This book changed the way I saw Achilles. It helped me see the "human" side of the hero birthed by a nymph. Jonathan Shay did two things: described how modern soldiers are affected by war and how Achilles was affected by war. Chapter by chapter, he connects Achilles emotions and actions with the modern warrior. You understand how grief manifests into rage...for today's soldier, as well as yesterday's warrior, using the Iliad and Achilles as the touchstone. It's a fascinating read. I highly recommend it.

I finished reading Achilles in Vietnam tonight. What an incredible book. I can’t wait to read Jonathan Shay’s follow-up book, Odysseus in America. Even if you don’t know a combat veteran, if you know someone with ptsd, it’s a powerful book with moving stories. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I agreed with the author's premise; however, he drew heavily on a few anecdotes from his patients to support his argument. Eventually the argument began to feel a bit repetitive and the book a little too long.

Good so far. This looks at the nature of trauma of warriors, and the way soldiers are created by breaking down the societal norms against killing/murder, creating an internal conflict and moral dilemma.