I do not know how I managed to earn a degree in English, taking approximately three times the number of literature courses I needed, without ever having read this. But what an experience has been waiting for me these 30+ years! The whole experience of war is here in this small, potent novel: fear, boredom, aggression, confusion. Especially resonant for me as my son awaits his journey to boot camp. The Marine Commandant's Reading List (assembled by General James Mattis) was my impetus to read this at last.