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.
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.
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...
Steve B. (fog) -
If one is too believe the author the USMC is full of undisciplined men whose only interest is sex and drunkenness. Midway in to the book the author talks about a fellow Marine who embellishes and exaggerates his exploits and says that is the way a Marine will be to garner attention and to try and prove his importance tot he rest of the Marines. Well the author is just as guilty with his his embellishments. In the first part of the book he recalls going to a funeral for a fellow Marine and spends the time drinking and bar fighting. I highly doubt that any Marine called to honor a fallen comrade would resort to this type of behavior. His quote â â¦the great disrespect we'd done her dead son, that our drunken and violet behavior had permanently tarnished his deathâ¦.â He also embellishes what the Marine recruiters tell him while trying to enlist himâ¦they, the recruiters, plying his head with hookers to be bought, sex unimaginable to be had and raunchy parties to attend. While this book, for those not familiar with the military , may seem daring and up front hardline all I can say is there is a tagline that all veterans use to start a storyâ¦.âThere I wasâ¦â. It's called either ra war story or a sea story for the Navy and that is what this first words of this book should have been- âThere I wasâ¦..â
Taken as a true account of the USMC during Desert Storm this book leaves a lot to be trusted but taken as a novel, pure fiction, it could be considered a good book.
Taken as a true account of the USMC during Desert Storm this book leaves a lot to be trusted but taken as a novel, pure fiction, it could be considered a good book.
David C. (elsapo) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 9 more book reviews
Very realistic grunts eye view of the first Gulf War.
Pete F. (Pedro) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 22 more book reviews
A stunningly candid account of a soldier's life in the first Gulf
War.
War.
AMY S. (AmySu) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 8 more book reviews
RAW AND REAL-NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.
Robert S. (radonfish) - , reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 131 more book reviews
good account of one marines journaey
James M. (jmitch) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 4 more book reviews
Raw look at a soldier's view of the first Gulf War.
Patty C. (packrat) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 28 more book reviews
Hello my husband really enjoyed this book
Gary S. (Willman) - , reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 61 more book reviews
Well written first person account of a marine sniper in Desert Storm
John S. reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 8 more book reviews
wonderful.
Mark M. (ClownsareCreepy) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 25 more book reviews
I enjoyed this book. Having a brother in law who served in the Gulf War I was hopefully able to see a bit of what his life was like in this time of history. Was an entertaining read, better than the movies as most books are.
Lisa Y. reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 10 more book reviews
It was worth a read, but not a great book.
Kathi M. (auntietilly2) -
I loved this book. I read it prior to the movie and fell in love with Tony!
Barbara C. (kewl) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 469 more book reviews
A marine's chronicle of the gulf war and other battles.
Jeremy H. reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 13 more book reviews
This book gives you an image of modern warfare that is unexpected and a little disturbing. I really liked this book.
Sarah B. (Pixie328) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 391 more book reviews
Much better than the movie-although Jake is sooo dreamy :)
Ross M. (Parrothead) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 533 more book reviews
A witty, profane, down-in-the-sand account of the war many only know from CNN, this former sniper's debut is a worthy addition to the battlefield memoir genre. There isn't a bit of heroic posturing as Swofford describes the sheer terror of being fired upon by Iraqi troops; the elite special forces warrior freely admits wetting himself once rockets start exploding around his unit's encampment. But the adrenaline of battle is fleeting, and Swofford shows how it's in the waiting that soldiers are really made. With blunt language and bittersweet humor, he vividly recounts the worrying, drinking, joking, lusting and just plain sitting around that his troop endured while wondering if they would ever put their deadly skills to use. As Operation Desert Shield becomes Desert Storm, one of Swofford's fellow snipers-the most macho of the bunch-solicits a hug from each man. "We are about to die in combat, so why not get one last hug, one last bit of physical contact," Swofford writes. "And through the hugs [he] helps make us human again." When they do finally fight, Swofford questions whether the men are as prepared as their commanders, the American public and the men themselves think they are. Swofford deftly uses flashbacks to chart his journey from a wide-eyed adolescent with a family military legacy to a hardened fighter who becomes consumed with doubt about his chosen role. As young soldiers might just find themselves deployed to the deserts of Iraq, this book offers them, as well as the casual reader, an unflinching portrayal of the loneliness and brutality of modern warfare and sophisticated analyses of-and visceral reactions to-its politics.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW
Catherine L. (sassysilver) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 35 more book reviews
I thought this was a very realistic portrayal of what the first Gulf War was like for the average soldier. This is the book that the movie was based on, so if you liked the movie, you will like the book. (Actually to me, the book was better than the movie, but you decide!)
Megan H. (agdmegs) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 52 more book reviews
Great story based on true events. I highly recommend it.
Shari H. (MewsicMama) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 60 more book reviews
This is an excellent book - very introspective. I will definitely be seeing the movie.
Trista S. (tuckeremma) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 37 more book reviews
Decent book
I was disappointed by this book, given all the hype surrounding it, but it's a quick read and a vivid window into marine life.
Connie B. (prosperedwoman) -
In his NY Times bestselling chronicle of military life, Anthony Swofford weaves his experiences in war w/ vivid accounts of boot camp, reflections on the mythos of the marines, and remembrances of battles w/lovers and family.
Todd L. reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 11 more book reviews
Terriffic gripping chronicle of life in the Marines and in Iraq
A compelling, honest memoir from a USMC scout/sniper. As is so often the case, the book really is MUCH better than the movie.
Norma L. (ninabanana) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 5 more book reviews
I didn't like it.
Jeff N. (lajet) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 32 more book reviews
I can't believe this book is even posted - it should have been gone the moment it was listed. It's that good. Remember - never judge a book by it's movie. Strongly recommend, especially if you're ambivelent towards war books.
Katie F. (kayters) reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 75 more book reviews
I didn't read the book, but saw the movie and when I opened the book just now, it was describing a scene that I remember from the movie. So I suppose the movie was a fairly decent adaptation. And I LOVED the movie.
