Achilles in Vietnam by Jonathan Shay

Achilles in Vietnam by Jonathan Shay

Achilles in Vietnam by Jonathan Shay was an unexpected find. It compares Homer’s Iliad to the Vietnam War. Shay shows us why PTSD is so visceral for soldiers, and it’s not what you expect. While the death and destruction are devastating, what causes the mental wounds is the cowardice of military leaders who govern from the rear, always protecting themselves while putting “lesser” troops in danger. This book teaches us that cowardly authority and layers of bureaucracy destroy everyone involved.

This book was recommended in my weekly newsletter on March 6, 2024.

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