I had a general question for you. I am a PhD candidate in literature who writes about World War I literature, but in that capacity I have also taught 'War Literature' in general (syllabus includes soldiers narratives, theatre and poetry across history) and have found it difficult to find literature (and art and writing in general) from veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan or about the wars at all (regardless of whether written by veterans). So far, all I've really found is Redeployment by Phil Klay. I am very happy to have found your newsletter but I was wondering: What kinds of writing/content would you like included in a class for undergraduates about the experiences of soldiers in the recent wars? What do you want students to know? Who do you want them to hear from? What would you want professors to keep in mind and communicate? Are there any texts or people you could direct me towards?
I know these are massive questions, and I am interested in anything you have to say on the topic. It is very generous of you to make your and others' experiences available on a larger platform, so thank you!
I would suggest "War" by Sebastian Junger, "In the Company of Soldiers" by Rick Atkinson (who is considered by many to be our greatest living military historian, his massive 3 volume 'Liberation Trilogy' about the WWII in Europe/Africa is phenomenal), "The Forever War" by Dexter Filkins, "The Fighters: Americans in Combat" by C.J. Chivers, and "What It's Like to Go to War" by Karl Marlantes.
Hi Catherine, I am so interested in your comment. I teach a Veterans in Transition Course at both UG and Grad levels. I would love to talk with you via Zoom maybe about what you are doing. My email is ks15@txstate.edu Katherine Selber I am at Texas State University.
Also I realized there's a missing word here- I meant it's difficult to find literature about the 'recent' wars- not all wars in general! 😅 sorry about that!
"I had a general question for you. I am a PhD candidate in literature who writes about World War I literature, but in that capacity I have also taught 'War Literature' in general (syllabus includes soldiers narratives, theatre and poetry across history)"
We don't spend enough time studying The Great War (myself included) Its one of those points in history where we can say And Then everything Changed. And we're still dealing with the outcome that war today.
"but I was wondering: What kinds of writing/content would you like included in a class for undergraduates about the experiences of soldiers in the recent wars?"
Why just recent wars? I suspect there were guys who came back from The hundred years war that were affected just as guys today.
I framed my question to focus on recent wars because that's what I've had the most trouble choosing material for- it's much easier to find World War, Civil War, early modern, etc (and back to much earlier texts like Ajax and the Iliad) because they've just been around for longer. In fact, I use Theatre of War in my class- which is an initiative where veterans read and perform Greek drama as a way of speaking to war experience. So my question was coming from what's hardest to find for my class, not a judgement on which war is more relevant - hope that clarifies where I'm coming from.
I had a general question for you. I am a PhD candidate in literature who writes about World War I literature, but in that capacity I have also taught 'War Literature' in general (syllabus includes soldiers narratives, theatre and poetry across history) and have found it difficult to find literature (and art and writing in general) from veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan or about the wars at all (regardless of whether written by veterans). So far, all I've really found is Redeployment by Phil Klay. I am very happy to have found your newsletter but I was wondering: What kinds of writing/content would you like included in a class for undergraduates about the experiences of soldiers in the recent wars? What do you want students to know? Who do you want them to hear from? What would you want professors to keep in mind and communicate? Are there any texts or people you could direct me towards?
I know these are massive questions, and I am interested in anything you have to say on the topic. It is very generous of you to make your and others' experiences available on a larger platform, so thank you!
Go read Eliot Ackerman. He blows Klay out the water.
Concur.
Thank you!
I would suggest "War" by Sebastian Junger, "In the Company of Soldiers" by Rick Atkinson (who is considered by many to be our greatest living military historian, his massive 3 volume 'Liberation Trilogy' about the WWII in Europe/Africa is phenomenal), "The Forever War" by Dexter Filkins, "The Fighters: Americans in Combat" by C.J. Chivers, and "What It's Like to Go to War" by Karl Marlantes.
Thank you!
Hi Catherine, I am so interested in your comment. I teach a Veterans in Transition Course at both UG and Grad levels. I would love to talk with you via Zoom maybe about what you are doing. My email is ks15@txstate.edu Katherine Selber I am at Texas State University.
Also I realized there's a missing word here- I meant it's difficult to find literature about the 'recent' wars- not all wars in general! 😅 sorry about that!
"I had a general question for you. I am a PhD candidate in literature who writes about World War I literature, but in that capacity I have also taught 'War Literature' in general (syllabus includes soldiers narratives, theatre and poetry across history)"
We don't spend enough time studying The Great War (myself included) Its one of those points in history where we can say And Then everything Changed. And we're still dealing with the outcome that war today.
"but I was wondering: What kinds of writing/content would you like included in a class for undergraduates about the experiences of soldiers in the recent wars?"
Why just recent wars? I suspect there were guys who came back from The hundred years war that were affected just as guys today.
I framed my question to focus on recent wars because that's what I've had the most trouble choosing material for- it's much easier to find World War, Civil War, early modern, etc (and back to much earlier texts like Ajax and the Iliad) because they've just been around for longer. In fact, I use Theatre of War in my class- which is an initiative where veterans read and perform Greek drama as a way of speaking to war experience. So my question was coming from what's hardest to find for my class, not a judgement on which war is more relevant - hope that clarifies where I'm coming from.
And also yes to your first point- given its significance (and my own interests) I cover the Great War - there's so much to learn
I’m going to need to retire if I’m going to keep up with your writings.
"Then, I gave them my patented crazy eyes face."
LOL! Works All The Time!
You paint a vivid picture of Strong Hope. Good selfie, too!😆