This insight into an army recruit’s thoughts and experiences seems to have testosterone leaping off every page. There are informative comparisons between military and civilian lifestyles that suggest why adjustments to be made when returning ‘home’ are so much more than just a change of clothes. What begin as sources of irritation for the off-duty soldier can be catalysts for physical demonstrations of frustration.


After the rigours of endless training drills and training re-enactments, the new solders are seemingly ‘bored senseless’ for long periods and they hunger for news of their deployment. Conversely, their families hope their sons and daughters will never experience the unique brutality of war.


It pays to remember that this is not a novel, although that offers minimal justification for the adrenaline released in the first few paragraphs not being generated throughout the book. The many acronyms (initials for names or procedures) that add authenticity to the narrative are similarly disappointing. Using the glossary at the back, especially for the more humdrum definitions, does nothing to help build-up a satisfying pace or intrigue.


The reviews on the cover are exclusively written by men who appreciate the author’s unambiguous and seemingly authentic depictions of both violence and mundanity. Our group of female readers were unanimous in recognising that we had learned something from this book, but all, bar one, did not finish reading it. Most of us felt that the really impressive start was no indication of what would follow.


Our average mark was 4.5 out of 10.