ABOUT THE BOOK
On July 23, 2004, five marines, two soldiers, and one airman became the most unlikely of antiwar activists. War Is Not a Game tells the story of these men and women, and the many others who joined them, harnessing their disillusionment, idealism, and determination to become leaders of a nationwide movement, Iraq Veterans Against the War. Nan Levinson chronicles the accomplishments of these brave veterans, showing that sometimes the most vital battles take place on the home front.
War Is Not a Game tells the story of this new soldiers’ antiwar movement, showing why it was born, how it quickly grew, where it has struggled, what it accomplished, and how it continues to resonate in the national conversation about our military and our wars. Nan Levinson reveals the individuals behind the movement, painting an unforgettable portrait of these working-class veterans who refused to be seen as simply tragic victims or battlefront heroes and instead banded together to become leaders of a national organization. The paperback is updated with a new foreword by the author.
MY REVIEW
What do you do when you no longer believe in something you know is morally and ethically wrong?
This book on the founders of the Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and the active duty and inactive soldiers who risked a lot to come forward and make their voices heard about real events they experienced in the war is gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, and eye-opening to this civilian.
Nan Levinson gives us a candid look at the Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW). How the group was founded, their trials and tribulations in getting it up and running and keeping it running, and the many soldiers who contributed their stories about the war.
What I learned was that these soldiers experienced betrayal from their government, politicians and commanders and all they wanted to do was tell their stories and let the people know that there was no good reason for being in Iraq. Iraq was an occupation which could not be won. Many soldiers came back and started drinking too much, sleeping too little and felt isolated by their inability to explain to civilians what had really happened to them and the Iraqi people.
I learned that despite the increasing number of Americans who disapproved of the war the administration did not keep reliable records of how many Iraqis had been killed or displaced.
If you like uncensored, nonfiction books about war and all the tragedy and political propaganda that comes with it, give this book a try. The truth may not be what you thought.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nan Levinson is a writer and journalist, focusing on civil and human rights, culture, and technology. She wrote about First Amendment issues in her last book, Outspoken: Free Speech Stories, and as the U.S. correspondent for Index on Censorship. She currently teaches journalism and fiction writing at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.
