In the tradition of Sebastian Junger’s Tribe and Chris Hedges’s classic War Is a Force that Gives Us Meaning, a powerful investigation into the fraught history and ominous future of military education in the United States, and how it formed and fuels increasingly volatile strains of American masculinity.
Thanks to the prevalence of Boy Scouts, military schools, service academies, JROTC, ROTC, plus other networks of funding and influence, the military has secured a dominant position in the American educational system. This has given the brass outsized power in shaping our youth and, by extension, society at large. As investigative journalist Jasper Craven powerfully demonstrates in these pages, the military has long defined American masculinity and often fosters its most toxic traits.
Craven makes this case by revisiting American military history—beginning with the American Revolution. The birth of our nation required a new masculine ideal, which was crafted in the image of America’s most beloved founding George Washington. During the brutality of the Civil War, Craven traces the parallel violence in military hazing culture, and the deeply prejudicial culture at places like West Point, which reared Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and other famed Confederates.
The first and second World Wars escalated the need for battle-ready youth, and briefly resulted in a relatively noble male archetype, while the Cold War precipitated backlash, resentment, and trauma. This era also marked the beginning of the Christian right’s growing interest in military schools as upholding a patriarchal and fatalistic version of manhood. Vietnam and the anti-war movement also sparked panic around “the death of honor,” and an increasingly distrustful attitude towards institutions, fueling the rise of the lying, lawless operator, embodied by military school graduates like William Westmoreland and Oliver North.
Lastly, Craven brings us through the wars in the Middle East and up through today, where the military has further burrowed into civilian education via STEM and other avenues. Meanwhile, policies like “don’t ask, don’t tell” and a campaign of Islamophobia has suffused a new manhood that is defined by its ability to both diminish and dehumanize “the other,” while also being self-destructive.
Part sweeping military history, part journalistic investigation, God Forgives, Brothers Don’t lifts the veil on the harmful world of military schools and provides essential context and nuance to the ongoing debate on American masculinity.
this book is a well-researched and fascinating investigation into the development of american military education and the cultivation of a rugged, violent masculinity rooted in nationalism. jasper craven draws on historical archives as well as his own interviews to uncover the dark realities of our military’s educational institutions, as well as its influence over civilian schools & universities and the government writ large. it was really jarring and insidious to see the ways in which the military’s pedagogical approach has poisoned civilian education. the sudden push toward STEM education was all in service of the us military’s needs, for example.
thanks to jasper and simon & schuster for the advance copy!
Jasper Craven's new book, 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴, 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵, is a "barbed" exploration of military schools and their role in perpetuating a culture of hyper-masculinity. How toxic that can become is subject to interpretation.
The book's title derives from the motto adopted by West Point's football team in 1996. What may have been missed by the players at the time was not lost on the author. The phrase was first coined by the Aryan Brotherhood: "It was their omertà code," a strict code of honor and silence where secrecy is enforced through intimidation and retaliation.
With that inauspicious factoid behind you, the book continues down a disturbing path of initial military education gone wrong. Breaking down individualism to forge an identity built around a sense of team is a necessary part of that experience; how we achieve that has changed significantly over time. Institutionally, we've come a long way from the days of being drawn and quartered. Individually, we sometimes still cope with people who bring sociopathic tendencies to that experience.
But Craven's book — which can take the reader down a pretty dark rabbit hole — raises a key point that is worth exploring. Can we instill the tenacity, grit, and strength of character necessary to rise to the challenge of military service without allowing our methods to turn toxic?
That question sent me back to Camp Toccoa. Rereading the parts of 𝘉𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 that described the paratrooper experience there was revealing. While most people who either read the book or watched the HBO series agree that Herbert Sobel was a sociopathic *sshole, the men understood later that his methods — however flawed they were — forged them into a team that cemented their place in history.
In my opinion, that's the greatest value of the book and made reading it worthwhile. It forced me to stop and consider the methods we use to get to the type of leader or soldier we need. The answer is a crucible experience... what goes into that remains the question.
Slow start but picks up terrifying steam towards the end as he manages to tie it all together, if not perfectly, at least in a way that will stick with you long after finished.
I have fallen back upon the use of AI to review this book and have included a good deal of additional information. As a recent book, it is quite up-to-date with both historical and recent personalities.
God Forgives, Brothers Don't: The Long March of Military Education and the Making of American Manhood by Jasper Craven
Summary
God Forgives, Brothers Don't is a nonfiction work that examines the history of military education in the United States and its influence on American ideas of masculinity. Investigative journalist Jasper Craven argues that military institutions, from West Point and military academies to ROTC programs, have played a major role in shaping cultural expectations of what it means to be a man in America.
The book traces this influence from the American Revolution through the Civil War, the World Wars, the Cold War, Vietnam, and the modern era. Craven explores how military culture promoted traits such as discipline, hierarchy, aggression, and toughness, while also examining darker aspects including hazing, prejudice, trauma, and toxic masculinity.
Drawing on historical research and investigative reporting, including his work on Valley Forge Military Academy, Craven contends that military education remains a significant and often overlooked force in American culture and politics.
Book Review
Strengths
Ambitious scope: The book covers more than two centuries of American history, connecting military education to broader social and political developments. Thorough research: Craven combines archival history, investigative journalism, and contemporary examples to support his arguments. Timely subject matter: Questions about masculinity, military influence, and national identity are highly relevant in current public discussions. Potential Criticisms
Readers who strongly support military institutions may feel that Craven focuses heavily on their negative consequences. The book is analytical and historical rather than celebratory, so those looking for traditional military history may find its emphasis on culture and gender studies less appealing. Overall Assessment
This is a thought-provoking and well-researched book that challenges readers to reconsider the role military institutions have played in shaping American society. Even readers who disagree with Craven's conclusions are likely to find the historical material informative and engaging. Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5) based on its depth of research, relevance, and originality.
About the Author: Jasper Craven
Jasper Craven is an American investigative journalist and freelance reporter who covers military affairs, veterans' issues, and American politics. His work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, Harper's Magazine, Politico Magazine, and Mother Jones.
Craven first gained significant attention for investigative reporting on conditions at Valley Forge Military Academy, research that helped inspire and inform God Forgives, Brothers Don't. His writing often focuses on the intersection of military institutions, public policy, culture, and power in American life.
Main Themes and Arguments in God Forgives, Brothers Don't
Jasper Craven's central argument is that military education has been one of the most influential forces in shaping American ideas about manhood. He contends that military institutions have not simply trained soldiers; they have helped define cultural expectations of masculinity for generations.
1. The Military as a "Factory of Manhood"
One of the book's core themes is the longstanding promise that military training can transform boys into men. Craven examines how military academies, service schools, and ROTC programs promoted ideals such as: Discipline Toughness Obedience Physical courage Hierarchy and authority According to Craven, these institutions became deeply connected to American cultural definitions of masculinity.
2. The Dark Side of Militarized Masculinity
Craven argues that while military education can foster positive qualities such as leadership and self-discipline, it has also encouraged harmful behaviors and attitudes. He highlights: Hazing traditions Violence as a test of manhood Emotional suppression Hyper-competitiveness Rigid gender expectations The author suggests that some forms of military culture have reinforced what many scholars describe as "toxic masculinity."
3. Military Education's Hidden Influence
A significant argument in the book is that military education is far more widespread than most Americans realize. Craven points not only to military academies such as West Point and Valley Forge but also to thousands of ROTC programs in schools and colleges. He argues that these programs have allowed military values to exert substantial influence on civilian education and culture.
4. Historical Evolution of Masculine Ideals
Craven traces changing ideals of manhood across American history: The Revolutionary era and the image of George Washington The Civil War period and military honor culture The World Wars and the citizen-soldier ideal The Cold War and rising anxieties about masculinity Vietnam and the emergence of more cynical military archetypes The post-9/11 era and the prominence of warriors and special operations culture His argument is that each era reshaped masculinity while military institutions remained a primary influence.
5. Politics, Religion, and Masculinity
The book also explores the relationship between military schools and conservative political and religious movements. Craven argues that some groups have viewed military education as a means of preserving a patriarchal model of manhood during periods of social change.
Questions the Book Raises
Rather than simply criticizing military institutions, the book invites readers to consider several broader questions: What does society mean when it says a boy should "become a man"? How much should military values shape civilian culture? Can traits like discipline and courage be taught without aggression and hierarchy? What alternatives exist for developing healthy forms of masculinity? These questions are at the heart of Craven's investigation.
My Assessment of the Book's Significance
The book is best understood as a work of cultural history and investigative journalism rather than military history alone. Its greatest strength is how it connects historical events, educational institutions, and contemporary debates about gender. Readers interested in American history, education, sociology, gender studies, military affairs, or politics will likely find it particularly valuable.
Even those who disagree with Craven's conclusions may appreciate the breadth of his research and the important discussion he encourages about the relationship between military culture and American identity.
If you've read the book or plan to, one of the most interesting ways to approach it is to compare Craven's arguments with works like Sebastian Junger's Tribe, Chris Hedges's War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning, or Robert Bly's Iron John, which offer very different perspectives on masculinity, community, and modern manhood.
4.5! packs a ton into one book without losing focus. does a great job illuminating the enmeshment of military education (something civilians know nothing about - or at least this civilian) and global politics. i noted a ton of stuff that was really interesting but especially the ways military education influenced civilian education (STEM focus, NCLB, teacher evaluations…). thorough, valuable, important work.
disclaimer i know the author but while that induced me to read a book i otherwise might not have, this is an honest review!
Disclaimer: I am a West Point graduate, and my alma mater features prominently in these pages in a mostly negative light. I did not enjoy this book, but not because of that. At least, not entirely. If you think this invalidates my review, fair enough. I think it might make it even more important to read, though. Now to our regularly scheduled review.
I think this book's problem is not the topic, but rather the author, Jasper Craven's inability to really hammer any particular point home in God Forgives, Brothers Don't.
The first issue is that Craven does not put a lot of effort into defining the masculinity he is targeting as troublesome. I read an advanced reader copy, and thus cannot quote directly since it may change, but the version I read only uses three words to define masculinity. What follows is a meandering narrative which is mostly history and not nearly enough documentation of current issues caused by the military worldview.
Craven is a journalist by trade, and it shows badly here. He will make a comment, and then proceed to act as if one or two quotes prove his thought process. My graduating class, for instance, was nearly 1,000 people. If he could define and support systemic issues, then this would be a strong narrative. However, Craven will often let his own views do the heavy lifting instead of detailed surveys which can give a much larger view of the problem. He also keeps inserting conscientious objectors into the narrative. It's a strange diversion which doesn't actually follow with the rest of the story.
Additionally, Craven's views are stark. He uses charged language throughout and is consistently showing his bias. For instance, he correctly points out that West Point took a significant amount of flak during the Civil War because so many cadets and graduates joined the Confederacy. By itself, that can seem damning. However, what he conveniently omits is that nearly every institution in the U.S. was cut in half. This includes institutions which should also be more loyal like Congress. West Point is mandated to pull cadets from all the states in the Union and would not be immune to what's going on in the country at the time. By ensuring all views from around the country are represented, the academy would of course be caught in the maelstrom. (It should be said, Robert E. Lee is a traitor and the hero worship is gross.)
It's Craven's book, so it's his right to do state his opinions as strong as he wants to. But this book will not change any minds. I think former military folks will either not bother with this book or feel like it is half-baked as I do. If you hate the military, you may enjoy it. Or maybe not, because Craven never really outlines an extensive plan of how to fix the problems he is talking about. Yes, a hierarchy can be used to exploit people in any environment. However, history is littered with examples of how lack of leadership leads to horrible battlefield losses.
What is most frustrating about the book is that I believe Craven is right overall. I also should make it clear that I did not find any factual errors in his reporting. Personally, I don't think military-type education should be widespread and certainly not for young people who are sent to these types of places by their parents. It should be entirely voluntary and only used to prepare men and women to fight our wars. As I was told very early in my time at West Point, "our job is to avoid war at all costs, but be the best at it."
I am proud of both where I went to school and my military career. However, I would be the first to say that neither was perfect. There are things which can and should be done better (and I include myself in that statement). This book does not get us any closer to those solutions.
(This book was provided as an advanced reader copy by Atria Books.)
I liked this book, but it seemed to kind of isolate the US military education system as a means of teaching hegemonic masculinity that isn’t present in other areas. But things like patriarchy and rape are ubiquitous in US culture. I wish the author would have spoken more about how military ideals bleed into civilian society, including on people who have no association with military education. I also didn’t feel like there was nearly enough discussion on racism and how Whiteness plays a role in hegemonic military masculinity.
America is locked in a death spiral. I appreciate that the only solution proffered is to object. No forced hope, but something that’s always been there.