What It Is Like To Go To War by Karl Marlantes

Karl Marlantes latest book, What It Is Like To Go To War, is far from his bestseller, Matterhorn. Lt. Karl Marlantes was a young Marine officer in the jungles of Vietnam.  There he was awarded the Navy Cross, Purple Heart, Bronze Star and a host of other decorations.  He notes early in the book that the Marine Corps prepares men for war and to become killers and does a good job of it. What it does not do is to prepare them for the psychological, ethical and emotional toll the experience will take on them while in combat as well as when they return home.  He "takes a deeply personal and candid look at what it is like to experience the ordeal of combat, critically examining how we might better prepare our warriors for combat.  Ritual, religion. literature should be used he suggest.  This is a good book for any young person going into the military.  Many veterans might also find it instructive in working out the problems created by their own experience. Marlantes gives riveting accounts of his own experiences in Vietnam and how he dealt with them at the time and years later.This is not a superficial war novel but does hold your attention and is worth the read even for non-military types, especially for counselors, pastors, etc.

Reviewer: Melvin Steely