Book Captures Rebellious Spirit of Gulf War Veterans

I’ve been excited to read Brian O'Hare's Surrender (Syracuse, 2022) ever since it was announced as Syracuse University’s 2021 Veterans Writing Award winner and it did not disappoint. This is a collection of short stories loosely tying together the pre-war, war, and post-war stories of a squad of Gulf War Marine Veterans, with the primary focus on their Lieutenant, Francis Keene. Throughout the stories, the men encounter the full spectrum of life's trials, from casual bigotry in a small town, to an unhinged, alcoholic Marine Commander, to the bittersweet emotions of homecoming, reassimilation, and loss.