Bill Moyers and Karl Marlantes on What It's Like to Go to War

Bill talks to Karl Marlantes -- a highly-decorated Vietnam veteran, Rhodes Scholar, author, and PTSD survivor -- about what we on the insulated outside need to understand about the minds and hearts of our modern warriors. Marlantes shares with Bill intimate stories about how his battlefield experiences both shaped and nearly destroyed him, even after returning to civilian life.

"'Thou shalt not kill' is a tenet you just do not violate, and so all your young life, that's drilled into your head. And then suddenly, you're 18 or 19 and they're saying, 'Go get 'em and kill for your country.' And then you come back and it's like, 'Well, thou shalt not kill' again. Believe me, that's a difficult thing to deal with," Marlantes tells Bill. "You take a young man and put him in the role of God, where he is asked to take a life -- that's something no 19-year-old is able to handle."

[bwindrope]

I feel honored to even hear the man speak, and have tremendous respect for how Bill Moyers conducted this interview. I've read this book, and Matterhorn, and am a better man today because of it. One of the most remarkable things to me about this book is that it deals with things that are as true in civilian life as military. It is about what it is like to be human, and a man, and a father. I have recommended it to my friends not merely as a war memoir, but as an insightful view into living well.

[rosemarysotok]

I read this book in 3days-/ outstanding and unforgettable — an 80 yr. old grandmother

[PHLgrrl]

If i could pick one book that was required reading for every American, it would be What It's Like to go to War. No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, you will learn things about war, life, death, and yourself from this book. The lessons I learned from Mr. Marlantes will guide me for the rest of my life.

[russells.soehnerii]

I met Karl at a book signing for his book. Amazing, wonderful man.

[KMRWPUBLICADJUSTERS]

BEST Viet Nam War book written so far. Nam Vet '67-68 173rd Airborne Brigade. I was a Foxtrot Oscar with several infantry companies. thanks Karl

[arnoldgerdsnerteresq.]

Going into war is a different thing for each individual. It's a thing that most times changes a person as they age, experience life and reflect on what has happened to them and what they have done. My attitude has always been that it was "just business". I wouldn't take a million dollars for the experience and wouldn't take ten million to do it again. 1/16th Inf Regiment, 1st Inf Div, 1968.

[SharonMcgleave]

A lovely man. I read his book"What it is like to go to war". Powerful.

[Pfirsichaffe]

Reat his book. Great man. All my respect.

[seancotter]

He chose to go to war because he had integrity!!! This man is a Hero!!! Could've sat the war out but he didn't!!!

[ndawgnelly]

One of the wiser men this world has produced

[publicme]

There must be a huge difference between having participated in an abolutely necessary war like WWII where you were literally fighting to save the free world and all of these voluntary, optional wars are our leaders have been putting us through where the soldier must see that the purpose for fighting isn't so clearly valid. That's where I would see war as certain continuous hell and very difficult to recall with a sense of real victory.

[lawrencetrujillo]

Not a wasted word in the entire interview.

[dstorm]

Moyers helped LBJ tell the lies which sent so many of us to that war