See Me for Who I Am: Student Veterans' Stories of War and Coming Home

by David Chrisinger (Editor), Brian Castner (Foreword), Matthew Hefti (Afterword)

Because so few Americans have served in the military since 9/11--or even know anyone who has--many look to the media for information about veterans and military service. Popular news outlets, however, traffic in tragedy and often paint those who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan with one of three broad brushes: as superhuman; as broken, disabled, and traumatized; or as dangerous, ticking time bombs.

See Me for Who I Am aims to undermine these stereotypes. It brings together twenty young student veterans working to bridge the media-created gap that divides them from the American people they have fought to protect. With thoughtfulness, humor, and honesty, they relive and relate their worst memories, illustrate shared experiences, explain to us the fulfillment of combat, and show us what going to war really entails. For veterans, these voices will ring familiar. For civilians, the stories open a view into a world few ever see and, in the process, affirm our common humanity.

Genres: Nonfiction

175 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2016

About the author

David Chrisinger is the executive director of the Public Policy Writing Workshop at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy and the director of writing seminars for The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit newsroom dedicated to reporting on the human impact of military service.

He is the author of several books, including "The Soldier's Truth: Ernie Pyle and the Story of World War II, "Stories Are What Save Us: A Survivor’s Guide to Writing about Trauma," and "Public Policy Writing That Matters," which in 2022 received the National Council of Teachers of English George Orwell Award.

Reviews

[Konda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book because the subtitle said it was written by veterans who were students. I teach at a local college and often have veterans in my classes. I enjoyed this book because each veteran seemed to speak his/her mind. I appreciated hearing their perspectives on transitioning home and PTSD. I worry about soldiers having a hard time transitioning. I think we need to do a better job helping them. Having honest conversations seems like a good place to start. Sometimes it feels like it's a taboo subject. This book helped me feel like we can have these conversations, and it helped me see a veterans' point of view to help facilitate these conversations. On a lighter note, I also enjoyed how some of them mentioned that they would love to be asked about where they have travelled instead of how many people they killed.

I think anyone interested in a veterans opinion on war or their struggles and successes returning home would enjoy reading this book. The articles written are raw. They aren't sugar coated. To me, that is refreshing. No one has tried to put a spin on anything. They are all put forward in a take it or leave it attitude. I was sad when I got to the end. I wanted to read more.

[Eric Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw and necessary. From David Chrisinger, the editor, "At the same time, however, my students realize that being alienated from the people they protected will only make their transition more difficult than it needs to be. That's why, we believe, the onus is on veterans to tell their stories--to help bridge the divide."

[Charlie Sherpa · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Chrisinger is a mil-blogger, veterans-issues activist, and creator of a military-to-civilian reintegration course, "Back from the Front," at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Related to the latter effort, Chrisinger helped produce and publish an anthology of student essays. The 150-page trade paperback, "See Me for Who I Am: Student Veterans' Stories of War and Coming Home" was released earlier this week. It is also available as an Amazon Kindle e-book.

The book collects approximately 20 veterans' stories, written in various voices and styles. While a few aspire to literary gymnastics or even melodrama, most achieve a conversational and approachable tone—perfect for exposing civilian readers to veterans' insights, without risk of scaring them off.

The content is bookended by some big guns. There is a foreword written by Brian Castner, author of 2012's "The Long Walk: A Story of War and the Life That Follows" and the upcoming "All the Ways We Kill and Die: An Elegy for a Fallen Comrade, and the Hunt for His Killer." And there is an afterword by Matthew J. Hefti, author of the 2016 Afghan War novel "A Hard And Heavy Thing". It is Hefti who writes:

The uncultivated nature of this book is exactly what makes it required reading; that rawness is what sets this book apart from others on the same topic. These college freshmen—often older and worldlier than their peers—are walking straight off the battlefield with the dust still trailing off their boots, the blood still speckling their uniforms, and the gun smoke still stinging their nostrils. There is no irony here; See Me for Who I Am is real talk.

The real talk here, admittedly, is from a relatively homogenous cohort of student veterans. An informal sampling of writers' biographies reveals that these are Midwesterners—most grew up in Wisconsin or graduated from high school there. Declared majors cluster around the strengths of the institution in which they are enrolled: business and information technology, medicine and health, forestry management. Most are male narrators, but there are a few female voices present. While this may accurately reflect the composition of Chrisinger's reintegration classes, it does point to possibilities for future explorations.

The book illuminates, after all, the types of conversations possible on any campus of learning, if professors and fellow students were to approach incoming student-veterans with open minds and open ears. It would be exciting to see other student bodies, faculties, and administrations adopt "See Me for Who I Am" as the catalyst for initial engagement, then move toward generating and collecting other narratives on their own campuses.

Read "See Me for Who I Am." Then, look more locally. Seek out more stories. And start talking.

[For original review, visit: http://www.redbullrising.com/2016/02/...]

[Patrick Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a veteran in my 40s returning to college, See Me for Who I Am really struck a chord with me. The essays highlight the challenges veterans face in transitioning back to civilian life, especially when dealing with PTSD and the way we’re often misunderstood.

I appreciated how the veterans in this book were open and honest about their experiences. It’s clear that the transition isn’t easy for anyone, whether you served in combat or not. I could relate to the frustration of being seen through a narrow lens, and it was refreshing to read stories that focused on the real struggles we face, beyond the stereotypes.

For anyone trying to understand what it’s like to come home and start over, this book does a great job of showing that it’s a journey, and not an easy one. The voices here offer an honest look at what veterans go through, and I found it comforting to know I’m not alone in this.

[Mariette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book as I enjoyed David Chrisinger's NYT article "The Man Who Told America the Truth About D-Day" (June 6, 2019) and because my father (John R. Booth) has self-published his Vietnam stories. This book isn't the best writing, but it's not supposed to be. This book is, however, at times a fascinating, raw glimpse into the lives of current military vets. Thank you to the men and women who struggled to write their words so I could understand more. I'll also be giving this book to my father.

[Romany Arrowsmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection. My favorite stories were "You're...Welcome?" by Leon Valliere, about the funny/really awkward experience every veteran experiences of being thanked for our service by clueless, well-intentioned civilians; "We Didn't Understand" by Yvette M. Pino, about learning to see Iraqis as people, not just enemies in an alien country; and "A Place at the Table" by Sara Poquette, about always having to prove yourself to get that seat at the table with the men when you're a female in the military. Every story was really solid and honest, though. 4.5 stars.

[Angelique · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important work to open one's heart and mind to. One of the most important message I pulled from the text was that as civilians we have become complacent and don't even remember we are still at war. We are lazy and lucky and complacent. It's important for us all to check in and be present to wartime, to our military men and women, to our veterans. We owe them everything!

[Sandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the past I've used "Soul Repair" as required reading for Yoga for Warriors Teacher Trainings. I'm seriously considering adding this book to the list. Everyone should read it. It's our duty to try and understand what our veterans have been through on our behalf. While it's not possible to fully understand the challenges a combat veteran has faced, this book certainly helps to bridge the divide.

[Anne Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest, poignant, true...please read this!