No Diplomacy: Musings of an Apathetic Soldier

by Andrew Lafleche

"I read No Diplomacy, then my wife read it, and then we read No Diplomacy together. This book saved our marriage. Andrew wrote what I couldn't say and now we’ve started to heal." -SOF OperatorEverybody writes a hero story. Publicists describe them as gritty. Their authors undoubtedly write in standard form and recycled “Nothing could have prepared me for what happened next…”

No Diplomacy bucks this trend.

Unlike anything previously published, No Diplomacy is the antithesis to a superhero story.

It’s one you can’t unread.

Narrated with the cynicism of an infantry soldier and provoked by the ubiquitous question, “Have you ever killed someone?” No Diplomacy delivers an explicit documentation of a soldier’s experience in combat, that once you start, you will not put it down until it’s finished.

Written by a former Canadian infantry soldier, the direct language used in this first person narrative subjects the reader to an uncomfortably vulnerable account of events which took place during the summer of 2010 near Panjwayi District, Afghanistan.

Genres: Canada, Biography

107 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2015

About the author

ANDREW JOHN LAFLECHE (born Andrew John Bradford: 24 June 1986) is the award-winning poet and novelist from St. Catharines, Ontario. He served under Operation Enduring Freedom during the Afghanistan War. Following his duty as an infantry soldier in the Canadian Armed Forces, Lafleche received an M.A. in Creative and Critical Writing from the University of Gloucestershire. He is inspired by the philosophy that when young men become readers, they become better men.

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Reviews

[Torrey Grennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a free giveaway through Goodreads.

Very raw, emotional telling of one soldiers wartime experience in Afghanistan.

[Panda99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A no nonsense look at life as a grunt in Afghanistan

This book is not about winning hearts and minds, but about the simple fact of survival. Thoughtful and direct this author pulls no punches in his description of war "on the ground". Not for glory or sympathy, but with dissatisfaction and the pointlessnes of this never ending war.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank Andrew Lafleche, author and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for the eBook Kindle copy I won of No Diplomacy.

Andrew used raw and graphic language to describe how it felt to serve in Afghanistan and how he felt after he came home. His book reminded me of how my father and his military buddies talked about World War II after being a POW and reported MIA. Stories similar to Andrew's were often told in our living room weekly and seemed to help my Dad and his friends to deal with the hell they had to endure. Often the stories had elements of humor that hid the sadness of the situation. Andrew, when I tell you thank you for your service, I understand that it is inadequate to really understand the level of hell you lived through but after living with my father, who often forgot our names I do have some understanding. I enjoyed your story and think it is closer to the truth of the experience of war than any movie or account given by our governments. No Diplomacy is a graphic and realistic presentation of the feelings of a solider at war; you did a great job.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different book then my normal read but found it very interesting and informative

[GERALD GENTRY · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unvarnished look at war through the eyes of a Canadian infantry soldier. An excellent read.

[Tom J Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

authentic Expressions

I appreciate this guy and this book. As a war vet, I get his attitude and cynicism about how people welcome soldiers home and though well intentioned, it just doesn’t land. War is full of moral injury and horrific stuff. This is a good read.

[Rellenhat · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest read.

Appreciate the honesty, no illusions and blunt writing . We don't get that very often from a memoir. Made me reconsider a lot of my opinions.

[Lavender]

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I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.