The Warriors: Reflections on Men in Battle (Revised)

This is one the most profound philosophical and psychological books that I've read in a long time. As a former US Marine, philosophy major, and now mathematics teacher, I've encountered few books that have touched me as deeply or helped to explain the mysteries of mankind as The Warriors. It belongs in the ranks of Freud and Dostoevsky for the depth of insight it provides into the human psyche, especially in times of war. I highly recommend it to any veteran, student of philosophy, or anyone interesting in understanding the mechanisms of violence. Most importantly, this book offers the only realistic approach that I've ever read about how to end war.

Gray's book gives us a chance for a better understanding of what men face in the battle with themselves while in war. A very different view as oppposed to movies and text book history, where all the American soldiers were hero's with little or no fear. Gray does an outstanding job of making someone who has never been in the hell of war, understand why soldiers act the ways they do. An excellent read for any war student or historian.

To begin praises of this book is hard, because as a man who has never been in combat, I hesitate to speak on matters so foreign to my experience. But J. Glenn Gary leaves me stunned and humbled. The amount of pure excellent reflection in this book was utterly wonderful, and I left with a real sense of understanding nothing else has accomplished. It is clear Gary has created a book that is more complete a discussion of battle as any man alive. Rarely is a book worthy of cult status. This one is.

I haven't read this book for twenty years but it still sparkles in my memory. It is one of the two or three best books on war. Grey has a marvelous writing style, a penchant for thought-provoking observation, and the discipline that allows a philosopher to see, but not pre-judge. You will be challenged by his fairness, surprised by the things he saw (that few others have described), and stimulated to think again about one of the most important of recurring human events: War. Excellent, engaging, intelligent.

Gray served in the intelligence service in the American army in Italy in WWII, after receiving his doctorate from Columbia. He saw many things he despised, yet was surprised to note that war also had its delights. On reflection, he realized that was logical. Without positives why would we war? This book details the seductive elements of war, explaining some of the feelings many of us have in viewing and studying combat of all sorts. Without understanding those feelings, we are more likely to dismiss them as only shameful and deceptive. Understanding them will help us, Gray hoped, to avoid the terrible cost of seeking them by warring again. This is probably the best book on why we war and the surprising things war teaches us about ourselves ever written. And its style is neither pedantic nor abstract but engaging and enriched by memorable stories and wisdom.