A People's History of the U.S. Military

Summary

This book presents firsthand accounts from ordinary American soldiers across more than two centuries of military conflict. Through letters, diaries, and personal testimonies, historian Michael Bellesiles documents how enlisted men and women experienced war from the Revolutionary War through the Afghanistan conflict. The collection offers perspectives often absent from traditional military histories, revealing the realities of combat, military life, and the lasting impact of warfare on those who served at ground level rather than in command positions.