Civilianized: A Young Veteran's Memoir - Hardcover

Anthony, Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1936976889 ISBN 13: 9781936976881

Publisher: Zest Books ™, 2016

Synopsis

After twelve months of military service in Iraq, Michael Anthony stepped off a plane, seemingly happy to be home--or at least back on US soil. He was twenty-one years old, a bit of a nerd, and carrying a pack of cigarettes that he thought would be his last. Two weeks later, Michael was stoned on Vicodin, drinking way too much, and picking a fight with a very large Hell's Angel. At his wit's end, he came to an agreement with himself: If things didn't improve in three months, he was going to kill himself. Civilianized is a memoir chronicling Michael's search for meaning in a suddenly destabilized world.

About this title

About the Author

Michael Anthony is the author of Mass Casualties: A Young Medic's True Story of Death, Deception, and Dishonor in Iraq, which received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and blurbs from Howard Zinn, Bing West, David Bellavia, and Philip Zimbardo. He has written for the Washington Post blog, the Business Insider blog, as well as several others, including a year-long stint as a feature writer and the editor of the "War and Veterans" section of the Good Men Project.

Reviews

Teens who have grown up witnessing America's involvement in wars and who may know veterans who experienced warfare firsthand will be drawn to this raw, unsentimental memoir. Upon returning home, Anthony—who spent the previous year in Iraq assisting doctors during surgery in a combat support hospital—realizes that he misses the adrenaline rushes, sense of purpose, and camaraderie. Thinking about misguided politics invokes a rage in the 21-year-old that is channeled by putting himself in dangerous situations. But far worse is the feeling of numbness. Alcohol and drug abuse lead to suicidal thoughts and the resolution that if he doesn't recover in three months, he will kill himself. Believing that he has nothing to lose, Anthony signs up for a course on learning how to attract women. The narration has moments of levity as the instructor, whom Anthony describes as an "ape with ADD," guides a group of misfits in ridiculous exercises. Anthony has ups and downs as he copes with post-traumatic stress disorder and addictions during the allotted three months. Ultimately, his salvation comes through writing about the truths of his deployment as well as through sobriety and a romantic relationship. The author's message (that it's not necessarily the horrors of war that break a soldier— it's coming home) will resonate with audiences of all ages. VERDICT This fast, immersive work will especially appeal to reluctant readers for its grittiness and humor.—Sherry Mills, Hazelwood East High School, St. Louis

Edition details

• Publisher: Zest Books ™
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1936976889
• ISBN 13: 9781936976881
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 192