I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I despised the main character. And yet, in his position would my thoughts and actions be better? I very much doubt it (if for no other reason than that I would most likely not return to the field of battle). War is hard and unpleasant and I, thankfully, have no experience of it. Rarely does it bring out the good in people and I think this book makes one think about how they would react and behave in such a situation, which can only lead to good.