Packing Inferno: The Unmaking of a Marine - Softcover

Boudreau, Tyler E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1932595325 ISBN 13: 9781932595321

Publisher: Feral House, 2008

Synopsis

Tyler E. Boudreau is a twelve-year veteran of the Marine Corps infantry. He trained and committed himself physically and intellectually to the military life. Then his intense devotion began to disintegrate, bit by bit, during his final mission in Iraq. After returning home, he discovered a turmoil developing in his mind, estranging him from his loved ones and the bill of goods he eagerly purchased as a marine officer.

Packing Inferno is the spectacularly written story of the ordeal of a marine officer in battle and then coming home. It is the struggle with a society resistant to understand the true nature of war. It is the fight with combat stress and an exploration into the process of recovery. It is the search for conscience, family, and ultimately for one's essential self. Here are the reflections of a man built by the Marine Corps, disassembled by war, and left with no guidance to rebuild himself.

This is Tyler E. Boudreau's first book. He currently lives in western Massachusetts, where he works with other veterans on many projects related to war.

About this title

About the Author

Tyler Boudreau grew up in the Boston area and joined the Marine Corps infantry in 1989. Upon completion of his enlistment, he attended college, earned his commission, and returned to the Marines as an infantry officer in 1997. After his tour in Iraq and twelve years of active service, he resigned his commission in 2005.

Reviews

Former marine officer Boudreau documents his struggles with the demons of war in this uneven memoir. Initially infatuated with war, the author was deployed to Iraq in March 2004 as the assistant operations officer for an infantry battalion. His wartime experiences, however, left him increasingly disillusioned and ambivalent; unable to face another deployment, Boudreau resigned from the Marine Corps after 12 years of service. The author's rage stems from his frustration with the U.S. mission in Iraq, which he concludes is un-accomplishable, noting, I see my fellow Marines getting blown away for nothing and with no chance whatsoever of success. Boudreau dismisses the surge strategy and greets stories of tactical success with skepticism. The author's efforts to call attention to veterans' psychological wounds are commendable, but his brief against the U.S. mission in Iraq—a labyrinth of... unattainable goals—is supported by occasionally suspect statistics (i.e., his exaggerated figures for army suicides). Boudreau writes convincingly about his inner struggles and draws on a seabag of colorful anecdotes to support his observations and conclusions in this provocative if flawed memoir. (Nov.)
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Edition details

• Publisher: Feral House
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1932595325
• ISBN 13: 9781932595321
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 226