing the essence of their daily routines and the profound impact of their experiences. The reviewer also notes that the book does not glorify war but rather provides a raw and unfiltered look at the soldiers' lives, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    Junger concedes that pure objectivity is impossible in war and concentrates instead on the human experience.

    The book provides a vivid and immersive account of the soldiers' lives.

    It captures the essence of their daily routines and the profound impact of their experiences.

Marguerite Reads · 2023-04-30
compelling 4.25

The book provides an excellent job of reporting on the details of daily life for the soldiers, capturing their routines and the boredom they experience. The reviewer finds the book to be a compelling and thought-provoking read.

The reviewer appreciates that the book provides an excellent job of reporting on the details of daily life for the soldiers, capturing their routines and the boredom they experience. They find the book to be a compelling and thought-provoking read, providing a raw and unfiltered look at the soldiers' lives. The reviewer also notes that the book does not glorify war but rather provides a realistic portrayal of the soldiers' experiences, making it a powerful and moving study of soldiers under stress.

Quick quotes

    Junger does an excellent job of reporting on the details of daily life for the soldiers.

    Eating, killing time, joking around, absolutely bored, and then the adrenaline rush of combat.

    It's a tight focus on the Korengal Valley and the men who fought there.

The New York Times · 2010-05-14
moving 4.50

The book ends with the platoon dispersing after 15 months of constant engagement, highlighting the toll of war. The reviewer finds the book to be a powerful and moving study of soldiers under stress.

The reviewer notes that the book ends with the platoon dispersing after 15 months of constant engagement, highlighting the toll of war. They find the book to be a powerful and moving study of soldiers under stress. The reviewer appreciates that the book does not glorify war but rather provides a raw and unfiltered look at the soldiers' lives. They also note that the book does not settle for pious generalizations, either pro or con, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    "War" ends with Second Platoon, after 15 months and too many of its members killed or wounded, packing up and dispersing.

    It's a moving study of the soldier under stress.

    While it doesn't exalt war, neither does it settle for pious generalizations, either pro or con.

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