Grunt

This is a quick read that will pump you full of military-based fun facts (and some rather disturbing ones). I found the chapter on smells/stink bombs most hilarious/fascinating, but there are other cool sections on innovations in fabrics, shark-repellents, submarine duty, preparation for medical care in a war zone, etc. I liked the writer's style more than the subject matter (I've never been too interested in anything relating to war...) so I'll probably check out some of her other books.

It takes skill to write a wonderful fiction book. But, to me, the most magnificent writers aren't those who write fiction but those who take what is often tedious and boring informational text and find a way to delight and fascinate readers.

One of those amazing nonfiction writers is Mary Roach. It doesn't matter what subject Roach takes on—and she has taken on subjects as diverse as cadavers and the afterlife and the digestive system—this author always manages to bring a bright new look at an old tired subject. Her latest book is Grunt and here Roach takes a look at the science behind everything people use in war.

I have no real interest in war or science, but this book like every other Roach book I've read was completely captivating. Page after page, I ooed and aaed as the author shared all she had discovered during her extensive hands-on research about war.

Another amazing nonfiction book from Mary Roach.

No matter how fascinating the military is as a subject, no matter how intriguing, it still remains that its business is ending lives, even if it means sacrificing a few in order to accomplish that goal. This means that all efforts to keep soldiers safe and healthy is really just an effort to keep them alive as long as possible so they can kill as many enemies as possible, until they, themselves, must yield up their lives for ???God and country???. That is the sobering conclusion Roach comes to at the end of this book.

Full review here: http://wp.me/p21txV-vo