American War: A novel

The book starts out slow, but what a fantastic read this was! Mr. El Akkad has a beautiful way with words, and he uses it to good effect to imagine what would happen if the current world situation was reversed and US was the source of fundamentalism which leads to suicide bombers. The dispatches inserted between chapters are well written, and reminded me of Steinbeck's 'Grapes of Wrath'.

I liked the story but found some aspects a little hokey. There was an element of societal score settling, with the powerful getting their comeuppance (the US) and the disenfranchised getting their just reward (the Middle East) that I found overly contrived.

No spoilers: An enjoyable if not uplifting book. It definitely fits the "dystopian" label. Well written. I really didn't know where the book was going till the last third or so. This is not the Hunger Games--don't be looking for heroes, but the book will make you think. Solid 4 stars.

Warning: general, not specific, spoilers. I thought this book would be about global warming and the devastating effects which it may bring in the not-so-far future. In fact, it's a book about war, torture, terrorism and the creation of terrorists. It is unsparing in the spotlight it puts on these subjects. How is someone radicalized? Who is doing the radicalizing? How can we relate to a suicide bomber? These are very pertinent questions in today's world, and very difficult to answer from the perspective of an American looking at 9/11, etc. This novel examines the questions from an American vs American perspective, leaving religious fanaticism out of story. The implications for America in the real world and our role in radicalizing the people who we are so afraid of make this book very timely.

Nice build of characters and the mindset of the people, as well as the Southern State during time of war. Wish there'd been more descriptions of how future technologies may have had impacts on the Second Civil War in terms of tactical moves and strategies (from a military point of view) except obvious mentions of 'the Birds', as well as some detailed accounts of civilian techs aside from tablets and solar vehicles. Other than that, it's been an enjoyable read and I hold this book highly commendable.

Swell written novel that ties together the current political, social and environmental issues that could lead to civil war in the USA and its destruction. I could not put it down as it was so compelling.

There are not enough words in the English language to describe how this book touched me. Never have I read a novel that has so accurately depicted the meaninglessness and fallacy of war, especially a war between persons of one nation. Considering the political and social climate today I believe everyone should read this book, and I will cry for those of you who do not, for you will be the ones leading us into the next war.

Not enough adjectives to do this novel justice: gripping, mesmerizing, gut-wrenching. A novel for our times...somewhat about our times. A MUST-READ. Sarat Chestnut is a character you will not soon forget. A brave, broken, dedicated soul who takes you on her unforgettable journey through a country destroyed in its second Civil War. One of the best books I've read in a long while. Can't wait to see what journalist-turned-novelist Omar El Akkad comes up with next.

This was an interesting book to say the least.

Strengths: the premise, the somewhat clever commentary on modern society and in particular, American society, the writing

Weaknesses: character development, weak plot

7/10

I listened to an interview with the author and was impressed. I then found this book on the store, It is a fictional story about a possible future of the States. I found the story fascinating and food for much thought.

What motivates anybody to do anything? Innate sensibilities? Experiences? Without a doubt, our experiences change the way we make sense of our world.
But the things that an individual does not have the opportunity to experience also change the trajectory of the life, once they learn about the myriad of ways a human life can be led.

This book will stick with me for it's deep look into lives led, lives cut short and lives that lasted too long, and the repercussions of it all. The stories we live out, and the coinciding interpretations that we give ourselves, are the source of the meaning we give to our lives. American War plays this out with a multigenerational look into one family's story and the interpretations they convince themselves are true.

I found the premise quite interesting, and the novel was hard to put down at the end of the day. The plot moved at a good pace, and the author's voice worked well. The author took some liberties with putting certain characters in certain places that seemed a little contrived, but I don't feel for a second that the work suffered much from it. Some may also complain about the use of faux journal entries and news articles as somehow being cliche, but hey, the epistolary method works. If it worked for the likes of Bram Stoker, John Updike, Tom Clancy, and Andy Weir, then I think Mr. El Akkad is in very good company. Keep writing, Omar, and I'll keep reading.

This book makes the case that the vicious circle of violence that we see today between terrorist attacks and our national response to them could find a home here in the United States. At the end, the reader is confronted with the possibility that a never ending war on terrorism could destroy us when people find their life and livelihood taken away or endangered by climate change or sectionalism.

A thought provoking read that I highly recommend.

An excellent dystopian novel today that is beautifully written. It manages to present an epic story in a very personal way. It's especially prescient, given the currently depressing political situation in the U.S., where the plot threads appear all to plausible. I'm not usually drawn to apocalyptic storylines but this novel held me spellbound from the beginning to the end.

masterful accomplished debut fiction; a fully realized tale. I'm amazed at how effortlessly El Akkad transposes our shame and current transgressions from todays Middle East into a narrative tapestry detailing an America future consumed by civil war (manipulated by a foreign power clearly extracting revenge for the past war against Islam) with its own Guantanamo; realistic, viable characters with deadly intent, selfish interests and no concern for the common good or welfare of the suffering. his experience using details obliviously uncovered as a reporter are woven deeply into the narrative adding to the power of his story. how he recounted the recruitment of able hearts and minds willing to sacrifice everything for an ignoble cause was especially poignant.

somewhere out there in the suburbs of Atlanta, between the high-rise residential slums and the vertical farms, lingers a tortured soul seeking justice, coping with a pain so deep and personal it makes you question what you would have done if you were in her shoes, if you would not have done exactly the same thing.

This novel explores what the future could hold and how we are likely to respond. Despite how we might think the USA could not fall prey to civil war again el Akkad's writing makes you reconsider that confidence.

First, the store, stop with the cues before the reviews. It cheapens the review experience.

If you can't imagine the wars of the disintegrating states of Central and Northern Africa or the Middle East coming the United States, El Akkad's book will open your imagination. The story is told in a compelling way, and despite the depressing content, is a compelling read and has a driving narrative. I know I will not watch a defense of military intervention somewhere we have no national interest, a screed against climate science, or a torch bearing defense of the continued presence of statues of confederate generals and politicians without thinking about this story

While fictional, this book touched on a lot of possible realities for our countries future. It was heart warming and at times painful to understand how was can devastate a family both directly and indirectly. It definitely takes it toll on a person. That's what makes the main character so believable, and so relatable.

Seamless narrative propels this disturbing story of a family transformed during a new American civil war. The theme of hate and
revenge as well as scapegoating have resonance in today's political landscape.

For a first book this author has done remarkably well. The book holds interest, develops one major character well. I'm not into "science-fiction" but this book does portend a plausible scenario for our future. The comparison with current political events and characters is somewhat obvious, but that does not detract from the plot or characters to any significant degree.

To assess "American War", one needs to consider what the author intends. If the book is intended as an allegory for the Syrian civil war and other conflicts creating refugee crises, it has merit. El Akkad also does a very good job of getting into the mind of someone who is radicalized and driven to acts of extreme violence, and in the final portion of the book takes an unflinching and deeply troubling look at modern torture methods.

If, however, "American War" is about the divisions within the U.S., it is less successful. El Akkad imagines a nation literally split after today's hyperpartisanship proceeds for another half-century, but the way the nation divides in the book is hard to believe. The book has several Southern states leave the Union not over social issues or religion or trade, but over a federal law banning fossil fuels. This seems more like an issue that would drive states like North Dakota and Oklahoma to secede, as well as Alaska and the libertarian West, but they all stay. The secessionist states are the "Reds", the remainder the "Blues", but that's about the only real reference to today's partisan divide -- and El Akkad casts little light on what life is like on either side beyond the narrow scope of his protagonists. We don't hear about what's on TV or what movies are being made, and while the Internet exists, it's barely a factor. We hear nothing at all about life on the Blue side, except that the federal capital has moved to Columbus, Ohio (why Columbus? he doesn't say) due to rising waters. (Climate change is another passing issue -- Florida is gone and some coastal borders changed, but again, this is barely discussed.)

There is a lot of potential here, but little of it is realized.

This book left me breathless. It describes a possible future of so many current events. The author managed to make the reader FEEL his characters. A truly remarkable vision of a very possible future.

Doesn't miss a beat. A beautiful book with complexity of character and plot, foreshadowing imagery that is at the same time familiar and yet surprisingly new. Highly recommend. One of the best books I've read in a very long time. By the title, and the time period we are living in now, it would seem to be a simple reflection of what may come to be, and it most certainly has that component, but it is so, so much more than that. We read it for my book club and I'm very much looking forward to discussing it.

A book with allegories that are easy to understand yet uncomnprehensible for so may of us who had never lived thru the chaos and turmoil that we as a nation have brought to the rest of the world.
I highly recommend this book, which in my opinion is not about a dystopian future, it is about our current world.