Well it’s Friday afternoon and I have had my book for about twenty-four hours now and the next time I pick it up to read I will be starting Part 2. Part 1 was a build up to Buzzell’s deployment to Iraq as a member of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. We get to know this man who became a Soldier to make something of his bum life. So far he’s a typical twenty-something who didn’t make much of himself when he had a chance to do it in a safer environment. I really like the way this book reads because it doesn’t feel like I’m reading a diary/blog but more like Buzzell is just sitting with me in the local Starbucks (yes we have those here in Okinawa too) and telling me his story.
I did like reading about the JRTC because I know some Marines who have gone through the training there before their deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan over the last couple of years. I would love to sit down with my friends (who are safely back with their families after doing their jobs and serving our country) and ask them about the JRTC and even have them take a look at this book.
I did find Buzzell’s blog online and you can check it out at http://cbftw.blogspot.com/. Remember that this book is taken directly from his blog so I did have a moment of “I spent money on the book when I could have just read the blog?” but oh well. The book is easier to take with you in the car and read while waiting for friends for lunch. You can also find an interview with Bussell at http://www.notesofadefeatist.com/2006/04/09/colby-buzzell-interview/ and here’s an article about Buzzell in The Washington Post from March 2006 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/03/13/DI2006031300993.html. I also came across a great site operated by PBS called “America at a Crossroads” and the section called “Operatoin Homecoming: Writing The Wartime Expereince” and at the top is an excerpt by Colby Buzzell. http://www.pbs.org/weta/crossroads/about/show_operation_homecoming_writings.html
Planet Books 