What are some stories about deserters?
November 18, 2011 12:52 AM Subscribe
What are some books about deserters from the armed forces during war times?
I remember hearing about a book a while ago that was about deserters from the US army during the Vietnam War. Sound familiar to anyone?. I'm also interested in stories/books about deserters during the US civil war, or in fact any deserter stories you may know of.
I remember hearing about a book a while ago that was about deserters from the US army during the Vietnam War. Sound familiar to anyone?. I'm also interested in stories/books about deserters during the US civil war, or in fact any deserter stories you may know of.
The protagonist in the current television series Mad Men is a deserter from the Korean War, I think.
posted by XMLicious at 2:02 AM on November 18, 2011
posted by XMLicious at 2:02 AM on November 18, 2011
It's WWI but my first thought was "A Farewell to Arms."
posted by sesquipedalian at 2:14 AM on November 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by sesquipedalian at 2:14 AM on November 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Private Angelo by Eric Linklater is about an Italian soldier in the Second World War who ends up being co-opted by various sides, and who spends much of the conflict trying to extricate himself from the front line. It's funny, gripping, and by end, surprisingly touching.
posted by hydatius at 2:17 AM on November 18, 2011
posted by hydatius at 2:17 AM on November 18, 2011
Journey to the End of Night is a classic of pessimism and misanthropy. The main character is a deserter from WWII.
posted by idiopath at 4:31 AM on November 18, 2011
posted by idiopath at 4:31 AM on November 18, 2011
The Execution of Private Eddy Slovik. Book and movie. Slovik was one of hundreds of deserters during the Battle of the Hurtgen Forrest. He was the first soldier executed for desertion cince the US. Civil War.
posted by Gungho at 6:22 AM on November 18, 2011
posted by Gungho at 6:22 AM on November 18, 2011
If you want more from Vietnam, there's a memoir called Desertion : In the Time of Vietnam (US title; in Canada it was The Taste of Metal), which won several awards.
posted by timepiece at 6:56 AM on November 18, 2011
posted by timepiece at 6:56 AM on November 18, 2011
The Thin Red Line (WWII)
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 7:50 AM on November 18, 2011
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 7:50 AM on November 18, 2011
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posted by Suciu at 1:13 AM on November 18, 2011