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Achilles in Vietnam: Combat Trauma and the Undoing of Character

jonathan shay

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In this strikingly original and groundbreaking book, Dr. Shay examines the psychological devastation of war by comparing the soldiers of Homer's Iliad with Vietnam veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Although the Iliad was written twenty-seven centuries ago it has much to teach about combat trauma, as do the more recent, compelling voices and experiences of Vietnam vets.

246 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1994

This edition

Format
246 pages, Paperback
Published
October 1, 1995 by Simon \u0026 Schuster
ISBN
9780684813219
ASIN
0684813211
Language
English

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About the author

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jonathan shay

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Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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KaiserCva
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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Great tool for addressing concerns with veterans

This book takes a look at lessons learned from centries ago to vietnam era veterans. This is a must for an survivor.
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Hidenki
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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Scholarly genius. A rock-solid read overlapping the Iliad with the Vietnam War and how, throughout history, combat soldiers have been dealt the burden of PTSD as a byproduct of war, beginning with his analysis of Homer's Achilles to which, Shay says, his loss of character after the death of Patroclus, is the ultimate tragedy of this most classic work. Although I would disagree on some points, the main emphases are sound, fascinating, and profoundly well done. Kudos to Shay for this great book.
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Supern0vaLuffy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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Two and a half stars. It's a fascinating topic and Shay's approach seems both original and useful - I say 'seems' because I'm in no way an authority on this. What lets it down is his writing - turgid and hard to read.
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PokeL
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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Great book illustrating how moral injuries intersect with PTSD - from the author who coined the term moral injury. While this was written in the '90's, it is incredibly relevant today for clinicians treating trauma (and I might argue any clinician treats trauma - but not here).
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reizamundi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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This book had some really interesting observations in it. You just have to wade through all of the dry psychology text and read very carefully with purpose to understand its message. A great analysis of the trauma of war though and the way in which Jonathan Shay can relate it back to the work of Homer in The Iliad is absolutely phenomenal. Overall this was a kind of boring book to read, definately not a book to read when you're trying to relax, but the information within it is incredibly thought out and interesting.
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Rondepart
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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There are many reasons one should read this book, as I am coming from the Homer side of things I will start off by saying if you think you know the Iliad or Achilles you NEED to read this. it should be taught in any course dealing with the Iliad. From the other side of things it really opened my eyes to what soldiers go through and why we the public should be supportive of them, even if we are against the war in question.

All this said, one small point I feel I should mention is that I do disagree with Dr. Shay's take on Briseis wanting to marry Achilles. I don't believe she was merely happy with a better, stronger man. A marriage to Achilles provided status and security, her best chance of survival. (I recommend reading Pat Barker's Silence of the Girls for more on that).

Achilles in Vietnam
5/5 Essential reading.
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