Description:
Editorial Reviews
Review
“A brilliant successor to Shay's groundbreaking Achilles in Vietnam.”—Richard Rhodes, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Why They Kill and The Making of the Atomic Bomb
“Should be read by anyone interested in the effects of combat on troops, or in the meaning of Homer's works -- and by everyone who wants to better understand today's United States. Buy it, read it, and make your friends read it.” —Thomas E. Ricks, Pulitzer Prize winner and author of Making the Corps
“Just as the Iliad and Odyssey complement each other perfectly, so also Odysseus in America is a most worthy companion to Achilles in Vietnam. Dr. Shay has given his readers a true American Odyssey.” —Gregory Nagy, Professor of Classical Greek Literature at Harvard University, and Director of Harvard's Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington, D.C.
“Provocative thinking and clarity of style on the page are Jonathan Shay's consistent hallmarks. Even those who disagree with his conclusions will find his work of profound value. This is a moral, insightful, stimulating book.” —Ralph Peters, author of Beyond Terror and Fighting for the Future Vibrant
About the Author
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars Odysseus the same Homecoming Many Thousands of years later
My research for publishing Courage in America: Warriors with Character consisted of studying over 150 books. Of that research, two standout among the scores of others: the one with the greatest influence on my research was Odysseus in America. Initially, it was like reading the cliff notes on the Odyssey. However, I was compared Dr Shay analysis of the 30 plus years of dealing with the most difficult cases of Viet Nam Veterans, I recognizes the many lesson learned for the tens of thousands of more recent veterans suffering from traumatic injuries both visible and invisible one's like TBI. Dr Shay takes the most difficult of subject and maintains the readers interest throughout the tome. Certainly, his book should be required reading in all classic and psychology courses in college as well as those high schools students who have an interest in volunteering for military careers.The other book that stands head and shoulders of others in my research was... "What it is like to go to War," by Karl Marlantes. I wish to thank both authors works for enabling my better understanding of the challenges of our nation's wounded warriors.
5.0 out of 5 stars Reality few Understand
I came across this book originally at DI (Desert Industries) and has been a key facet of my life. Its a parralel telling of the Odyssey with Vietnam veterans treatment upon returning home. Without a doubt this book saved my life, becuase of my own experiences that are harder to explain and even harder for others to understand. Its a real eye-opener for anyone unfamiliar with the military and veterans, revealing just how many injustices they deal with in addition to thier own traumas. If this book doesn't bring you to empathize with soldiers nothing will, as it doesn't surgar-coat anything they deal with. Its a reality too many are indebted to and far to0 few show enough respect for.
5.0 out of 5 stars Say its Name...Outstanding Reflection on Warrior Reintegration
Outstanding book. Highly recommend it for combat vets who want to be able to identify what they are experiencing entering back into civilian life. Also recommend for anyone who may work with or encounter combat veterans in their work to include counselors, social workers, private security and law enforcement
4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and fascinating...with one major flaw
Companion volume to Shay's 1993 "Achilles in Vietnam", these two books should best be published in a single edition, as they deal with the same themes. Shay's brilliant thesis is that the Iliad and the Odyssey represent the universal experiences of soldiers throughout the centuries. His careful and extremely insightful interpretations of the Homeric epics serve to describe a new theory of psychological trauma, its causes, treatment and prevention. The idea alone is genius, but Shay's lucid and elegant prose make the reading itself a sublime experience.Using the Odyssey as a metaphor is not new. What is new is that Shay interprets each chapter in light of the experiences and behavior of returning veterans, based on Shay's many years of experience treating veterans of the Vietnam War. In the original tale, each adventure further stripped Odysseus of his men, his ships and his dignity; Shay argues that in fact Odysseus was at fault for much of this loss through poor judgement and egoism, stemming from his own history of trauma. Particularly poignant is the relationship of Odysseus (and every veteran) with the dead--comrades, enemies and innocents alike, and how Shay has worked with this by bringing veterans to the Memorial Wall in Washington DC.Shay ends with a discussion of how combat trauma might be prevented if the US military were reorganized and certain protocols instituted. There is some indication that his advice is being followed, although progress is slow. Nonetheless, Shay's contribution to military mental health is significant and far-reaching.I couldn't give this book 5 stars because of one error that stood out. Shay argues that military changes that exacerbated combat trauma began during WWII, and refers to "the poor combat performance of American troops against their German army adversaries," saying that "we lost so many of our battles against the Germans" as a result of poor leadership and lack of cohesion. Shay says that American officers "demanded blind obedience" while the Germans practiced "positive leadership" and displayed integrity and sensitivity to the needs of their subordinates. This is totally contrary to historical fact.Shay is clearly an expert on the US military of the Vietnam era, but these bizarrely inaccurate statements about WWII show that he has much to learn about both the American and German armies of that period. I think he is not above distorting the facts to make a point.All that aside, I enjoyed this book thoroughly and will refer back to it often in my work with trauma survivors.
5.0 out of 5 stars Odysseus in America,a critique of America's forgotten heroes.
A beautifully written account of the Vietnam combat veteran's struggle to resume his life after finishing his military service. Dr. Shay deserves a great deal of credit for his devotion to men who, after facing death, dismemberment and character damage, try to resume their lives. I have read the Odyssey several times but after reading his book about the trials of Odysseus, on rereading the Odyssey realized that previously I had been reading for entertainment. Now, I could see that Odysseus was a much damaged man. He was very successful as a warrior and military tactician, but was also distrustful, unable to delegate authority, constantly "on mission". This fits the profile of a psychologically damaged combat veteran. Dr. Shay's work with these veterans fills me with much admiration, especially since I have done similar work caring for many veterans and some Vietnamese refugees who also suffered in varying degree from PTSD.
5.0 out of 5 stars This is Dr. Shay's second volume in which he ...
This is Dr. Shay's second volume in which he compares the experiences of Vietnam veterans to those of the men and women we read about in The Iliad and The Odyssey. This is astounding work. I have bought copies for friends, colleagues, and students. A most enlightening work that deserves a permanent place on your bookshelf. Too dense for a single read. You will bookmark it and return to it many times. It is for those us who wish to understand the horrors of war, what they do to the people who experience them and how to help those people heal themselves.
Understanding makes it a little less difficult
I was born after Vietnam, and I am British, but this book is directly relevant to my experience in returning from Afghanistan, and it helps. I recommend it to anyone who wants to understand how they feel and how those close to them feel on return from that or any other war (even if we're not supposed to call it that- HiCOIN, or whatever they're calling it at the moment, is a ridiculous concept when you see the reality).Both this and Achilles in Vietnam need to be read with care - go slowly and look after yourself, as Jonathan Shay (the actual author- John McCain only co-wrote the foreword) warns in Achilles in Vietnam. But this one is easier to read (and by that I mean it is not so overwhelming) and lets you understand more of what is going on in your head now as opposed to what caused it.So read it if you've been to one of the dusty places. Read it if you've been somewhere else, or lots of places. Although it's very clearly Vietnam-centred, it is directly relevant to how you feel now. And note the bits that talk about how one of the characteristics of the effects of combat trauma is that we all think our own experience was less bad than the next man's. But when you think about it, when you talk to someone who's been in contact, they know what you mean, and when you talk to someone who hasn't they don't have a * clue. This book is about the way people who know what you mean feel when they get back (and years afterwards), and how to deal with what that means for you.And if you are close to someone who lives with it, read it too. It will help you help them and help them come back to you.So read it. And get your oppos/mates or whatever you call your friends to read it too. You never know, you could just help them come back, or at the very least admit that they need to.
Great book
Arrived promptly and in excellent condition. Perfectly happy with the order. Will use the company again whenever I need to.
Five Stars
thank you
Visit the Scribner Store
Odysseus in America: Combat Trauma and the Trials of Homecoming
AED9863
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Odysseus in America: Combat Trauma and the Trials of Homecoming
AED9863
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United States
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Description:
Editorial Reviews
Review
“A brilliant successor to Shay's groundbreaking Achilles in Vietnam.”—Richard Rhodes, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Why They Kill and The Making of the Atomic Bomb
“Should be read by anyone interested in the effects of combat on troops, or in the meaning of Homer's works -- and by everyone who wants to better understand today's United States. Buy it, read it, and make your friends read it.” —Thomas E. Ricks, Pulitzer Prize winner and author of Making the Corps
“Just as the Iliad and Odyssey complement each other perfectly, so also Odysseus in America is a most worthy companion to Achilles in Vietnam. Dr. Shay has given his readers a true American Odyssey.” —Gregory Nagy, Professor of Classical Greek Literature at Harvard University, and Director of Harvard's Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington, D.C.
“Provocative thinking and clarity of style on the page are Jonathan Shay's consistent hallmarks. Even those who disagree with his conclusions will find his work of profound value. This is a moral, insightful, stimulating book.” —Ralph Peters, author of Beyond Terror and Fighting for the Future Vibrant
About the Author
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars Odysseus the same Homecoming Many Thousands of years later
My research for publishing Courage in America: Warriors with Character consisted of studying over 150 books. Of that research, two standout among the scores of others: the one with the greatest influence on my research was Odysseus in America. Initially, it was like reading the cliff notes on the Odyssey. However, I was compared Dr Shay analysis of the 30 plus years of dealing with the most difficult cases of Viet Nam Veterans, I recognizes the many lesson learned for the tens of thousands of more recent veterans suffering from traumatic injuries both visible and invisible one's like TBI. Dr Shay takes the most difficult of subject and maintains the readers interest throughout the tome. Certainly, his book should be required reading in all classic and psychology courses in college as well as those high schools students who have an interest in volunteering for military careers.The other book that stands head and shoulders of others in my research was... "What it is like to go to War," by Karl Marlantes. I wish to thank both authors works for enabling my better understanding of the challenges of our nation's wounded warriors.
5.0 out of 5 stars Reality few Understand
I came across this book originally at DI (Desert Industries) and has been a key facet of my life. Its a parralel telling of the Odyssey with Vietnam veterans treatment upon returning home. Without a doubt this book saved my life, becuase of my own experiences that are harder to explain and even harder for others to understand. Its a real eye-opener for anyone unfamiliar with the military and veterans, revealing just how many injustices they deal with in addition to thier own traumas. If this book doesn't bring you to empathize with soldiers nothing will, as it doesn't surgar-coat anything they deal with. Its a reality too many are indebted to and far to0 few show enough respect for.
5.0 out of 5 stars Say its Name...Outstanding Reflection on Warrior Reintegration
Outstanding book. Highly recommend it for combat vets who want to be able to identify what they are experiencing entering back into civilian life. Also recommend for anyone who may work with or encounter combat veterans in their work to include counselors, social workers, private security and law enforcement
4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and fascinating...with one major flaw
Companion volume to Shay's 1993 "Achilles in Vietnam", these two books should best be published in a single edition, as they deal with the same themes. Shay's brilliant thesis is that the Iliad and the Odyssey represent the universal experiences of soldiers throughout the centuries. His careful and extremely insightful interpretations of the Homeric epics serve to describe a new theory of psychological trauma, its causes, treatment and prevention. The idea alone is genius, but Shay's lucid and elegant prose make the reading itself a sublime experience.Using the Odyssey as a metaphor is not new. What is new is that Shay interprets each chapter in light of the experiences and behavior of returning veterans, based on Shay's many years of experience treating veterans of the Vietnam War. In the original tale, each adventure further stripped Odysseus of his men, his ships and his dignity; Shay argues that in fact Odysseus was at fault for much of this loss through poor judgement and egoism, stemming from his own history of trauma. Particularly poignant is the relationship of Odysseus (and every veteran) with the dead--comrades, enemies and innocents alike, and how Shay has worked with this by bringing veterans to the Memorial Wall in Washington DC.Shay ends with a discussion of how combat trauma might be prevented if the US military were reorganized and certain protocols instituted. There is some indication that his advice is being followed, although progress is slow. Nonetheless, Shay's contribution to military mental health is significant and far-reaching.I couldn't give this book 5 stars because of one error that stood out. Shay argues that military changes that exacerbated combat trauma began during WWII, and refers to "the poor combat performance of American troops against their German army adversaries," saying that "we lost so many of our battles against the Germans" as a result of poor leadership and lack of cohesion. Shay says that American officers "demanded blind obedience" while the Germans practiced "positive leadership" and displayed integrity and sensitivity to the needs of their subordinates. This is totally contrary to historical fact.Shay is clearly an expert on the US military of the Vietnam era, but these bizarrely inaccurate statements about WWII show that he has much to learn about both the American and German armies of that period. I think he is not above distorting the facts to make a point.All that aside, I enjoyed this book thoroughly and will refer back to it often in my work with trauma survivors.
5.0 out of 5 stars Odysseus in America,a critique of America's forgotten heroes.
A beautifully written account of the Vietnam combat veteran's struggle to resume his life after finishing his military service. Dr. Shay deserves a great deal of credit for his devotion to men who, after facing death, dismemberment and character damage, try to resume their lives. I have read the Odyssey several times but after reading his book about the trials of Odysseus, on rereading the Odyssey realized that previously I had been reading for entertainment. Now, I could see that Odysseus was a much damaged man. He was very successful as a warrior and military tactician, but was also distrustful, unable to delegate authority, constantly "on mission". This fits the profile of a psychologically damaged combat veteran. Dr. Shay's work with these veterans fills me with much admiration, especially since I have done similar work caring for many veterans and some Vietnamese refugees who also suffered in varying degree from PTSD.
5.0 out of 5 stars This is Dr. Shay's second volume in which he ...
This is Dr. Shay's second volume in which he compares the experiences of Vietnam veterans to those of the men and women we read about in The Iliad and The Odyssey. This is astounding work. I have bought copies for friends, colleagues, and students. A most enlightening work that deserves a permanent place on your bookshelf. Too dense for a single read. You will bookmark it and return to it many times. It is for those us who wish to understand the horrors of war, what they do to the people who experience them and how to help those people heal themselves.
Understanding makes it a little less difficult
I was born after Vietnam, and I am British, but this book is directly relevant to my experience in returning from Afghanistan, and it helps. I recommend it to anyone who wants to understand how they feel and how those close to them feel on return from that or any other war (even if we're not supposed to call it that- HiCOIN, or whatever they're calling it at the moment, is a ridiculous concept when you see the reality).Both this and Achilles in Vietnam need to be read with care - go slowly and look after yourself, as Jonathan Shay (the actual author- John McCain only co-wrote the foreword) warns in Achilles in Vietnam. But this one is easier to read (and by that I mean it is not so overwhelming) and lets you understand more of what is going on in your head now as opposed to what caused it.So read it if you've been to one of the dusty places. Read it if you've been somewhere else, or lots of places. Although it's very clearly Vietnam-centred, it is directly relevant to how you feel now. And note the bits that talk about how one of the characteristics of the effects of combat trauma is that we all think our own experience was less bad than the next man's. But when you think about it, when you talk to someone who's been in contact, they know what you mean, and when you talk to someone who hasn't they don't have a * clue. This book is about the way people who know what you mean feel when they get back (and years afterwards), and how to deal with what that means for you.And if you are close to someone who lives with it, read it too. It will help you help them and help them come back to you.So read it. And get your oppos/mates or whatever you call your friends to read it too. You never know, you could just help them come back, or at the very least admit that they need to.
Great book
Arrived promptly and in excellent condition. Perfectly happy with the order. Will use the company again whenever I need to.
Five Stars
thank you
More from this brand
Similar items from “Post-Traumatic Stress”
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