Phil Klay Boeken

After leaving the Marines a decade ago, Phil Klay joined a community of veterans confronting the significance of their wartime experiences for themselves and the nation. American identity has always been intertwined with war, from the Revolutionary War to the World Wars that established the U.S. as a superpower. The current conflicts raise questions about our national identity and civic responsibility. Unlike previous wars, the post-9/11 conflicts remain largely unacknowledged by the broader public, creating a disconnect between those who serve and the civilian population. This disconnect manifests as a moral blind spot, which Klay explores in his powerful essays. He examines the implications of American military actions abroad, often overlooked yet profoundly impactful. The tension between military and civilian life in America is a central theme, prompting critical reflections on the reasons we ask young Americans to fight and sacrifice. Klay's work challenges readers to confront these difficult questions, emphasizing their importance in shaping the future of a divided nation. How we respond to these inquiries will significantly influence the direction of our troubled country.

After leaving the Marines a decade ago, Phil Klay joined a community of veterans confronting the meaning of their wartime experiences and their implications for American identity. War has always been integral to this identity, from the Revolutionary War to the World Wars, but the current post-9/11 conflicts remain largely invisible to most Americans. While a small group of soldiers and their families are deeply affected, the broader population often remains unaware of the ongoing nature of these wars. This disconnect creates a significant divide between military and civilian life, leading to a moral blind spot regarding the consequences of American military actions abroad. Klay's powerful essays explore this chasm, posing critical questions about the sacrifices asked of young Americans and the underlying reasons for these demands. He examines what binds the nation together and how these inquiries are interconnected. The answers to these questions will significantly influence the future trajectory of the country, making Klay's reflections on these pressing issues both timely and essential.

This collection takes readers to the frontlines of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, exploring the experiences of soldiers before and after their return. Themes of brutality, faith, guilt, fear, helplessness, and survival permeate the narratives, as characters grapple with chaos. In the title story, a soldier who had to shoot dogs feeding on human corpses struggles to adjust to suburban life, surrounded by those unaware of his traumatic past. "After-Action Report" follows a Lance Corporal seeking redemption for a killing he didn't commit, hoping to relieve his best friend’s burden. A Mortuary Affairs Marine shares his harrowing experiences collecting the remains of both U.S. and Iraqi soldiers. A chaplain's faith is tested by the actions of a brutal Colonel, challenging his ability to provide solace. In the darkly comic "Money as a Weapons System," a young Foreign Service Officer absurdly attempts to teach Iraqis baseball as a means of improving their lives. These stories illuminate the monotony, bureaucracy, camaraderie, and violence that define a soldier’s life at war, as well as the isolation, remorse, and despair that can follow their return home. Klay starkly contrasts the extremes of a soldier's experience with the profound sense of loss that accompanies it.

Mason, a U.S. Army Special Forces medic, and Lisette, a foreign correspondent, both carry the scars of America's post-9/11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet, the allure of war—the noble calling, camaraderie, and life-and-death stakes—draws them in. Their paths converge in Colombia, where the U.S. collaborates with the local government to combat a brutal civil war and curb narco gangs. Mason, now a liaison to the Colombian military, is eager for action, while Lisette is keen to report on it. Juan Pablo, a Colombian officer, must translate the complex realities of power struggles into a language the Americans can grasp, while navigating a treacherous landscape of factions. In contrast, Abel, a lieutenant in the militia Los Mil Jesuses, faces a grim reality in rural Norte de Santander, where law is nearly nonexistent. Having lost everything, he finds himself trapped in a situation where safety comes at a terrible cost. As Los Mil Jesuses move to seize power, with the Colombian military's complicity, the Americans become unwitting pawns in a game beyond their comprehension. This gripping narrative unfolds into a calamity that impacts all involved and resonates globally, showcasing a sophisticated understanding of geopolitical dynamics and the human heart. Comparisons to literary giants like Joseph Conrad and Graham Greene arise, yet this work stands as a unique exploration of the forces unleashed in our world.