The Blog of War

I know I have recommended a few books on this blog, but this book captures everything I have written about. Actually, it is my blog. The book is titled The Blog of War. I accidentally came across this book a few weeks ago on Amazon when I was searching for new books. I bought this book on a gamble based on the title. I did not know anything about it, and there was little information online about the book. Today I received this book and I have not been able to put it down (that’s a lie because I am writing a posting now).

The Blog of War is a collection of blogs from soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was put together by Matthew Currier Burden who is a former Major in the U.S. Army. He has his own blog called, blackfive. I have done extensive research for my blog topic, and never thought to read the blogs of people in the military (It is embarrassing to admit). I have watched many YouTube clippings, read military families blogs and read books by soldiers instead.

The introduction of the book explains that military blogs are called milblogs. Miliblogs are written by the actual soldiers and Marines. Miliblogs not only informs their families, but to fill in the gaps that both the media and the military leave out. The author explains there are three kinds of combat reporting. “The combat correspondent (embedded with troops or not) reports direction from the area of conflict. Press release come from the Department of Defense highlighting what the DOD wants us to know from the combat zone. And finally, soldiers tell their own stories.”

I think it is fascinating what technology can offer us today. It used to be during the First and Second World War the letters sent home were censored by the government. Now the public gets to know the truth, and this is made possible by blogs. I know I am not a military wife or a Marine, so sometimes I worry if I am portraying what servicemen and families actually feel. This book helped me reinstate what I have written.

I would like to recommend this book to everyone who reads my blog. I believe by reading from the actual source will give you a better insight than I could ever write about. The men and women who blog, express how dedicated they are to serving their country and their love for their families and country. I also strongly urge the congressmen and women and other government officials to read this book. Perhaps by reading The Blog of War they will get a better understanding who these people in the military are—that they are not just action figures ready to be moved like chess pieces for political gain. They are humans that have families, friends, and lives and they need support in order to get their job done.

The Troop's Advocator