The one thing about the Iraq war that most Americans agree on is that our troops deserve unconditional support. But because of this, most contemporary commentary about these troops is blinded by our unconditional devotion. Most Americans think that watching the nightly news gives them a complete understanding of our troops and what they’re fighting for. But in reality, most Americans are confused by our 21st Century warriors- their complexity and independence defies stereotypes. Evan Wright’s Generation Kill: Devil Dogs, Iceman, Captain America, and the New Face of American War intelligently describes who is fighting this war, and why they are fighting it. This insightful book provides a unique look at the Iraq war- specifically in that it delivers the most poignant description yet offered of the young troops fighting in Iraq today.

Wright introduces the good, the bad, and the ugly of the officer, staff non-commissioned officer (SNCO), and enlisted ranks. He writes about the best troops, like Sgt. Colbert who leads his men in the deliberate and exacting manner of a brain surgeon, his every move calculated and driven towards completing the mission. He also gives us “Captain America” and “Encino Man”, who embody the absolute worst behavior present in a certain percentage of uniformed leaders. Through it all, Wright never fails to give the ground truth in the relationships and bonds between troops- for good or bad- spawned out of war.

This book is the best portrayal of the modern young American warrior that I’ve read so far. America’s new breed of troops is tech-savvy, unapologetically individual, intensely driven, fiercely intelligent, and heroically unselfish. Often times covered in tattoos or dressed in baggy clothes while out of uniform, many of these troops elicit leering looks of suspicion from the upper crust of our society who don’t recognize them from the cable news glory-hour.

You cannot bullshit these troops- with their incredible life experiences they’ll see right through you. Luckily for his readers, Wright sees right through them and gives us the best available account of this new breed of warrior. If you want to support the troops, this book will help you understand whom you’re supporting.