American War discussion

American War by Omar El Akkad offers a vivid perspective of war and the damages it causes to individual lives as well as families and to even nations. Set in the South during the late 21st century, this novel tells the story of Sarat, a young girl whose father was killed due to the war over fossil fuels between North and South US. Raised by her mother along with her brother and twin sister, Sarat and her family was desperate to find safety and quickly moved to a relocation camp in order to avoid being caught in the violence. The three most prominent themes in this book are You Don't Know What You Have Until It’s Gone, Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover, and Actions Speak Louder Than Words. In the story, Sarat and her family loses almost everything they have due to relocating and they realize they have taken everything they once owned for granted. While at the relocation camps, they meet many people who seem friendly at first, but they care more about their own survival than everyone else’s. Sarat also realizes the people who seem the most trustworthy are the ones who will turn on her in the end. During the book, Sarat and her family are put into situations that both test their instincts of survival and their moral values to preserve human lives. With a future American civil war not being unrealistic, I believe this book gives a warning of what to avoid as a country so history doesn’t repeat itself. I believe that most readers will appreciate this book due to the authentic perspectives of what war is really like and the hardships that come along with it.