BOOK CLUB NOVEMBER: “The Last True Story I'll Ever Tell"

[CrispyQ]

“The Last True Story I'll Ever Tell: An Accidental Soldier's Account of the War in Iraq”
by John Crawford

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/157322314X/002-2187220-5227244?v=glance&n=283155&s=books&v=glance

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Book Club Guidelines:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=209x1152

[pstans]

1. Great book

I read the first chapter at Borders. I had to stop reading cause I was about to cry. I have not had a chance to go back, but I badly want to finish this book. I am going to check my library to see if they have it, if not, I might have to go buy it.

The book is very moving and I see many connections (same age, just recently married) in my life to the author's life, except for the fact that he spent a year in Iraq and I haven't. Man, do I feel lucky.

[Richardo]

2. It's about the most honest book I've ever read

There is NO sugar-coating in the least, and he is an extremely good observer.

[timber84]

3. Great Book!

I'm done if anyone wants it

[CrispyQ]

4. A poorly planned war, with commanders who have hidden agendas

at the cost of the lives of the troops. Promise after promise of going home, only to be reneged on. And for what? So some military lifer can build his resume?

pg 19: This was how it went. Vague answers and no one ever asked what we all were thinking. "Sir, are you fighting to get us a follow-on mission so that you and the rest of Headquarters Company can earn your combat infantry badges and you can get some leadership time in theater? Do you feel as though you missed the war and now you're going to make up for it with our blood and sweat? Are you upset because we came over, did our jobs, and are ready to go home while you did paperwork?"

No one asked, because we already knew the answer. It was as clear as on his face as the disgust was on ours.

pg 21: We sat uncomfortably in the trucks while the battalion commander sorted things out. The 101st wasn't expecting us; no one was.

The colonel had jumped at the opportunity to add to his resume. It was rumored that he had brought us there without going through the proper channels.

How these men get through a day without absolute total outrage at the lack of planning & competence of their command is boggling. Reading some of Crawford's stories makes me realize that Rummy is damned lucky he doesn't have a total mutiny over there! It also makes me hate Rummy even more than I already do.

[pstans]

5. I finally went and bought this book

Hope to have it finished it this weekend.

I had the same thoughts on those parts of the book. I can't believe that this is happening. I guess that is what you get when you have people who weren't in the military planning the war.

[abluelady]

6. It is Very Hard to Read

Emotionally it hurts my heart and mentally, it pisses me off. Everytime I put it down, I ask myself why are we there?????

[CrispyQ]

7. I was so angry at the chapter where the soldiers raided a

civilian house & some of them took the Iraqi's things -- things that John says they didn't need or certainly had their own of, only better. I was proud that he didn't participate in that, but horribly ashamed that the ones who did had no integrity -- just because they could, they did.

Arghhh!!! War is such a horrible betrayal of our humanity, a waste of our resources, such a useless way to solve problems. Will we ever learn?