Let me say this right off.... I have not read this book, and, after reading the reviews on Amazon, will not. Many of the reviewers, veterans themselves, on Amazon found this book to be shallow.
I would find the book painful, for people like Hugo Marder exist. There are numerous people who create a military background for themselves which doesn't exist. In fact, some of them were or are still in Congress. Fortunately, some of these people are "outed" by real veterans. I have even known some of these liars. For example, I had the privilege of exposing one such person at a university I attended. While he was a former Marine, his described tour of duty never existed. I probably would have left him alone, except he was an "in your face" type on campus regarding his supposed experiences. I discredited him to the entire campus, but I know today he is still out there somewhere telling his war stories, even though the closest he ever got to Viet Nam was the west coast of the United States.
In my state, there was a Navy commander who was eventually exposed as having a falsified service record book with numerous unearned combat awards. Fortunately, he was exposed just before retirement and was court-martialed.
And lastly, I have a brother who also tells people about his military service, when he "flew jets for the Air Force." Yet, his "military service" consists of one year of Air Force ROTC at a university.
All these people do a tremendous injustice to the millions of men and women who served their country with honor. Many of whom died doing so or still live bearing the physical and mental scars of combat. Lying about military service should be a punishable crime.
LATER: I don't know when it took effect, but lying about military service is a crime. The crime is called "Stolen Valor" and there are certain conditions required for arrest. However, There are now a number of "Stolen Valor" videos on youtube, which relates how these false heroes are outed.
I would find the book painful, for people like Hugo Marder exist. There are numerous people who create a military background for themselves which doesn't exist. In fact, some of them were or are still in Congress. Fortunately, some of these people are "outed" by real veterans. I have even known some of these liars. For example, I had the privilege of exposing one such person at a university I attended. While he was a former Marine, his described tour of duty never existed. I probably would have left him alone, except he was an "in your face" type on campus regarding his supposed experiences. I discredited him to the entire campus, but I know today he is still out there somewhere telling his war stories, even though the closest he ever got to Viet Nam was the west coast of the United States.
In my state, there was a Navy commander who was eventually exposed as having a falsified service record book with numerous unearned combat awards. Fortunately, he was exposed just before retirement and was court-martialed.
And lastly, I have a brother who also tells people about his military service, when he "flew jets for the Air Force." Yet, his "military service" consists of one year of Air Force ROTC at a university.
All these people do a tremendous injustice to the millions of men and women who served their country with honor. Many of whom died doing so or still live bearing the physical and mental scars of combat. Lying about military service should be a punishable crime.
LATER: I don't know when it took effect, but lying about military service is a crime. The crime is called "Stolen Valor" and there are certain conditions required for arrest. However, There are now a number of "Stolen Valor" videos on youtube, which relates how these false heroes are outed.
