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The Burn Pits: The Poisoning of America's Soldiers
“There’s a whole chapter on my son Beau… He was co-located [twice] near these burn pits.”
–Joe Biden, former Vice President of the United States of America
The Agent Orange of the 21st Century … Thousands of American soldiers are returning from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan with severe wounds from chemical war. They are not the victims of ruthless enemy warfare, but of their own military commanders. These soldiers, afflicted with rare cancers and respiratory diseases, were sickened from the smoke and ash swirling out of the “burn pits” where military contractors incinerated mountains of trash, including old stockpiles of mustard and sarin gas, medical waste, and other toxic material.
This shocking work
–Joe Biden, former Vice President of the United States of America
The Agent Orange of the 21st Century … Thousands of American soldiers are returning from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan with severe wounds from chemical war. They are not the victims of ruthless enemy warfare, but of their own military commanders. These soldiers, afflicted with rare cancers and respiratory diseases, were sickened from the smoke and ash swirling out of the “burn pits” where military contractors incinerated mountains of trash, including old stockpiles of mustard and sarin gas, medical waste, and other toxic material.
This shocking work
160 pages, Hardcover
First published November 3, 2015
24 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 2, 2023
I had not heard about this, even though Joe Biden's late son, Beau, appears to have been one of the victims. Another terrible tale of soldiers being put in harm's way, then left to deal with the consequences without any form of support, or acknowledgement of responsibility by authorities. Soldiers who were sent to a war built on lies, and those in charge profiting from it. I was horrified reading this book, and distraught about the number of young people who suffered and died needlessly. Shame on those who allowed this to happen.
May 13, 2016
This is a rage-inducing expose about the chronic illnesses, and deaths, of US military personnel who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, focusing on the open-air burn pits at several major bases there. The author is particularly compelling, and poignant, in his use of personal stories, individual cases of soldiers and airmen, healthy when deployed, suffering through the smoke and coming home painfully ill, ruined.
Some revelations:
- Saddam Hussein really did have weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) after all, albeit old, decrepit nerve and blister (mustard) agents left over from the 1980s war against Iran – and for a war ostensibly over WMDs, the US seems to have been cavalier about locating them and disposing of them properly.
- The US built many of its biggest bases at the very locations the enemy had made and stored WMDs, without testing the soil and then burning tons of waste on that soil – probably including at least some of the chemical agents or their residue.
- The burn pits flouted the military’s own environmental regulations.
- The burn pits were, he alleges, operated by contractors, notably Halliburton and its subsidiary KBR, companies in which Vice President Dick Cheney had had an interest.
- The cancer death of Vice President Biden’s son, Beau Biden, may have been a result of burn-pit exposure.
- The returned veterans were treated callously by military medical agencies and the VA, accused of malingering or faking their symptoms, their claims often denied and left to tend their own illnesses and deaths.
The author makes a sophisticated point in mentioning the Feres Doctrine. The Supreme Court case of Feres v. U.S. (340 U.S. 135 (1950)), which is still valid case law, bars service members from seeking civil relief for injuries incurred in the service of their country. It means that if the military or the VA won’t treat injured service members, they’re on their own, even if their pre-deployment exams showed them in the best condition – and the author makes this point in particular. It’s a recurring problem: the bomb-test vets of the 1950s, the Agent Orange casualties in Vietnam, the Gulf War syndrome injuries in the 1990s, also met with this kind of neglect, so all the more reason to deal with this now.
It’s a fairly short book, and could do with more editing – the last chapters were a bit choppy. Nonetheless, the author was diligent and far-reaching in his research, and it’s an indictment that deserves a follow-up by the powers that be. These ailing veterans will be with us for some time, and still need our help.
All this misery is simply from the burn pit problem, which this book focuses on, aside from other Iraq-Afghanistan hazards by depleted-uranium rounds or oil fires or shoddy base construction. Certainly, service members in wartime might expect injury or death by enemy action or the ancillary hazards in a war theater, such as transport accidents, local illnesses, heat/cold injuries or accidental fratricide. But, as this author is showing, they should not expect to be hurt or killed by avoidable, environmental hazards caused by the military’s own negligence, nor should they be discarded after they come home. They served in good faith and they were betrayed, as we see in this book.
Some revelations:
- Saddam Hussein really did have weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) after all, albeit old, decrepit nerve and blister (mustard) agents left over from the 1980s war against Iran – and for a war ostensibly over WMDs, the US seems to have been cavalier about locating them and disposing of them properly.
- The US built many of its biggest bases at the very locations the enemy had made and stored WMDs, without testing the soil and then burning tons of waste on that soil – probably including at least some of the chemical agents or their residue.
- The burn pits flouted the military’s own environmental regulations.
- The burn pits were, he alleges, operated by contractors, notably Halliburton and its subsidiary KBR, companies in which Vice President Dick Cheney had had an interest.
- The cancer death of Vice President Biden’s son, Beau Biden, may have been a result of burn-pit exposure.
- The returned veterans were treated callously by military medical agencies and the VA, accused of malingering or faking their symptoms, their claims often denied and left to tend their own illnesses and deaths.
The author makes a sophisticated point in mentioning the Feres Doctrine. The Supreme Court case of Feres v. U.S. (340 U.S. 135 (1950)), which is still valid case law, bars service members from seeking civil relief for injuries incurred in the service of their country. It means that if the military or the VA won’t treat injured service members, they’re on their own, even if their pre-deployment exams showed them in the best condition – and the author makes this point in particular. It’s a recurring problem: the bomb-test vets of the 1950s, the Agent Orange casualties in Vietnam, the Gulf War syndrome injuries in the 1990s, also met with this kind of neglect, so all the more reason to deal with this now.
It’s a fairly short book, and could do with more editing – the last chapters were a bit choppy. Nonetheless, the author was diligent and far-reaching in his research, and it’s an indictment that deserves a follow-up by the powers that be. These ailing veterans will be with us for some time, and still need our help.
All this misery is simply from the burn pit problem, which this book focuses on, aside from other Iraq-Afghanistan hazards by depleted-uranium rounds or oil fires or shoddy base construction. Certainly, service members in wartime might expect injury or death by enemy action or the ancillary hazards in a war theater, such as transport accidents, local illnesses, heat/cold injuries or accidental fratricide. But, as this author is showing, they should not expect to be hurt or killed by avoidable, environmental hazards caused by the military’s own negligence, nor should they be discarded after they come home. They served in good faith and they were betrayed, as we see in this book.
September 8, 2023
I have been successfully A N G E R E D. And upon reflection, after putting this book down, deeply saddened. What a freaking joke.
June 21, 2016
Open air burn pits were used in Iraq and Afghanistan as a way to manage waste elimination at military bases. Everything was thrown into the pits to include plastic bottles, tires, batteries, chemicals,etc.
The author did a fairly good job of explaining the medical issues facing service members exposed to the plume, their difficulty with the VA for service connection. The authors investigative reporting provides probability of exposure. The book does a good job increasing awareness and draws comparisons between burn pit and Agent orange exposure.
I thought at times the author was using personal opinions rather than facts. Also, the foreword by Jesse Ventura and political commentary could have been omitted. Listing Senators/Reps by party affiliation took away from the root cause.
A recommended book. A subject needing a champion.
The author did a fairly good job of explaining the medical issues facing service members exposed to the plume, their difficulty with the VA for service connection. The authors investigative reporting provides probability of exposure. The book does a good job increasing awareness and draws comparisons between burn pit and Agent orange exposure.
I thought at times the author was using personal opinions rather than facts. Also, the foreword by Jesse Ventura and political commentary could have been omitted. Listing Senators/Reps by party affiliation took away from the root cause.
A recommended book. A subject needing a champion.
June 30, 2016
Well, that was horrifying. We even managed to give the Iraqis, who we were supposed to be saving, extremely high rates of cancer and birth defects from inhaling the fumes from burning hundreds of tons of trash every day, for eight years. I guess after Agent Orange and Gulf War Syndrome, the Bush Administration didn't want to feel left out of a way to poison our own soldiers en masse, and then deny their claims at the VA for their expensive, complex medical problems.
March 23, 2022
Everyone in America should read this, and be unbelievably pissed at what our government has done and continues to do to our veterans.
October 24, 2020
My mom recommended this to me. It's not straightforward journalism, the author's tone is casual and not without bias, but I found this to be a very valuable read. The book offers an informative, general introduction to the burn pits and the issues surrounding their use. I'm glad to have this knowledge, but also very upset by it.
June 14, 2016
The Burn Pits
There are many disturbing facts in this book. It's worth reading but it's not exactly enjoyable. I'm not American, and, not going to lie, I'm stunned by the reports of the treatment of the veterans because I was always under the impression America took very good care of their military, during and after their service. Apparently, not the case...
Ok, I get all those soldiers are going to create a lot of rubbish. Like most non military people, I can't honestly say I considered how that was managed. Turns out, it wasn't managed very well at all. At certain points, I couldn't quite believe what I was reading - like the lack of ground testing on the site of the pits? I mean, really?
I get why most of the items listed are needing disposal. But. Why are human remains in the rubbish? Maybe the author phrased it badly. Surely, human remains should be buried?
There are many disturbing facts in this book. It's worth reading but it's not exactly enjoyable. I'm not American, and, not going to lie, I'm stunned by the reports of the treatment of the veterans because I was always under the impression America took very good care of their military, during and after their service. Apparently, not the case...
Ok, I get all those soldiers are going to create a lot of rubbish. Like most non military people, I can't honestly say I considered how that was managed. Turns out, it wasn't managed very well at all. At certain points, I couldn't quite believe what I was reading - like the lack of ground testing on the site of the pits? I mean, really?
I get why most of the items listed are needing disposal. But. Why are human remains in the rubbish? Maybe the author phrased it badly. Surely, human remains should be buried?
May 28, 2022
This was fascinating and well done investigative reporting. It's shocking to me that we have been content putting our soldiers at risk for so long. Even more heart-breaking is how often their claims are denied. I just can't comprehend it.
I'm giving it three stars because it was a well explained story/problem, but was just more detailed than I needed. There were just more and more examples, which, of course was the point. I was convinced early however, so didn't necessarily need the excess. That's completely a ME problem though, hence reflected in my rating. If you are intrigued by the topic, I'd highly recommend it!
I'm giving it three stars because it was a well explained story/problem, but was just more detailed than I needed. There were just more and more examples, which, of course was the point. I was convinced early however, so didn't necessarily need the excess. That's completely a ME problem though, hence reflected in my rating. If you are intrigued by the topic, I'd highly recommend it!
February 6, 2022
The book started off on a high note with tons of facts and research. As the book progressed it felt like he was repeating the same information over and over again. I agree with the authors point these pits have created another 'Agent Orange' situation for our military and once again they are ill prepared to handle the fallout. I was hoping the author would at least try to identify possible answers to how we as citizens can help bring resolution to this on-going and deadly practice within our military but we were just left to ponder those questions ourselves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 11, 2017Equal parts infuriating and depressing. A look into the health hazards faced by US soldiers sent to Iraq and Afghanistan - inside their bases. Appreciate and respect the citizen journalism aspect to this book, which is also part the tale of one man trying desperately to get answers to why otherwise healthy soldiers were winding up dead from cancer a few years after coming home with otherwise no health concerns.
December 8, 2021
Pretty good introduction/summary of the "burn pit" issue -- open air burning of garbage, including toxic materials, on military bases in Iraq/Afghanistan, as well as other environmental hazard exposure (chemical weapons, etc.). Parallels to "Gulf War Syndrome" and Agent Orange (Vietnam). I lived on a base near one of these pits (as a contractor) and hope it hasn't increased my disease risk too much. The failure of DOD and VA to help the victims is especially horrible.
February 10, 2017
Disgraceful
Lives of veterans evidently have no currency. A condemnation of the VA and the government that allows this type of "alternative "narrative to exist. We send soldiers to war, yet STILL don't care for them when they return...worse , we lie about their why they returned devastatingly ill. The question is....who benefits? Certainly not our veterans.
Lives of veterans evidently have no currency. A condemnation of the VA and the government that allows this type of "alternative "narrative to exist. We send soldiers to war, yet STILL don't care for them when they return...worse , we lie about their why they returned devastatingly ill. The question is....who benefits? Certainly not our veterans.
February 15, 2016
This book is extremely brief for an investigative report on government abuses. As someone stationed at one of these bases discussed in the book, I appreciate the author's effort.
February 23, 2016
A damning account of American 'exceptionalism' and war profiteering.
The prose suffers. But the story is campfire worthy. I read this in one 5 hour sitting. I had to.
The prose suffers. But the story is campfire worthy. I read this in one 5 hour sitting. I had to.
February 8, 2017
Damn our military.
Interesting and more anger toward our military and Congress. Agent Orange all over again. We need to hold the military accountable.
Interesting and more anger toward our military and Congress. Agent Orange all over again. We need to hold the military accountable.
June 26, 2016
Informative, but incomplete. I'm sure there is way more to come in this sad chapter of American history.
January 3, 2019
Important insight into political agendas and the impact on US vets
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January 3, 2020I feel heartbroken.
May 18, 2021
I was familiar with the issues Hickman delves into here from reading about them elsewhere (generally in later publications frequently citing his investigative work, as far as I remember), so none of this particularly surprised or shocked me. In fact, I'm at a loss as to why it would shock or surprise anyone else, since criminal neglect, refusal to accept responsibility and admit guilt where it is due, dangerous environmental pollution, and the willful risking of lives of both its own supposedly oh so precious personnel and civilians who happen to have the misfortune of living near military bases are all pretty much par for the course when it comes to the US military. An informative and worthwhile read.
February 13, 2019
Wow. This book is well-written and very readable, which surprised me. I had to read it for my book club and was not looking forward to it. Instead, I didn’t want to put it down. Reading how Halliburton and its subsidiary KBR recklessly poisoned American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention local residents, is such an indictment of our government leaders greed of taking their money and disregarding human life. The heads of those companies should be made to spend their days in the hell of burn pits and joining them should be the Congressmen (hello Tea Party), members of DOD and the VA who allowed this atrocity to happen.
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July 31, 2021While the negligence of the US forces and associated health and social programs is appalling. Given their history of systemic failings regarding environmental and human safety. I did not find it surprising.
The ongoing impact on the environment and citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan, and US veterans, and the lack of accountability and mitigation, on top of the trauma of war, is in unacceptable.
I stuck with the book because I was interested in the process safety and political fallout surrounding the burn pits, but found the first person narrative particularly difficult to get through. I think this was because I was expecting a book about the burn pits, not the author's experience of researching them, which may have been my mistake .
The ongoing impact on the environment and citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan, and US veterans, and the lack of accountability and mitigation, on top of the trauma of war, is in unacceptable.
I stuck with the book because I was interested in the process safety and political fallout surrounding the burn pits, but found the first person narrative particularly difficult to get through. I think this was because I was expecting a book about the burn pits, not the author's experience of researching them, which may have been my mistake .
December 28, 2024
This was OK. A quick read. As someone who coems from this world (workspace exposure and disease), I thought a lot of the book was lacking. The author explored the potential for old chemical weapons and contaminated ground to be an outsized influenced on the diseases above and beyond just burning garbage, but never really investigated that at all?
Could’ve been a bit longer and a bit more fleshed out.
Could’ve been a bit longer and a bit more fleshed out.
May 29, 2023
This is enough to turn anyone anti government. The blatant disregard for the welfare of these soldiers and civilians is despicable. Then to repeatedly deny any link to health issues being related to the burn pits is just unbelievable.
People need to be held accountable, but the sad truth is they probably won't be.
A very interesting and eye opening read.
People need to be held accountable, but the sad truth is they probably won't be.
A very interesting and eye opening read.
September 8, 2024
Baseline sympathetic content, exaggerated language, def a little copaganda-y (but for the military), weird jab at the press towards the end for not pressing on public officials (which I agree with but you know that if some liberal journalist questioned a military person this guy would get all upset saying they’re an unimpeachable hero)
August 24, 2017
A chronicle of the mistreatment of our military men and women and of the neglect of our veterans. As the mother of two sons who served and a brother who died of cancer after Nam, I wanted to scream! Anyone thinking of joining the military should read this book first.
July 20, 2022
Really good book. As someone who has primarily read books about the harm the US military does to other countries, this is an important reminder that even our own soldiers are often treated as disposable people.
January 14, 2017
A book about a dark matter outlining the failure of the U.S government to keep the troops safe on foreign soil.
September 5, 2019
Yeah I’ll say it: Dick Cheney got rich even as veterans and civilians sickened and died
My Full Review
My Full Review
March 11, 2020
Excellent yet disheartening book that delves into hazards facing the military, and how the government has not supported the troops. Repetitive at times.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews