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WAR Audiobook
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(4.00) - 7,214 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In his breakout bestseller, The Perfect Storm, Sebastian Junger created "a wild ride that brilliantly captures the awesome power of the raging sea and the often futile attempts of humans to withstand it" (Los Angeles Times Book Review).
Now, Junger turns his brilliant and empathetic eye to the reality of combat--the fear, the honor, and the trust among men in an extreme situation whose survival depends on their absolute commitment to one another. His on-the-ground account follows a single platoon through a 15-month tour of duty in the most dangerous outpost in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley. Through the experiences of these young men at war, he shows what it means to fight, to serve, and to face down mortal danger on a daily basis.
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"This is a powerful and insightful book into the lives of the American 2nd Platoon in the Korengal of Afghanistan. This book helped me to see inside the consequences of war in the lives of the young men who are fighting it from the front lines. While reading this book I have found myself telling nearly anyone who would listen about some of the difficulties that these men faced. War is an unbelievably difficult thing and we would be wise to pursue it with extreme caution. Sebastian Junger takes his reader into the lives and psyche of these men to find men who are serving with courage and distinction, but are not really concerned with the political issues or broader military issues of the war. They mostly care about the men that they serve with, and they love one another in a way that is difficult or nearly impossible to duplicate outside of the difficulties of war. This book should be read by people far and wide if for no other reason than to understand more about the consequences of sending young men to war."
— Matt (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Absorbing and original! Junger has found a novel and interesting lens through which to view the conflict in Afghanistan, and he captures many things a lesser writer might miss.”
— New York Times -
“It takes a very good book to carry off a title as portentous as WAR, and Sebastian Junger has written one! An outstanding war report: a precise and gripping account of some of the fiercest battles involving American soldiers in recent times.”
— Economist -
“Junger mixes visceral combat scenes-raptly aware of his own fear and exhaustion-with quieter reportage and insightful discussions of the physiology, social psychology, and even genetics of soldiering. The result is an unforgettable portrait of men under fire.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Junger was embedded with a frontline unit and followed them over their eighteenth-month deployment. Because the work includes personal impressions as well as traditional reporting, the author chose to record the work himself. He’s a capable narrator, and his gritty and, at times, wearied tone exactly suits the book.”
— AudioFile -
“The author dives into the most perilous form of immersion journalism, attempting to create an unflinching account of frontline combat…Junger blends popular science, psychology and history with a breathlessly paced narrative.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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A 2010 Time Magazine Top 10 Book for Nonfiction
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A 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Best Book for Nonfiction
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A New York Times bestseller
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A 2013 Abraham Lincoln Award Nominee
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A USA Today bestseller
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A 2010 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Current Interests
WAR Listener Reviews
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7/20/2021
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" A compelling piece of embed nonfiction that's upfront about its shortcomings. "
— Ian, 2/19/2014 -
" This was a powerful book, and you really feel like you get an authentic glimpse of life in a military unit in Afghanistan. I was struck by the other-worldliness of life for these guys and seriously wonder how any of them will be able to make the adjustment back to civilian life. We need to think very carefully about whether the conflicts we choose are worth the costs - not a "new" thought of course, but this book really brings home the psychological impact of sending young people to settle our battles. "
— Kim, 2/12/2014 -
" Great story. It really makes you get into the head of the troops in Afghanistan. A MUST READ. "
— Walter, 1/31/2014 -
" I had to read this book for a class I am taking and I must say I was DREADING it! BUT it actually was very good. It was witty and it showed the way it is in the real world of war. No fluff just soldiers being soldiers. I recommend this to anyone who like war stories or just wants to have a taste of what our soldiers are going through in this war with the Middle East. "
— Mistress, 1/16/2014 -
" Detailed, well-researched, and surprisingly personal at times, "War" paints a visceral portrait of the challenges faced by the soldiers making up the tip of the spear in the United States military. "
— Zachary, 1/14/2014 -
" Excellent look at a "year in the life" of a platoon in Afghanistan "
— Dirk, 1/14/2014 -
" Junger spent 5 months off an on of a 15 month deployment embedded with Battle Company, 2nd Battalion of the 173rd Airborne in the Korengal Valley in the eastern province of Kunar in Afghanistan near the Pakistani border, and this book is part of the result. A heartfelt and well researched book about the life of these young men fighting for our country. This is now my favorite of Jungers books (I haven't read A Death in Belmont), the story of the soldiers of Battle Company are fairly told and, being based on actual interviews with his subjects, has a personal touch that The Perfect Storm, was lacking. The impact of war on the men and the positive and negative aspects of their combat experience puts a powerful "small picture" face on the war in Afghanistan that you don't often hear about on the general coverage of the war. "
— Steve, 1/7/2014 -
" This is excellent. I read an "enriched" version on iBooks that had videos from Afghanistan. I'm sure I would have enjoyed the paper version of the book, too, but some of the videos were something else. The "Sal Giunta Story" alone makes it worth reading. "
— Kevin, 1/6/2014 -
" Easy to read. Good look at frontline soldiers in afganistan. "
— Star, 12/25/2013 -
" Fantastic book about the Afghanistan war from the perspective of ground troops. A really sobering read that makes me appreciate even more what the armed forces do to protect us. "
— Gerry, 12/17/2013 -
" This book was about a journalist embedded with soldiers in Afghanistan. It really shows you how soldiers are fighting the war there and what they go through on a day to day basis. "
— Nancy, 1/1/2013 -
" A fascinating and true account of soldiers in Afghanistan. Very realistic and often graphic, but a definite read. "
— Sgilbert, 10/31/2012 -
" Great perspective on the war in the Korengal Valley. Very brave journalist. "
— Lynn, 7/13/2012 -
" you won't want to believe what you are reading. "
— Brandt, 3/14/2012 -
" I wish the news outlets were telling these stories. "
— Rebecca, 12/27/2011 -
" Restrepo was gold as a movie. War is even better than Restrepo in my mind. Way more breadth. Way more scale. Really amazing. "
— Taylor, 9/28/2011 -
" Disturbing but very interesting. Can't wait to discuss at book club. I now plan on watching Restrepo on Netflix. "
— Lynn, 7/16/2011 -
" Interesting perspective and insight into the war and into the minds and hearts of a specific platoon of men fighting in Afghanistan. "
— Carrie, 5/22/2011 -
" My god - what an amazing book. Go out, buy it now, rent Resptrepo, and mourn the death of Tim Hetherington. "
— Kelly, 5/5/2011 -
" Interesting read about the dynamics and inside views of the war. A little hard at times to imagine the set-up, but it made sense after I finished the book and watched the documentary itself. "
— Rachel, 4/27/2011 -
" This book is no great work of literature, but rather an eye-opening revelation to those of us who are blessed enough to be oblivious to the situations our young military men and women meet with on a daily basis. From the first chapter, I was captured. A must read. "
— Tiniqua, 4/26/2011 -
" Brutally honest depiction of our modern warriors. If you haven't been in the military this may be a crude read. It brings the harsh reality of war to your mind and makes you appreciate and respect what our Soldiers do for our country, regardless of your political beliefs. "
— Hugo, 4/25/2011 -
" Great book. A little disappointed in the movie. "
— Michael, 4/24/2011 -
" A very captivating account. It gave me a whole new understanding of the bonds of fellowship created by conflict. "
— Raisonbr, 4/23/2011 -
" You need to read this book. It is by far one of the best books about war -- and the culture of war -- that I have ever read. "
— Gabriel, 4/20/2011 -
" Excellent, well-written and highly recommended. A compelling and fast read. It's been a while since I've read a book that was so interesting that I carried it around and read it in spare moments and free time, but I did this one. "
— Christopher, 4/14/2011
About Sebastian Junger
Sebastian Junger is the New York Times bestselling author of several books. Together with Tim Hetherington, he directed the documentary Restrepo, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. He is a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and has been awarded a National Magazine Award and an SAIS Novartis Prize for journalism.
About Joshua Ferris
Joshua Ferris is the author of three previous novels, Then We Came to the End, The Unnamed, and To Rise Again at a Decent Hour and a collection of stories, The Dinner Party. He was a finalist for the National Book Award, winner of the Barnes and Noble Discover Award and the PEN/Hemingway Award, and was named one of the New Yorker's “20 Under 40” writers in 2010. To Rise Again at a Decent Hour won the Dylan Thomas Prize and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. His short stories have appeared in the New Yorker, Granta, and Best American Short Stories. He lives in New York.