Customer Reviews

Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan: Eyewitness Accounts of the Occupations

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Aaron Glantz, and Iraq Veterans Against the War, have written an extremely important historical document of the Winter Soldier hearings. Here are a few of my comments from a review I did of the book for Inter Press Service (IPS):

Aside from the Iraqi people, nobody knows what the U.S. military is doing in Iraq better than the soldiers themselves. A new book gives readers vivid and detailed accounts of the devastation the U.S. occupation has brought to Iraq, in the soldiers' own words.

"Winter Soldier Iraq and Afghanistan: Eyewitness Accounts of the Occupation," published by Haymarket Books Tuesday, is a gut-wrenching, historic chronicle of what the U.S. military has done to Iraq, as well as its own soldiers.

Four days of searing testimony, witnessed by this writer, is consolidated into the book, which makes for a difficult read. One page after another is filled with devastating stories from the soldiers about what is being done in Iraq.

Everything from the taking of "trophy" photos of the dead, to torture and slaughtering of civilians is included.

"We're trying to build a historical record of what continues to happen in this war and what the war is really about," Glantz told IPS.

Glantz admits that it would be difficult for the average U.S. citizen to read the book, and believes it is important to keep in mind while doing so what it took for the veterans to give this historic testimony.

"They could have been heroes, but what they are doing here is even more heroic -- which is telling the truth," Glantz told IPS. "They didn't have to come forward. They chose to come forward."

In their own words, plainly and without anger or exaggeration, veterans decribe what they lived through, and how it changed them. The positive message I derive from this book is that everyday people can reaffirm their ethical orientation and human decency despite being subjected to an appalling process of dehumanization by the armed forces.

This book is essential reading.

Many of the stories are about not being able to receive VA benefits, some about sexual discrimination, a couple about racism, etc. These are all good stories but they failed to connect the dots to the war itself...Go to a local VA, I think you will hear more real stories from real vets.I'm currently serving in the U.S. Army and I didn't find this book very informational. It's an interesting book...not in terms of getting an insight on the wars...

Any one interested in what is really going on in Iraq and Afghanistan should read this book. It contains authentic testimony of boots on the ground, that is, US Forces and their continuing occupation. SHOCKING EVIDENCE that torture and inconsideration for human life is now government policy, and not just an isolated incident. A must read. *****

With all of my heart, I wish I could force every person in the world to read this book. So many people are afraid of the truth. It's more comfortable to ignore things we don't understand. I'm a yoga teacher who randomly found the IVAW.com website, where this book and many more are listed. I used this book to teach a yoga workshop. I read one of the stories to the class, and everyone cried, and everyone said thank you for a lesson of beautiful truth. Ignorance is the beginning of all suffering. If you have any interest in educating yourself on the truth of this world, you should buy this book immediately and read it.

This is essential reading for every American. Whether you support the activity in Iraq and Afghanistan or not, you should know what the network news never tells you.

If you go to the IAVW website, you can watch the video testimonies of what is in this book.

If you say you want to show your support for the men and women serving our country, buying, reading and sharing this book is one way to do it.

This book is so touching and I have a different view of our government now. This book is so sad, and it had me crying too. Americans need to help stop the war.

If I could put NO stars as a rating I would. My husband was in the 3rd ACR and knew one of the men in this book. He WAS THERE and said it was completely untrue what was written. Also, I cannot support reading this book since its followers are those who have went AWOL from active duty! What cowards when people like my husband served 2 tours and did his patriotic duty.... after all, this wasn't the draft, they signed up for this! IT'S NOT ABOUT THE WAR...IT'S ABOUT THE WARRIOR!!!!!