'Generation Kill' by Evan Wright is a firsthand account of the 2003 invasion of Iraq from the perspective of front line grunts in the First Recon Battalion. The book focuses on the experiences, struggles, and impact of the war on the soldiers rather than just the tactical aspects. Wright provides a vivid and honest portrayal of the Marines, their camaraderie, challenges, and the intense situations they faced during the invasion. The narrative moves fast, capturing the essence of the whirlwind of battle and brotherhood within the platoon.

The book is described as thought-provoking, entertaining, and unexpectedly engaging. It offers a character study of the soldiers involved, showcasing their personalities, interactions, and how the war affected them on emotional and physical levels. Wright's writing style is praised for its unbiased and unvarnished manner, presenting the Marines' hopes, nightmares, successes, and challenges in a raw and authentic way. The book is commended for providing a unique and rare perspective on the war from a non-military standpoint, highlighting the hard work, brotherhood, and struggles of the Marines without a political agenda.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is engaging and direct, characterized by a fast pace and a balance of humor and harsh realities, effectively capturing military life during combat.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative centers on a reporter's firsthand experiences with Marines during the early stages of the Iraq War, highlighting the complexities of combat and the realities faced by soldiers.

Setting:

Set in Iraq during the early days of the invasion, the backdrop enhances the intensity and unpredictability of the soldiers' experiences.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk, maintaining reader interest through suspenseful and rapidly unfolding events.

Major General James Mattis calls the men in First Reconnaissance Battalion “cocky, obnoxious bastards.” Recon Marines belong to a distinct military occupational specialty, and there are only about a t...

Genres:

nonfiction

memoir

war journalism

Topics:

iraq war

military culture

brotherhood among soldiers

leadership failures

civilian casualties

psychological effects of war

embedded journalism

war and comradeship

Notes:

Evan Wright, the author, was embedded with the First Recon Battalion during the 2003 Iraq invasion.

The term 'Get some' is an unofficial Marine Corps cheer meaning to kill the enemy.

Marines in the book expressed mixed feelings about combat, with some enjoying shooting while others felt no pleasure.

The book highlights the reality of war, including feelings of remorse, frustration, and indifference among soldiers.

Some Marines recognized the war was about oil, but they chose to fight for ideals of camaraderie instead.

The leadership in the Marines was often criticized, with officers described by unflattering nicknames like 'Encino Man' and 'Captain America.'

Marine leaders were shown to prioritize grooming standards over the welfare of their troops, illustrating a disconnect in command.

Wright aimed for an objective portrayal, interviewing both soldiers and officers to present various perspectives.

Miscommunication within the military was a recurring issue, with Marines lacking sufficient translators and direction.

The book depicts the soldiers' adaptation to the chaos of war, mixing dark humor with grim realities.

'Generation Kill' not only explores soldiers' experiences in Iraq but also shines a light on the complexities of modern warfare.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains strong depictions of violence, combat, and the moral dilemmas faced during the Iraq War, as well as issues related to civilian casualties.

From The Publisher:

Based on Evan Wright's National Magazine Award-winning story in Rolling Stone, this is the raw, firsthand account of the 2003 Iraq invasion that inspired the HBO® original mini-series.

Within hours of 9/11, America's war on terrorism fell to those like the twenty-three Marines of the First Recon Battalion, the first generation dispatched into open-ended combat since Vietnam. They were a new pop-culture breed of American warrior unrecognizable to their forebears-soldiers raised on hip hop, video games and The Real World. Cocky, brave, headstrong, wary and mostly unprepared for the physical, emotional and moral horrors ahead, the "First Suicide Battalion" would spearhead the blitzkrieg on Iraq, and fight against the hardest resistance Saddam had to offer.

Hailed as "one of the best books to come out of the Iraq war"(Financial Times), Generation Kill is the funny, frightening, and profane firsthand account of these remarkable men, of the personal toll of victory, and of the randomness, brutality and camaraderie of a new American War.

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About the Author:

Evan Wright is the author of Hella Nation and the award-winning Generation Kill, the basis of the HBO® miniseries for which Wright served as co-writer. Wright earned his degree in medieval and Renaissance studies from Vassar College, an education he soon put to work at Hustler magazine, where…

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Generation Kill: Devil Dogs, Iceman, Captain America and The New Face of American War

Evan Wright