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What happens when a person becomes a soldier? Does he become one because of a sense of adventure? Does he like becoming a soldier? Is it an easy job?

This work of Keith E. Stuart shatters many myths regarding a soldier's life. The most common beliefs regarding a soldier are that he loves his fellow soldiers as his brethren and is willing to give his life to protect them. This book looks frankly at this and many more such folklore and shows that a soldier never wishes to die, for anyone. It also addresses such controversial questions as to what happens to a soldier once the war is over. In other words once the necessity for the job is lost, do the government and the country and more importantly the public, realize the importance of the soldier? Do they appreciate his worth? Or do they feel that he is something like an appendage?

A soldier's life is not simple. He is supposed to be sacrificial; but in fact he always wishes that he were not part of the casualty list. At the same time the life of a soldier is not one that is selfish, but is one that is dedicated to protecting others. In his attempt to protect others he is also willing to give his life. This strange dichotomy in his character is brought out clearly in this book. Drawing on his experiences as a soldier in Korea during 1952-53, the author weaves a sympathetic biography of a soldier's life.

With a language that is simple, and a style that is reminiscent of James Herriot's biographies, the book manages to entertain as well as instruct the readers. In fact one can be assured that after reading this no one will look at soldiers in the same manner again.