What It Is Like to Go to War by Karl Marlantes is a philosophical examination of the psychological impact of combat on soldiers, detailing Marlantes's personal experiences during the Vietnam War and the broader implications for how society trains and reintegrates military personnel, advocating for spiritual and emotional preparation alongside technical training. The book addresses post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use, and the morality of killing in war.

Challenging

Emotional

Informative

Contemplative

Dark

Reviews & Readership

4.2

11,265 ratings

76%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

Not a fan

Review Roundup

Karl Marlantes' What It Is Like to Go to War is praised for its raw, personal insight into the psychological and moral complexities of combat, drawn from the author's own experiences in Vietnam. While some critics feel the narrative can be dense and digressive, it remains a profound exploration of a soldier's inner turmoil and the lasting impacts of warfare.

Who Should Read What It Is Like to Go to War?

Readers who would appreciate What It Is Like to Go to War by Karl Marlantes are those interested in military memoirs and psychological insights into combat. Comparable to Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried and Sebastian Junger's War, this book will intrigue those seeking a profound exploration of soldiers' inner battles.

4.2

11,265 ratings

76%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

Not a fan

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Book Details

Pages

272

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Genre

Psychology

•

Philosophy

•

Biography

Setting