Rating: 
Summary: Portrait of the Author as a 19 year old Rifleman
Review: This is a strange book. The author later went on to write novels so it isn't too surprising that this book is not really a memoir but a psychoanalytic, stream of conciousness paean to the life shattering memory of the author's one and only day in combat. The last 50 pages or so describe his slow re-discovery of himself after the trauma. Do not expect a literal description of Army life or battle. While there are some stunningly concrete details in this book they are almost always used to anchor a mental state or emotion the author says he was feeling. I am somewhat skeptical of the ability to remember how one would have felt a half a century ago but then again I didn't live through World War Two. This book falls in the camp of "Crossing the Sauer" and "Roll Me Over'. A work for meditation and introspection on memory. loss and World War II.
Rating:
Summary: Good Read
Review: This is another book that I read only because I was made to in school. But I actualy enjoyed it. Kotlowitz has a great writting style. It gives you a good look into what war can be like. It doesn't have as much action as some people maybe anticipating though. It does have some thriling parts but its not action packed. None the less though it's a good book. If you have never read any books on war before I would reccomend this as introductory book to the topic. Even if it isn't your usual book topic, Kotlowitz writes well enough to keep you intrested.
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