2.08.2010

Soldier and author

The New York Times has an article about soldiers who write about combat, and says the main difference between soldier writers of yore and of today is that the modern American army is an all volunteer force. The article says:
As part of a modern all-volunteer force, they explore the timeless theme of the futility of war — but wars that they for the most part support. The books, many written as rites of passage by members of a highly educated young officer corps, are filled with gore, inept commanders and anguish over men lost in combat, but not questions about the conflicts themselves.
I don't think I've read enough books by soldiers to truly spot a difference between the writing of draftees and volunteers, but I think it's an interesting comparison, if anyone else is more qualified to comment.

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