Generation Kill: Devil Dogs, Iceman, Captain America, and the New Face of American War by Evan Wright Published by Penguin Random House, Putnam on June 17, 2004
Genres: Non-Fiction / History / Military / United States
Pages: 368
Format: Paperback
Source: Personal Copy
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In the tradition of Black Hawk Down and Jarhead comes a searing portrait of young men fighting a modern-day war.
A powerhouse work of nonfiction, Generation Kill expands on Evan Wright's acclaimed three-part series that appeared in Rolling Stone during the summer of 2003. His narrative follows the twenty-three marines of First Recon who spearheaded the blitzkrieg on Iraq. This elite unit, nicknamed "First Suicide Battalion," searched out enemy fighters by racing ahead of American battle forces and literally driving into suspected ambush points.
Evan Wright lived on the front lines with this platoon from the opening hours of combat, to the fall of Baghdad, through the start of the guerrilla war. He was welcomed into their ranks, and from this bird's-eye perspective he tells the unsettling story of young men trained by their country to be ruthless killers. He chronicles the triumphs and horrors-physical, moral, emotional, and spiritual-that these marines endured while achieving victory in a war many questioned before it began. Wright's book is a timely account of war; even more important, it is a timeless description of the human drama taking place on today's battlefields. Written with brutal honesty, raw intensity, and startling intimacy, Generation Kill is destined to become a classic and take its place in the canon of the most captivating and authentic works of war literature.
Review
Evan Wright’s Generation Kill isn’t your typical war story. Forget the sanitized version – this book throws you headfirst into the 2003 Iraq invasion alongside the Marines of First Reconnaissance Battalion. Originally a Rolling Stone series, Wright’s account is a raw, uncensored look at modern combat and the young men fighting it.
Wright’s embedded position grants incredible access. We ride shotgun as First Recon, dubbed “First Suicide Battalion,” spearheads the march into Iraq in barely-armored Humvees. But what truly grabs you is Wright’s portrayal of these Marines as complex individuals, not just cardboard cutouts.
The book shines in its character studies. There’s the bookish Marine who quotes classic literature between battles, the overeager lieutenant whose inexperience endangers his men, and the steady sergeant who keeps everything from falling apart. Wright doesn’t shy away from their flaws – the casual racism, the gallows humor, the unexpected moments of empathy, and the unwavering loyalty to one another.
Wright’s writing is sharp and immersive, ditching military jargon for vivid prose that puts you right in the action. He captures both the adrenaline-pumping firefights and the mind-numbing boredom that defines modern war. It reads more like a gritty documentary than a dry history lesson.
Generation Kill stands out by exposing the gap between military strategy and what actually happens on the ground. Wright chronicles the frustration of elite soldiers hampered by shoddy equipment, conflicting orders, and questionable leadership decisions. It’s a sobering look at the realities of modern military operations.
The book doesn’t flinch from the harsh realities of war, including the violence and tragic civilian casualties. These moments are handled with respect, never sensationalized or downplayed, forcing readers to confront the true cost of conflict.
Praised for its authenticity, Generation Kill has become essential reading in military circles and a defining account of the Iraq War’s initial phase. It even inspired an acclaimed HBO miniseries, solidifying its place in war literature.
Some readers might find the initial pacing a bit slow as Wright introduces the characters and context. The sheer number of personalities can also feel overwhelming at first, but this accurately reflects the dynamics of a military unit.
Generation Kill succeeds because it captures the essence of modern warfare and the generation fighting it. These Marines, raised on hip-hop and video games, bring a unique mix of professionalism and irreverence to the battlefield. They’re both highly trained warriors and young men grappling with their roles in a complex and morally ambiguous war.
Wright’s book underscores the importance of embedded journalism, offering a vital record of how America’s military operations unfold on the ground. More than just a war story, it’s a deeply human account of young men in extraordinary circumstances, striving to complete their mission while holding onto their humanity.
For anyone seeking a real understanding of modern warfare and those who fight it, Generation Kill is a must-read. It’s a book that will leave you with a profound appreciation for the complexities of military service and the human toll of war, as seen through the eyes of those who experienced it firsthand.
