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Will They Ever Trust Us Again?
The controversial filmmaker shares a collection of provocative and poignant letters from active duty soldiers, their family members, and veterans who express their thoughts and feelings about the current war in Iraq. 350,000 first printing.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2004
12 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
About the author
Michael Moore
377 books522 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Michael Moore is an American filmmaker, author and liberal political commentator. He is the director and producer of Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, Sicko, and Capitalism: A Love Story, four of the top nine highest-grossing documentaries of all time.[3] In September 2008, he released his first free movie on the Internet, Slacker Uprising, documenting his personal crusade to encourage more Americans to vote in presidential elections.[4] He has also written and starred in the TV shows TV Nation and The Awful Truth.
Moore is a self-described liberal who has criticized globalization, large corporations, assault weapon ownership, the Iraq War, U.S. President George W. Bush and the American health care system in his written and cinematic works.
Wikipedia
Michael Moore is an American filmmaker, author and liberal political commentator. He is the director and producer of Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11, Sicko, and Capitalism: A Love Story, four of the top nine highest-grossing documentaries of all time.[3] In September 2008, he released his first free movie on the Internet, Slacker Uprising, documenting his personal crusade to encourage more Americans to vote in presidential elections.[4] He has also written and starred in the TV shows TV Nation and The Awful Truth.
Moore is a self-described liberal who has criticized globalization, large corporations, assault weapon ownership, the Iraq War, U.S. President George W. Bush and the American health care system in his written and cinematic works.
Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
November 6, 2008
So far, it is one of the saddest and angriest book I have ever read. It is also very important to read this book since it is the voices of our soldiers in Iraq fighting for their lives.
UPDATE: I finished it this morning and it is also one of the saddest books I have ever read. I still agree that this is one of the most important books to read considering that these soldiers put their lives in danger for misguided purposes of this war that has no end in sight. This war affects more women and men and their families than the government is willing to allow. The letters are sad, disturbing and poignant.
UPDATE: I finished it this morning and it is also one of the saddest books I have ever read. I still agree that this is one of the most important books to read considering that these soldiers put their lives in danger for misguided purposes of this war that has no end in sight. This war affects more women and men and their families than the government is willing to allow. The letters are sad, disturbing and poignant.
October 20, 2013
This book was published almost 10 years ago, so I'm sure some of its power has been lost over that time. I like the concept behind the book. Moore got a lot of crap about being too liberal or insensitive, but in this book he allows soldiers and their families to do the talking for him. Many of the points they make are valid, especially through the lens of time. For example, they talk about the lack of evidence for going to war and how the cost is going to bankrupt the US.
I have some serious problems with the book, however. It is obviously very selectively edited, with Moore choosing to publish only the letters that show his point of view. Also, after a while, many of those points get a little over done. I don't mean to belittle the sacrifice of the soldiers and their families, but you only need to have so many letters saying "the recruiters lied to me and Bush doesn't care about us" to start thinking "ok... I get it... lets move on."
Another thing that bothers me about this book is that it is essentially designed for the purpose of stroking Moore's ego. Most of the letters talk about his various books and movies and how great they are. People thank Moore for being a patriot and doing what he is doing. I agree that Moore's contributions to the war time discussion were important, but he could have edited this book in such a way as to not come off so arrogantly.
I have some serious problems with the book, however. It is obviously very selectively edited, with Moore choosing to publish only the letters that show his point of view. Also, after a while, many of those points get a little over done. I don't mean to belittle the sacrifice of the soldiers and their families, but you only need to have so many letters saying "the recruiters lied to me and Bush doesn't care about us" to start thinking "ok... I get it... lets move on."
Another thing that bothers me about this book is that it is essentially designed for the purpose of stroking Moore's ego. Most of the letters talk about his various books and movies and how great they are. People thank Moore for being a patriot and doing what he is doing. I agree that Moore's contributions to the war time discussion were important, but he could have edited this book in such a way as to not come off so arrogantly.
Read
December 1, 2020I can imagine that when this book came out, it was very eye-opening and due to that, also important to read but by now it honestly just feels outdated and much less relevant.
July 10, 2015
A collection of emails from the front line
1 April 2012
Sometimes it is difficult to understand Michael Moore's motivations. I used to think that he was a wonderful champion of the left, however as you begin to dig deeper you quickly discover that he is not necessarily a champion of the left, but rather a champion of himself. He has his own motives and own agenda, and in a way, seems to be using the poor and disadvantaged of America to fuel his own publicity. His movies and his books are good, challenging, and confronting, however in many cases they seem to fuel his own promotion than to really do anything constructive.
This book is a collection of emails that were received from soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan and helps us understand these wars from their point of view. It is a first hand look at what it is to be a modern soldier in a modern war. Okay, Moore is against deployment in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and in a way I agree with him. While these wars have been promoted as an humanitarian mission, they have not turned out to be the case. The United States occupied both countries, though in the initial invasion there was actually little to no resistance. The problems arose immediately after the invasions, notably in Iraq when the collapse of Sadam's government brought about widespread looting.
It has been a while since I read this book, and I am a little dubious about the authenticity of some of these emails, however I am doubtful that they are purely a product of Moore's imagination. I suspect that they are real emails from real soldiers on the ground. The contents of many of them paint a picture of members of a occupying force being used by the commanders in Washington to secure their own goals. The real idea of Iraq was to create a Western paradise in the Middle East with access to oil. Not only that but the corporations were supposed to come in and set themselves up. In a way the Iraqis would go to sleep one night under Sadam and wake up in modern, corporate, Bagdad. However that never happened: the insurgency got in the way.
It is difficult to know the extent of what it is like to be in the US army. It is suggested that the pay is low and the benefits are non-existent. The contracts that went to the corporations (this was truly a mercenary war as while the army did a bulk of the work, many of the auxiliary duties went to private corporations, and many of the corporations syphoned huge amounts of money from the government) in many cases were no bid contract which were given to companies in which the government had interests (Halliburton). These companies would then abuse those contracts to no end. Private security contractors where then hired to protect those corporate interests.
However, in some of the anti-Moore documentaries that float around we suddenly discover that many of the soldiers that he had interviewed turned out to have different opinions of the war and the government than what Moore portrayed. Moore is trying to make a point, but unfortunately he is sinking to the level of those he is attacking by using their own methods and tactics. Tactics such as clever editing and control of information. However, the difference is that in the United States the corporations control the airwaves, and people like Moore and others tend to be denied a public speaking space. In the end it is not necessarily true, Moore still packed auditoriums, as does Chomsky and Zinn. While there are many criticisms of the Bush regime, the US government has yet to go down to road of violently suppressing and silencing the critics.
1 April 2012
Sometimes it is difficult to understand Michael Moore's motivations. I used to think that he was a wonderful champion of the left, however as you begin to dig deeper you quickly discover that he is not necessarily a champion of the left, but rather a champion of himself. He has his own motives and own agenda, and in a way, seems to be using the poor and disadvantaged of America to fuel his own publicity. His movies and his books are good, challenging, and confronting, however in many cases they seem to fuel his own promotion than to really do anything constructive.
This book is a collection of emails that were received from soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan and helps us understand these wars from their point of view. It is a first hand look at what it is to be a modern soldier in a modern war. Okay, Moore is against deployment in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and in a way I agree with him. While these wars have been promoted as an humanitarian mission, they have not turned out to be the case. The United States occupied both countries, though in the initial invasion there was actually little to no resistance. The problems arose immediately after the invasions, notably in Iraq when the collapse of Sadam's government brought about widespread looting.
It has been a while since I read this book, and I am a little dubious about the authenticity of some of these emails, however I am doubtful that they are purely a product of Moore's imagination. I suspect that they are real emails from real soldiers on the ground. The contents of many of them paint a picture of members of a occupying force being used by the commanders in Washington to secure their own goals. The real idea of Iraq was to create a Western paradise in the Middle East with access to oil. Not only that but the corporations were supposed to come in and set themselves up. In a way the Iraqis would go to sleep one night under Sadam and wake up in modern, corporate, Bagdad. However that never happened: the insurgency got in the way.
It is difficult to know the extent of what it is like to be in the US army. It is suggested that the pay is low and the benefits are non-existent. The contracts that went to the corporations (this was truly a mercenary war as while the army did a bulk of the work, many of the auxiliary duties went to private corporations, and many of the corporations syphoned huge amounts of money from the government) in many cases were no bid contract which were given to companies in which the government had interests (Halliburton). These companies would then abuse those contracts to no end. Private security contractors where then hired to protect those corporate interests.
However, in some of the anti-Moore documentaries that float around we suddenly discover that many of the soldiers that he had interviewed turned out to have different opinions of the war and the government than what Moore portrayed. Moore is trying to make a point, but unfortunately he is sinking to the level of those he is attacking by using their own methods and tactics. Tactics such as clever editing and control of information. However, the difference is that in the United States the corporations control the airwaves, and people like Moore and others tend to be denied a public speaking space. In the end it is not necessarily true, Moore still packed auditoriums, as does Chomsky and Zinn. While there are many criticisms of the Bush regime, the US government has yet to go down to road of violently suppressing and silencing the critics.
Read
November 12, 2009I really liked the book. I think It was interesting to see the other side of the story. The story of American soldiers and their families who didn't want to participate in the war, and who actually feel guilty about killing innocent people.
It amazed me to understand that most of the American army are young boys and girls who volunteer only to get a college education, and have no relation what so ever with wars, or what's happening in Iraq and Afghanistan. They don't want ot be part of any thing what so ever.
I also felt that the American government fooled them, just like it did for the rest of the world.
I just hope that we don't do the same mistake that they did to us. I mean, after 9/11, almost every Arab and Muslim were considered a terrorist, and that's not a bit true. Now after reading the book, I now wish that after those photos from ABu Gharib prison, and related stuff, we don't think of all the Americans as murderers.
It amazed me to understand that most of the American army are young boys and girls who volunteer only to get a college education, and have no relation what so ever with wars, or what's happening in Iraq and Afghanistan. They don't want ot be part of any thing what so ever.
I also felt that the American government fooled them, just like it did for the rest of the world.
I just hope that we don't do the same mistake that they did to us. I mean, after 9/11, almost every Arab and Muslim were considered a terrorist, and that's not a bit true. Now after reading the book, I now wish that after those photos from ABu Gharib prison, and related stuff, we don't think of all the Americans as murderers.
January 3, 2012
I listened to the unabridged 5CD version of the audiobook.
This is a book of it's time, which is definitely not when I listened to it.
Obviously meant to sway the 2004 election, it consists of letters sent to Michael Moore from various people associated with the military saying Bush/the war is wrong and he is right. It is self-serving to say the least. But many of the letters are poignant and ring true, even well after the fact. The only problem is there are way too many of them. The same point is hammered home time after time, making it numbing after a bit.
This is a book of it's time, which is definitely not when I listened to it.
Obviously meant to sway the 2004 election, it consists of letters sent to Michael Moore from various people associated with the military saying Bush/the war is wrong and he is right. It is self-serving to say the least. But many of the letters are poignant and ring true, even well after the fact. The only problem is there are way too many of them. The same point is hammered home time after time, making it numbing after a bit.
February 10, 2008
I love the concept of this book. I found it at the dollar store, but it would have been worth the full price, definitely. It is full of letters from soldiers stationed in Iraq who write to Michael Moore to tell him that they appreciate his efforts on their behalf. Not all of them completely agree with him, and it is cool to see that he printed some of those letters, too. A great perspective on our current war, at least for someone who does not totally (or at all, really) support this war.
April 3, 2014
Provocativa. A veces un poco partidista, pero contiene muchas verdades sobre algunas corruptelas de la "mejor" democracia del mundo. Conviene leerla, aunque puedas discrepar de algunas de sus opiniones.
August 16, 2014
Very much a flashback to 10 years ago. Very sad that in some ways it still feels like current events. This book had been sitting in a box for 10 years. Finally read it and realize that Moore was way ahead of the curve.
January 5, 2015
Again, cannot believe I read this in 7th grade! Amazing, again. Nothing short of Michael Moore's brilliance. It's a bunch of letters from soldiers and yeah, maybe I used to cry to them and returned the book to the library entirely ruined, maybe.
March 3, 2025
I appreciate when those with a microphone just get out of the way and let the real stories speak. This is a compilation of letters written to Moore by soldiers, veterans and soldiers families during Iraq war. IMO, we owe it to them to listen. Concise audiobook, maybe 5 hrs.
July 28, 2017
This is a must read, although you may get emotional, both heart broken and angry as you hear the words from those whose lives on on the line.
March 15, 2009
My husband bought this book when it first came out and, despite my admiration for Michael Moore's work, I had not read it up until now.
This is not Moore's work, per se, but a compendium of the e-mails he received after "Fahrenheit 9/11." Service members and their loved ones write eloquently of what we now all know to be the truth: the dishonesty of the Bush administration that resulted in an unwarranted invasion of a sovereign nation.
Having seen my husband's 20-year-old nephew discharged from the Marines after two tours in Fallujah -- with 100 percent disability rating due to PTSD -- I know that the Bush administration's lies cause real harm to naive young people. I spent a good deal of last year in a state of panic when I learned that someone inestimably dear to me was in Baghdad, and didn't rest easily until he was safely home.
As I read these letters, I could not help wondering how many of the authors, or the authors' loved ones, made it home safely from this bungle. :-(
This is not Moore's work, per se, but a compendium of the e-mails he received after "Fahrenheit 9/11." Service members and their loved ones write eloquently of what we now all know to be the truth: the dishonesty of the Bush administration that resulted in an unwarranted invasion of a sovereign nation.
Having seen my husband's 20-year-old nephew discharged from the Marines after two tours in Fallujah -- with 100 percent disability rating due to PTSD -- I know that the Bush administration's lies cause real harm to naive young people. I spent a good deal of last year in a state of panic when I learned that someone inestimably dear to me was in Baghdad, and didn't rest easily until he was safely home.
As I read these letters, I could not help wondering how many of the authors, or the authors' loved ones, made it home safely from this bungle. :-(
January 7, 2012
this book of letters is the true news cnn tv should get more personalized stories like this book so we as society could make more accurate assessment of what the government or military do with our tax dollars. Some truly heartbreaking stuff within these letters how war effects the lives of the soldier, his family and our nation as well as another country of inocent civilians. It is important to know the interests of your government and to elect the correct party this is a good example of terrible government in office. I learned so much about people in the military and their reasons for enlisting such as free education and chances to see the world and have a new understanding why they do what they do. If the commander in chief is evil they are in a troubled predicament to their allegiance. I really think Micheal Moore is a force that helps keep momentum for people to keep taking notice when somethings not right in our society and needs to be noticed to do something about it to protect all of our rights.
August 14, 2007
A bit tough to handle. I do consider myself a liberal, though not necessarily loyal to any political party. I am not a Michael Moore fanatic, though I do think he is one of the few people out there who has the guts to state his convictions, right or wrong. He has helped to open up communication about a great number of topics, from corporate greed, to gun control, to the "War on Terror" and 9/11 to health care. I think that makes him a worthwhile and honorable voice in America, whatever his faults. Everybody remember that he is first and foremost, a filmmaker, and therefore it is his job to present things as he sees them. Once you understand that, then you can criticize his politics as much as you like.
This book is mostly letters from soldiers who were overseas, written several years back, yet still poignant. I think it presented the other side of the war through soldiers' eyes which we hadn't seen up to this point.
Worth a look. Not too long either.
This book is mostly letters from soldiers who were overseas, written several years back, yet still poignant. I think it presented the other side of the war through soldiers' eyes which we hadn't seen up to this point.
Worth a look. Not too long either.
October 27, 2008
Excellent book! This should be a must read for all Americans. It was not Michael Moore's spin on the world. It was letters from current soldiers, veterans and soldiers lamily members back home. At time is was very hard to listen to due to the high emotion. Our country needs a change.
All of us Americans say we support our troops.....how do we do that? Buying the cute little ribbons doesn't help anyone but the seller and the chinese company that made them. Michael Moore gave a long list of information of organizations that can really help/support our troops. Write your legislators and ask them to improve health care, both physical and mental for our soldiers. Ask them to increase soldiers pay! A Blackwater contractor/mercinary makes a heck of a lot more for doing the same job.
Donate money to the USO and other service related organizations.
Read this book!!!! I will read the rest of Mr. Moore's books.
All of us Americans say we support our troops.....how do we do that? Buying the cute little ribbons doesn't help anyone but the seller and the chinese company that made them. Michael Moore gave a long list of information of organizations that can really help/support our troops. Write your legislators and ask them to improve health care, both physical and mental for our soldiers. Ask them to increase soldiers pay! A Blackwater contractor/mercinary makes a heck of a lot more for doing the same job.
Donate money to the USO and other service related organizations.
Read this book!!!! I will read the rest of Mr. Moore's books.
October 28, 2013
Michael Moore usually sensationalizes every issue he touches, and I'm usually skeptical of his many discourses, but as a standalone piece piece of literature, it's difficult to impose the same cynicism upon our this book as I would for him. Rightly so, this is a cold, hard, and honest anthology of letters detailing how pissed off many of our troops are with the current wars overseas. And having so many friends in the military, I can accurately validate their disgust with America's foreign policy and treatment of veteran soldiers.
This book is relevant food for thought, but it is certainly not Chicken Soup for the Soul.
This book is relevant food for thought, but it is certainly not Chicken Soup for the Soul.
March 27, 2013
This is a compilation of letters from Iraq/Afganistan veterans, veterans from other wars, and relatives of verterans serving. These letters came to Mr. Moore after his documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 came out. You can sense the pain in the soldiers words as they found out the reasons to go to war with Iraq were based on lies from the Bush administration. What was real gut wrenching is the letter from Robin Vaughan, a mother of a soilder serving in Iraq. Multiply this letter by 10s of thousands of mothers with children serving or served who did not fight for America's freedom but for a personal agenda of one bad president.
January 24, 2015
I'm not a fan of Moore's work -it seems so biased and misrepresenting that he loses all credibility in condemning Fox or the Republicans for the same thing! However, this one wasn't too bad as it had a human touch to things. A collection of letters from serving soldiers, vets and families that have lost out to the war.
It's weird reading this book so long after Bush and Iraq. It makes frequent mention of defeating Bush and stopping a second term plus makes predictions about Iraq that proved to be incorrect. It also verges on fan mail on a few occasions and just felt like it was feeding an already inflated ego.
It's weird reading this book so long after Bush and Iraq. It makes frequent mention of defeating Bush and stopping a second term plus makes predictions about Iraq that proved to be incorrect. It also verges on fan mail on a few occasions and just felt like it was feeding an already inflated ego.
December 10, 2010
When I first bought this book back in October, I began reading it and, after finishing Part One: Letters From Iraq, I was deeply disturbed. I put the book on my bookshelf and waited eagerly for November 2nd so I could help vote Bush out of office!
Well, that didn't happen. But, the 'war' in Iraq has now been hiked up a notch (bam!) and no one seems to care that Bush lied! He fucking lied! I am outraged!
STOP THE WAR!
BUSH IS A WAR CRIMINAL!
--From A Reader's Journal, by d r melbie.
Well, that didn't happen. But, the 'war' in Iraq has now been hiked up a notch (bam!) and no one seems to care that Bush lied! He fucking lied! I am outraged!
STOP THE WAR!
BUSH IS A WAR CRIMINAL!
--From A Reader's Journal, by d r melbie.
November 26, 2008
The courage of those sent into war is extremely moving. I was also caught off guard by the degree of patriotism, and pride in the Constitution, expressed by the soldiers. The letters also reveal the dark side of the Iraq conflict; particularly, the idea that some people were getting rich off the war while the soldiers and civilians were being slaughtered. The idea, in this 2004 book, that there is no Marshall Plan to help Iraq post-conflict is as fresh today as it was then.
November 25, 2011
Michael Moore is an advocate for the American ideals and principles to which this great country was founded. His views and voice have angered alot of people but putting political affiliaton one should take away that the people of this country are what drives it but its the select few that are living the American dream. I am all for defending this country and truly respect and appreciate the American soldiers for their heroism but the "war" in Iraq never should have happened.
December 5, 2020
Michael blew it on this one
Written by Mandi Chestler on April 11th, 2006
Book Rating: 1/5
I really wanted to like this book/CD--really I did. After Stupid White Men and Dude, Where's My Country, I was truly looking forward to another Michael Moore book. But this one is so over-the-top, one-sided that it took every bit of determination I could muster to keep on listening until the end. I wish Mr. Moore could have presented this in a way that made me want to recommend the book/CD to others.
Written by Mandi Chestler on April 11th, 2006
Book Rating: 1/5
I really wanted to like this book/CD--really I did. After Stupid White Men and Dude, Where's My Country, I was truly looking forward to another Michael Moore book. But this one is so over-the-top, one-sided that it took every bit of determination I could muster to keep on listening until the end. I wish Mr. Moore could have presented this in a way that made me want to recommend the book/CD to others.
April 20, 2008
It really opened my eyes to the wars going on in the Middle East. Stories of soldiers fighting, dying, and yet fighting again truly moved my heart. It shows what thousands of troops have experienced throughout this five-year war. Can we get out? Michael thinks we can.
WARNING:Mature content inside.
WARNING:Mature content inside.
July 29, 2009
I would take up arms to survive to protect my life and my loved ones if like our home was under attack in whatever harmful way... but not to enlist and go to exotic and foreign countries and kill for oil, property, grudge or whatever bullshit our leaders of authority plan. And, of course there are so many others reasons to go on about, but I'll end it here as such. Thank you.
September 25, 2019
This is a collection of letters from US servicemen (serving mostly in Iraq after the US invasion in 2003) and their families.It demonstrates their frustration while having to fight a war which was launched under the pretext of finding WMDs.Most of these servicemen wonder ,in these letters, what on earth is their mission and what are they supposed to die for.It is full of anger and very moving.
June 21, 2007
This book is composed completely of letters from soldiers in Iraq that were written to Michael Moore or to their families that Michael Moore has published. I liked reading the informal first hand views of the soldiers about the war, views that the American media chooses not to show us.
December 4, 2007
Boring. Just a bunch of letters sent to Michael Moore from soldiers serving over in Iraq. A good idea, but it feels cheap because Michael Moore sold himself out and used his name and photo for this project.
May 16, 2008
I read this book a few years ago when it was first published. It's an interesting compendium of letters received by Michael Moore. Most letters comment, at least in part, on his film Fahrenheit 9/11.
October 6, 2014
While I totally feel that people like Michael Moore are necessary to keep those in power from man handling the public opinion without an opposing view being available, I tend to be alienated by extremists on any side, and Moore definitely falls into that category.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews