Comments on: Generation Kill

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:59:17 +0000

I was a combat engineer, so our missions were often closely related to EOD. We found the IEDs, they blew them up. I thought The Hurt Locker was great. Yes, there were inaccuracies, but overall it conveyed a good sense of what it was like.

Generation Kill, on the other hand, the book at least, was written by a guy who was embedded in a Marine recon unit, but had no idea what he was seeing, didn't bother to do any research, and ended up producing a misguided piece of crap. I won't watch the series.

By: Craig

Craig — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:10:53 +0000

I just read the review of "Hurt Locker" by Brandon Friedman, and I have to say I disagree with him. This part, for instance:

So, without giving away too many scenes, let's just suffice it to say, in real life, EOD techs don't conduct dangerous missions as autonomous three-man teams without communications gear. They don't typically carjack Iraqi VCD sellers with a 9mm while wearing civilian clothes, either. While on Camp Victory. And even if they did, they wouldn't be driven off base by the Iraqi and dropped off at another Iraqi family's house, at which time they hop a wall, enter an unlocked door, get into an altercation, flee the scene, and run through an Iraqi city attempting to make it back to the base.

I assume this guy was either an officer or in some clerical position, or maybe a reservist, because I've seen guys do some pretty crazy shit, and it's not even uncommon. I won't bore everyone with the stories, but suffice it to say I'm unfamiliar with the civilized and orderly military Brandon speaks of. Give a marine who has been out in the field a while a quart of Jack Daniels and all hell is likely to break lose.

Anyway... I didn't care much for Generation Kill, though I can't really pinpoint why.

By: Paul S.

Paul S. — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:31:45 +0000

Easy dream here with other people's cash, but I wish someone with a deep pocket would gather vets (and vets know who knows vs. who is just talk) and some talented storywriters, get the shoulder patches, decorations, weaponry, and, most importantly, the conduct RIGHT so vets won't tune it out, and tell us who have never been and never done what it's like. Put it on the 'Net if distributors don't want it. The story sells it, but word of mouth gets it sold, disc by disc if necessary.

I love spending other people's money!

By: John Lynch

John Lynch — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:33:20 +0000

GK drags a bit, but it's got a lot of good detail. It does have a narrative from the writer's point of view, and lots of dark foreboding about the future of Iraq.

By: Thrasymachus

Thrasymachus — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:16:54 +0000

I enjoyed "Generation Kill" but I somehow think it has to be taken as entertainment. It doesn't hide that it's from the viewpoint of the writer, which is at least honest. And nothing about the Marines is ever realistic.