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Writer Relays Real War Stories

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By KEVIN WALKER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 14, 2008

Today's centerpiece review is about the return of dead soldiers from Iraq. Of course, beyond the grief of the families and friends, it's about how the government handles - and mishandles - the issue.

There's another book set for release on Tuesday that might make a good companion read. In "The Forever War" (Knopf, $25), Dexter Filkins - a foreign correspondent for The New York Times - offers dispatches from the Middle East. It opens with the amputation of a pickpocket's hand at a soccer field as an almost impassive crowd looks on. It's Afghanistan in 1998, and the Taliban is in control. So begins this collection of Filkins' work in Iraq and Afghanistan throughout the past decade.

I'm suggesting this book, and mentioning it first, because, much like the "Final Salute" book, early reviews mention that this book carries little opinion. I'm a fan of pure reporting in books like these. I don't need another politician or talk show radio host telling me what I should think about our involvement in Iraq. I would prefer just to be told what happened, then let me make up my own mind.

And in another related book, "Fixing Hell: An Army Psychologist Confronts Abu Ghraib" (Grand Central, $25), retired Col. Larry C. James writes about his involvement with the Abu Ghraib prison after the scandal broke about beatings, dog attacks, sex acts and the torture of prisoners. His job: Find out the facts, fix the problems and prevent it from happening again. You know, just your ordinary, everyday, average sort of assignment.

James writes in detail about what he found and some of the myths about the case that he was able to debunk.

Switching gears, John Palfrey and Urs Gasser have written "Born Digital: Understanding the First Generation of Digital Natives" (Basic Books, $25.95). This one is for those who are trying to catch up with the younger generation, particularly where technology is concerned (to which I say: good luck). The authors promise to "shed light on the gap that separates these natives from older generations."

The book also promises to delve into how growing up in a digital world is affecting kids. For example, some teachers worry the "cut and paste" functions are lowering creativity. Personally, I'm also interested in how it might be affecting writing and reading.

On a lighter note, there's "Creating Myself: How I Learned That Beauty Comes in All Shapes, Sizes, and Packages, Including Me," by Mia Tyler (Atria, $25). Tyler - daughter of Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler - writes about how she came to grips with being "plus size" and also with being a rock star's daughter.

Kevin Walker is a reporter for the Tampa Tribune.

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