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Packing Inferno: The Unmaking of a Marine Paperback – September 1, 2008

by Tyler E. Boudreau (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 42 ratings
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Tyler E. Boudreau is a twelve-year veteran of the Marine Corps infantry. He trained and committed himself physically and intellectually to the military life. Then his intense devotion began to disintegrate, bit by bit, during his final mission in Iraq. After returning home, he discovered a turmoil developing in his mind, estranging him from his loved ones and the bill of goods he eagerly purchased as a marine officer.

Packing Inferno is the spectacularly written story of the ordeal of a marine officer in battle and then coming home. It is the struggle with a society resistant to understand the true nature of war. It is the fight with combat stress and an exploration into the process of recovery. It is the search for conscience, family, and ultimately for one's essential self. Here are the reflections of a man built by the Marine Corps, disassembled by war, and left with no guidance to rebuild himself.

This is Tyler E. Boudreau's first book. He currently lives in western Massachusetts, where he works with other veterans on many projects related to war.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    226 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Feral House
  4. Publication date
    September 1, 2008
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1932595325
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1932595321
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Former marine officer Boudreau documents his struggles with the demons of war in this uneven memoir. Initially infatuated with war, the author was deployed to Iraq in March 2004 as the assistant operations officer for an infantry battalion. His wartime experiences, however, left him increasingly disillusioned and ambivalent; unable to face another deployment, Boudreau resigned from the Marine Corps after 12 years of service. The author's rage stems from his frustration with the U.S. mission in Iraq, which he concludes is un-accomplishable, noting, I see my fellow Marines getting blown away for nothing and with no chance whatsoever of success. Boudreau dismisses the surge strategy and greets stories of tactical success with skepticism. The author's efforts to call attention to veterans' psychological wounds are commendable, but his brief against the U.S. mission in Iraq—a labyrinth of... unattainable goals—is supported by occasionally suspect statistics (i.e., his exaggerated figures for army suicides). Boudreau writes convincingly about his inner struggles and draws on a seabag of colorful anecdotes to support his observations and conclusions in this provocative if flawed memoir. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Tyler Boudreau grew up in the Boston area and joined the Marine Corps infantry in 1989. Upon completion of his enlistment, he attended college, earned his commission, and returned to the Marines as an infantry officer in 1997. After his tour in Iraq and twelve years of active service, he resigned his commission in 2005.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Feral House; First Edition (September 1, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 226 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1932595325
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1932595321
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 42 ratings

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
42 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

M. Beatqapald.mal.mtie
5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless Classic This Book Will Be
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2017
Verified Purchase
I don't read many books about war. I have a few great ones in my library such as "With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa" (https://www.amazon.com/Old-Breed-At-Peleliu-Okinawa/dp/0891419063/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1510120051&sr=1-1&keywords=With+the+Old+Breed), "Easy Company Soldier: The Legendary Battles of a Sergeant from World War II's "Band of Brothers" https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Company-Soldier-Legendary-Sergeant/dp/031256323X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1510120101&sr=1-1&keywords=Easy+company+soldier and "Soul of the Lion: A Biography of General Joshua L. Chamberlain." https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Lion-Biography-General-Chamberlain/dp/1879664011/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1510120227&sr=1-1&keywords=Soul+of+the+LIon which I heartily recommend.

I chose to read this book because I am the mother of an OIF combat veteran. Tyler Boudreau's book is a must-read. It is raw, candid, powerfully descriptive. It will stimulate the reader to re-think everything they thought they knew about war, veterans, and the struggle of warriors when they return from battle and try to re-engage with their old reality. Boudreau offers a great deal of information that will be helpful to anyone who has a combat veteran in their life, and actually anyone who doesn't. It's right up there with "Band of Brothers," "The Pacific," and "Letters from Iwo Jima."

While I have not finished reading the book, I can mention one of the things that has jumped out at me. Boudreau impresses on the reader how important it is to listen. To listen attentively, to listen without recoiling, to listen without judgment to the stories of every single combat veteran. Every single story is important and it is critical for every veteran's story to be heard no matter how mundane or how violent it may be. Talking about their stories is healing.

One other powerful issue Boudreau addresses is the need to change how we view "PTSD." The combat stress in our veterans is not a disorder. They are not broken. They are struggling with a deep conflict between their empathetic hearts and the dehumanizing they endured (dehumanizing of themselves and of those they fought). They have suffered moral injuries that are not being addressed. Boudreau is on a mission to improve that and his book ends on a hopeful note.

Read.This.Book.
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Graveyard Dave
5.0 out of 5 stars Tales of Fighting the Nameless, Faceless Enemies in "The War on Terror"
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2015
Verified Purchase
A worthy and important book from a Marine who lived the truth of another unclear war waged against a ghost-like, unfocused enemy. Tyler Boudreau always wanted to fight the Good Fight in a Righteous War Against Tyranny. He joined with no delusions of Collegiate Brotherhood or Learning a Trade; he wanted it hard and dirty. That's what he got. But over time he began to question the motives behind the STILL ongoing "War on Terror" - the longest running conflict in U.S. history. He doesn't turn cowardly or begin pointing fingers at whomever thought the war on Islamic Terror was a good idea, but he relates the rather pointless and frustrating battle against a foe he cannot see - the shadows that plant IEDs along the heavily traveled roads and fire rockets from places that are abandoned long before the troops are able to locate them. Boudreau does not pontificate and whine, he just tells us the things that happened to him, around him, and because of him. And he brings the war home in his head, attached like some dead conjoined sibling that he must drag along with him through "regular" civilian life. A well written and eye opening book on the endless confusion, smoke and mirrors of our Corporate Puppet Masters sending our young men to die in nameless deserts for something thus far undefined by the "Masters of War."
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Laura C. Newman
5.0 out of 5 stars Bittersweet
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2010
Verified Purchase
As a long lost friend, I bought a copy of Tyler Boudreau's book to catch a glimpse of what he had been up to over the past two decades. I was expecting it to be a story about war, but categorizing it as a "war book" would do the book, and the author, a disservice. Labeling it a "military diary" of sorts, only skims the surface of this page-turning book documenting his time in the Marines and eventually Iraq. What struck me most were the small details in the book that even a civilian like me could relate to. The intense craving of a Pop Tart and the subsequent betrayal when it goes missing, the helplessness and rage when a bottle of salad dressing slips through his hands, and the fear associated, not with dying in war, but with letting go of attachments...ultimately ending a 15 year love affair with the United States Marine Corps. Written with honesty, smarts, and wit, Packing Inferno is a tribute to our service men and women. The lessons Tyler learned, can be applied to all walks of life. We are all on that quest to fulfill our dreams, but how do we cope when our dreams fails us?
2 people found this helpful
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Edward H. Folkwein
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all peacemakers.
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2009
Verified Purchase
This book helped me understand the need and desire to satisfy the warrior in many people. Tyler Boudreau tells why he enlisted in the Marines and the positive effects on him. He explains why he continued the journey from 'grunt' to an officer. His truthful story raises many questions about war, especially killing, contradictory goals and orders and the mental anguish resulting from a killing culture. Boudreau's honest telling of his experiences when he returned home from Iraq, opened my eyes to the seemingly extreme responses from my veteran friends in certain situations. He raises the issue of why more people don't question the insanity of war, especially faith-based folks. Be aware that Boudreau writes like a Marine talks. Read, ponder and become sensitized to many who have returned from military service and are trying to adjust to a life without killing. Peace, seek peace.
4 people found this helpful
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Mark L. Dallner
4.0 out of 5 stars Tyler tells his story of being a Marine and how ...
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2015
Verified Purchase
Tyler tells his story of being a Marine and how it effected him. Compelling reading and not a book for those thinking going to war is a glorious thing.
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Top reviews from other countries

Gordon UK
5.0 out of 5 stars The truth revealed
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2009
Verified Purchase
These memoirs are a fascinating yet disturbing insight in what it is like to be at the sharp end of politicians' decisions and the affect on those who have to carry out often unpleasant duties. Boudreau reveals the truth of fighting a war for dubious reasons and balancing the winning of "hearts and minds" against combatting those who perhaps legitimately are opposing the invading forces. It should be read by everyone interested in what we were told was a war of liberation and part of the so-called "war on terror" when it was actually a move to secure what Cheney referred to as "the great prize" - control of the oil reserves.
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