The Forever War

NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD WINNER

By: Dexter Filkins

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

From the front lines of the battle against Islamic fundamentalism, a searing, unforgettable audiobook that captures the human essence of the greatest conflict of our time. Through the eyes of Dexter Filkins, the prize-winning New York Times correspondent, we witness the remarkable chain of events that began with the rise of the Taliban in the 1990s, continued with the attacks of 9/11, and moved on to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Filkins’s narrative moves across a vast and various landscape of amazing characters and astonishing scenes: a public amputation performed by the Taliban, children frolicking in minefields, skies streaked white by the contrails of B-52’s, a night’s sleep in the rubble of Ground Zero. We venture into a torture chamber run by Saddam Hussein. We go into the homes of suicide bombers, meet Iraqi insurgents, and an American captain who loses a quarter of his men in eight days.

The Forever War allows us a visceral understanding of today’s battlefields and of the experiences of the people on the ground, warriors and innocents alike. It is a brilliant, fearless work, not just about America’s wars after 9/11, but ultimately about the nature of war itself.©2008 Dexter Filkins; (P)2008 Books on Tape

Interesting perspective

The author was on the ground in Iraq and witnessed the demise of the country. I thought it odd when he referred to America and Americans in the third person. Perhaps a little too much about him in the book. It may just have been cathartic for him as he tried to make sense out of a brutal and dystopian environment. Worth listening to if you are interested in the second Iraq war and the aftermath.

A horrifying description of current day Iraq

An interesting and a clear description of the chaos the U.S. Inflicted on Iraq, told through personal anecdotes and observations of the author.

Like actually being there.

I'm not usually a fan of war books or movies, but this one was real. Gives a glimpse of the realities of war. Made me even more sensitive to the fact that these are not just brave soldiers, but regular young Americans fighting in foreign countries with families left behind hoping and praying for their safe return.

Engaging

At times the subject matter is extremely grim, but you can't put this down. You feel like you're there.
This is exceptionally well written and the narrator does an excellent job.
My respect and admiration for journalists, though usually high, has been notched up even higher.

Gripping

This book completely changed my perception of the Iraq war. A lot of preconceptions that I had were changed by this beautiful, sad, and moving true tale of a reporter who lived in Iraq during the early part of the war and experienced much of the danger and interacted with and spoke with many of the different people.