This is a nonfiction book/autobiography about PTSD. The author, a war journalist who saw some the worst of the Iraq invasion, writes about his personal struggles against PTSD in raw detail. Additionally he discusses PTSD as a topic more generally, going into it’s history from Ancient Rome, through WW1 and 2, Vietnam, and finally into the Bush era wars. He personally describes his struggles with the VA to get help; the way he described the VA made it sound like a circle of Hell.
I expected to like this, but honestly I loved it. I loved the author including details of his own life; they brought to life the scientific details of the topic. I loved how the author looked into sexual assault survivors, interviewed them, quoted them in their own words; too often people don’t think about SA when they think PTSD. I love the author’s attitude when it comes to alternative therapy like yoga; if it works, it works. Finally, I liked the author’s narrative voice. He was skilled with the pen.
Highly recommended if you are curious about this topic.
John Mendez- Book Reviews and More 