Bullets and Bandages: Bond of Brothers is a suspenseful novel, that is inspired by true events and unfolds like a memoir that doesn’t just focus on the individual, but tells a larger story about brotherhood and courage.

There are those who glorify the war and the “kills” that are made. Indeed some of them get churned out into the Hollywood blockbusters. But not this book. It defines a standard to what a story should be, and it has turned out to be an excellent one.

The author brings to us a realistic view of what it is to be on the front line. The grisly details and the combat, the weariness of the body and soul, the mourning of loss, brothers-in-arms; the depth of emotion in these reflections is what I found most riveting. Truly, the absence of flowery prose is what sets it apart. I feel as if I am indeed in the trenches, in the jungle of Vietnam with Rob, the field medic as he tries to bring together the two diametrically apart functions – trying to save his fellow soldiers while taking down the enemy.

It truly made me realize that wars are not just fought by planes, and ships as they are depicted and glorified in movies. Nor are they fought by generals or Presidents. They are fought by thousands of nameless soldiers, who are at the front sweating and shedding their blood and sacrificing lives. It is a shame that when they come back stateside, they are forgotten by youngsters and politicians alike, cast aside as misfits. It is time we start respecting the sacrifices they made – leaving their families and serving the nation with honor, dignity, and integrity.

From the time I started reading the book, I was glued to it. Of course, there are books which will keep you occupied for hours, but not many of them give you an opportunity to introspect. A thorough, well-crafted thriller.

Pages: 307 | ASIN: B084HNYGB6