What do you think?
Rate this book
Uncommon Soldier: Brave, Compassionate and Tough, the Making of Australia's Modern Diggers
Chris Masters, the country's foremost investigative journalist, turns his penetrating gaze on the modern Australian soldier. Moving away from our ongoing fascination with the Anzac story, he looks at the rich and illuminating present to write a character study of the modern Australian soldier - war fighter, peacekeeper, street-level diplomat and aid worker.
Having been taken into their ranks in a way rarely before afforded an outsider, Masters gives heart and shape to the contemporary digger: how they are selected, how they are led, and how they are transformed from civilians to disciplined professional soldiers. And in asking if they are unique, he examines what it is that allows these young Australians to lend moral authority to communities teetering on the precipice of violence in places such as Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
By sharing the experiences of the young men and women who make up the Australian army, Masters puts under severe challenge the notion that soldiering is the province of dumb grunts. In doing so, he argues that the best measure of this country's military legend is found in the present.
Uncommon Soldier is a rare and powerful work.
"I long ago came to the view that Australians are more familiar with the digger drawn from history than they are the ones doing the killing and dying in the here and now."
The result of a three-year immersive investigation embedded with the Australian Defence Forces in Afghanistan, Uncommon Soldier is Chris Masters' penetrating and significant exploration of the contemporary Australian soldier.
As a journalist Masters has seen first-hand the way battlefields have changed over the decades. More than ever intelligence had become the key to ferreting out the enemy and 'the notion that soldiering [is] the province of dumb grunts' has been put under severe challenge.
Having been taken into their ranks in a way rarely before afforded an outsider, Masters gives heart and shape to the contemporary digger: how they are selected, how they are led, and how they are transformed from civilians to disciplined professional soldiers. And in asking if they are unique, he examines what it is that allows these young Australians to lend moral authority to communities teetering on the precipice of violence in places such as Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
By sharing the experiences of the young men and women who make up the Australian army, Masters puts under severe challenge the notion that soldiering is the province of dumb grunts. In doing so, he argues that the best measure of this country's military legend is found in the present.
Uncommon Soldier is a rare and powerful work.
"I long ago came to the view that Australians are more familiar with the digger drawn from history than they are the ones doing the killing and dying in the here and now."
The result of a three-year immersive investigation embedded with the Australian Defence Forces in Afghanistan, Uncommon Soldier is Chris Masters' penetrating and significant exploration of the contemporary Australian soldier.
As a journalist Masters has seen first-hand the way battlefields have changed over the decades. More than ever intelligence had become the key to ferreting out the enemy and 'the notion that soldiering [is] the province of dumb grunts' has been put under severe challenge.
374 pages, Hardcover
First published October 31, 2012
16 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Chris Masters
6 books4 followersChristopher "Chris" Wayne Masters (born 4 December 1948 in Grafton, New South Wales) is a multi-Walkley Award winning and Logie Award winning Australian journalist and author.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 9, 2012
Having just put down Chris Masters latest book; Uncommon Soldier I must confess to have really enjoyed reading about the modern day ‘Digger’. Most of my reading to date on the current conflict in Afghanistan has been on British and US forces, very little available on the Australian commitment. This could make you think that maybe our forces aren’t really involved in the fighting there, well how wrong could you be!
I think Chris Masters has been very fair and non-biased in his appraisal and account of the Australian soldier, having started his book looking at the Anzac legend with a slightly tainted eye and with some reservations. He covers aspects of their training, both other ranks and officers, and their involvement in Afghanistan and other missions. I think he has tried to make sure that he writes without favouritism and any jingoism. He covers their operations as part of ISAF, both conventional and Special Forces, and covers the deaths of all Australian soldiers up until the book was published (mid 2012).
His descriptions of Kapooka (Recruit Training) and Singleton (Infantry Training) and the bonding that takes place brought back memories of my own time there and his accounts of families back home ensured that the reader didn’t lose sight of the other casualties of war.
In the end the author, and hopefully the reader, have come away from this book looking at our young fighting men & women with a deep and deserved respect on the level of their commitment to serving their country. This book offers a very good general overview of our modern day soldier and the Australian Army that would be well worth reading.
I think Chris Masters has been very fair and non-biased in his appraisal and account of the Australian soldier, having started his book looking at the Anzac legend with a slightly tainted eye and with some reservations. He covers aspects of their training, both other ranks and officers, and their involvement in Afghanistan and other missions. I think he has tried to make sure that he writes without favouritism and any jingoism. He covers their operations as part of ISAF, both conventional and Special Forces, and covers the deaths of all Australian soldiers up until the book was published (mid 2012).
His descriptions of Kapooka (Recruit Training) and Singleton (Infantry Training) and the bonding that takes place brought back memories of my own time there and his accounts of families back home ensured that the reader didn’t lose sight of the other casualties of war.
In the end the author, and hopefully the reader, have come away from this book looking at our young fighting men & women with a deep and deserved respect on the level of their commitment to serving their country. This book offers a very good general overview of our modern day soldier and the Australian Army that would be well worth reading.
December 4, 2014
Here in Australia we don't hear or see much of what our troops are doing in Afghanistan. We don't have embedded reporters, and our Defence Department is not good at the media stuff. These are but two reasons why this book is a valuable addition to the military literature of Australia. Unlike other countries such as the USA, there has never been a broad tradition in Australia of the military life being an honourable pursuit: while the public as a whole generally respect members of our armed forces, they are not usually lauded or seen as exemplars of patriotism. The Army has historically been seen as a career of last resort for many.
Chris Masters, a former television journalist, has written this book to look into the current state of the Army, in particular its success in Afghanistan, and its failures at home, whether it be the rolling scandals that periodically embroil its training institutions, or its inability to hold on to its best and brightest.
Masters has been one of the few Australian journalists who has spent time in Afghanistan with our troops, and had the fortune - in a journalistic sense - to be with them through periods of intense action, which resulted in the deaths of several soldiers.
The Afghanistan sections of this book are based on the stories he shot for 4 Corners, and are none the worse for that. Because we see and hear so little of what goes on, his descriptions of battle after battle, where the Australians were by no means in the ascendancy, is gripping and quite shocking. It seems that it is the same few men being placed in harms way time after time: Masters only touches on what mental toll this might take in future years.
He describes the political and social side of this war well; a side where we must ally ourselves with some less than savory characters, and apply extraordinary discretion in our use of deadly force, which is something with which the Taliban don't concern themselves. He also points out that most of our troops consider they are "winning", which given that many of them have been there over the course of many years, they might be in a good position to judge.
Interspersed between the descriptions of battle are chapters that look at training, home life and wives and partners. these are interesting, but sometimes I had the feeling some of the chapters were there for padding - they didn't connect that well with the rest of the book. The last chapter looked at the problems within the current army, and perhaps could have been expanded beyond Masters' own (completely valid) thoughts, with some commentary from current and former troops, and with some options on remedial actions.
Masters use of soldiers slang was occasionally jarring, and inconsistent. It might have been a better editorial tactic to keep the slang within the soldier's quotes, and for the author's 'voice' to be more civilian.
Despite these minor quibbles, this is an important book, and well worth a read. It will change your view of the Afghanistan campaign, and maybe even of the Australian Army.
Check out my other reviews at http://aviewoverthebell.blogspot.com.au/
Chris Masters, a former television journalist, has written this book to look into the current state of the Army, in particular its success in Afghanistan, and its failures at home, whether it be the rolling scandals that periodically embroil its training institutions, or its inability to hold on to its best and brightest.
Masters has been one of the few Australian journalists who has spent time in Afghanistan with our troops, and had the fortune - in a journalistic sense - to be with them through periods of intense action, which resulted in the deaths of several soldiers.
The Afghanistan sections of this book are based on the stories he shot for 4 Corners, and are none the worse for that. Because we see and hear so little of what goes on, his descriptions of battle after battle, where the Australians were by no means in the ascendancy, is gripping and quite shocking. It seems that it is the same few men being placed in harms way time after time: Masters only touches on what mental toll this might take in future years.
He describes the political and social side of this war well; a side where we must ally ourselves with some less than savory characters, and apply extraordinary discretion in our use of deadly force, which is something with which the Taliban don't concern themselves. He also points out that most of our troops consider they are "winning", which given that many of them have been there over the course of many years, they might be in a good position to judge.
Interspersed between the descriptions of battle are chapters that look at training, home life and wives and partners. these are interesting, but sometimes I had the feeling some of the chapters were there for padding - they didn't connect that well with the rest of the book. The last chapter looked at the problems within the current army, and perhaps could have been expanded beyond Masters' own (completely valid) thoughts, with some commentary from current and former troops, and with some options on remedial actions.
Masters use of soldiers slang was occasionally jarring, and inconsistent. It might have been a better editorial tactic to keep the slang within the soldier's quotes, and for the author's 'voice' to be more civilian.
Despite these minor quibbles, this is an important book, and well worth a read. It will change your view of the Afghanistan campaign, and maybe even of the Australian Army.
Check out my other reviews at http://aviewoverthebell.blogspot.com.au/
August 5, 2015
An illuminating portrait of modern warfare and those who engage in the task, 'Uncommon Soldier' is a compelling book of narrative journalism based on the author's unparalleled access to the Australian Defence Force, particularly the army. Chris Masters first visited Afghanistan while reporting a story for the television program Four Corners, and ultimately visited three times while compiling material for Uncommon Soldier. His insights into military culture and the tough, thankless work that soldiers were doing in Afghanistan makes for a compelling read, though I did eventually tire of the detailed battle scenes that he reconstructed through narrative.
Nonetheless, his writing crackles with the energy and enthusiasm of being in an unfamiliar environment, one that's rarely visited by journalists for any period of time: "It is mid summer and the days are long and exhausting," he writes a third of the way in. "I am like a toasted cheese sandwich jammed between the ceramic plates of body armour. My 58 years do not make me an ideal candidate for this work. I drift off, mouth falling open. With my helmet permanently askew, I've been dubbed 'Dad's Army'. The amused soldiers take photographs before heading back to work." While I enjoyed this book, I will note that it took me two months to finish, and during that time I read (and reviewed) a couple of other titles. Evidently, I'm not much of a military reader, and many nights I found myself deciding against the dusty world of 'Uncommon Soldier' in favour of reading saved articles in Instapaper. This is no slight on the author, who has delivered a thoughtful and timeless work of narrative journalism; it just took me a little longer than usual to absorb.
Nonetheless, his writing crackles with the energy and enthusiasm of being in an unfamiliar environment, one that's rarely visited by journalists for any period of time: "It is mid summer and the days are long and exhausting," he writes a third of the way in. "I am like a toasted cheese sandwich jammed between the ceramic plates of body armour. My 58 years do not make me an ideal candidate for this work. I drift off, mouth falling open. With my helmet permanently askew, I've been dubbed 'Dad's Army'. The amused soldiers take photographs before heading back to work." While I enjoyed this book, I will note that it took me two months to finish, and during that time I read (and reviewed) a couple of other titles. Evidently, I'm not much of a military reader, and many nights I found myself deciding against the dusty world of 'Uncommon Soldier' in favour of reading saved articles in Instapaper. This is no slight on the author, who has delivered a thoughtful and timeless work of narrative journalism; it just took me a little longer than usual to absorb.
July 5, 2013
Chris Masters is Australia's best-known investigative journalist. Uncommon Soldier is an study of the modern Australian soldier. The book is as thoroughly researched as one would expect from a journalist of Masters' calibre, and reflects the fact that Masters spent various periods embedded with Australian forces on overseas deployment. There are chapters on the issues facing women in the military, the stages of army training, the often difficult juggling of family life and army life, and a significant and fascinating section on the deployment to Afghanistan.
As a journalist, Chris Masters handles his subject matter in a rather detached way. Uncommon Soldier is a well-constructed and thorough study of the modern soldier, but for me, the book that really brought that soldier to life was John Cantwell's Exit Wounds, which I have also reviewed for Goodreads. Cantwell's experience as a serving soldier and leader of soldiers gave his account a whole other dimension. However, it may be unfair to compare a documentary-style study with a memoir - both books are well written and interesting, and each will have its devoted readers.
Uncommon Soldier won the 2013 Prime Minister's Book Award in the non-fiction category.
My rating, 3.75
As a journalist, Chris Masters handles his subject matter in a rather detached way. Uncommon Soldier is a well-constructed and thorough study of the modern soldier, but for me, the book that really brought that soldier to life was John Cantwell's Exit Wounds, which I have also reviewed for Goodreads. Cantwell's experience as a serving soldier and leader of soldiers gave his account a whole other dimension. However, it may be unfair to compare a documentary-style study with a memoir - both books are well written and interesting, and each will have its devoted readers.
Uncommon Soldier won the 2013 Prime Minister's Book Award in the non-fiction category.
My rating, 3.75
March 4, 2013
Chris Masters' book 'Uncommon soldier' is timely and well researched albeit with a few flaws. Before reading this book I would have described myself as a pacifist and aggrieved at Australia's ongoing involvement in Afghanistan. This book, however, manages to convey the soldiers point of view without sentimentality or glorification. Our soldiers (note I specifically used a propietary term)are highly trained, well regarded and tough. Their ongoing mission is Afghanistan is clearly making some impact yet the public sentiment is somewhat different to the soldiers' own. This is the importance of Masters' book in conveying to the public the real story.
Certainly parts of the book are confusing and it definitely needs an index of acronyms. This is book that should be read by all Australians not just those interested military buffs.
Certainly parts of the book are confusing and it definitely needs an index of acronyms. This is book that should be read by all Australians not just those interested military buffs.
July 20, 2013
Fantastic insight into the modern day soldier. Focuses mostly on the commandos and SASR but is amazing. I definitely shed a few tears throughout the book as it told the story of those lost and the families they left behind.
My only issue was all the acronyms but that's to be expected in a military themed book. The author explains the acronyms multiple times throughout the book so it's more my inability to pick them up more than anything.
Overall, a superb look into what our soldiers go through both here and in the current war in Afghanistan.
My only issue was all the acronyms but that's to be expected in a military themed book. The author explains the acronyms multiple times throughout the book so it's more my inability to pick them up more than anything.
Overall, a superb look into what our soldiers go through both here and in the current war in Afghanistan.
March 23, 2016
A rare empathetic insight into the modern Army and their activities in Afghanistan. A book that does not debate the merits of Australia's presence in Afghanistan as it focuses on the Army's training, operations in the field, the impact on the families, what drives men and women to want to be in Afghanistan and what awaits them when the days in the field are finished. Masters is clearly impressed by our soldiers and their abilities to obtain results through adaption, flexibility, and their ability to make decisions in the field. These men and women are certainly impressive people.
February 24, 2016
This is a powerful read. I am a fan of the investigative work of Chris Masters, and this book, looking at Australian soldiers in Afghanistan shows the importance of long term research. This builds on several documentaries by Masters, and brings together a very interesting account. It is balanced as the the bad and the good are discussed. There are also interesting comments about the roles of journalists in war.
While I enjoy the work of Christ Masters, I do not read many books about military history, this was an important one to read.
While I enjoy the work of Christ Masters, I do not read many books about military history, this was an important one to read.
September 25, 2014
This is probably the best australian army account of the war in Afghanistan as well as the problems faced by australian soldiers as a whole whilst on deployment there and during training. It follows soldiers old and new as they begin their journey from kapooka and duntroon to the battlefield and more.
March 14, 2013
Utterly fascinating. One of the best and most interesting reads of my life!
February 26, 2014
Awesome book, very informative tale of the modern digger with a few good stories about Afghanistan thrown in to expand upon the account.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews