By Any Means Necessary by John Tsukayama is a story about the darkest nook and cranny of human nature at its worst: war. The men interviewed in this book have all been involved in a direct act of violence and torture towards combatants and civilians of other counties, specifically Iraq and Afghanistan. Each one of them tells us the story in first person with meticulous details. They all went to war believing in the propaganda spreading at the time: exportation of democracy. But in the end, they all realise all that mattered was to live another day and possibly return home with as many comrades as possible. In the end, they all have to confront their darkest side and accept their past to resume living in the present The pace is quick, from one tale to another. I find that the summing point of this story by Mr Tsukayama is one soldier saying this: ‘soldiers are more than willing to, you know, kill for their country, but do not want to die for it.’ And this is one truth about war no one tells about. I choose this book because it’s interesting, from a rational point of view, to dig into the human mind and try to understand human behaviour. It’s not a way to justify it, but to simply understand. So, if that’s what you’re looking for, this book it for you. However, if crude and it confirms something I always suspected: abuse is an accepted aspect of war. By the time I reached chapter five, dedicated to Miller, it felt like reading a book about mafia terrorists. Reviewed for Readers' Favorite
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Some people say to never trust a spy.
Aboard Hydra Station, Halazar wakes up to the news of the death of her commanding officer. The Manderian militia appoints her to unmask who’s responsible. As if the investigation wasn’t going to be hard already, she’s been saddled with an agent from the secret service, who has complete authority over the investigation. A suspect disappears along with his family. Innocent lives are at stake and Halazar must choose between duty and justice.
A dangerous murder. A scientific discovery that may change the course of history. A woman in a glass-tank with no memory.
Three parallel destinies entwine in a war-raging galaxy.
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