Veteranhood: Rage and Hope in British Ex-Military Life

by Joe Glenton

One of Britain's most radical veterans takes us on a guided tour through ex-military life at the heart of a dead empire.

The military veteran is claimed by all sides. Conservatives, liberals and socialists all want to speak about and for ex-servicemen, yet far-right demonstrations are dotted with berets and medals and ex-military men have become celebrities of the reactionary manosphere.

So who are Britain's ex-servicemen? What do they want? What are their politics? What are the issues which animate them? Are they just irredeemable fascists by dint of their service to Empire? Or is there a radical political potential waiting to be unlocked?

Former soldier Joe Glenton takes us on a guided tour through ex-forces life at the heart of a dead empire as he attempts to demystify military culture, rescue the veteran from his captors, and discover if a more optimistic, humanist mode of veteranhood can be recovered from the ruins

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, War

250 pages, Paperback

First published November 9, 2021

Reviews

[Darran Mclaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely superb and way better than I was anticipating. Glenton is a veteran who came to prominence as part of the Veterans for Peace movement after serving a term in military jail for deserting after fighting in Afganistan. He has since become a well known writer and commentator on military issues on the British Left. This book explores the experiences of men and women who have served in the British military over the past few decades and what happens to them after they leave the service. It is an absolutely brilliant book, touching upon Glenton's own experiences as well as experiences drawn from academic research and interviews with other veterans. He examines the attitudes that civilians have towards veterans, from the right wing establishment who try to claim them to some on the left who's instinct is to condemn them all as cold blooded psychos, and reveals the real story, which is a group of often damaged people, driven by a savage economic order and class system into signing up, and who hold as complicated and varied attitudes and perspectives as any other highly tribal group of people. I would say this is a non-fiction classic that stands alongside works by writers like Orwell, Graves, Hunter S Thompson, Joan Didion and others. It is essential reading, and everyone (particularly anyone on the Left) should read it.

[Sam Sleeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the easiest “academic” books I’ve ever read, Glenton’s writing style sounds like a bloke chatting to you down the pub most of the time. Also, probably as a result, one of the only books about British politics that I’ve read in the past few years that actually says anything, rather than repeating some Twitter talking points and making you feel genuinely pretty depressed as a result. Veteranhood really interesting and important series of portraits of the country’s critical veterans as well as a historical and contemporary overview of their struggles in and around the British state. Also, particularly liked the questions opened up around the shift to an American “thank you for your service” culture, which I didn’t quite realised had happened but sort of just sensed. So much here to discuss with my dad!

[Jamie Bookboy Fitzpatrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book. I love Joe’s writing style

[Mr Michael R Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

When my daughter gifted me this book at Christmas I knew that it came fro our local ‘radical’ book shop.
What did surprise me was that although I found the authors argument to be too one sided, more of which later, I found myself agreeing with whole swathes of the book.

Reading it I was at times angry, puzzled, laughing and sad. I found the authors sharp insights resonated with me. He writes as a veteran with a left leaning perspective and through his brutally honest interviews gives a voice to that section of veterans often drowned out.

My complaint; nowhere does the author talk about the good side of veteranhood;
Visiting a 90+ year old veteran in a nursing home so as they have someone to talk to.
Walking on the beach just listening while your mates tells you what a bad time he’s having.
Meeting for an ‘iffy’ breakfast with your veteran mates just for the company.

Veteranhood, like every part or strata of society has its good and bad.

Balanced, it may not be, but this book is essential reading for veterans and civilians alike.

[Joana Andrade · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read that challenges many commonly held narratives.

[Limey]

I haven't read it yet. It's not out yet. But if you search for 'Jeremy Corbyn interview: Keir Starmer is propping up billionaires' from 'PoliticsJOE' on YouTube, you'll see that Jeremy must have been sent an advanced copy, because it's in front of him on the table. That would be interesting: to see the bookshelves of our politicians.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure what made me pick this book but very glad I did. I had no idea the nuance involved in post-service life having only really seen or heard of the 'Blazer' wing of veterans. I'll definitely be seeking out more of Joes writing.

Read entirely on holiday.

[Duncan Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be you a flag-shagger, Poppy Nazi, pacifist or anything in between, Veteranhood is both an education and a manifesto for a better military now and in the future.