Wages of War: When America's Soldiers Came Home

Wages of War examines how American veterans were treated upon returning home from major conflicts, starting with the Revolutionary War through the Vietnam War. The book documents the experiences of soldiers transitioning back to civilian life and their interactions with government systems meant to support them. The authors present historical records, personal accounts, and official documents to show patterns in how the United States has handled veteran care over two centuries. Each chapter focuses on a specific war's aftermath, tracking medical treatment, benefit programs, social reintegration, and political responses to veterans' needs. Drawing from extensive research across multiple wars and eras, this work analyzes the recurring challenges faced by returning soldiers and the evolution of veteran support systems in America. The parallel stories from different time periods reveal persistent issues in how nations care for those who serve in their military forces. The book raises fundamental questions about the relationship between a society and its veterans, examining the gap between wartime promises and peacetime realities. Through its historical lens, it prompts consideration of how nations should fulfill their obligations to returning soldiers.

Readers cite this book's detailed focus on the treatment of veterans from multiple American wars, though some note it takes a decidedly negative view of government policies. The systematic research and historical documentation receive frequent mention in reviews. Liked: - Comprehensive coverage spanning multiple conflicts - First-person accounts and testimonials from veterans - Examination of health issues like Agent Orange exposure - Analysis of veterans' benefits programs Disliked: - Perceived anti-government bias - Limited coverage of positive veteran reintegration stories - Dense policy details that slow the narrative - Some outdated information (published 1989) Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (14 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (6 reviews) One reader called it "eye-opening but depressing," while another praised its "careful documentation of systemic failures." A veteran reviewer noted it "finally told the full story of what many of us faced coming home."

When Johnny Comes Marching Home by William Pencak Chronicles the challenges faced by American veterans returning from multiple wars throughout U.S. history, examining their reintegration into civilian society and the evolution of veteran support systems.

The Last of the Doughboys by Richard Rubin Documents the firsthand accounts of the final surviving American World War I veterans and their experiences transitioning back to civilian life in the 1920s.

What Soldiers Do by Mary Louise Roberts Examines the complex social dynamics between American GIs and French civilians during and after World War II, focusing on the soldiers' return and readjustment to American society.

Achilles in Vietnam by Jonathan Shay Connects the psychological trauma experienced by Vietnam veterans with classical literature to illuminate the timeless nature of war trauma and homecoming struggles.

War Without End by David Kieran Analyzes the experiences of American veterans from Korea, Vietnam, and the Global War on Terror, tracking the patterns of their homecomings and societal reception across different eras.

📚 The book covers the homecoming experiences of veterans from eight American wars, spanning from the Revolutionary War through the Gulf War, revealing patterns of neglect that consistently faced returning soldiers. 🏥 The authors uncovered evidence that after World War II, many atomic veterans (soldiers exposed to radiation during nuclear tests) were denied medical care because their records were classified as "top secret." 🗣️ Richard Severo, one of the authors, was a veteran himself and an award-winning New York Times journalist who specialized in investigating healthcare and veterans' issues. ⚕️ The book documents how Civil War veterans suffering from what we now recognize as PTSD were often diagnosed with "soldier's heart" and provided little to no treatment or support. 💰 The research reveals that the GI Bill, while revolutionary, initially excluded many African American veterans who were denied access to education and housing benefits, particularly in Southern states.