Odysseus in America: Combat Trauma and the Trials of Homecoming
Seamlessly combining important psychological work and brilliant literary interpretation with an impassioned plea to renovate American military institutions, Shay deepens our understanding of both the combat veteran's experience and one of the world's greatest classics.
Reviews (61)
Great Insight and Resource!
The author makes a compelling case that the Odyssey is really the story of coming home after a soldier experiences the trauma of combat and the undoing of character (as detailed in “Achilles in Vietnam”). It helped me enormously in my work with vets and even those who did not experience the specific combat “flavor” of trauma. Great resource.
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.
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.
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
Nothing New in the Universe- Only the Old Revealed as New to the Next Generation
Good companion to Dr. Shay's eye opening PTSD breakthrough, "Achilles in Vietnam". Even after all these years there were new revelations for this old Marine grunt reader. Highly recommended for the vet of any war or his family.
Worth buying twice 2
For insight into returning combat Veterans Dr. Shay is a wealth of insight. At times I got the feel that his reading of the Homer's classics moved toward isogesis (opposite of "exegesis"; reading his own meanings into the text). But with regard to his experience of working with Vietnam Veterans the book is worth buying twice.
Anyone who works with veterans in any capacity - whether ...
Anyone who works with veterans in any capacity - whether as a health care provider or simply as a coworker - should read this book for insights into why seemingly random, self-destructive behaviors actually make sense in the context of a person who has experienced military conflict.
soldier's return
Nothing changes-only the characters' names. Odysseus, or maybe Ulysses, is going to find his way home but damaged as are the solders coming home now-to their bewildered wives who have had to cope in their absence-Doctor Jonathan Shay knows his history as was shown in ACHILLES IN VIETNAM. In this analysis of the return of the soldier he shows he understands the human heart as well. It is better to weep over a story because you can close the book-more difficult to cry over real life because then you will never stop.And we have been crying over Penelope and the wandering Odysseus forever-
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.
Incredible
Shay has the most unique perspective I’ve ever read in terms of Homer, can’t recommend enough.
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