Generation Kill

By: Evan Wright

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 13 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

They were called a generation without heroes. Then they were called upon to be heroes. Within hours of 9/11, America's war on terrorism fell to those like the 23 Marines of the First Recon Battalion, the first generation dispatched into open-ended combat since Vietnam.

They were a new breed of American warriors unrecognizable to their forebears - soldiers raised on hip-hop, Internet porn, Marilyn Manson, video games, and The Real World, a band of born-again Christians, dopers, Buddhists, and New Agers who gleaned their precepts from kung fu movies and Oprah Winfrey.

Cocky, brave, headstrong, wary, and mostly unprepared for the physical, emotional, and moral horrors ahead, the "First Suicide Battalion" would spearhead the blitzkrieg on Iraq and fight against the hardest resistance Saddam had to offer.

Generation Kill is the funny, frightening, and profane firsthand account of these remarkable men, of the personal toll of victory, and of the randomness, brutality, and camaraderie of a new American war.

©2008 Evan Wright (P)2008 Tantor

A piece of recent history

Should be mandatory reading for high schools. A great and accurate depiction of what warfighters go through.

Loved the show and the book was no different.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys war stories. Every time the author mentioned Person, I could hear the actors voice who played him.

A soldier's eye view of war

I bought this book because I loved the HBO miniseries that's based on it, and I was not disappointed. Many of the same people and events are here, but because it's a book, not restrained by the pacing of a TV show, the author can spend time giving backstory and describing things in more detail than the show can, so if you like the miniseries you can get a much more fleshed out version of the same story here.

The narrator is good. He puts on different voices for all the characters, a couple of the voices might sound a bit silly (there were one of two where I felt like he was trying to make the person sound really dopey). Still, it's very helpful because there are quite a few characters and this style of narration helps to distinguish them.

Probably the biggest strength of this book is that the author seems to be more interested in getting inside the heads of the soldiers than making any kind of political statement about the war in Iraq or war in general. Depending on your point of view you may see the violence in the book as horrific and pointless, or the grim reality of a necessary and noble cause. The point is you can decide this for yourself, the author won't tell you what to think. He just shows it as it is without shoving any messages in your face. The soldiers aren't glorified or vilified, instead they're portrayed as believable human beings, and are much more relatable because of it.

Amazing book

One of my all time favorite books. Love everything about this book. Such a great read. If your into military history this is a must

Great book

if you love the TV show, you'll love this book. I personally finished it in two days, and enjoyed every second of it. great characters and great storytelling, good job.

A great supplement to the HBO show!

GK's HBO adaptation might be one of my favorite military focused shows of all time. The characters, writing and non glorified approach toward the armed forces is fantastic. It's not suppose to be a hollywood blockbuster or a "war is hell" hippie piece but the story of a unit of young men in the opening days of a flustercluck of a war. Warts and all. No spin.

The book [or audio book] is a great supplement to the show. "Scribe" 's observations, interviews and experiences in Iraq are expanded here much more than the show. The feeling of change within the various Rangers, the sense of "stupidity" in the chain of command, and just the sense of "civilian in the middle of combat" is captured much more here. Not surpassing the show but rather making things more intimate.

Narration was pretty good too. While not having the gut-busting delivery of some of the quotes from the show; he does a good job attempting to capture the various vocal quirks of people like "Encino Man", Thrombly [who isn't called Whopper Jr supplemented with chanting which kinda bums me out] and of course "Godfather".

If you love the show or want a more..."Realistic" showing of just how "smart" and "effective" our military can be. Generation Kill is a definite "Must see".

Read Before You Watch: Generation Kill, Unfiltered

"Generation Kill" by Evan Wright is a gripping and unflinching portrayal of the early days of the Iraq War, as experienced by the Marines of the First Recon Battalion.

If you're considering watching the acclaimed HBO miniseries based on this book, I highly recommend experiencing the audiobook first. The depth and nuance provided in the narrative offer a richer understanding of the characters and events that the screen adaptation touches upon.

Patrick Lawlor's narration adds a compelling layer to the storytelling. His ability to capture the distinct personalities of the Marines enhances the authenticity of the account. The varied voices and tones he employs help bring each individual to life, making it easier for listeners to connect with their stories, struggles, and camaraderie.

Evan Wright, as an embedded journalist, provides an honest and immersive account of the Marines' experiences. The book delves deep into the psyche of these young men—raised in the era of the internet, video games, and pop culture—as they navigate the physical, emotional, and moral complexities of war. Wright doesn't shy away from depicting the harsh realities they face, including the bureaucratic challenges and the often brutal decisions made in the heat of combat.

One of the standout aspects of "Generation Kill" is its balance between intense action and introspective moments. The narrative captures not just the firefights and military strategies but also the humor, fears, and bonds formed between the soldiers. It's a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit under extreme circumstances.

In conclusion, "Generation Kill" is a must-listen for anyone interested in military history, personal soldier narratives, or the complexities of modern combat. Before diving into the television adaptation, immerse yourself in the audiobook to fully appreciate the depth and detail of this remarkable story. I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and highly recommend it.

Loved it

I got the the audiobook as a result of the HBO miniseries and was not disappointed. The book was a good follow up to the series as it helped to explain the command structure and the relationships better.

Should be required reading/listening for all

My husband is a Marine Corps veteran deployed in both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. He won't read most military books, but this is one of his favorite books because of its realism, both in the multidimensionality of Marines and realities of the Iraq war. It's true that many people of all ages have trouble understanding and connecting to this generation of veterans, and I think this book is a good way to help people (including myself) begin understand what they've gone through. It's also just a great listen, with the humor and pain of the human experience shining throughout.

Excellent Book on the Invasion

I really enjoyed this audiobook. A very interesting perspective on the invasion, the Marines, and war in general. Must read for Infantrymen.