Fatal Second Helen: A Modern Veteran’s Iliad

by Josh Cannon

178 pages, Paperback

Published September 19, 2025

Reviews

[Anne Marie Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE STAR READ! Part retelling of Homer's The Iliad and part memoir from Iraqi veteran author Josh Cannon-this book is highly recommendable! Cannon details The Iliad in a way that is accessible to any reader - those familiar with the original iconic story or not. The retelling is infused with Cannon's infectious love of the story which translates into the text. Interspersed between the retelling is Cannon's own account of his time serving two tours in Iraq as an Arabic linguist for the US Marines. The personal accounts were able to facilitate effortlessly between humourous and vulnerable and prove to be the heart of the book. I recommend this as a must-read for anyone and am beyond impressed by the concept and delivery of this book.

[Mare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a good book for students. I appreciated the author’s interpretation of The Iliad and comparison to his own experience in the Marine Corps during the Iraq War.