War by Sebastian Junger
Book - War by Sebastian Junger
On Expression.
The problem with traumatic and sensory enriched situations like Combat, War, Assault or Traumatic events, is that the words to describe the effects, feelings and emotions that come with them, are incredibly hard to convey.
People cling to their memories of trauma as they are so often unable to express what they feel. As a consequence, they struggle to ever feel heard. This book is the closest thing that I have read to expressing an environment, feeling and experience that is renownly difficult to explain.
The book.
Sebastian documented the area in Afghanistan that was the most heavily contacted terrain in the Korangal Valley. He follows a motley crew of young brave men facing the very real chance of death everyday.
His incredible writing is able to communicate in very few words what people who have faced similar challenges struggle to. In reading this book there is the very real likelyhood that you will feel a deep sense of connection to these brave men. If you have fought for your country you may almost feel as if you were there.
Books like these are important not only because they tell and will continue to tell the tale of warriors in days gone by but because they have the ability to describe the things that are without definition.
It is not uncommon for people to read books relating to their own traumatic experiences and break down in tears. These tears are the result of finally finding the words to express how they feel.
Expression is incredibly important for healing, psychologists are paid more to do less than a relatable story may achieve. If you are struggling to find the words, thoughts or feelings in your own battles. Read the words, thoughts and feelings of someone else's.
