What Have We Done

The Moral Injury of Our Longest Wars

By: David Wood

Narrated by: David Pittu

From Pulitzer Prize-¬?winning journalist David Wood, a battlefield view of moral injury, the signature wound of America's 21st century wars.

Most Americans are now familiar with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its prevalence among troops. In this groundbreaking new book, David Wood examines the far more pervasive yet less understood experience of those we send to war: moral injury, the violation of our fundamental values of right and wrong that so often occurs in the impossible moral dilemmas of modern conflict. Featuring portraits of combat veterans and leading mental health researchers, along with Wood's personal observations of war and the young Americans deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, What Have We Done offers an unflinching look at war and those who volunteer for it: the thrill and pride of service and, too often, the scars of moral injury.

Impeccably researched and deeply personal, What Have We Done is a compassionate, finely drawn study of modern war and those caught up in it. It is a call to acknowledge our newest generation of veterans by listening intently to them and absorbing their stories; and, as new wars approach, to ponder the inevitable human costs of putting American "boots on the ground."

Critic reviews

"With What Have We Done David Wood has written what may be one of the best, most riveting and accessible presentations on moral injury and how it differs from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)....David Wood is a major voice moving moral, ethical and spiritual dimensions front and center in understanding and helping our warriors."—Edward Tick, PhD, author of War and the Soul and Warrior's Return, co-founder and director of Soldier's Heart, Inc.

"David Wood makes other reporters smack their foreheads and ask themselves why they didn't do that story. It was sitting right there in front of you and you didn't see it until David put it all together."—David Martin, national security correspondent, CBS News

"What Have We Done is a landmark effort. Extraordinary work, and exceptional treatment of a strange, damaging phenomenon. We cannot begin to solve the problem until it's properly identified. Perhaps now we can begin to heal. Bravo!"
—LTC Kevin Petit, U.S. Army (ret), veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan

"David Wood is a treasure--a defense reporter who is both knowledgeable and morally perceptive. Plus, he can write. Read this and you will learn about our soldiers, our wars, and even the times in which we live. If I could, every time I heard someone thank someone else 'for their service,' I'd give both parties a copy of this book."
—Thomas E. Ricks, author of Fiasco and The Generals

"The most critical part in warrior development is what we call the moral component--the set of beliefs that allows the soldier to trust his chain of command and his mate, and to do what warriors must do. We do that brilliantly in America, up to the point the trigger is pulled. What David Wood has produced here in a gripping, superb storytelling manner, is the analysis of the aftermath of the trigger pull, and how we must improve how we as a society help the warrior return to peace."—Paul D. Eaton, Major General, US Army (retired)

"Wood has brilliantly articulated the harsh and lasting realities of the moral injury from Iraq and Afghanistan for so many who fought and served honorably. He uses his own, vivid memories of war, and the haunting memories of those who fought our wars to 'pressurize the soul' of America, urging all of us to deal with this almost universally ignored injury of the heart and soul. Heartbreaking and compelling!"
—Admiral Mike Mullen, 17th Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, 2007-2011

"David Wood is the best of the best. He gets out in the dust and mud and danger with the troops, and they revere him--which I know from them directly. Tissues at the ready! You will weep."
—Jonathan Shay, MD, PhD, author of Achilles in Vietnam and Odysseus in America

powerful

listen to the soldiers when they come home from war. it's the least we can do.

Trauma goes deeper than PTSD

I have followed David Wood's writing and work for several years now, and here is another example of why he is a Pulitzer Prize recipient for his work. Even though I have the book in print, I really wanted to hear the story with my ears as if he were telling it to me. In fact, David does narrate Chapter 2! I have studied and followed the phenomenon of Moral Injury for many years as it has emerged from the shadows of PTSD in Veterans. While Moral Injury is an integral part of the PTSD experience, it is also it's own set of triggers for behavioral health issues and social problems. The title "What Have We Done", is so appropriate here because we really have to ask ourselves what exactly have we really done. There are sooooo many opinions out there about just wars, volunteer military, heroism, psychological damage, etc. that focus on those symptoms and reactions that are in response to a traumatic incident or situation. When we talk about Moral Injury, we are talking about something that goes much deeper into the souls of the warfighter, contradicting everything that person was taught in their young life about right and wrong. This is how we start to believe we are bad people and don't deserve to have survived. WE have to start listening to these people and doing something with what they are telling us. I am a Veteran- a combat Veteran, and there is nothing in this book that speaks falsely of our duty and obligation to those who come home from war believing they will go to Hell for what they did in combat. If I were teaching graduate therapists or any person who plans to work in behavioral health, this wold be required reading hands down.

Excellent introduction to the concepts

I typically do not enjoy books by journalists because they are regurgitating other people's thoughts. However these are thoughts that need to be regurgitated.

A must read for all Americans concerned with government violence

Must read!

Much needed message at a critical time in our history as “leaders” clamor for more US engagement across the globe.

Good book for civilians and military folks.

This book is a story to explain moral injury. It hits on some key points for those that did serve. I hope those that served overseas get the help they need. I also hope that those that interact with veterans have a better understanding of how servicemembers cope.

Great Book

Recommended by my old commander and so worth the read/ listen. Different perspectives to think about makes you wonder sometimes.

Wow!

The story needs to be told. And it needs to be heard. I will be telling everyone about this book and our need as a people to be there for our veterans. I wonder who else needs to be heard?

life changing book

loved the book and narrator! would highly reccomend. looking for more books like it! I couldn't put the book down. it provided a unique combination that made the message easy to understand by mixing stories with the message of the book.

In one word: Wow

Finally a book that describes how I've been feeling since Iraq. Many of my friends got diagnosed with PTSD but they didn't think it was that. The shame and guilt doesn't come with that diagnosis. And for those of us who have been cleared but still have to cope with the memories and results of our actions, this book give us some answers. Will definitely recommend this book not only to other veterans, but to their families as well.

Good for all of us..

Great narration
Wishing I were better with words, This is a great book so many things I all ready understood and many I hadn’t stopped to think about. I am so grateful to have experienced this story to now fully understand the importance of purely listening Really listening
And without judgment