“Searing…combines the black humor of Catch-22 with the savagery of Full Metal Jacket.” —The New York Times

“Jarhead will go down with the best books on military life.” —Mark Bowden, author of Black Hawk Down

“A brutally honest memoir…gut-wrenching frontline reportage.” —Entertainment Weekly

In his New York Times bestselling memoir of military life, Anthony Swofford weaves his experiences in war with vivid accounts of boot camp, reflections on the mythos of the marines, and remembrances of battles with lovers and family.

When the U.S. Marines—or "jarheads"—were sent to Saudi Arabia in 1990 for the first Gulf War, Anthony Swofford was there. He lived in sand for six months; he was punished by boredom and fear; he considered suicide, pulled a gun on a fellow marine, and was targeted by both enemy and friendly fire. As engagement with the Iraqis drew near, he was forced to consider what it means to be an American, a soldier, a son of a soldier, and a man.

“Searing…combines the black humor of Catch-22 with the savagery of Full Metal Jacket.” —The New York Times

“Jarhead will go down with the best books on military life.” —Mark Bowden, author of Black Hawk Down

“A brutally honest memoir…gut-wrenching frontline reportage.” —Entertainment Weekly

In his New York Times bestselling memoir of military life, Anthony Swofford weaves his experiences in war with vivid accounts of boot camp, reflections on the mythos of the marines, and remembrances of battles with lovers and family.

When the U.S. Marines—or "jarheads"—were sent to Saudi Arabia in 1990 for the first Gulf War, Anthony Swofford was there. He lived in sand for six months; he was punished by boredom and fear; he considered suicide, pulled a gun on a fellow marine, and was targeted by both enemy and friendly fire. As engagement with the Iraqis drew near, he was forced to consider what it means to be an American, a soldier, a son of a soldier, and a man.