Review of Brothers Bound

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Gabriela Contreras Gonzalez
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Review of Brothers Bound

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[Following is a volunteer review of "Brothers Bound" by Bruce K. Berger.]
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5 out of 5 stars
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Carl von Clausewitz once said that “war is an act of violence pushed to its utmost limits.” The book Brothers Bound by Bruce K. Berger is a semiautobiographical book that perfectly explains this quote, as this is not only a tale of war but also of surviving and finding something worth fighting for.

Set between the United States and Vietnam (but mostly in Vietnam), the story follows Brian Charles Kinder (Buck) and Jaimes Jones (Hues), two young soldiers that briefly met before being deployed to Vietnam. Once there, they were separated into two different units, but as war often does, they were reunited again in the most inconvenient circumstances. One day, while helping with the recovery of bodies, Buck and Hues were kidnapped and taken as war prisoners. There, they were forced to fight for their lives in more than one way. This is a story about what motivates a person to keep fighting and survive.
Something I appreciate about the book is that the events the author describes in the book are a combination of his own experiences, the tales he heard, and the destruction he witnessed. He, thankfully, was never a prisoner of war, but several soldiers were, and they probably suffered what Buck and Hues did, or even crueler things that I cannot imagine. The book gives a different perspective of war, as this is not just a story of destruction but of faith and friendship, and that is something we can experience in our everyday life.

My favorite character was Hues, but I also appreciated how well-crafted Buck was, as well as the rest of the characters. I am certain several characters are based on people the author met, as they felt real; the book never feels fictional. But the thing I loved the most was the powerful and incredible relationships the author created through this book, because we do not need to be in pain or prisoners of war to realize that those who have helped us, cared for us, and loved us will always be there, no matter what happens. True friendship and love can be found even when we seem to be in a loveless place. As the author said, this book is dedicated to and inspired by those who have given their lives in war, but also to those relationships, memories, and moments of hope that kept soldiers alive.

There is nothing negative I can say about Brothers Bound. The book has been professionally edited, the author’s writing style is simple yet honest and powerful, the descriptions of places and feelings are vivid, and I am certain the book will bring tears to most of its readers’s faces. The only rating this book deserves is 5 out of 5 stars.

As a trigger warning, the book has graphic descriptions of violence, which might upset some readers; for this reason, I believe it is suitable for adults or mature young adults. I also recommend it to people in the psychology field, especially those who often help veterans or people who have been in war zones. I also recommend it to historians. I also recommend keeping tissues close by, as once you stop crying with the book, you will not stop until the end.

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Brothers Bound
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