My War: Killing Time in Iraq by Colby Buzzell

A Review   My War:  Killing Time in Iraq by Colby Buzzell 

Karen gave a review of this at her blog PlanetBooks…

Often times in book blogland, the question pops up to name a book that one was never able to finish for whatever reason.   While in the middle of reading this book, I remembered that I had attempted to read Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden.   The movie was due to be released and I enjoy reading books turned into movies.   However, I was unable to keep track of the who-where-what was going on in the narrative and put it down in favor of seeing the live action on the big screen.

I was able to finish My War with only a few skip overs for parts heavy on technical weaponry details.   I often glossed over acronyms and found myself not in the least interested in going back to find out what such and such mean – it wasn’t too hard to realize IED was some kind of explodable device.   But ask me what RPG stands for and I would prefer to just say it is something I would want to avoid.   It blows shit up.   ‘Nuff said?

I know I mentioned in the comments somewhere else that my language noticeably deteriorated while reading this book.   I was propped up reading in bed when I thought I heard rain bouncing against the windows,

Is it F-ing raining?! 

I asked the dog.   And then I shockingly realized what words had just popped out of my mouth.   OOPS!  Now where would the f-bombs be coming from?  oh yea – I’m reading it every other word…

I did learn a lot about the craziness of war in Iraq and what our soldiers are being expected to do.   I don’t think I was naive about it all before I read this and was intrigued that so many people asked Mr. Buzzell if it was really that bad ‘over there’.   ah YES!    The deathcount is only continuing and few glimpses of an end to it anytime soon, I’m afraid.     I felt the same way after I saw Black Hawk Down.    Men and women are signing up for this.    God bless them.

That Buzzell’s blog was only 10 weeks.  Wow!    Were you aware that a documentary has been nominated for an Oscar based on words from this book (and other military writings)?   Not yet available on Netflix but I have it in the SOON queue. 

My questions now pertain to what Colby intends to do next?  or what is he doing now?    I hope he is able to enjoy a successful (however defined by himself) career in a writing profession.    and may we not need to call him back in as a reserve…

3 1/2 stars

footnote:   some Books/Authors rec’d to/by C.Buzzell…      Charles Bukowski, Hunter S. Thompson, Lenny Bruce, Jack Kerouac, Michael Savage, Less Than Zero – Bret Easton Ellis, The Inner Citadel: The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius.