Generation Kill by Evan Wright Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Generation Kill
Book Review: Epitomizes the strengths and weaknesses of the US Military
Summary: 5 Stars
Reading this book was an intense experience. As an ex-military person (non-US, but spent a few years in the New Zealand Army), I could empathize strongly with the Marines Wright writes about. Nothing like having bullets flying around you to add a little adrenaline to your morning.
That said, I've been on exercise (years ago now, but nothing seems to have changed) where we acted as enemy for the Marines and I've got a lot of respect for the Marines, and Recon Marines in particular (I was a Recce myself). But they do have their flaws, common to all the US Military. An over-reliance on technology and firepower, a gung-ho attitude to expending their troopies lives, weak fire-discipline and officers who (generalization I admit, but this was my limited experience), at anything above the junior level, tend to be bureaucrats rather than true combat leaders.
This book illustrates all the above flaws, but over all of that the strength, resilience, skill and fighting spirit of the US Marines shine through. This is despite the total misuse of a Recon Unit (and what an indictment of Marine senior leadership that is...), generally poor leadership and a total failure to communicate the true nature of the mission to the guys doing the job - and a greater indictment of military leadership I cannot think of - the guys out on the sharp end shouold always know their mission and objective - always...).
I walked away from reading this book full of admiration for the individual Marines, and shaking my head in despair over the US Military's senior leadership. Great at conventional fighting, but still sadly inept in counter-insurgency, appropriate use of firepower on civilian targets (a crticism leveled at the US by the British military leadership incidentally, not just my opinion) and totally unprepared for the ramifications of victory.
Well worth the read.
Book Review: An Inside look at 1st Recon
Summary: 5 Stars
A journalist embedded with a marine reconnaissance platoon during the invasion of Iraq in 2003 explains how this generation of soldiers differs from their predecessors. He describes cases of collateral damage and the deaths of comrades as American troops entered Baghdad. As others have pointed out he gets most of it right, but seems to want to spin that all officers are dumb and marines are angry. This spin he places on these two points are not the norm. This book contains violence and very strong language. Book Review: Great
Summary: 4 Stars
The author was embedded with a marine unit and gives us the details of how they functioned in Iraq. This book isn't really left or right though this certainly isn't some Rambo propaganda. The soldiers are well-trained but have to deal with idiot commanders and murky mission goals.
A fascinating read.
Book Review: Great account of Recon Marines during the invasion of Iraq
Summary: 5 Stars
Very good book. Great narration. No BS. No corny battle-talk, just the truth as witnessed by this closely knit group of recon marines, which by the way, you will feel like you know each one personally by the time you're finished with the book. I can't wait for the next book from this guy. Highly recommeneded.Book Review: Quick Read; Realistic Feel
Summary: 3 Stars
Although never having experienced battle, is the best account I have read which puts the civilian in the field (or what I can only imagine is the most realistic). It will build appreciation for the day-to-day conditions our soldiers experience and for the chaos that ensues.