"...making war upon rebellion is messy and slow; like eating soup with a knife."
-T. E. Lawrence

the 'Reccomended Reading' list expands by 2:

Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10, Marcus Luttrell, with Patrick Robinson

Visceral storytelling. Honest, no-holds-barred. THIS shows you in no uncertain terms what we are up against in Afghanistan. Also beautifully showcases the supreme dedication and loyalty of the finest warriors in the US military, the Navy SEALS.


Generation Kill: Devil Dogs, Iceman, Captain America, and the New Face of American War, Evan Wright

Embedded with then Lt, Nathanial Fick's Recon Marines for the primary invasion of Iraq, Wright gives a broader perspective to the events covered in Fick's One Bullet Away... Also outlines some of the shortcomings of American military command, and the disorganization of the invasion/occupation/aftermath.
This really should be read as a companion/support to One Bullet Away... and if you can get your hands on a copy of Fick's presentation at Dartmouth "Eating Soup With A Knife..."


Reccomended viewing!!
Eating Soup With A Knife: A Marine Officer's Perspective on Afghanistan and Iraq. Rockefeller Center @ Dartmouth presents, Nathaniel Fick 11 Nov. 2005 This is a very coherent, straightforward 'debrief' on what he saw, and did; how it effects him and his Marines, and how it effects[r should] American civilians/policy makers. Also his theories on US military strategy, the success and failures therein, and ideas on moving forward in Iraq and in general US military policy.

^^ in conjunction with One Bullet Away... and Generation Kill...


in another vein, i AM messy and slow... with or without soups and knives. I need a complete overhaul of my bedroom. and finish prize art i owe someone...