The Forever War

By: Dexter Filkins

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 11 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

From the front lines of the battle against Islamic fundamentalism, a searing, unforgettable audiobook that captures the human essence of the greatest conflict of our time. Through the eyes of Dexter Filkins, the prize-winning New York Times correspondent, we witness the remarkable chain of events that began with the rise of the Taliban in the 1990s, continued with the attacks of 9/11, and moved on to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Filkins's narrative moves across a vast and various landscape of amazing characters and astonishing scenes: a public amputation performed by the Taliban, children frolicking in minefields, skies streaked white by the contrails of B-52's, a night's sleep in the rubble of Ground Zero.

We venture into a torture chamber run by Saddam Hussein. We go into the homes of suicide bombers, meet Iraqi insurgents, and an American captain who loses a quarter of his men in eight days.

The Forever War allows us a visceral understanding of today's battlefields and of the experiences of the people on the ground, warriors and innocents alike. It is a brilliant, fearless work, not just about America's wars after 9/11, but ultimately about the nature of war itself.

©2008 Dexter Filkins (P)2008 Books on Tape

An Inside Account of the Mess

Listening to The Forever War one canes to realize the complexity of solving the problem of the war the US have gotten into. You can help some people some of the time but you cannot help all the people all of the time. We have opened a Pandora's box and it is a mess.

Wanting More!

Great reporting but I am not sure the unabridged versions is the way to go. Cuts were needed to help the flow. At times I lost the time line. The author has an amazing view and tremendous language in the way he described the events around him. He painted the picture with his words. The narrator saved it for me and I thought he was a great choice. I wanted a bit more opinion from the author. The epilogue saved the book for me because we finally got a complete view rather than a partial piece.

Everyone Should read/listen to this book

It is not what I thought it would be.
The author does a great job of telling the entire story. He spent time speaking to many many people involved: Generals, soldiers, religious leaders, citizens, normal people, strange people, terrorists, etc.

The author does a great job laying out how confusing the Middle East is to US. He doesn't blame anyone or anything. Just finds the info and puts it on display in this book.

I'll be reading this book over and over.

You will not be disappointed

Great stories, but totally disjointed

If you're looking for a book with a normal beginning, middle, and end this isn't it. The stories are excellent first-hand accounts of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars from a very brave and very skilled journalist. Unlike most other books on Iraq, it isn't totally obsessed with bashing you over the head with the author's political perspective. It's almost impossible to follow, though, as it jumps around like crazy. Most of the individual stories are excellent--basically if you like reading excellent quality real life war correspondent journalism, you'll love this book, but if you're looking for a more regular story, then skip it. As for the double-price--these stories are really unique and so worthwhile, but don't bother unless you really enjoy reading real life non-glamourized war stories.

A different perspective.

If you could sum up The Forever War in three words, what would they be?

a non-military perspective

Any additional comments?

Read this very well written (and read) book on a recommendation and I wasn't disappointed. I appreciated the perspective from a non-military / non-political reporter on the ground, among the people and among the fighters. It filled in the blanks for me between what we get on the news and what we get from our government. Most important was the viewpoint of the people themselves regarding religion, their predicament, the Americans and their bleak futures. Ugh.

Overwhelming

Would you listen to The Forever War again? Why?

Probably not . . . the book and presentation were excellent, but the thought that we're fighting for feckless mercenaries who have virtually no moral conscience is very disturbing.

What other book might you compare The Forever War to and why?

I read about a book a week and The Forever War is in a class of its own.

The idea that this war will last forever initially seemed ridiculous until I listened to this audio book . . . I now believe that it's not only possible, it's probable.

What does Robertson Dean bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The book is very well written, so I mean no disrespect to Mr. Filkin, but Mr. Dean did a wonderful job of bringing characters to life with his reading, voices and accents.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, I definitely had an extreme reaction to the book. I was only able to listen to in for brief periods. It's very disturbing.

Mr. Filkin's description of the Iraqi culture and way of life is so disturbing it takes one's breath away, yet so well explained it was clear why this war will last forever.

The presentation was so well done and the description of the gun battles so compelling, I could almost smell the gun powder, hear bullets piercing the air over my own head and feel the anguish loved ones would soon feel upon learning that their son, father or husband had been killed for what history will judge to be a senseless cause.

A memorable "read"

This book transports you to places in Afghanistan and Iraq before and after the wars began, fraught with danger, intrigue and surprises. Filkens writes not with just a reporter's eye but with that of a keen observer of people and events. You can all but smell the air of cafes, homes and the battlefields of the streets.

I was impressed by the brutal honesty of Filkens, which is not always flattering to him. One story in particular -- which I won't give away -- is haunting, not only for the listener, but for Filkens. But for all that happened, this man is certainly no coward. He's more of a daredevil. What kind of person goes jogging in Iraq OUTSIDE of the Green Zone? Filkens certainly tempts fate throughout the book.

This is one of those books that sticks with you after you've finished. While it's expensive at a hefty two credits, it's worth every one.

Incredible writing

This books is more of a best of of Filkins' reporting on the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts then a coherent narrative. Filkins shares his extensive experience on the front lines of the "Forever War" and gives some idea of what it is like to live and work in that environment. Most of all he shares his incredible writing ability. Filkin's description of the Marine assault on Fallujah with the contrast of the Mosques issuing a call for Jihad with the Marine's blasting "Highway to Hell" is one of the most memorable pieces of journalism I have ever read.

If this book was priced at one credit it would be an easy five stars. At two credits still a four.

Haunting

The characters and catastrophes, often one-in-the-same, that populate this book are compelling. If it is possible, Filkins' accounts of Afghanistan and Iraq are simultaneously hopeless and hopeful. Disjointed, haunting and enigmatic, the book mimics the conflicts Filkins was covering. It's not a book you understand intellectually as much as feel in your bones.

Crushing stories

This book crushes your certainties, your misconceptions, your hope and your skepticism and the same time. It erases all the black and white and covers our whole world in
grey.
And in the end you're left with a crushed heart.