Karl Marlantes

This is the author of the book. Marlantes uses his own experiences in combat in the Vietnam War to illustrate his argument about better preparing soldiers for the realities of warfare. Marlantes grew up in the Pacific Northwest and as a boy helped his grandfather on his fishing boat in the Columbia River. He joined the Marine Corps graduated from Yale University and attended Oxford University in England as a Rhodes Scholar. He left Oxford to go into active service as an officer and was sent to Vietnam. While in Vietnam, Marlantes saw active combat and was wounded by a grenade. He was awarded several service medals, including the Navy Cross for heroism. Following the war he returned to Oxford and later worked at the Pentagon.

Marlantes struggled with conflicting emotions upon his return from war and sought help from counselors at the Veterans' administration. He found...