THE NEW LEGIONS

by Donald Duncan ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 9, 1967

Donald Duncan returned from Vietnam to denounce in Ramparts and later testify publicly against the dehumanization of the individual by the military, and the extension of its influence over our society. A professional soldier who had originally considered himself the unlikeliest of candidates ""for membership in the world's largest and least democratic organization,"" Duncan spent over ten years in the army, as combatant, recruiter, desk man. His book is at once a passionate and considered indictment, brought home by his own experiences in training and combat dealt out with bayonet-like immediacy. His reasoning, to become a soldier is to be brutalized, not necessarily knowingly. Beyond this, in our society ""so pervasive is the propensity to think in military terms that America's everyday language has become one large euphemism"" (the classic of our time, ""Peace offensive""); our very survival depends on a reversal of this circumstance. Duncan slashes at our wars of self-interest, says that we should develop an alternative to communism if we believe it is wrong, that we should fight to help people, not governments. His own military action lends urgency to his disenchantment. A powerful protest that will make itself heard across the land.

Pub Date: June 9, 1967

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1967

Categories: NONFICTION