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Visceral, searing, and full of emotion. Svetlana found herself "having" to write this book, I think. She opens the book with her going to Afghanistan and not wanting to cover yet another war after her emotional experience in publishing War's Unwomanly Face. She, however, realized these people's stories had to be told, especially with the at-home propaganda machine churning out nonsense like "Our brave international soldiers are planting trees, paving roads, and helping the Afghan people."

Much like any war that is not popular or considered a mistake, the combat veterans heavily contemplate why exactly they were fighting, dying, and mentally scarring themselves. Given how the veterans were treated when they returned home by their politicians, the civilians, etc., I am even more completely comfortable calling this Russia's Vietnam.

An incredible learning experience for me that Svetlana doesn't shy away from is how many Soviet women were involved in the war. I was unaware of this facet within the war beyond medical staff and how often they bled and died just like the men.

The author closes her book with various transcripts of the court proceedings brought against her once the book was published. People who the KGB pressured to rescind their statements and say she twisted their words. Mercifully just about across the board, the court sided with the author.