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shirleytupperfreeman's review
I don't love war stories but it seems important to read them. For me, it's the best way to understand what it is we've asked our young men and women, and their leaders, to do. The novel tells the story of Lieutenant Jack Porter as he leads a battalion of soldiers toward the end of a tour of duty as the military begins to exit Iraq. The complicated relationships between the western soldiers and Iraqi warlords and civilians makes for an interesting story. Gallagher writes clearly of the many moral dilemmas faced by folk trying to lead and keep their people alive.
joestewart's review against another edition
5.0
Young Blood has the feel of a mystery / who done it. But, it's narrated by an American Infantry Platoon Leader in Iraq. Technical and tactical details are accurate but do not overwhelm the story as happens in most Tom Clancy novels. The writing is quite good and the story drew me in - wanting to learn more about the characters. Well done!
canadajanes's review against another edition
4.0
Very compelling read, better than I initially expected.
susannaopal's review
4.0
A well-written book from a perspective not often heard. As I read this, I realized I don't read many male protagonists, and rarely read current war fiction. I wished some of the loose ends had been tied up and occasionally felt like the story dragged a bit in between major events. I would like to read more from this author as I think he has a lot to offer the literary world, and in writing, gets the reader thinking about the everyday folks fighting wars still continued but easily forgotten about by the public at large. **Recommended**
kochella's review
3.0
I really got bogged down in the middle of this book. The narrative struck me as directionless and random - waiting - until the plot suddenly picked up in the last 75 pages of the novel. Was this intentional? Was it supposed to be symbolic of the pointless U.S. presence in Iraq after the war was "over"? If this effect was purposeful, then it was brilliant. The problem was that it didn't feel purposeful, it just felt like the book needed some heavy-handed editing.
The writing was only "ok" for me as well - I was not particularly inspired by it as other reviewers seem to have been.
The writing was only "ok" for me as well - I was not particularly inspired by it as other reviewers seem to have been.
not_mike's review
4.0
Great novel. Hope to read more of Gallagher in the future.
The 'books readers also enjoyed' section include Powerpoint and Excel sheet 'how-to' books. Funny.
The 'books readers also enjoyed' section include Powerpoint and Excel sheet 'how-to' books. Funny.
nicoleabouttown's review against another edition
2.0
For the love of God, can everyone who pitches this book to me please stop referring to it as 'being like Jarhead'? It's not, not even close. I couldn't get that out of my mind when I was reading Youngblood and as a result, I can't help but compare the two and it doesn't work out very well for Youngblood.
calcoco's review against another edition
2.0
I was sent an advance uncorrected proof for review from the publisher.
I was excited to receive this book for review as it is compared to Jarhead and I loved that book. Unfortunately there is little if no comparison. A book about a new US military lieutenant Jack Porter and a veteran sergeant Daniel Chambers preparing to withdraw from Iraq drags and jumps around to the point that it took till over half way to find any semblance of a story and it wasn't a good one or a believable one. I have read a fair number of war books and this was by far the worst. With too many undeveloped stories and shoddy character development this book becomes more than a slog. I found the main character LT Jack to be extremely weak to the point that I even found myself rolling my eyes every time he would utter a "goddamn". The story of sergeant Chambers was almost interesting but it fell flat while concentration was spent on subplots that left me with absolutely no respect for the character of Jack Porter.
I was excited to receive this book for review as it is compared to Jarhead and I loved that book. Unfortunately there is little if no comparison. A book about a new US military lieutenant Jack Porter and a veteran sergeant Daniel Chambers preparing to withdraw from Iraq drags and jumps around to the point that it took till over half way to find any semblance of a story and it wasn't a good one or a believable one. I have read a fair number of war books and this was by far the worst. With too many undeveloped stories and shoddy character development this book becomes more than a slog. I found the main character LT Jack to be extremely weak to the point that I even found myself rolling my eyes every time he would utter a "goddamn". The story of sergeant Chambers was almost interesting but it fell flat while concentration was spent on subplots that left me with absolutely no respect for the character of Jack Porter.