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Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles
Jarhead A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles
Author: Anthony Swofford
Anthony Swofford's Jarhead is the first Gulf War memoir by a frontline infantry marine, and it is a searing, unforgettable narrative. — When the marines -- or "jarheads," as they call themselves -- were sent in 1990 to Saudi Arabia to fight the Iraqis, Swofford was there, with a hundred-pound pack on his shoulders and a snipe...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9781416513407
ISBN-10: 141651340X
Publication Date: 9/27/2005
Pages: 372
Rating:
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 95

3.6 stars, based on 95 ratings
Publisher: Pocket
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Like the experience of war that Anthony Swofford describes, this book is thrilling, funny, messy, both well and poorly done, capable of insight as well as surprising lapses of judgement, fascinating, and ultimately anti-climactic.

It has many faults, but never was I disappointed to have been reading, and always I wanted to continue, so I could see what would happen.
Erinyes avatar reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 279 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Anthony Swofford spares the reader nothing. I actually found myself cringing while reading this book.

I remember this war, this conflict, this whatever. I was glued 24/7 to CNN like the rest of the world. I really felt like I was 'supporting' the troops and the like. My dad was in Vietnam and I was absolutely militant about the troops. Any whiff that someone was less than enthused and I was like a rabid terrier. So while I was reading his account of the war, I was comparing in my head how I felt at the time with his actual experiences. In comparision, I was a real ass.

This book is a must read. Especially now. There are hundreds of thousands of Swoffords right now deployed. Read this book.
Silvercat avatar reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on
Helpful Score: 2
This is a raw book but a well-written first-hand chronicle of Swofford's time served in the Gulf War. It allowed me to see what really happens during war time...no glamour in it! Refreshing honesty...
reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 209 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is a grungy account of the US Marine Corps as it really is, without all the flag waving and hero BS. Heros they may well be, but salty grunts is also what they are. This shows the Corps warts and all from the inside by a man who was there and lived it and in spite of himself - loved it.
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fog avatar reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 139 more book reviews
If one is too believe the author the USMC is full of undisciplined men whose only interest is sex and drunkenness. Midway in to the book the author talks about a fellow Marine who embellishes and exaggerates his exploits and says that is the way a Marine will be to garner attention and to try and prove his importance tot he rest of the Marines. Well the author is just as guilty with his his embellishments. In the first part of the book he recalls going to a funeral for a fellow Marine and spends the time drinking and bar fighting. I highly doubt that any Marine called to honor a fallen comrade would resort to this type of behavior. His quote â â¦the great disrespect we'd done her dead son, that our drunken and violet behavior had permanently tarnished his deathâ¦.â He also embellishes what the Marine recruiters tell him while trying to enlist himâ¦they, the recruiters, plying his head with hookers to be bought, sex unimaginable to be had and raunchy parties to attend. While this book, for those not familiar with the military , may seem daring and up front hardline all I can say is there is a tagline that all veterans use to start a storyâ¦.âThere I wasâ¦â. It's called either ra war story or a sea story for the Navy and that is what this first words of this book should have been- âThere I wasâ¦..â
Taken as a true account of the USMC during Desert Storm this book leaves a lot to be trusted but taken as a novel, pure fiction, it could be considered a good book.
reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 11 more book reviews
Terriffic gripping chronicle of life in the Marines and in Iraq
reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 13 more book reviews
This book gives you an image of modern warfare that is unexpected and a little disturbing. I really liked this book.
prosperedwoman avatar reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 92 more book reviews
In his NY Times bestselling chronicle of military life, Anthony Swofford weaves his experiences in war w/ vivid accounts of boot camp, reflections on the mythos of the marines, and remembrances of battles w/lovers and family.
reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on
I was disappointed by this book, given all the hype surrounding it, but it's a quick read and a vivid window into marine life.
reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 37 more book reviews
Decent book
reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on
A compelling, honest memoir from a USMC scout/sniper. As is so often the case, the book really is MUCH better than the movie.
reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 22 more book reviews
A stunningly candid account of a soldier's life in the first Gulf
War.
reviewed Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles on + 8 more book reviews
RAW AND REAL-NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.


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