Raw, disrespectful, fast-paced and funny as all get out, I really enjoyed Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk. Ben Fountain writes about a squad of Army men whose brave actions where caught by a television camera. The squad of men are shipped back from Iraq in 2004 for a publicity tour to curry more favor for the war and to possibly strike a movie deal. Most of the book takes place at a football event in Dallas, Texas. Billy Lynn is getting a lot of attention because he is from Texas and his heroism was on display on the film. Billy Lynn is just a kid from a normal family. He's never been to a football game. He's never shared a stage with the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders or Destiny's Child. Billy Lynn is having trouble comprehending the shock of going from hot, dry, dirty Iraq where his buddy was killed to a halftime show at a football stadium with fireworks and screaming fans. If you are looking for a book to learn more about the war in Iraq, this isn't it. If you are looking for a book describing what it is like to be in the armed forces in Iraq and returning to the United States and suffering culture shock I think you will enjoy Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk.
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