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Tomas Young's War
Tomas Young’s War is the tragic yet life affirming story of a paralyzed Iraq War veteran who spent his last ten years battling heroically with his injuries, while courageously speaking against America's wars.
Based on hours of interviews with Young and those close to him, the book puts the reader alongside Young as he struggles with life as a paralyzed veteran, suffering frustration and humiliation as he attempts to reenter society and resume as normal an existence as possible. It shows his fight to balance his precarious health with his drive to speak out for veterans care and against the war, and the impact his catastrophic injuries had on his family and his relationships.
This emotional and powerful book sheds light on many crucial but often overlooked issues such as veterans’ care, public attitudes toward the disabled, medical marijuana, and the terminally ill. Tomas Young’s War shares everything, as unflinchingly honest as Tomas himself: the depression, the pain, the love, and laughter . . . the life of this man whose world was turned upside down by an Iraqi bullet more than ten years ago. Throughout, it serves as a powerful testament to the true cost of war.
Based on hours of interviews with Young and those close to him, the book puts the reader alongside Young as he struggles with life as a paralyzed veteran, suffering frustration and humiliation as he attempts to reenter society and resume as normal an existence as possible. It shows his fight to balance his precarious health with his drive to speak out for veterans care and against the war, and the impact his catastrophic injuries had on his family and his relationships.
This emotional and powerful book sheds light on many crucial but often overlooked issues such as veterans’ care, public attitudes toward the disabled, medical marijuana, and the terminally ill. Tomas Young’s War shares everything, as unflinchingly honest as Tomas himself: the depression, the pain, the love, and laughter . . . the life of this man whose world was turned upside down by an Iraqi bullet more than ten years ago. Throughout, it serves as a powerful testament to the true cost of war.
248 pages, Paperback
First published April 12, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 3, 2022
you know... truly fuck george bush forever
May 28, 2016
Really tough book to read but a really important one. There's not enough of truth and reality when it comes to the public seeing the horrors of war, and that's a very dangerous thing. Especially in a war like the Iraqi war which was, by all accounts, a war we never should have been in, and that affected such a small percentage of the population. Basically, it was far too easy for most of the USA to turn a blind eye to the consequences of this war, which were great. Not the least of which, for this admirable soldier, Tomas Young. I got turned on to this book thanks to the Ten Club - the fan club of the band Pearl Jam. Much to my surprise, it turns out that Eddie Vedder is quite a large player in this book. Prior to this book, I never heard about Tomas. I never heard this story. Heck, as big of a Pearl Jam fan that I am, I never even heard the song EV wrote about Tomas. I never knew about the documentary that was made about him. All of this is a shame, but it points to exactly what I'm talking about. This is probably a guy and a story that I SHOULD have heard about, and I still didn't. So I know there's far too many people out there who have no idea about this guy. It's a tragic war story of the highest order. Very early on in his deployment to Iraq, Tomas took a bullet that paralyzed him - before he could even discharge his weapon once. What followed for this young man was a very very hard life. Tons of struggles that most of us can't even comprehend. Having to deal with so much red tape with doctors and the VA and hospitals and just trying to adapt to a life that you never expected to live. I was pretty proud to hear about some of my heroes popping up in this book. And what's great about it is - I've never heard about any of it. They just did it b/c it's important to them. Not for the recognition - not b/c it was good PR - but b/c they just actually care and they actually give a shit about this guy and these causes. How refreshing. Eddie Vedder, Tom Morello, Phil Donahue, and Chuck Palahniuk all make worthy appearances in this book b/c they took the time to be part of Tomas's life in a large way. Heck, I even learned that Eddie loves smoking pot even more than I thought he did through this book, and also that he's experiencing hearing loss. Who knew? It's great to see Tomas get such heartfelt support from so many "important" people. But that's not why you should read this book. Tomas's life was hard, and no amount of celebrity shoulder rubbing and friendships can make up for the struggles he was forced to endure. Tragic. Unnecessary. This is a very uncomfortable book to read, but that's why it's so vital. He suffered every day after he came home paralyzed. The least we can do is be a little uncomfortable reading a book and learn from it as a society. We can't ever be so cavalier with the lives of our soldiers ever again. My 8th grade history teacher - in the face of the Gulf War in 1991 said in class one day - "War is Hell." . That was the first time I heard that famous phrase. I'm still today learning new things about what exactly that means, but I've never forgotten it. And after reading this book, it resonates in me more than ever. Tomas Young was dead at 34. Thirty. Four. And 1/3 of his tragic life was incredibly difficult for him and spent dealing with unbelievable daily hardships. REAL hardships. Not the typical daily nonsense that people complain about - my phone is slow, my favorite sports team lost, I missed my favorite tv show, and blah blah blah. THESE are real challenges. Real struggles. Real reasons to feel pain and despair, This is such an important book. I challenge you to read it and learn from it. All of us need to.
April 23, 2016
A good read and worth the time. The chronology seems odd at times, but Tomas's story is one that cannot be forgotten. It would be nice if society could learn from it. No More War.
July 5, 2016
This is the story of Tomas Young, an Iraq War vet, who was severely wounded after less than a week in Iraq. After taking a bullet in the chest, Tomas was paralyzed from the chest down. Despite insufficient health care and a horrid cocktail of physical and mental complications, Tomas went on to become a pro-soldier, anti-Iraq-War activist.
This book captures the hidden side of war (especially the war in Iraq) and the tragic story of one soldier, which is sadly the story of many soldiers. But it also captures the resiliency of a broken human being, as well as the heart and the meaning and the love that can be found among life's tragedies.
Tomas Young's story was told in the documentary BODY OF WAR. But his story did not reach the large audience it deserves. Disabled and dying anti-war vets don't get the same kind of press as other, more happily-ever-after stories do.
This is an important story and it is worth your time.
This book captures the hidden side of war (especially the war in Iraq) and the tragic story of one soldier, which is sadly the story of many soldiers. But it also captures the resiliency of a broken human being, as well as the heart and the meaning and the love that can be found among life's tragedies.
Tomas Young's story was told in the documentary BODY OF WAR. But his story did not reach the large audience it deserves. Disabled and dying anti-war vets don't get the same kind of press as other, more happily-ever-after stories do.
This is an important story and it is worth your time.
May 13, 2016
I didn't love this book. I liked reading it, but it didn't move me in any meaningful way. The writing itself is engaging. No complaints there. What I learned from this tale is that a young man was really upset that he got hurt trying to kill Iraqi civilians instead of Afghani civilians. Young is still pro-war, but somehow against wars that are based on lies. Well, guess what...all wars are based on lies, deception, and immoral justifications. Our intervention in Iraq was not a mistake. It was a deliberate effort to maintain corporate US imperialism on a global scale. Young was fooled in every conceivable fashion. I do not feel sorry for him.
August 13, 2016
As I sit pondering this book, I am reminded of a talk I heard by a mother back in 1982 or '83. She said that she would stop being pro-choice when the government stopped sending our babies into wars to be killed when they're older.
I think this should be required reading for every member of Congress in every state and in Washington, D.C. and for every would-be-president. I also think every WASP man, of any age, should read it.
Mark Wilkerson's book is eloquently written as it addresses Tomas Young's war.
I think this should be required reading for every member of Congress in every state and in Washington, D.C. and for every would-be-president. I also think every WASP man, of any age, should read it.
Mark Wilkerson's book is eloquently written as it addresses Tomas Young's war.
June 18, 2016
I RECEIVED A COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM GOOD READS. TTHIS WAS AN AMAZING STORY ABOUT HOW THOMAS YOUNG ARMY SOLDIER WHO WAS SERVING IN IRAQ. HE WAS PARALYZED AS RESULT OF AN ATTACK. ONCE HE WAS HOME HE STRUGGLED TO RECOVER FROM HIS INJURIES. HE JOINED OTHER VETS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST WAR. tHE PHOTOS AND STORIES WERE HEART WRENCHING. i WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS STORY TO OTHERS.
June 20, 2016
Difficult to read about Tomas' struggle, but essential to understand what our veterans endure. War is often glamorized, but this book gives the reader insight into the ravages of war and the mistreatment of veterans.
September 20, 2016
This book details on the history and the government at that time 2001 and the horrible attack to the twin towers and all the soldiers that had to suffer unfortunately. all the courage that Thomas went through and his opposition to an illegal war
April 30, 2016
If you want an up lifing book this is it. I was so impressed by the emotional story of Tomas Young. What he has gone thru is very inspiring.
April 30, 2017
This book was so good. I can't wait to see the series the Long Road Home
December 21, 2019
The true story of a young Iraqi War vet who, after being paralyzed during his first mission, returns to speak out against the unjust war that cost him so much.
Tomas Young's War is an inspiring story of making the most out of personal tragedy in order to prevent the same fate from befalling others, as well as a damning indictment of the illegal war in Iraq and the LUDICROUS treatment wounded veterans experience when they return. Tomas comes across as a relatable, affable guy who went into the military with the best of intentions and got used up by an uncaring political system more concerned with saber rattling, and doing right by corporate interests, than the well-being of its military.
The book goes into excruciating detail about Tomas' daily ordeals as a paraplegic, before a tragic mishap, due to healthcare negligence, turns Tomas into a quadriplegic. The story of Tomas Young should live on as a cautionary tale about the price of war next time the country is manipulated into invading a sovereign nation to steal it resources.
Tomas Young's War is an inspiring story of making the most out of personal tragedy in order to prevent the same fate from befalling others, as well as a damning indictment of the illegal war in Iraq and the LUDICROUS treatment wounded veterans experience when they return. Tomas comes across as a relatable, affable guy who went into the military with the best of intentions and got used up by an uncaring political system more concerned with saber rattling, and doing right by corporate interests, than the well-being of its military.
The book goes into excruciating detail about Tomas' daily ordeals as a paraplegic, before a tragic mishap, due to healthcare negligence, turns Tomas into a quadriplegic. The story of Tomas Young should live on as a cautionary tale about the price of war next time the country is manipulated into invading a sovereign nation to steal it resources.
November 27, 2025
Tomas Young's War by Mark Wilkerson, with a foreword by Phil Donahue, is a poignant and deeply moving biography of Tomas Young, an Iraq War veteran paralyzed in combat who spent his last ten years advocating for veterans and speaking out against war. Through interviews with Young and those close to him, the book provides an intimate look at his struggle with injuries, frustration, and the challenges of reintegration into society.
The narrative is both tragic and inspiring, illustrating Young’s courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice and awareness for veterans’ care. Wilkerson highlights not only the physical and emotional toll of war but also the broader societal issues surrounding medical care, public attitudes toward the disabled, and advocacy for the terminally ill. Tomas Young's War is an honest, emotional, and life affirming story that sheds light on the true human cost of conflict.
The narrative is both tragic and inspiring, illustrating Young’s courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice and awareness for veterans’ care. Wilkerson highlights not only the physical and emotional toll of war but also the broader societal issues surrounding medical care, public attitudes toward the disabled, and advocacy for the terminally ill. Tomas Young's War is an honest, emotional, and life affirming story that sheds light on the true human cost of conflict.
June 18, 2020
A very intense read but worth every page. What happened to Tomas both in battle and his subsequent VA treatment broke my heart and knowing this continues to happen to Vets everyday breaks it all over again. His radical voice will not be lost to the void but is immortalized forever by his work as an activist and through this book. May he rest in power!
June 17, 2019
Everyone who cares about the well-being of our nation's veterans should read this book about the life of an Iraq war veteran.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews