The Untold War: Inside the Hearts, Minds, and Souls of Our Soldiers

By Nancy Sherman

Book Overview

Philosopher, ethicist, and psychoanalyst Nancy Sherman explores the psychological and moral burdens borne by soldiers. By illuminating the extent to which wars are fought internally as well as externally, this book expands the national discussion about war and the men and women who fight our nation's battles. With close-up looks at servicemen and --women preparing for, experiencing, and returning home from war, Sherman probes the psyche of today's soldiers--examining how they learn to kill and to leave the killing behind. Bringing to light the moral quandaries soldiers face--torture, the thin line between fighters and civilians, and the anguish of killing even in a just war--Sherman bares the souls of our soldiers and the emotional landscape of soldiering. At the heart of the book are interviews with soldiers, from the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also from Vietnam and World Wars I and II.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393064816
• ISBN13: 9780393064810
• Release Date: March 2010
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Compelling and Thoughtful!

I believe this book sheds light on the enormous weight that soldiers carry throughout their life and the philosophical and psychological fabric that shapes each solider's psyche to cope with the reality of war. Of course, as we are learning, there is no way to measure the toll that war takes on each and every life involved; but especially as a soldier the mental harm is significant aside from any other wounds. In her research, Nancy Sherman presents evidence from philosophy and psychology. She reveals a multidimensional story of the mind of the soldier. Although I am currently studying the psychological effects of war on soldiers, and have a vested interest in this topic; I would recommend this book to anyone interested in military history or personal accounts of war and its effects. All politics aside, this book analyses important issues that need serious attention either by our government, health care system, veterans administration, or universities.

Nancy Sherman took the time to get it right!

I met Nancy Sherman at the Malogne House, a former VIP hotel converted to soldiers' quarters for returning OEF/OIF veterans. I agreed to the interviews because of her obvious dedication to getting the story of the Untold War from the soldier's perspective. Despite how hard it may have been to talk about, Dr. Sherman's warmth and genuineness came through during every session. This book tells many stories far more deserving and intense than my own, both accurately and well. Her style takes you back in time to Homer, the Stoics, and incorporates ancient and more recent psychology on war and warriors - the warrior code, the effects of war on the hardened Ranger infantry officer and the young twenty year old sniper. As a reservist there is another dimension. You have a full time commitment mentally and spiritually, but must balance this against the normal rigors of life... until you get the phone call that changes everything. Nancy Sherman understands the dynamic of the dedicated reservist as well as the fully devoted and hardened life-long career soldier. This book should be required reading for anyone sending America's best into harm's way, and just as importantly, welcoming them home again. MAJ(R) Anthony F. DeStefano US ARMY Signal Corps OEF/OIF 2001-2003

Military Psychologist review

No one says it better than those who have been there, and the reality is that there is a gap between behavioral health providers' experience, both uniformed and civilian, and the opportunities to truly walk in the shoes of our soldiers. Bridging this gap is the book "The Untold War," which is a dramatic culmination of stories from soldiers struggling and forging resolutions for events previously thought to be unspeakable. Dr. Sherman's book is a powerful guide both for clinicians who have never been there, and for those in uniform still trying to find a way to dig themselves out from the seemingly bottomless pit of guilt and demoralization. Abbey-Robin Durkin, Ph.D., Military Psychologist, former US Army Officer.

insightful read

We often hear about the physical effects of war on soldiers but rarely do we as a society examine the ethical and moral dimensions of soldiering. The Untold War offers valuable insight into these less tangible struggles and wounds of soldiers. It is an invaluable read and will make you think about war and the individual soldier in a differnt light.

Insightful and Amazing

As a former student of Professor Sherman, I had the opportunity to read this book before it was published and, I must say, it is marvelous. The extensive information compiled here from her interviews of soldiers provides a very in-depth look at the impact of war on the lives of our soldiers. This makes for an insightful lens in studying the impact of war on our nation. I highly recommend this read for anybody interested in learning more about the psychological effects of war on our soldiers.