What do you think?
Rate this book
The Long Walk: A Story of War and the Life That Follows
In the tradition of Michael Herr’s Dispatches and works by such masters of the memoir as Mary Karr and Tobias Wolff, a powerful account of war and homecoming.Brian Castner served three tours of duty in the Middle East, two of them as the commander of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit in Iraq. Days and nights he and his team—his brothers—would venture forth in heavily armed convoys from their Forward Operating Base to engage in the nerve-racking yet strangely exhilarating work of either disarming the deadly improvised explosive devices that had been discovered, or picking up the pieces when the alert came too late. They relied on an army of remote-controlled cameras and robots, but if that technology failed, a technician would have to don the eighty-pound Kevlar suit, take the Long Walk up to the bomb, and disarm it by hand. This lethal game of cat and mouse was, and continues to be, the real war within America’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But The Long Walk is not just about battle itself. It is also an unflinching portrayal of the toll war exacts on the men and women who are fighting it. When Castner returned home to his wife and family, he began a struggle with a no less insidious foe, an unshakable feeling of fear and confusion and survivor’s guilt that he terms The Crazy. His thrilling, heartbreaking, stunningly honest book immerses the reader in two harrowing and simultaneous the terror and excitement and camaraderie of combat, and the lonely battle against the enemy within—the haunting memories that will not fade, the survival instincts that will not switch off. After enduring what he has endured, can there ever again be such a thing as “normal”? The Long Walk will hook you from the very first sentence, and it will stay with you long after its final gripping page has been turned.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2012
189 people are currently reading
2870 people want to read
About the author
Brian Castner
9 books120 followersYou can now find me on Skolay: https://www.skolay.com/writers/brian-...
Brian Castner is a nonfiction writer, former Explosive Ordnance Disposal officer, and veteran of the Iraq War. He is the author of "Stampede," "Disappointment River," "All the Ways We Kill and Die" and the war memoir "The Long Walk," which was adapted into an opera and named a New York Times Editor’s Pick and an Amazon Best Book. His journalism and essays have appeared in the New York Times, WIRED, Esquire, The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, and on National Public Radio.
Brian Castner is a nonfiction writer, former Explosive Ordnance Disposal officer, and veteran of the Iraq War. He is the author of "Stampede," "Disappointment River," "All the Ways We Kill and Die" and the war memoir "The Long Walk," which was adapted into an opera and named a New York Times Editor’s Pick and an Amazon Best Book. His journalism and essays have appeared in the New York Times, WIRED, Esquire, The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, and on National Public Radio.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 328 reviews
July 14, 2012
If I could give a book 10 stars, this would be the book. And maybe I'm biased, I know the author personally. But, I also work treating veterans for PTSD and a range of other emotional and behavioral difficulties. And in the three years I've been working at the Veteran Hospital, I have read many many books about veterans, combat, PTSD, I've seen the movies and the documentaries, both fiction and non-fiction. And I have to say, without a doubt, this book is the best, most thought-provoking, most honest story of war and the aftermath, that I have come across.
Throughout the narrative, the author constantly vaccilates between the past and present, a struggle I have seen of so many war-torn veterans, those who often have a difficult time making the past/present separation, responding to their civilian life the way they would while at war. The abundance of emotions that the author has fought to make sense of resonate throughout, and in such a way, that it sucks the reader right in with him, I felt the Crazy.
Thank you Brian, and Welcome Home.
Throughout the narrative, the author constantly vaccilates between the past and present, a struggle I have seen of so many war-torn veterans, those who often have a difficult time making the past/present separation, responding to their civilian life the way they would while at war. The abundance of emotions that the author has fought to make sense of resonate throughout, and in such a way, that it sucks the reader right in with him, I felt the Crazy.
Thank you Brian, and Welcome Home.
July 9, 2012
Soldier’s Heart
I’ve long wondered what it’s been like for our current service people. Like many Westerners I have very little idea what life, not to mention war, is like in the Middle East. It’s worse than I thought. Castner’s account is straight forward and unblinkingly honest. He was a bomb expert during his tour. He describes the arduous training prior to going to Kirkuk Iraq and how competitive it is. I was lost even with this concept. Who the heck is so driven that they WANT to go to such a dangerous place and risk their life by disabling illusive but deadly IED’s? Apparently there are more than a few brave people who consider this a privilege. These bombs can and do cause horrible damage. Castner and his fellow soldiers would come up to horrific scenes of bodies in pieces and loved ones wailing. Add to that they were often viewed with hostility by the locals, not as rescuers.
Castner pivots between such scenes in Iraq and his attempt to fit back in to civilian life. One passage that particularly tore my heart was his telling of how his wife went to her grandmother prior to Brian’s leaving and asked her how she had dealt with being without her husband when he was serving in World War II. Her grandmother told her to say goodbye to the man she knew because he wouldn’t be coming home even if he didn’t die in war a different man would return to her. This is confirmed when Castner’s wife tells him he hasn’t laughed for a year after returning home.
The bond between soldiers is necessarily strong. They have to rely on their squadron to preserve one another’s lives. Of course there were service deaths Castner had to deal with. When he returned he was once tapped to serve as a Family Liaison Officer, the person who informed the family of their lost loved one, he was the soldier who stayed with them during the memorials and funerals. Although he hadn’t known this soldier in life he was struck by the family’s fortitude in getting through a devastating time.
Castner describes in personal detail his struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). More importantly he walks us through Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with which I was far less familiar. TBI occurs when the brain sustains injury by loud noises or slamming against the brain pan. Since the bomb squad were perpetually around explosions they were exposed to this over and over. It can produce, among other symptoms, Parkinson like shakes, gaps in memory, the inability to form new memories, etc. He also discusses some of the mitigating exercises such as yoga that health professionals are working with.
Though this was a serious account it also has hope. Castner obviously takes pride in the work he did in the Middle East as well as providing training for the next group of soldiers who will work with explosives. He describes the process of reconnecting with loved ones and dealing with his injuries, of staying in touch with others who’ve served. Soldier’s Heart was a term coined during the Civil War. It’s a more poetic description for what we now call PTSD.
I’ve long wondered what it’s been like for our current service people. Like many Westerners I have very little idea what life, not to mention war, is like in the Middle East. It’s worse than I thought. Castner’s account is straight forward and unblinkingly honest. He was a bomb expert during his tour. He describes the arduous training prior to going to Kirkuk Iraq and how competitive it is. I was lost even with this concept. Who the heck is so driven that they WANT to go to such a dangerous place and risk their life by disabling illusive but deadly IED’s? Apparently there are more than a few brave people who consider this a privilege. These bombs can and do cause horrible damage. Castner and his fellow soldiers would come up to horrific scenes of bodies in pieces and loved ones wailing. Add to that they were often viewed with hostility by the locals, not as rescuers.
Castner pivots between such scenes in Iraq and his attempt to fit back in to civilian life. One passage that particularly tore my heart was his telling of how his wife went to her grandmother prior to Brian’s leaving and asked her how she had dealt with being without her husband when he was serving in World War II. Her grandmother told her to say goodbye to the man she knew because he wouldn’t be coming home even if he didn’t die in war a different man would return to her. This is confirmed when Castner’s wife tells him he hasn’t laughed for a year after returning home.
The bond between soldiers is necessarily strong. They have to rely on their squadron to preserve one another’s lives. Of course there were service deaths Castner had to deal with. When he returned he was once tapped to serve as a Family Liaison Officer, the person who informed the family of their lost loved one, he was the soldier who stayed with them during the memorials and funerals. Although he hadn’t known this soldier in life he was struck by the family’s fortitude in getting through a devastating time.
Castner describes in personal detail his struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). More importantly he walks us through Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with which I was far less familiar. TBI occurs when the brain sustains injury by loud noises or slamming against the brain pan. Since the bomb squad were perpetually around explosions they were exposed to this over and over. It can produce, among other symptoms, Parkinson like shakes, gaps in memory, the inability to form new memories, etc. He also discusses some of the mitigating exercises such as yoga that health professionals are working with.
Though this was a serious account it also has hope. Castner obviously takes pride in the work he did in the Middle East as well as providing training for the next group of soldiers who will work with explosives. He describes the process of reconnecting with loved ones and dealing with his injuries, of staying in touch with others who’ve served. Soldier’s Heart was a term coined during the Civil War. It’s a more poetic description for what we now call PTSD.
May 19, 2021
I struggled with “The Long Walk…” by Brian Castner. On one hand, I was touched by the honesty and bravery of Castner, and on the other hand, the vivid descriptions of PTSD problems year at my heart.
It takes us into the the depths and nights of war. It is raw and painfully descriptive.
Castner is the main character and narrator who also takes us down the road to healing after the war is over.
His most important point is, “...the person who goes to war is not the person who returns home” hurts to reflect on.
I recommend reading this book--then thank a vet or active duty warrior.
It takes us into the the depths and nights of war. It is raw and painfully descriptive.
Castner is the main character and narrator who also takes us down the road to healing after the war is over.
His most important point is, “...the person who goes to war is not the person who returns home” hurts to reflect on.
I recommend reading this book--then thank a vet or active duty warrior.
October 5, 2012
Very personal account of a soldier's love affair with and devastation by warfare. Had the feel of poetry from the gut. He talks a lot about a sense of brotherhood among soldiers, and reflects some about the damage done to Iraqi people's lives in the pursuit of... whatever it was America was pursuing in Iraq. A happy ending? An honorable departure? I don't know and he doesn't seem to consider it his business to worry about it much either. In his work removing roadside bombs, he does notice and try to avoid gross injustice-- such as when his unit was expected to destroy workshops of Iraqi craftsmen on reports that crude weapons may have been made in one of them (his unit found no evidence of this and left without wreaking the expected havoc). It was also the story of how, in the moment it takes to step off a curb, his brain and life were overtaken by "the crazy," and it is the story of the long and confusing process of diagnosing and treating it. Running and yoga provided some reprieve, but still he found himself overcome by craziness, such as when he stood in a check-out line at a grocery store in his hometown and planned out how to kill everyone in order to get out of the store faster. How, I wondered, did such a preoccupied brain manage to write such a poignant memoir? I choose to take it as a hopeful sign that Brian Castner is re-taking his mind and his life from the occupying force of "the crazy."
October 13, 2015
What a beautiful, tragic book.
An absolute must-read if you liked The Hurt Locker or Brian Turner's excellent Here, Bullet.
Excerpt:
When I deployed for the first time [my wife] asked her grandmother for advice. Her grandfather served in Africa and Europe in World War II. Her grandmother would know what to do.
"How do I live with him being gone? How do I help him when he comes home?" my wife asked.
"He won't come home," her grandmother answered. "The war will kill him one way or the other. I hope for you that he dies while he is there. Otherwise the war will kill him at home. With you."
Let me just warn you, this book is not, like so many other books about veterans, a story of redemption. Yes, there is a brief moment when Castner seems to overcome his crazy, just for a second. But it comes back, and the odds against him are insurmountable. After he describes panicking in an airport and mentally planning who to shoot first and where to go in order to escape, it's hard to imagine that he'll ever be all the way better. After he explains just a touch of the physics behind explosions and why they can destroy a brain without destroying the body around it, it's hard to think that he's ever going to be the way he was before. After he says that his wife wants him to cheat on her just so that she could leave him, you kind of give up on the idea of him having a normal life.
Castner has written a book that is deeply personal and brave. He reveals that something inside of him has been fundamentally and irrevocably broken, which can't be an easy thing to talk about for a man whose career and whose survival depended so long on being tough and mentally calm. More than that, he does a great job of connecting the past with the present and making the reader understand that the problem, for him, is that there's no longer a difference.
~Peter
An absolute must-read if you liked The Hurt Locker or Brian Turner's excellent Here, Bullet.
Excerpt:
When I deployed for the first time [my wife] asked her grandmother for advice. Her grandfather served in Africa and Europe in World War II. Her grandmother would know what to do.
"How do I live with him being gone? How do I help him when he comes home?" my wife asked.
"He won't come home," her grandmother answered. "The war will kill him one way or the other. I hope for you that he dies while he is there. Otherwise the war will kill him at home. With you."
Let me just warn you, this book is not, like so many other books about veterans, a story of redemption. Yes, there is a brief moment when Castner seems to overcome his crazy, just for a second. But it comes back, and the odds against him are insurmountable. After he describes panicking in an airport and mentally planning who to shoot first and where to go in order to escape, it's hard to imagine that he'll ever be all the way better. After he explains just a touch of the physics behind explosions and why they can destroy a brain without destroying the body around it, it's hard to think that he's ever going to be the way he was before. After he says that his wife wants him to cheat on her just so that she could leave him, you kind of give up on the idea of him having a normal life.
Castner has written a book that is deeply personal and brave. He reveals that something inside of him has been fundamentally and irrevocably broken, which can't be an easy thing to talk about for a man whose career and whose survival depended so long on being tough and mentally calm. More than that, he does a great job of connecting the past with the present and making the reader understand that the problem, for him, is that there's no longer a difference.
~Peter
June 7, 2012
Brian did a great job. I must admit that we've been friends for a while, however that doesn't mean that I wouldn't tell him his book sucked if I thought so. It's a great account and is true to form. Scooter is guts and loyalty and this book has them both is spades.
December 30, 2012
"When I left Iraq, the US military had occupied it for five years. But we didn't collectively have five years of experience; we had one year of experience five times."
I picked up this book as I had heard it portrayed as one the first good memoirs to come out the Iraq war and it did not disappoint it its raw and (what I imagine to be) real portrayal not only of going to war in Iraq but what it was like to come home. Although it felt very sparse to me in its telling - which did not fully allow me to engage with the main character or understand well the bomb-diffusing work he did as a solider - I still found it to be thought-provoking and moving. Definitely recommended.
I picked up this book as I had heard it portrayed as one the first good memoirs to come out the Iraq war and it did not disappoint it its raw and (what I imagine to be) real portrayal not only of going to war in Iraq but what it was like to come home. Although it felt very sparse to me in its telling - which did not fully allow me to engage with the main character or understand well the bomb-diffusing work he did as a solider - I still found it to be thought-provoking and moving. Definitely recommended.
October 1, 2012
There's a Sufi poet, Waris Shah, who has a line that goes something like this: "The people who say - those who go away to war will return - tell lies."
The Long Walk, Brian Castner's remarkable chronicle of his war (three tours in Iraq and then home) is testament to this. The people who leave for war are not the people who return. The reality is heart breaking and true, regardless of the specific war. Castner suggests much the same thing in this excerpt:
My wife is alone in our full bed too. Her husband, the father of her children, never came back from Iraq. When I deployed the first time she asked her grandmother for advice. Her grandfather served in Africa and Europe in World War II. Her grandmother would know what to do.
"How do I live with him being gone? How do I help him when he comes home?" my wife asked.
"He won't come home," her grandmother answered. "The war will kill him one way or the other. I hope for you that he dies while he is there. Otherwise the war will kill him at home. With you."
War literature such as this, though, gives me terrible pause. If it's so awful for those lucky to survive and return home, is it even possible to describe what it's like to be fighting and dying as an Iraqi?
The Long Walk, Brian Castner's remarkable chronicle of his war (three tours in Iraq and then home) is testament to this. The people who leave for war are not the people who return. The reality is heart breaking and true, regardless of the specific war. Castner suggests much the same thing in this excerpt:
My wife is alone in our full bed too. Her husband, the father of her children, never came back from Iraq. When I deployed the first time she asked her grandmother for advice. Her grandfather served in Africa and Europe in World War II. Her grandmother would know what to do.
"How do I live with him being gone? How do I help him when he comes home?" my wife asked.
"He won't come home," her grandmother answered. "The war will kill him one way or the other. I hope for you that he dies while he is there. Otherwise the war will kill him at home. With you."
War literature such as this, though, gives me terrible pause. If it's so awful for those lucky to survive and return home, is it even possible to describe what it's like to be fighting and dying as an Iraqi?
September 10, 2012
`The first thing you should know about me is that I'm Crazy'
And with a first sentence of a book of past and active memoirs Brian Castner has his reader by the ear, the eye, and every sensory receptor of the body. This is one of those books that burn like acid on the skin causing pain at first and as it gradually heals it leaves a scar - a mark, a blight, an indelible reminder of the original episode. Many soldiers have written about their experiences in battle - from the greats such as alt Whitman, Wilfred Owen, WG Sebald to Tim O'Brien, Philip Caputo, Neil Sheehan among others. Writing of this caliber, especially in the hands of a new practitioner, deserves admiration for not only his technical skills, but also for the unique manner in which this book was written. This is one of the most involving books about the active and passive aspects of the wars in the Middle East now available.
Here is a story, a true reportage, of a soldier who served multiple terms of duty in the Middle East this past decade, being a commander of an Explosive Ordnance disposal unit in Iraq - a military Bomb Squad. The assignments carried out by Castner and his fellow soldiers were based on seeking hidden explosive devices and upon finding them, undergoing the dangerous task of disarming them. Yes, we have `been there visually' in the film `The Hurt Locker', but fine as that story was it dims in light of the way Castner relates those terrifying yet thrilling missions.
Where Castner's THE LONG WALK (a term for the breathless approaching a potentially deadly explosive device) succeeds best is in transferring the madness and the gore of battle as it imprints on the brains and psyches of those men assigned to these tasks. By keeping his story personal, written on his own without a dependency on statistics or data, brings entry into the world as it has changed by the Crazy One - the fragile alternative mindset of a hyperactive victim of negative imprints that alter his return to civilian life. In a few paragraphs he takes us to the field of action, then leaves a space, and moves directly into the realities of being back home in the states. It is this back and forth method of writing that unveils the fragility (and the indomitability) of the mind as experienced by war, making it immediately accessible to the reader - and as pungent as any war writing to date.
The book is about a specific war (and everyone should have access to the pages of this book to see how agonizingly absurd the continued pointless and useless and wasteful Middle East involvement in tribal warfare really is): in reality this book mirrors the permanent injuries on soldiers' minds in every war. This is powerful writing, important information, a gateway to understanding PTSD, and above all one of the most terrifying and heart wrenching stories about the absurdity of war and its aftershocks.
Grady Harp
And with a first sentence of a book of past and active memoirs Brian Castner has his reader by the ear, the eye, and every sensory receptor of the body. This is one of those books that burn like acid on the skin causing pain at first and as it gradually heals it leaves a scar - a mark, a blight, an indelible reminder of the original episode. Many soldiers have written about their experiences in battle - from the greats such as alt Whitman, Wilfred Owen, WG Sebald to Tim O'Brien, Philip Caputo, Neil Sheehan among others. Writing of this caliber, especially in the hands of a new practitioner, deserves admiration for not only his technical skills, but also for the unique manner in which this book was written. This is one of the most involving books about the active and passive aspects of the wars in the Middle East now available.
Here is a story, a true reportage, of a soldier who served multiple terms of duty in the Middle East this past decade, being a commander of an Explosive Ordnance disposal unit in Iraq - a military Bomb Squad. The assignments carried out by Castner and his fellow soldiers were based on seeking hidden explosive devices and upon finding them, undergoing the dangerous task of disarming them. Yes, we have `been there visually' in the film `The Hurt Locker', but fine as that story was it dims in light of the way Castner relates those terrifying yet thrilling missions.
Where Castner's THE LONG WALK (a term for the breathless approaching a potentially deadly explosive device) succeeds best is in transferring the madness and the gore of battle as it imprints on the brains and psyches of those men assigned to these tasks. By keeping his story personal, written on his own without a dependency on statistics or data, brings entry into the world as it has changed by the Crazy One - the fragile alternative mindset of a hyperactive victim of negative imprints that alter his return to civilian life. In a few paragraphs he takes us to the field of action, then leaves a space, and moves directly into the realities of being back home in the states. It is this back and forth method of writing that unveils the fragility (and the indomitability) of the mind as experienced by war, making it immediately accessible to the reader - and as pungent as any war writing to date.
The book is about a specific war (and everyone should have access to the pages of this book to see how agonizingly absurd the continued pointless and useless and wasteful Middle East involvement in tribal warfare really is): in reality this book mirrors the permanent injuries on soldiers' minds in every war. This is powerful writing, important information, a gateway to understanding PTSD, and above all one of the most terrifying and heart wrenching stories about the absurdity of war and its aftershocks.
Grady Harp
September 17, 2012
Excerpt:
When I deployed for the first time [my wife] asked her grandmother for advice. Her grandfather served in Africa and Europe in World War II. Her grandmother would know what to do.
"How do I live with him being gone? How do I help him when he comes home?" my wife asked.
"He won't come home," her grandmother answered. "The war will kill him one way or the other. I hope for you that he dies while he is there. Otherwise the war will kill him at home. With you."
The story of Brian Castner's Crazy is trim, sad, and a must-read.
What makes this book so different from the other books about the Iraq war?
1. There are no real politics. You can certainly superimpose your own politics on it if you want, as is the case with goddamn EVERYTHING, but the book itself goes a different way. It's highly personal, focusing on the side of things that you don't see so much. The writer talks about what he knows and what he experienced, and he leaves the rest alone.
2. He does a good job making you understand his Crazy. A lot of books about people who are crazy try to make you experience crazy for yourself, see the world as they see it. So they use weird line breaks, broken sentences, bizarre wordplay and other tricks to try and take you somewhere you can't go because, well, you're not crazy. What Castner does is explain what he is thinking about when he's feeling crazy. How it changes him.
3. This is not, like so many other books about people with problems, about redemption. Yes, there is a brief moment when he seems to overcome his crazy, just for a second. But it comes back, of course. And the odds against him are insurmountable. After he describes panicking in an airport and mentally planning who to shoot first and where to go in order to escape, it's hard to imagine that he'll ever be all the way better. After he explains just a touch of the physics behind explosions and why they can destroy a brain without destroying the body around it, it's hard to think that he's ever going to be the way he was before. After he says that his wife wants him to cheat on her just so that she could leave him, you kind of give up on the idea of him having a normal life.
So, in a genre that involves a lot of dates, tactical information, and insider knowledge, someone has written a book that is deeply personal and brave in revealing that something inside someone who made a career out of being tough and mentally calm, that something inside that person has been fundamentally and irrevocably broken. More than that, it does a great job of connecting the past with the present and making a reader understand the problem: there's really IS no difference.
When I deployed for the first time [my wife] asked her grandmother for advice. Her grandfather served in Africa and Europe in World War II. Her grandmother would know what to do.
"How do I live with him being gone? How do I help him when he comes home?" my wife asked.
"He won't come home," her grandmother answered. "The war will kill him one way or the other. I hope for you that he dies while he is there. Otherwise the war will kill him at home. With you."
The story of Brian Castner's Crazy is trim, sad, and a must-read.
What makes this book so different from the other books about the Iraq war?
1. There are no real politics. You can certainly superimpose your own politics on it if you want, as is the case with goddamn EVERYTHING, but the book itself goes a different way. It's highly personal, focusing on the side of things that you don't see so much. The writer talks about what he knows and what he experienced, and he leaves the rest alone.
2. He does a good job making you understand his Crazy. A lot of books about people who are crazy try to make you experience crazy for yourself, see the world as they see it. So they use weird line breaks, broken sentences, bizarre wordplay and other tricks to try and take you somewhere you can't go because, well, you're not crazy. What Castner does is explain what he is thinking about when he's feeling crazy. How it changes him.
3. This is not, like so many other books about people with problems, about redemption. Yes, there is a brief moment when he seems to overcome his crazy, just for a second. But it comes back, of course. And the odds against him are insurmountable. After he describes panicking in an airport and mentally planning who to shoot first and where to go in order to escape, it's hard to imagine that he'll ever be all the way better. After he explains just a touch of the physics behind explosions and why they can destroy a brain without destroying the body around it, it's hard to think that he's ever going to be the way he was before. After he says that his wife wants him to cheat on her just so that she could leave him, you kind of give up on the idea of him having a normal life.
So, in a genre that involves a lot of dates, tactical information, and insider knowledge, someone has written a book that is deeply personal and brave in revealing that something inside someone who made a career out of being tough and mentally calm, that something inside that person has been fundamentally and irrevocably broken. More than that, it does a great job of connecting the past with the present and making a reader understand the problem: there's really IS no difference.
July 11, 2012
"The first thing you should know about me is that I'm crazy." In The Long Walk: A Story of War and the Life That Follows, Brian Castner heartbreakingly shares anything but your typical war story. Castner takes us on a personal journey through not one, but two wars -- one in Iraq, and the other within himself -- brilliantly intertwining the two in a way so explosively raw.
Castner served three tours of duty in the Middle East as an officer of the U.S. Air Force, two of them as the commander of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit in Iraq. Castner delves into the day-to-day experiences of an EDO at war: the dangerous investigations of the aftermath of car bombs, the unbearable heat, and the house-to-house search for bomb makers. But his greatest challenge would come on the once familiar soil of his own home. These passages of Castner's terror and fear both in Iraq and at home left me holding my breath.
Flashing back and forth between the two locales, Castner describes the horrific events that took place during his tours of duty, and the uninvited panic he refers to as "the Crazy" during his transition to returning home. We receive a rare glimpse into the mind of a soldier suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the mind of a person dealing with unwanted memories and severe anxiety.
Castner's story snuck up on me in a way that was surprising. He talks about how he enjoyed his job in the military, found meaning in the work he was doing, and embraced the camaraderie of those in his unit. He admits that "despite being surrounded by the gory horrors of war and facing near-death experiences, I somehow never considered what life would be like once I went on the final call to dismantle a roadside bomb." When Castner goes from disrupting roadside improvised explosive devices, to giving his children cereal before they leave for school in the morning, he finds both tasks equally challenging. Riddled with wounds and loss not visible to the naked eye, he reveals a different kind of post-war aftershock. Castner found himself questioning his significance in his family, as his relationship with his wife and children deteriorates, and shares these thoughts freely. Castner's ability to speak openly about a subject that isn't talked about enough is not only inspiring; it's also so very honorable.
The Long Walk is immensely personal, deeply moving, and at times will leave you stunned. This is a story that won't leave you. The eye-opening, touching revelations make this book a must-read, especially during this fragile time.
Castner served three tours of duty in the Middle East as an officer of the U.S. Air Force, two of them as the commander of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit in Iraq. Castner delves into the day-to-day experiences of an EDO at war: the dangerous investigations of the aftermath of car bombs, the unbearable heat, and the house-to-house search for bomb makers. But his greatest challenge would come on the once familiar soil of his own home. These passages of Castner's terror and fear both in Iraq and at home left me holding my breath.
Flashing back and forth between the two locales, Castner describes the horrific events that took place during his tours of duty, and the uninvited panic he refers to as "the Crazy" during his transition to returning home. We receive a rare glimpse into the mind of a soldier suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the mind of a person dealing with unwanted memories and severe anxiety.
Castner's story snuck up on me in a way that was surprising. He talks about how he enjoyed his job in the military, found meaning in the work he was doing, and embraced the camaraderie of those in his unit. He admits that "despite being surrounded by the gory horrors of war and facing near-death experiences, I somehow never considered what life would be like once I went on the final call to dismantle a roadside bomb." When Castner goes from disrupting roadside improvised explosive devices, to giving his children cereal before they leave for school in the morning, he finds both tasks equally challenging. Riddled with wounds and loss not visible to the naked eye, he reveals a different kind of post-war aftershock. Castner found himself questioning his significance in his family, as his relationship with his wife and children deteriorates, and shares these thoughts freely. Castner's ability to speak openly about a subject that isn't talked about enough is not only inspiring; it's also so very honorable.
The Long Walk is immensely personal, deeply moving, and at times will leave you stunned. This is a story that won't leave you. The eye-opening, touching revelations make this book a must-read, especially during this fragile time.
September 14, 2012
Every once in a while a book that I would never expect to catch my attention calls to me from the stacks. It always happens in person. I usually happens accidentally. I’ve learned to never let myself walk away. With this book, I was fighting with the return box at the library and it was sitting on the ‘new book’ shelf to my left.
The cover and log line grabbed me even though I have zero natural literary interest in war (err... note my other reviews). I read the back and put it back down. Ages ago, hubby and I watched a movie on soldiers whose specialty was bomb disposal. It was excellent, but disturbing.
And yet the book called to me again. I picked it back up, checked it out, and read it in one sitting (telling the stories to hubby along the way).
It’s the memoir of Brian Castner, now retired from the Air Force after serving several tours in the middle east leading EOD teams. The book is set up as a series of short vignettes. At first I found this confusing, but they quickly settled into two distinct (intermixed) threads: Brian’s entry into the EOD world and time in Iraq. And his struggle with what he calls ‘The Crazy’ after his return.
As expected, the stories are gritty and awful. The are also somehow very poignant. One of the things I really like was how Mr. Castner showed the job he had to do in Iraq and the dedication and hard decisions it took to complete that job, but at the same time how very aware he was of the material and emotional (not the right word, but I can’t think of anything better) hurt he was doing the Iraqis (making his own job harder too). It was fascinating.
So was being in his head as he faced the aftermath. Although 'fascinating' feels a bit shallow. I will admit that I shed quite a few tears as he suffered. He’s one of those people who you want to offer something as a Thank you, but there isn’t anything that you can give that wouldn’t come off as trite.
More than anything though, I finished the book with a strong sense of what it means to be human. Not super-human, but plain-old-regular, good-bad-ugly, human.
The cover and log line grabbed me even though I have zero natural literary interest in war (err... note my other reviews). I read the back and put it back down. Ages ago, hubby and I watched a movie on soldiers whose specialty was bomb disposal. It was excellent, but disturbing.
And yet the book called to me again. I picked it back up, checked it out, and read it in one sitting (telling the stories to hubby along the way).
It’s the memoir of Brian Castner, now retired from the Air Force after serving several tours in the middle east leading EOD teams. The book is set up as a series of short vignettes. At first I found this confusing, but they quickly settled into two distinct (intermixed) threads: Brian’s entry into the EOD world and time in Iraq. And his struggle with what he calls ‘The Crazy’ after his return.
As expected, the stories are gritty and awful. The are also somehow very poignant. One of the things I really like was how Mr. Castner showed the job he had to do in Iraq and the dedication and hard decisions it took to complete that job, but at the same time how very aware he was of the material and emotional (not the right word, but I can’t think of anything better) hurt he was doing the Iraqis (making his own job harder too). It was fascinating.
So was being in his head as he faced the aftermath. Although 'fascinating' feels a bit shallow. I will admit that I shed quite a few tears as he suffered. He’s one of those people who you want to offer something as a Thank you, but there isn’t anything that you can give that wouldn’t come off as trite.
More than anything though, I finished the book with a strong sense of what it means to be human. Not super-human, but plain-old-regular, good-bad-ugly, human.
June 11, 2012
Castner's writing conveys, both through style and content, how all-consuming his job in Iraq was -- the hyper vigilance, the constant assessment of danger, the need to kill -- and how he found it impossible to disengage from that life and reenter his family life when the tour was over. There is no doubt that reentry is difficult, under any circumstances, and VA hospital staff struggle to decide how much of that difficulty is physical or psychological. The answer is a moving target since the methods of war complicate the issue by constantly introducing new physical and emotional trauma. Castner relates his experiences in Iraq and his struggles at home in the context of finding a diagnosis and treatment for his own personal Crazy.
His description of life both inside and beyond the wire is vivid and disturbing. The "Long Walk" is the walk that an Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialist takes to a live round or bomb to defuse it. The long walk is also Castner's life. For him, the loss of EOD Brothers did not end with the tour of duty; the terror of the war doesn't end when you step onto U.S. soil. Probably the most frightening images for me in this book are the thoughts that run through the author's mind as he drives his son to day care and watches over him at night.
Castner says that during the writing of the book his wife asked him how he could remember all the details. He responds that he cannot forget the details. The narrative keeps returning to Iraq or to his battle with the Crazy, sometimes suddenly in the middle of another story. While disconcerting at first, I realized that Castner is trying to help us understand what the Crazy is like.
Castner is a talented writer, and this was an emotional read that I won’t soon forget.
His description of life both inside and beyond the wire is vivid and disturbing. The "Long Walk" is the walk that an Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialist takes to a live round or bomb to defuse it. The long walk is also Castner's life. For him, the loss of EOD Brothers did not end with the tour of duty; the terror of the war doesn't end when you step onto U.S. soil. Probably the most frightening images for me in this book are the thoughts that run through the author's mind as he drives his son to day care and watches over him at night.
Castner says that during the writing of the book his wife asked him how he could remember all the details. He responds that he cannot forget the details. The narrative keeps returning to Iraq or to his battle with the Crazy, sometimes suddenly in the middle of another story. While disconcerting at first, I realized that Castner is trying to help us understand what the Crazy is like.
Castner is a talented writer, and this was an emotional read that I won’t soon forget.
September 17, 2012
“"Don't be scared of the soft sand."
A soldier, decked out in full bomb gear, an 80 pound Kevlar suit, making the “long walk” toward an armed bomb. Is there anything more desolate or terrifying? Brian Castner served three tours in Iraq, as part of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit.
This is the story of two journeys: the adrenaline-fueled, blood-soaked world of the combat soldier and the equally difficult return to a “normal” life.
This is a raw, emotional memoir, filled with riveting prose. Castner describes the everyday intensity and horror of a EOD soldier, disarming bombs and cleaning up the aftermath. Collecting “right hands” to count the casualties. Placing a soldier’s personal info in their boots, because feet “pop” off in an explosion.
And then Castner’s long painful recovery back home. The fear, the paranoia. While grocery shopping, he scans the crowd for potential insurgents and targets, clutching a non-existent weapon. Crying, while putting his son’s hockey gear on, which reminds him of donning his bomb suit.
Castner vividly places the reader in each of these situations and has created one of the best books on war, that I have ever read. I cannot recommend it higher.
A soldier, decked out in full bomb gear, an 80 pound Kevlar suit, making the “long walk” toward an armed bomb. Is there anything more desolate or terrifying? Brian Castner served three tours in Iraq, as part of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit.
This is the story of two journeys: the adrenaline-fueled, blood-soaked world of the combat soldier and the equally difficult return to a “normal” life.
This is a raw, emotional memoir, filled with riveting prose. Castner describes the everyday intensity and horror of a EOD soldier, disarming bombs and cleaning up the aftermath. Collecting “right hands” to count the casualties. Placing a soldier’s personal info in their boots, because feet “pop” off in an explosion.
And then Castner’s long painful recovery back home. The fear, the paranoia. While grocery shopping, he scans the crowd for potential insurgents and targets, clutching a non-existent weapon. Crying, while putting his son’s hockey gear on, which reminds him of donning his bomb suit.
Castner vividly places the reader in each of these situations and has created one of the best books on war, that I have ever read. I cannot recommend it higher.
May 9, 2013
Brian Castner's The Long Walk is about his three tours of duty in the Middle East as a US officer in EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal). He's an engineer from a long line of military family and usually if I have no experience in common with an author/book subject I am too self-absorbed to gain anything from reading it, but Castner's writing sucked me in immediately and held my attention til the last page, mere hours later.
I know how brilliant engineers can be scientifically and intellectually, but I am astounded at how poetic and sensitive Castner manages to be at the same time. He is able to convey the allure as well as the horror of deployment and the EOD brotherhood, and also the very nature of his Crazy upon his return stateside. I loved his presentation of the science of brain trauma and the after effects of Blast Induced Traumatic Brain Injury, and appreciate the way he leaves his readers hope for (any modicum of) recovery.
I know how brilliant engineers can be scientifically and intellectually, but I am astounded at how poetic and sensitive Castner manages to be at the same time. He is able to convey the allure as well as the horror of deployment and the EOD brotherhood, and also the very nature of his Crazy upon his return stateside. I loved his presentation of the science of brain trauma and the after effects of Blast Induced Traumatic Brain Injury, and appreciate the way he leaves his readers hope for (any modicum of) recovery.
July 24, 2013
There were a few parts of this book that really hit home for me, even though I will never go to war and I most certainly won't disable bombs. The running to pound down your other feelings - yeah, I get that. The brain exhaustion that comes from it having to work harder for the same simple tasks, yeah, I get that.
On top of that, I found this book fascinating because it presents us with a situation where someone got what they really, really wanted and then found that that thing had fucked them up. And that's not something people in general seem good at talking about, so it was refreshing to read a book that covered the topic. And it turns out, I find bomb stuff interesting - which was a surprise.
I seem to have headed myself into a bit of a mini-theme, what with Billy Lynn's Long Halftime walk right before and at least another book about the Iraq War coming up in the very near future. Bit bleak, bit rough, but also something I feel I really should know more about.
On top of that, I found this book fascinating because it presents us with a situation where someone got what they really, really wanted and then found that that thing had fucked them up. And that's not something people in general seem good at talking about, so it was refreshing to read a book that covered the topic. And it turns out, I find bomb stuff interesting - which was a surprise.
I seem to have headed myself into a bit of a mini-theme, what with Billy Lynn's Long Halftime walk right before and at least another book about the Iraq War coming up in the very near future. Bit bleak, bit rough, but also something I feel I really should know more about.
August 20, 2012
Generally speaking, I like depressing books, but this one was SUPER depressing. I liked it, because it was written differently, and the way the author continually went back and forth from past to present was interesting, but I seriously need some ice cream and a hug after this one.
July 9, 2016
I listened to this on audio read by Brian. There were times listening to this that were so emotional, so tense, so real. Wonderful memoir.
November 23, 2017
I'm grateful for every soldier who tells their stories, and for those who can't tell it themselves.
January 2, 2025
Within the story ‘The Long Walk’ by Brain Castner there are many descriptive aspects about how the author's mental status is throughout many periods of his life. The story talks about many instances where he finds himself in a bad mindset. As he had previously worked disarming bombs in the war, the feeling and sensation that the job had on him then factored into his new life after the war. He faced many mental challenges from old memories of friends to now trying to be there for his family in the best way possible. While reading this book the purpose was something that you had to look for, the book included many perspectives that were good to think about but the overall purpose was to show readers that it is normal to struggle. Life is not as simple as people think it should be and it is ok to have those struggles because more than likely others are going through that same type of situation.
Throughout the story, the overall concept was set up well for the readers but when it came down to the detail a few pieces had room for improvement. Within the practical aspect, the author wanted the readers to know and understand many things. The author solely tried to put his situation into a new perspective. He wanted to accomplish his portrayal of differences in different peoples day to day life experiences. Not many people have understood what it is like to go through this. Hence, he tried to thoroughly explain what this type of situation can do to someone physically, emotionally, and mentally. This portrayal was slightly accomplished but would have been even better if there had been more comparisons to other people's day-to-day lives. When it comes to the aesthetics in the book it is set up in a very descriptive way. The book mostly describes the vivid mindset changes but also includes descriptions of the images that are around in the scenario. Through the mindset changes the author included constant shifts in scenarios. From ones where he was actively disarming the bombs to ones where he was just dropping his kids off at school. He describes how his mindset was so similar in both of those situations even though those situations couldn't be more opposite. He wants the reader to put themselves in the position that he was in so that is why he describes the setting and people's actions within the setting so vividly. A unique quality that stood out to me was the comparison of what life was like in the war to what it is like for him now when it is just ‘normal’ life with his family. He thought of a way to compare things that have never been compared before. For instance, in the story on page 192, it states, “I don’t like being like this. Normal people don’t do this. Planning to kill random strangers.” This quote is very beneficial when showing the unique differences. It has a unique take on what everyday life is like after going through a major life-altering event. It provides the reader with a new perspective on what life is like for others since many people have never felt that type of way before in their day-to-day lives.
This book would be a great choice for someone who has endured traumatic life-ending instances. Preferably someone who is male and who has been in a similar situation when fighting in war. It would be great for someone who is married or has children as that is a topic that is touched on a lot, and especially even for someone who is questioning whether or not it is the right choice to join the military/army.
Overall, this book is great when discussing an actual problem within society. This instance goes on more than you think since it is such a large topic, but not many people talk about it. They may fear the backlash of sharing their thoughts and feelings with the world, but it can be very beneficial to talk about it because it might help someone who is experiencing the same kind of situation. I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars. It showed me that struggle is real and it is beneficial to talk about it because other people might be going through this as well. I immensely enjoyed how it talked about a very serious topic but with a unique perspective on how that type of situation is perceived.
Throughout the story, the overall concept was set up well for the readers but when it came down to the detail a few pieces had room for improvement. Within the practical aspect, the author wanted the readers to know and understand many things. The author solely tried to put his situation into a new perspective. He wanted to accomplish his portrayal of differences in different peoples day to day life experiences. Not many people have understood what it is like to go through this. Hence, he tried to thoroughly explain what this type of situation can do to someone physically, emotionally, and mentally. This portrayal was slightly accomplished but would have been even better if there had been more comparisons to other people's day-to-day lives. When it comes to the aesthetics in the book it is set up in a very descriptive way. The book mostly describes the vivid mindset changes but also includes descriptions of the images that are around in the scenario. Through the mindset changes the author included constant shifts in scenarios. From ones where he was actively disarming the bombs to ones where he was just dropping his kids off at school. He describes how his mindset was so similar in both of those situations even though those situations couldn't be more opposite. He wants the reader to put themselves in the position that he was in so that is why he describes the setting and people's actions within the setting so vividly. A unique quality that stood out to me was the comparison of what life was like in the war to what it is like for him now when it is just ‘normal’ life with his family. He thought of a way to compare things that have never been compared before. For instance, in the story on page 192, it states, “I don’t like being like this. Normal people don’t do this. Planning to kill random strangers.” This quote is very beneficial when showing the unique differences. It has a unique take on what everyday life is like after going through a major life-altering event. It provides the reader with a new perspective on what life is like for others since many people have never felt that type of way before in their day-to-day lives.
This book would be a great choice for someone who has endured traumatic life-ending instances. Preferably someone who is male and who has been in a similar situation when fighting in war. It would be great for someone who is married or has children as that is a topic that is touched on a lot, and especially even for someone who is questioning whether or not it is the right choice to join the military/army.
Overall, this book is great when discussing an actual problem within society. This instance goes on more than you think since it is such a large topic, but not many people talk about it. They may fear the backlash of sharing their thoughts and feelings with the world, but it can be very beneficial to talk about it because it might help someone who is experiencing the same kind of situation. I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars. It showed me that struggle is real and it is beneficial to talk about it because other people might be going through this as well. I immensely enjoyed how it talked about a very serious topic but with a unique perspective on how that type of situation is perceived.
January 2, 2025
Jayden Dilley
Jan 2nd
The Long Walk
By: Brian Castner
The Long Walk by Brian Castner a Story of War gives us an unforgettable look at combat's psychological and emotional toll on humans. Brian Castner a former bomb disposal expert in Iraq, writes a memoir that goes beyond traditional war stories by focusing on the unforgettable experiences that linger long after the soldiers return home. Throughout his journey, Brian Castner explores the deep trauma that comes with going into war, the struggle to be a civilian again, and the challenges of reconciling one’s identity with the scars left behind. In examining the story of Castner, this essay will explore the themes of survival, loss, trauma, and the long-lasting effects of war.
The narrative begins with Brain Castner being deployed to Iraq in 2003, where he is tasked with a team that is responsible for defusing roadside bombs, being a hazardous and high-stakes job. We’re introduced to the team as “the guys” who refer to his colleagues in the bomb disposal unit. The guys are the backbone of his time in service, they were crucial to his daily experiences overseas in Iraq. While Brain never really names them individually, the name represents the close bond that the men had made while defusing roadside bombs. Throughout his time overseas Castner describes the shared dangers and dark sense of humor that helped the guys cope with the constant threat of death faced every day, as well as the emotional toll of their mission. These “guys” aren’t just colleagues but brothers and allies who become an integral part of Castner’s experience of war, which continues to shape him even after he returns home to his civilian life and family. After his tour in Iraq, he returns home to a life that seems unreal to him. Haunted by his trauma overseas he is left struggling with his PTSD, which is keeping him from getting back to his civilian life. Due to these attacks, his relationship with his wife, Jessica, becomes flat. Having to deal with his strained anxiety, insomnia, and emotional numbness. As he faces the challenges of post-war life, he embarks on a personal “long walk” towards healing and growth; seeking therapy and trying to come to terms with the past that still haunts him. A way Castner helps himself with overcoming PTSD is by telling himself; “I am not damaged, I tell myself. But I am. I am damaged, and I am trying to hide it.”. One of Brain Castners key points is the visible and invisible wounds a soldier endures due to war, such as PTSD, anxiety, and survivor's guilt. He uses his own experiences and struggles to convey how soldiers are often unprepared for the psychological challenges they face when trying to get back into daily civilian life. His point is not to recount the dangers and risks of war but to show everyone the dangers of war and how those dangers and traumas continue to shape the lives of soldiers long after they leave the war zone, trying to tell us the greater need for understanding and support for veterans as they navigate the long road of healing.
A person I believe would love this book is my grandpa, Harold Dilley, being a veteran and having similar experiences being overseas at war, I think he would find this book to be inspiring and uplifting. I like this book because it focuses on PTSD which is important than most people think. PTSD is a thing that no one should have to deal with, seeing it happen first hand I wish It was something I could change for the better.
Jan 2nd
The Long Walk
By: Brian Castner
The Long Walk by Brian Castner a Story of War gives us an unforgettable look at combat's psychological and emotional toll on humans. Brian Castner a former bomb disposal expert in Iraq, writes a memoir that goes beyond traditional war stories by focusing on the unforgettable experiences that linger long after the soldiers return home. Throughout his journey, Brian Castner explores the deep trauma that comes with going into war, the struggle to be a civilian again, and the challenges of reconciling one’s identity with the scars left behind. In examining the story of Castner, this essay will explore the themes of survival, loss, trauma, and the long-lasting effects of war.
The narrative begins with Brain Castner being deployed to Iraq in 2003, where he is tasked with a team that is responsible for defusing roadside bombs, being a hazardous and high-stakes job. We’re introduced to the team as “the guys” who refer to his colleagues in the bomb disposal unit. The guys are the backbone of his time in service, they were crucial to his daily experiences overseas in Iraq. While Brain never really names them individually, the name represents the close bond that the men had made while defusing roadside bombs. Throughout his time overseas Castner describes the shared dangers and dark sense of humor that helped the guys cope with the constant threat of death faced every day, as well as the emotional toll of their mission. These “guys” aren’t just colleagues but brothers and allies who become an integral part of Castner’s experience of war, which continues to shape him even after he returns home to his civilian life and family. After his tour in Iraq, he returns home to a life that seems unreal to him. Haunted by his trauma overseas he is left struggling with his PTSD, which is keeping him from getting back to his civilian life. Due to these attacks, his relationship with his wife, Jessica, becomes flat. Having to deal with his strained anxiety, insomnia, and emotional numbness. As he faces the challenges of post-war life, he embarks on a personal “long walk” towards healing and growth; seeking therapy and trying to come to terms with the past that still haunts him. A way Castner helps himself with overcoming PTSD is by telling himself; “I am not damaged, I tell myself. But I am. I am damaged, and I am trying to hide it.”. One of Brain Castners key points is the visible and invisible wounds a soldier endures due to war, such as PTSD, anxiety, and survivor's guilt. He uses his own experiences and struggles to convey how soldiers are often unprepared for the psychological challenges they face when trying to get back into daily civilian life. His point is not to recount the dangers and risks of war but to show everyone the dangers of war and how those dangers and traumas continue to shape the lives of soldiers long after they leave the war zone, trying to tell us the greater need for understanding and support for veterans as they navigate the long road of healing.
A person I believe would love this book is my grandpa, Harold Dilley, being a veteran and having similar experiences being overseas at war, I think he would find this book to be inspiring and uplifting. I like this book because it focuses on PTSD which is important than most people think. PTSD is a thing that no one should have to deal with, seeing it happen first hand I wish It was something I could change for the better.
January 2, 2025
In the book "The Long Walk" the author Brian Castner tells the stories of his life as the head of an explosive ordinance disposal unit in Iraq. In this memoir Castner goes into detail on the toughest missions he's had to complete as well as all the times he didn't think he'd get home but just barely survived. While going through all the exciting war stories he has experienced Castner likes to take a step back and talk about how these situations effected him not just physically but also mentally. because of this it helps to show a side of the military that you are unable to understand most of the time and brings a unique twist to this book.
Castner has endless stories of disarming IEDs, while surviving gun shots all around him all while its one hundred plus degrees over half the year and still putting his life to risk in a war that is thousands of miles away from his home. Castner does go into great detail about this all for example "the day of six VBIDEs" where according to Castner he had the toughest day as an EOD of his life where he had six IEDs he had to disarm while in three of those he had near death experiences. It's not hard to see why this is so mentally tolling to people. As well in the book Castner explains the joy you get when your finally done with your enrollment but even after all that when he was finally home he Brian was never the same. Once home he discovered pretty fast he isn't the same person he was when he first went to Iraq, he was unable to sleep, was convinced him and his family were always about to get attacked, and was seeing imaginary guns to keep him protected. It didn't take Castner long to come to the conclusion that he was crazy.
During the entire story it seemed as Castner was trying to get a point across to his audience, It seemed as he realized he had made a mistake going into the war three separate times and it messed him up for life, he seems to be trying to warn his readers what can happen if you try to something like him. One of the most unique parts of Castners writing style is his great memory. It's quite ironic because of one of the side effects that Brian had to deal with was memory loss he was unable to remember things like birthdays and just simple stuff everyone knows but he wont ever forgot a process he would need for the war. for example when his friend passed away Brian couldn't believe he didn't take off his equipment because he sunk and drowned because of it and then he says this "I put on my body armor first, a vest with attachments and additions, including side plates and ill-fitting shoulder coverings with extra straps. then the rifle, with a three point sling. the harness wraps around the left side of your neck your right shoulder and under the right armpit before reattaching to the rifle"
Castner didn't seem to have too much of a target audience for this, Obviously anyone that served or would like to would most likely enjoy this book. But I think the biggest group he wants to sell is just the normal person. Castner writes this book in such a way it takes all these hardships and unexplainable emotions and writes them down and makes it so everyone can try to understand what it's like dealing with all this.
In conclusion Brian Castner's book The Long Walk is a very interesting story showing the multiple different sides of a bomb technician including the physical mentally problems you have to face. The book was very detailed and while it can be slightly confusing going between the war and back home it ends up making for a very good story giving it a 4 out of 5 stars.
Castner has endless stories of disarming IEDs, while surviving gun shots all around him all while its one hundred plus degrees over half the year and still putting his life to risk in a war that is thousands of miles away from his home. Castner does go into great detail about this all for example "the day of six VBIDEs" where according to Castner he had the toughest day as an EOD of his life where he had six IEDs he had to disarm while in three of those he had near death experiences. It's not hard to see why this is so mentally tolling to people. As well in the book Castner explains the joy you get when your finally done with your enrollment but even after all that when he was finally home he Brian was never the same. Once home he discovered pretty fast he isn't the same person he was when he first went to Iraq, he was unable to sleep, was convinced him and his family were always about to get attacked, and was seeing imaginary guns to keep him protected. It didn't take Castner long to come to the conclusion that he was crazy.
During the entire story it seemed as Castner was trying to get a point across to his audience, It seemed as he realized he had made a mistake going into the war three separate times and it messed him up for life, he seems to be trying to warn his readers what can happen if you try to something like him. One of the most unique parts of Castners writing style is his great memory. It's quite ironic because of one of the side effects that Brian had to deal with was memory loss he was unable to remember things like birthdays and just simple stuff everyone knows but he wont ever forgot a process he would need for the war. for example when his friend passed away Brian couldn't believe he didn't take off his equipment because he sunk and drowned because of it and then he says this "I put on my body armor first, a vest with attachments and additions, including side plates and ill-fitting shoulder coverings with extra straps. then the rifle, with a three point sling. the harness wraps around the left side of your neck your right shoulder and under the right armpit before reattaching to the rifle"
Castner didn't seem to have too much of a target audience for this, Obviously anyone that served or would like to would most likely enjoy this book. But I think the biggest group he wants to sell is just the normal person. Castner writes this book in such a way it takes all these hardships and unexplainable emotions and writes them down and makes it so everyone can try to understand what it's like dealing with all this.
In conclusion Brian Castner's book The Long Walk is a very interesting story showing the multiple different sides of a bomb technician including the physical mentally problems you have to face. The book was very detailed and while it can be slightly confusing going between the war and back home it ends up making for a very good story giving it a 4 out of 5 stars.
January 2, 2025
intro
The book that I chose to read is, The Long Walk: A story of war and the life that follows by Brian Castner. this book is a military story about a bomb defuser and the title speaks for itself the long walk up to some sort of explosive that needs to be defused and wether of not he's going to walk out of there alive.
Body 1
With this body paragraph I will be giving a quick summarization of the story with the display of what happened while he was in iraq and what happened when he got home. this stary tracks the life of a explosive ordanence technician is iraq. it also talks about the intense preasure and the constant fear that he was faced with when disarming bombs, and how these events impacted his mental health when returning home. While he was home he was diagnosed with PTSD often experiencing flashbacks, insomnia, and emotional detachment. he also fights the invisible wounds of war ond has a difficult time readjusting to civilian life. Eventually seeking help finding the right path to heal, and understanding his trauma. that is just a quick summerization of the book The Long Walk, By Brian Castner.
Body 2
This paragraph will be talking about the different criteria elements that authors have with their books. I think that the purpose of this book is the author wanted to get the readers know what life in the combat zone and how it can scar someone for life and change them. in the book it says "I don't try to remember. I don't need to. I'm surrounded by reminders; the images simply emerge in the front of my thoughts. I'm not talking about trite, superficial reminders, like firworks at the fourth of July. but little things like deisel engines, gasoline, and tin cans of tomatos. (Page 182). this quote states how he is scared with the little things reminding him of his service. Next the authors style I like because he gives lots of descriptive elements and he is very personable when he is talking that is what I really liked about his writing.
body 3
I think anyone could like this book there is no specific race nor sex that I don't think shouldn't read this book. because unless you've had a relative in the service or you've been in the service you don't quite understand what different soldiers go through on a daily basis and you don't know what could set them off weather is be a something like a gun shot or something as simple as a opening of a can. that is why I think everyone should read this book so everyone can get a little tast of what it is like.
Conclusion
In conclusion I really enjoyed this book because me personally I really like military stories wether it be movies or documenteries or books. I love hearing them or reading them and what those different men had to go through, and just imaging what things were like for them.
The book that I chose to read is, The Long Walk: A story of war and the life that follows by Brian Castner. this book is a military story about a bomb defuser and the title speaks for itself the long walk up to some sort of explosive that needs to be defused and wether of not he's going to walk out of there alive.
Body 1
With this body paragraph I will be giving a quick summarization of the story with the display of what happened while he was in iraq and what happened when he got home. this stary tracks the life of a explosive ordanence technician is iraq. it also talks about the intense preasure and the constant fear that he was faced with when disarming bombs, and how these events impacted his mental health when returning home. While he was home he was diagnosed with PTSD often experiencing flashbacks, insomnia, and emotional detachment. he also fights the invisible wounds of war ond has a difficult time readjusting to civilian life. Eventually seeking help finding the right path to heal, and understanding his trauma. that is just a quick summerization of the book The Long Walk, By Brian Castner.
Body 2
This paragraph will be talking about the different criteria elements that authors have with their books. I think that the purpose of this book is the author wanted to get the readers know what life in the combat zone and how it can scar someone for life and change them. in the book it says "I don't try to remember. I don't need to. I'm surrounded by reminders; the images simply emerge in the front of my thoughts. I'm not talking about trite, superficial reminders, like firworks at the fourth of July. but little things like deisel engines, gasoline, and tin cans of tomatos. (Page 182). this quote states how he is scared with the little things reminding him of his service. Next the authors style I like because he gives lots of descriptive elements and he is very personable when he is talking that is what I really liked about his writing.
body 3
I think anyone could like this book there is no specific race nor sex that I don't think shouldn't read this book. because unless you've had a relative in the service or you've been in the service you don't quite understand what different soldiers go through on a daily basis and you don't know what could set them off weather is be a something like a gun shot or something as simple as a opening of a can. that is why I think everyone should read this book so everyone can get a little tast of what it is like.
Conclusion
In conclusion I really enjoyed this book because me personally I really like military stories wether it be movies or documenteries or books. I love hearing them or reading them and what those different men had to go through, and just imaging what things were like for them.
January 2, 2025
I thought the book The Long Walk was very entertaining throughout almost the whole thing. Brian Castner did a very good job implementing details throughout all of the story. He also did a great job keeping the reader within the story and hooked. Brian Castner wrote this autobiography to show people what the military is really like and how it is not easy to accomplish things in the military. He was very good at attention grabbing throughout the novel whether it was an intense few paragraphs or just having something very interesting going on. No matter where I was in the book there was always something to think about and draw a picture about in my mind and that is what makes this book a great one
The author in my opinion was trying to accomplish giving readers that feel as if they were in the military and not reading a book, as well as putting a visual into their mind of what the military really is like. On page 220 of the long walk the author says, " The next day, I put on my shoes and go for a run." This means that one day he's fighting for his life and the next day he can be at home running with his shoes on like nothing but will still be thinking about the military with the PTSD it has. Brian Castner's writing style is unique. It is an autobiography so everything he is saying is very close to true which is also why that helps accomplish his goal of putting a picture into the reader's head of what the military really is like. This style of writing got my attention because it was really in depth in every part of the story which really had me hooked throughout the whole novel. Some unique qualities the author brought to the table were all of the relations to real life that happened in this novel and they were things I have witnessed in my life. I thought that was pretty unique and also helped me connect more with the novel. If you are someone who is interested in a highly engaging very on the edge of your seat autobiography that gets into great amounts of detail, then this novel is for you. If you are someone trying to learn more about the military because you might be looking into it, I would give this book a shot.
All in all I would give this book four out of five stars due to the outstanding detail and always having me on the edge of my seat as a reader. This novel also was really good and informing and making non members of the military familiar with it. The only thing holding this novel back in my opinion was the slow start it got off too but after the slow start it was non stop action and that is what made it so good. If I were someone trying to find a very interesting autobiography to read this would be the book I choose!
The author in my opinion was trying to accomplish giving readers that feel as if they were in the military and not reading a book, as well as putting a visual into their mind of what the military really is like. On page 220 of the long walk the author says, " The next day, I put on my shoes and go for a run." This means that one day he's fighting for his life and the next day he can be at home running with his shoes on like nothing but will still be thinking about the military with the PTSD it has. Brian Castner's writing style is unique. It is an autobiography so everything he is saying is very close to true which is also why that helps accomplish his goal of putting a picture into the reader's head of what the military really is like. This style of writing got my attention because it was really in depth in every part of the story which really had me hooked throughout the whole novel. Some unique qualities the author brought to the table were all of the relations to real life that happened in this novel and they were things I have witnessed in my life. I thought that was pretty unique and also helped me connect more with the novel. If you are someone who is interested in a highly engaging very on the edge of your seat autobiography that gets into great amounts of detail, then this novel is for you. If you are someone trying to learn more about the military because you might be looking into it, I would give this book a shot.
All in all I would give this book four out of five stars due to the outstanding detail and always having me on the edge of my seat as a reader. This novel also was really good and informing and making non members of the military familiar with it. The only thing holding this novel back in my opinion was the slow start it got off too but after the slow start it was non stop action and that is what made it so good. If I were someone trying to find a very interesting autobiography to read this would be the book I choose!
January 2, 2025
The story “The Long Walk” by Brian Castner tells a beautiful story of what life is like after war and the experiences of those moments of horror, and trauma. In this story we meet a man who has moments of trauma that he calls “Crazy” throughout the book. These moments he has are like flashbacks or experiences he's having and he can't control how he feels or how to stop it. It's a unique way of showing how trauma affects everyone differently and for example, one of his moments is when he's running which is his form of trying to get away from these so called “crazy” moments and starts experiencing a flashback where he begins to run faster as if he's running holding his rifle and the more he thinks about it the more faster and harder he runs to the point his knee is about to give out. These moments he has are so surreal and can happen to everyone, rather than calling himself crazy the author showcases his events through his trauma showing us the effect it can have on humans.” And for a brief second it lies still. I wish my whole day could be that first split second” I can't even imagine my day being filled with countless reminders of war, yelling,dead bodies and bombs. This quote makes me realize how good I have it today compared to this poor veteran. War truly is a horrible thing and nobody can escape it. The man has had such a rough time that at the end he seeks therapy hoping to help him and when he gets diagnosed he finds out he's human and it's okay to have these moments, it's okay to get scared cause it can happen to the rest of us and he isn't crazy, he's just human. That message right there “He's just human” is a beautiful way of the author conveying the thoughts of the man and his trauma, and no matter what you think or do from certain events like those, Makes us human. You're supposed to feel these emotions because it's our way of life, it's how we live, love and breathe throughout the earth together nobody is beyond their own feelings.
Conclusion
Everything this book has shown is so unique to me because of its message about humanity and what it means to people. Everyone is equal, everyone can experience this and nobody is beyond it. That being said Id give this book a ⅘ only because I find it hard to believe anybody was incapable of getting him help beforehand it's not right to me for him to have to keep experiencing this moments constantly cause inside it'll never go away but that's besides the point family and friends are so important they are like your dirt under your nails you can't get rid of they are special in many ways then one.
Conclusion
Everything this book has shown is so unique to me because of its message about humanity and what it means to people. Everyone is equal, everyone can experience this and nobody is beyond it. That being said Id give this book a ⅘ only because I find it hard to believe anybody was incapable of getting him help beforehand it's not right to me for him to have to keep experiencing this moments constantly cause inside it'll never go away but that's besides the point family and friends are so important they are like your dirt under your nails you can't get rid of they are special in many ways then one.
January 2, 2025
The Long Walk: A Story of War and The Life That Follows by Brian Castner. Genres are memoir, military fiction, and biography.
The plot of the story is a memoir of the author Brian Castner and his harrowing experiences as a bomb disposal expert in Iraq and the toll the war takes on him afterwards. The narrative switches between his dangerous and tense work in Iraq where he defuses bombs risking him and his soldiers, and also struggling with ptsd when arriving back home. He struggles with all the experiences, flashbacks, and emotional numbness he has with his wife and kids. The characters of the story were Brian Castner, Castner's wife, Castner's children, and Castner's team and fellow soldiers.
Brian Castner accomplished many goals. He first aimed to provide a raw and intimate account of the psychological and emotional challenges faced by soldiers. Specifically the ones who serve in high risk combat roles like bomb disposal. The second goal was with his own experiences in Iraq and the aftermath. He attempted to shed light on the deep, often invisible scars of war, specifically the toll it takes on mental health, relationships, and identity. On page 187 he is talking to a shrink and the shrink asks him why he is here, and he responds by saying “Because I’m crazy and because my Old counselor says I need drugs.”This is due to all the experiences he had in Iraq. By sharing his own experiences he hopes to raise awareness about the long lasting effects of war and the importance of supporting and understanding veterans. His style is raw and reflective as he shares his own experiences from when he was in war.
I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in war and history. Also anyone who is very interested in reading memoirs and maybe anyone who are interested in ptsd and mental health and how it can affect them. The reason why people with those interests may like the book is because the book is a great example of all of that.
Overall I give this book a 5 stars because I like books with plenty of action. I also liked how it was a real thing and not made up. I feel like that makes the book a lot more interesting.
The plot of the story is a memoir of the author Brian Castner and his harrowing experiences as a bomb disposal expert in Iraq and the toll the war takes on him afterwards. The narrative switches between his dangerous and tense work in Iraq where he defuses bombs risking him and his soldiers, and also struggling with ptsd when arriving back home. He struggles with all the experiences, flashbacks, and emotional numbness he has with his wife and kids. The characters of the story were Brian Castner, Castner's wife, Castner's children, and Castner's team and fellow soldiers.
Brian Castner accomplished many goals. He first aimed to provide a raw and intimate account of the psychological and emotional challenges faced by soldiers. Specifically the ones who serve in high risk combat roles like bomb disposal. The second goal was with his own experiences in Iraq and the aftermath. He attempted to shed light on the deep, often invisible scars of war, specifically the toll it takes on mental health, relationships, and identity. On page 187 he is talking to a shrink and the shrink asks him why he is here, and he responds by saying “Because I’m crazy and because my Old counselor says I need drugs.”This is due to all the experiences he had in Iraq. By sharing his own experiences he hopes to raise awareness about the long lasting effects of war and the importance of supporting and understanding veterans. His style is raw and reflective as he shares his own experiences from when he was in war.
I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in war and history. Also anyone who is very interested in reading memoirs and maybe anyone who are interested in ptsd and mental health and how it can affect them. The reason why people with those interests may like the book is because the book is a great example of all of that.
Overall I give this book a 5 stars because I like books with plenty of action. I also liked how it was a real thing and not made up. I feel like that makes the book a lot more interesting.
January 2, 2025
In the book, The Long Walk the author Brian Castner writes an autobiography about his experiences when he served in the military. In this book, Brian talks about many different situations that overall impacted his PTSD or as he says "Crazy". At first, Brian didn't know he had PTSD until he visited the doctor and received the news he was diagnosed with PTSD.
Brian's job while he served was to dismantle bombs in foreign areas. He wrote about many traumatic experiences such as pulling an entire family out of a blown-up car as well as watching someone close to him die. Kermit was the name of Brian's friend who passed. Part of his PTSD stems from Kermit as he was put in a tough situation to have to report Kermit's death to Kermit's family. Brian wrote this book about his struggles to reach a bigger audience other than just kids reading a book about war. He wrote this book from a narrative perspective to reach current and past military members to let them know they aren't alone. Brian was trying to accomplish this by even including his treatment from therapists at the end showing that you can get help. "Send your Om to the universe," says Yogini in the last chapter of the book. Brian's way of coping with his PTSD in the end with yoga shows everyone that there are many solutions, you just have to find one that works for you. That is why this book is so special because something as easy as yoga can save someone's life and impact future generations to give people struggling with PTSD opportunity and hope again. I think the audience that would enjoy this book the most are military veterans. This book gives them someone to relate to as they could be going through the same agony and feel hopeless. Overall the book was very impactful to me and opened my eyes to military veterans. Out of 5 I gave this book a 4 because I felt at some points it was a little slow but there was never a point where I felt like I didn't want to read anymore.
Brian's job while he served was to dismantle bombs in foreign areas. He wrote about many traumatic experiences such as pulling an entire family out of a blown-up car as well as watching someone close to him die. Kermit was the name of Brian's friend who passed. Part of his PTSD stems from Kermit as he was put in a tough situation to have to report Kermit's death to Kermit's family. Brian wrote this book about his struggles to reach a bigger audience other than just kids reading a book about war. He wrote this book from a narrative perspective to reach current and past military members to let them know they aren't alone. Brian was trying to accomplish this by even including his treatment from therapists at the end showing that you can get help. "Send your Om to the universe," says Yogini in the last chapter of the book. Brian's way of coping with his PTSD in the end with yoga shows everyone that there are many solutions, you just have to find one that works for you. That is why this book is so special because something as easy as yoga can save someone's life and impact future generations to give people struggling with PTSD opportunity and hope again. I think the audience that would enjoy this book the most are military veterans. This book gives them someone to relate to as they could be going through the same agony and feel hopeless. Overall the book was very impactful to me and opened my eyes to military veterans. Out of 5 I gave this book a 4 because I felt at some points it was a little slow but there was never a point where I felt like I didn't want to read anymore.
January 2, 2025
The Long Walk by Brian Castner. Autobiography and self-reflection.
Castner goes from a hopeful in the airforce, to becoming an EOD Tech. On multiple tours in Iraq, Castner reflects on how the work was mostly forensic, but horrid. At times having to wade and trudge through unknown human fluids, parts, corpses and other dangerous materials. He gets diagnosed with PTSD and shows and explains how nobody who comes back from war truly comes back. Where the book gets its title from is when he as an EOD had to go into active combat to disarm a explosive ordnance, and even the shortest of those walks felt like an eternity. "The Long Walk".
Castner effectively uses the story of his past to show how war affects one. Even though he isn't in "Active combat" most of the time, he is still affected by his time in Iraq.
The style of telling your past as a story, and then cutting to another bit of the "present" Is quite unique" It shows the progression of his past and how it affected his future at the same time and keeps the reader intrigued.
I feel like those who enjoy sitting down and listening to a story as if it was being told you would enjoy this. It gives you a look into his past and present and you can feel the emotions and sentiment dripping from the pages.
The Story overall is quite good. I enjoyed it and it conveys the message quite well. Ill be giving it a solid 4 stars, only because most people including me can't connect or empathize with the complex emotions well, such as war, and PTSD
Castner goes from a hopeful in the airforce, to becoming an EOD Tech. On multiple tours in Iraq, Castner reflects on how the work was mostly forensic, but horrid. At times having to wade and trudge through unknown human fluids, parts, corpses and other dangerous materials. He gets diagnosed with PTSD and shows and explains how nobody who comes back from war truly comes back. Where the book gets its title from is when he as an EOD had to go into active combat to disarm a explosive ordnance, and even the shortest of those walks felt like an eternity. "The Long Walk".
Castner effectively uses the story of his past to show how war affects one. Even though he isn't in "Active combat" most of the time, he is still affected by his time in Iraq.
The style of telling your past as a story, and then cutting to another bit of the "present" Is quite unique" It shows the progression of his past and how it affected his future at the same time and keeps the reader intrigued.
I feel like those who enjoy sitting down and listening to a story as if it was being told you would enjoy this. It gives you a look into his past and present and you can feel the emotions and sentiment dripping from the pages.
The Story overall is quite good. I enjoyed it and it conveys the message quite well. Ill be giving it a solid 4 stars, only because most people including me can't connect or empathize with the complex emotions well, such as war, and PTSD
January 2, 2025
The Long Walk: A Story of War and the Life That Follows by Brian Castner is a book that shows the author's experiences as an explosives disposal technician during the Iraq War and his struggles with PTSD after returning home. The book also explores his difficult return back to his normal life, as he struggles with feelings of guilt and the effects of trauma.
"Crazy feeling builds and builds. It never stops, it never ends there is no relief." This quote shows how he is living with this trauma from the book and informing people of the aftermath of war on a person. The author also gives details of the surroundings so that you can get a visual of what he is going through. This is different from most other books because it gives you a real insight into an actual soldier and the life he had to live during and after the war.
The intended audience is primarily adults interested in war memoirs, military history, and the psychological impact of war, as It offers a deeply personal account of the challenges soldiers face both during and after their service. Additionally, if you like narratives that explore resilience, personal struggle, and recovery, you will enjoy this book.
In conclusion, The Long Walk by Brian Castner is a powerful and emotional memoir that offers an in-depth exploration of the psychological and emotional consequences of war. The Long Walk is an important and thought-provoking account that sheds light on the challenges faced by veterans, making it a must-read for those interested in understanding the lasting effects of war on those who serve.
"Crazy feeling builds and builds. It never stops, it never ends there is no relief." This quote shows how he is living with this trauma from the book and informing people of the aftermath of war on a person. The author also gives details of the surroundings so that you can get a visual of what he is going through. This is different from most other books because it gives you a real insight into an actual soldier and the life he had to live during and after the war.
The intended audience is primarily adults interested in war memoirs, military history, and the psychological impact of war, as It offers a deeply personal account of the challenges soldiers face both during and after their service. Additionally, if you like narratives that explore resilience, personal struggle, and recovery, you will enjoy this book.
In conclusion, The Long Walk by Brian Castner is a powerful and emotional memoir that offers an in-depth exploration of the psychological and emotional consequences of war. The Long Walk is an important and thought-provoking account that sheds light on the challenges faced by veterans, making it a must-read for those interested in understanding the lasting effects of war on those who serve.
March 7, 2018
Holy shit. This was eye-opening. PTSD. Veterans returning home from the quagmire of Iraq, Afghanistan and other locales that face opposition on our country's behalf - maybe it really is true that your soldier- the one you knew before deployment, really does die once deployed - the person who returns is a shell of his/her former self. I didn't understand "foot in a box" until the end - so keep reading - it's shocking, disturbing and a crystallization of PTSD, "crazy", TBI - whatever you want to call it.
Brotherhood. The emphasis on not having to "ask" for help. Said *help* being completely clueless about what a soldier faces in combat in the years 2000 and beyond. Bomb making. Bomb de-constructing. Bomb awareness. Bomb makers. Operating through a translator. Multiple deployments because "home life" with your loved ones is too depressing, confusing, and not rewarding.
A great read.
Brotherhood. The emphasis on not having to "ask" for help. Said *help* being completely clueless about what a soldier faces in combat in the years 2000 and beyond. Bomb making. Bomb de-constructing. Bomb awareness. Bomb makers. Operating through a translator. Multiple deployments because "home life" with your loved ones is too depressing, confusing, and not rewarding.
A great read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 328 reviews