What It Is Like to Go to War Study Guide & Plot Synopsis

What It Is Like to Go to War Plot Summary

Preview of What It Is Like to Go to War Summary:

"What It Is Like To Go To War" is Karl Marlantes' extended proposition on how we as a society should approach war and how our warriors should be prepared for what we ask them to do. Marlantes was a young reserve officer in the Marine Corps studying on a Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University when he entered into active service and was sent to Vietnam. While he was there, Marlantes was an active combat officer commanding fighters in the thick jungle. He witnessed death almost daily and was himself wounded by a grenade, receiving several medals for his actions including the Navy Cross, one of the highest combat awards.

After Vietnam, Marlantes continued his studies at Oxford and went into military intelligence in Washington D.C. He experienced the animosity of many Americans who had opposed the Vietnam war and avoided him or confronted him for his role in the fighting....
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