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Soldier Girls: The Battles Of Three Women At Home And At War (2014)

by Helen Thorpe(Favorite Author)

3.92 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

1451668104 (ISBN13: 9781451668100)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Scribner

review 1: I think Thorpe has performed an admirable service by writing this story of what is has been like for women to serve in the military. I am sure that she could get some flak from soldiers and Marines who found themselves in the midst of fire fights, but the validity of these women's service ought not be taken lightly. Two things struck me about their story. One was the realization of the author, in conjunction with at least two characters of, "What the heck are we doing sending a grandmother off to a combat zone," - and I'm not sure whether it matters much what contribution she made. And I can't place that one thought in isolation. I hearkened back to Andrew Bacevich's "Breach of Trust: How Americans Failed Their Soldiers and Their Country" As a society we need to addr... moreess firmly what it means to go to war (or perhaps more cogently what it means to NOT go to war). The second thing that struck me was the disconnect that took place between when these women signed up for the Army Guard to "get an education" - or at least get a job that helped pay a few bills - and when it dawned on them that the commitment they made included the possibility of actually deploying to a war zone. For anyone that starts to wonder how their soldier/sailor/airman/Marine friend turned into "a mess" after serving, this story has some pretty good insights. It is well done.
review 2: If you want insight to the true cost of 2 wars, read this book. Helen Thorpe follows three female members of the Indiana National Guard. All three enlisted before September 11, 2001. Before 9/11, the National Guard provided assistance in natural disasters or times of civil unrest. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan changed that. Their Guard unit deployed twice in less than 4 years. Lives, careers, relationships, children were upended. The story is heart wrenching. I wish every politician in America would read this book. One should know the cost of war before one sends soldiers, airmen, sailors, or marines into harm's way. less

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