This Book Just Keeps Getting More and More Astonishing

Sometimes I forget that I am reading about actual people. Not because the writer isn't skilled, it is quite clear that he is. It is because these stories are too heartbreaking, too unbelievable to be accurate. I have always believed that the most horrible things on this planet are that which happen within the mind. This book continues to challenge that notion.

Throughout my second section of reading I have noticed a change of tone. The first part of the book is filled with action on the front lines. Maybe this is a tactic to get the readers attention. Now, it is filled with misery and stories of innocent, peaceful people being exploited and treated as prisoners. It is hard not to feel for these people and their stories. Filkins has me right where he wants me because I have no intention of putting this down. The sad part? I keep reading this like a novel with a happy ending in sight but I already know, this one isn't going to be resolved anytime soon.

The Forever War- Blog 1- A Robbed Culture

I am fascinated by culture. How they develop, how they are different, how they change. I chose the Forever War because I desired to learn more about a culture that seemed unreachable. A place that only exists in news footage. I also have a deeper personal reason for wanting to read this book, I am half Persian. It is a part of my heritage that I have always been fascinated by but felt completely clueless about. Growing up in the United States, Arab countries get very little attention in the world of education. The only thing anyone ever knows about "those" places is that their is lots of violence there. I am not satisfied with that being a culture, my culture.

Ashes to Dust Commentary

Ashes to Dust (pg. 201, FW) was not an assigned reading. However, I read it anyways and enjoyed it. I'm not sure I fully understand what about the piece made me enjoy it so much, but I think I might have a few ideas. (Spoilers ahead!)