A post on the process of a warrior writer was shared by newly published author, Antonio Salinas, in his own words recently on Military Success Network. With WoW- Words on Wednesday we continue to present reviews of books and other materials produced by military writers and often reviewed by current, separated or retired military members.
Nate Brookshire (L), co-author of Hidden Wounds: A Soldier’s Burden shares his review today of Siren’s Song: The Allure of War. (Deeds Publishing, 412 pages)
There is a great heap of dead men’s bones lying all around, with the flesh still rotting off them. Therefore pass these Sirens by, and stop your men’s ears with wax that none of them may hear. (Odyssey. Book 12, 188-191).
Review by Nate Brookshire
Siren’s Song: The Allure of War,” a book by Antonio Salinas is a first hand account of battle at the tip of the spear.
He gives a riveting narrative of what it means to lead in combat and highlights the process in which one takes on the mantle of leadership.
This journey is described in raw detail and does not disappoint. From his time as an enlisted Marine, a Cadet in the Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) to his role as a newly minted Infantry Platoon Leader, Salinas provides an in-depth and personal view of leadership. The reader soon realizes that the author is not only a student of history, but also of the human condition. Salinas guides readers willing to follow, through his first contact with the enemy to the “routine” application of violence.
If you think this book is a glorification of war, you would be mistaken . As the story progresses, you learn about a young leader maturing. He does this in the complex environment he finds himself in and soon, you understand how he has taken his knowledge of history and applied it to his mission to serve his nation.
The essence of the text is a love letter, both to the Soldiers he leads and to the “Sirens” who act as muses to his prose.
Salinas uses the journey of Odysseus as a backdrop and a touchstone for the emotions he experiences as he fulfills his duty.
He tells the story from his own perspective and uses his literary skills to document his deployment in a manner that will stand as a historical record. Salinas takes the time and effort, to shape his words. They are crafted in a manner that honors the members of his unit while ensuring that a reader who might have little or no knowledge of the military will understand. Of note, is that he documents his interaction with village elders and warriors of the Pesh Valley. This gives us a window into this world that few get to look through.
I was personally enriched by his description of the terrain, his assessment of Afghan warriors and the account of the tenacity of his Soldiers.
The book transitions easily from detailed analysis to poetry. It is of great value to anyone wanting a personal and first hand account of the reality of war and the impact it has on the soul.
Find Siren’s Song on Facebook and connect with other readers and see posts and graphics of interest.
It is also available at Amazon on Kindle as well as in print form.
Does anyone know who would be willing to review a book I am writing? While I was deployed to OEF as an Infantry PL, we were in contact 43 times and conducted 244 combat missions; We lost too many young men. While deployed I wrote a daily journal and have taken it verbatim and added further review and comment in reference to the missions, the men and my struggle with PTSD.
Will,
I’ll leave your comment here and suggest, if you are on Facebook, that you visit our page under Military Success Network or MilSuccessNet –> same location and you can post your request there also.
We’ll try to connect you with some people who might be interested in helping you out from our military writer members.
Thank you for your comment. Sorry I didn’t see for a day or so.