I just finished reading American Sniper, by Chris Kyle, which my SIL had recommended.

I dunno..... I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want Kyle as a friend, and I'm certain that I wouldn't want him as an enemy....pretty cold-blooded guy that I'm glad was on our side.

I enjoyed the vignettes written by his wife. She opined often--and he even agreed--that Kyle loved the SEALs more than he loved her and his kids.

Fortunately, the last chapter brought redemption to the book, which heretofore was all about unrepentant death-dealing. His formation of Craft International to help damaged servicemen brought some much-needed humanity to his character. (And it would ultimately lead to his death.)

I was glad he decried the treatment of Vietnam veterans, who I remember were ridiculed--and even spat upon--when they returned home. And I'm glad he sought to reaffirm his role as a father and a husband.

But mainly, the book was an unapologetic tome on glorifying war and the killing it entails. That would make it a fine yarn for some, but not for others. Definitely PG-13.

Lone Survivor is better, IMO. Band of Brothers is better too. All Quiet on the Western Front is best.

The Story of Billy the Kid by Charles Siringo. It was originally published as a dime novel, the author was a Texas cowboy turned Pinkerton Agent, turned author. He wrote stories that he lived, including the capture of Billy the Kid. Siringo died in 1921, and his dime novels are still being published. Easy quick read, with a little humor, history and a lot of fact all rolled in to his books.

Lone Survivor and American Sniper

American Sniper is an us-vs-them, John Wayne, we're good/they're bad, book written in a pompous style by an unrepentant death-dealer. You want Chris Kyle with you in a dark alley, but you don't want him as a friend.

I'm betting both movies will be better than the books that spawned them, especially if the films can infuse some humanity into the protagonists. Kyle really needs a softer edge to his character to make him digestible.