56 pages • 1 hour read
287
Book • Nonfiction
Korengal Valley, Afghanistan • 2000s
2010
Adult
18+ years
War by Sebastian Junger documents a year in the rugged highlands of Afghanistan, where Junger and videographer Tim Hetherington accompany the Second Platoon of Battle Company as they face arduous conditions and intense combat in the Korengal Valley. The platoon patrols to combat insurgent forces, with the deaths, injuries, and extreme resilience of the soldiers vividly portrayed.
Gritty
Suspenseful
Challenging
Emotional
Dark
25,814 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Sebastian Junger's War, drawing on his time with a U.S. platoon in Afghanistan, has garnered praise for its raw and immersive reflection on combat experiences, psychological impacts, and camaraderie. Critics laud its vivid storytelling and deep human focus. However, some note it occasionally lacks broader geopolitical context. Overall, it's a compelling, gripping read.
Readers who would enjoy War by Sebastian Junger are likely interested in modern warfare, personal soldier experiences, and psychological impacts of combat. Fans of Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden and The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien will appreciate the camaraderie, intense realism, and human story aspects present in War.
25,814 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
287
Book • Nonfiction
Korengal Valley, Afghanistan • 2000s
2010
Adult
18+ years
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