Rating: 
Summary: Painful and honest
Review: As a former paratrooper, I can speak from some experience on the military culture that Swofford portrays. The modern military can be characterized as an organization that uses twentieth century weapons, twenty-first century troops, and eighteenth century leadership. Enlisted personnel and especially privates are, to put it bluntly, treated like crap most times and are then expected to enthusiastically support their organization. Although this is left out of most war stories, Swofford expresses it courageously. I used to say "elite is a French expression for "All ****ed Up" as I was dropped on the wrong drop zones, watched captains get us lost, saw sergeants that participated in and allowed criminal behavior in the ranks, and otherwise was reminded at every step throughout my own service that I was a second or worse class citizen because of the oath I took. Until the military comes to terms with this, it will go on and will finally bite us when we really do have a major war against an opponent of comparable strength. Swofford wasn't perfect, and you might accuse him of whining, but he went over there and did his job with honor. Rather than blow him off, perhaps citizens and soldiers alike would do well to look at what he says and realize that no matter what they think of how he did it, he has illuminated some weak spots in our military culture that need to be shored up. Kudos to him for being willing to shine the light and fade the heat.
Rating: 
Summary: Not What I was expecting
Review: I didn't have to get very far into the book before I realized that the book didn't live up to the hype. I was hoping to read about a grunts combat experience. What was provided was scant and really only limited to GW1. Unless Swofford's "other battles" were the one's in his head you could say that the title is a little misleading. Yes, there were a few amusing moments (the kazoo) and one to two moments that spoke of the horrors of war (dead Iraqi soldiers with hands over ears) but the overall whiny tone that Swofford employeed dulled them out.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your time and money!
Review: Please don't waste your time! This is the worse book I've ever read. It's simply the story of a whinny marine... Yes, I said "whinny". Through the entire book, he just complains about everything, and I mean everything! Being a military member myself, I was embarrassed to read this book... You'll be better served and entertained by reading the back of a cereal box.
Rating:
Summary: This book should have minus (-) stars!
Review: Despite all the good reviews this is a poorly written book. I think the most effective review of this book is written by one of the members of his STA platoon, who gave it 1 star and a stinging review. It may reflect the "modern day" Marine Corps but, if that's true, then God help us. I notice there was no mention of the Lt. who normally commands the platoon and only scant comments about the platoon sgt. This STA platoon sounds like a mob, not a Marine unit. Don't buy this book, don't read it and don't believe it!
Rating: 
Summary: Thanks for telling your story.
Review: I was a grunt from 93 to 97. I didn't go to war or experience combat. But what I did experience, Swofford put it in words that I could identify with. Even after reading the book three times, I still pick up any part of the book and just read on from time to time. Thanks for telling it like it is.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent -- this book will challenge your preconceptions
Review: When the U.S. Marines were sent to Saudi Arabia in 1990 to fight the Iraqis, Swofford was there, a jarhead in the infanty, on the front lines. This is Swofford's story about what life was like fighting the war and living for six months in the deserts of the Middle East -- the sand, the camaraderie, the physical challenges, the heat -- as well as a few anecdotal flashbacks to boot camp. While those stories are definitely enthralling, what makes this memoir really stand out is Swofford's honesty and candor about what he felt while he was there -- the emotional ups and downs. Anger, hate, fear, compassion, sadness. Lather, rinse, repeat.Swofford swears like a sailor and writes like a pro, but everything else about him is 100% USMC. This book isn't pretty -- it delivers as many troubling truths about war and soldiers as it does inspiring tales of incredible valor. But it's a must-read for anyone curious about what life is like, physically and mentally, for the military personnel who fought in Iraq then, as well as now. Highly recommended, unless you are easily offended by lots of cursing or talk about private parts. I'm looking forward to reading more of Swofford's writing soon -- hope he keeps churning things out!
Rating:
Summary: How did Swofford avoid the brig?
Review: I found the book to be contrived and doubt that certain things occurred as described. I was a Marine officer fifty years ago and if he'd been in my outfit he jwould have been more than elegible for time in the brig. This guy's a drunk and a loser who is making a lot of money spreading b.s. about the Marine Corps. I also know something about today's Marine Corps and have yet to meet a Marine with this guy's attitude toward the Corps, his country or life.
Rating:
Summary: REMARKABLE
Review: PRAISE TO ANTHONY SWOFFORD. FOR ALL WHO WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE REAL MARINE CORPS IS ABOUT READ THIS BOOK. FOR ALL THE GULF VETS STILL QUESTIONING THE VALIDITY OF THEIR EXPERIENCE, READ THIS BOOK. IT BROUGHT A SENSE OF VALUE AND CLOSURE TO THE WHOLE THING. --KENTUCKY
Rating:
Summary: A counseling session put down on paper.
Review: I must agree with earlier reviews that this book is of minimal impact. Although some of the events and feelings portrayed are candid and dead on, the book as a whole is still lacking, and reads like something you'd hear at group counseling. The author seems to want to make the reader feel some sort of empathy with him, and his particular situation, as he sees it. I am sure this book will create all sort of empathy, hand wringing, and literay buzz among those who have a particular view of war, the military, or current national policy. But for those, like me, who have been there, seen that, and have the t-shirt it all just sounds like whining. Either anti-war or pro-war, I was hoping for something a little more solid. Sorry, I can't recomend this book.
Rating:
Summary: A recruiting film it ainÕt
Review: Jarhead, Anthony SwoffordÕs memoir of the Gulf War and life in the Marine Corps, is sometimes brutal and spectacularly profane, but beneath that surface coarseness lies a thoughtful and deeply personal book that is uncompromisingly honest and beautifully written. Jarhead is not only a gripping account of one manÕs life in the military, both before and during wartime, but it is also an earnest meditation on war and the nature of the men who wage it.
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