Love My Rifle More Than You: Young and Female in the U.S. Army

by Kayla Williams and Michael E. Staub

Book Overview

Kayla Williams is one of the 15 percent of the U.S. Army that is female, and she is a great storyteller. With a voice that is "funny, frank and full of gritty details" (New York Daily News), she tells of enlisting under Clinton; of learning Arabic; of the sense of duty that fractured her relationships; of being surrounded by bravery and bigotry, sexism and fear; of seeing 9/11 on Al-Jazeera; and of knowing she would be going to war.

With a...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393329224
• ISBN13: 9780393329223
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.7" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Love My Rifle More Than You

"Love My Rifle More Than" You was recommended to me by my niece who is preparing to depart for her [...] of duty in 3 years. She is a Sgt. in the U.S. Army. She drives trucks loaded with young men and women soldiers and ammunition to the frontlines. She explained THIS IS A MUST READ for ANYONE who has a LOVED ONE fighting in todays (as well as understanding previous VETERANS feelings that never will leave them) WAR!! I read it in one day (I've never done that with ANY BOOK - EVER!) I was COMPLETELY ENGULFED. My family took a back seat for that day as I could not drag myself from this young ladies life experiences. If you have anyone in your life who has, or is about to see, WAR....READ "Love MyRifle More Than You"...If it's your CHILD who is "IN THE GIANT SANDBOX" Nnnnnoooooowwwwwww.....Get a prescription for OXYGEN from your doctor before you sit down to read (trust me you will find yourself short of breath). And while your at it a prescripton for Valium so you can sleep afterward. Sleep was illusive for nearly a week afterward. Finally I PASSED OUT, The dreams were not at all comforting. If you are reading this review....and it is YOUR CHILD "OVER THERE". My prayers and undying graditute are with you and your DAUGHTER OR SON!!!! GOD BLESS YOU AND THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Liz F. from Chicago (God BLess America, the one our fore fathers died for, not today atempted "new and improved ONE WORLD,ONE ECONOMY, POLICE STATE that's in the making")

AWESOME read -- for men AND women!

I actually sought out writing a review on this book -- something I rarely do. I picked this book up one day and barely was able to put it down. It is gripping and honest, and it helped me to get a better idea about the war and our soldiers' experience and that of civilians as well. My husband is reading it now and appreciates it as much as I did. Do yourself a favor and read it. I learned about it from [...], where I bought an autographed copy, by the way.

My First Female OIF Read

If you want to understand what it is like for a woman to be serving in Iraq, I would reccommend this. I served in an all male unit overseas recently, but had female friends from other units. What she says parallels what I heard from my friends and what I experienced with women overseas. Bitch or slut. That is all there are. Pass this along to any one who is thinking about joining, and make sure they have a tough skin. The military can be very good in building a lot of positive traits, but there are some drawbacks. It isn't always easy for a woman in the service.

Tells it like it is

My friend, who just began his tour of duty in the war zone, says this book, more than any of the others he has read, helped prepare him for what life as a soldier in Iraq would really be like.

Absolutely incredible

I couldn't put this down. She goes in to what it's like to be a woman in the army. And what it's like to serve in Iraq. And the insane environment of trying to be both peacekeepers and combat soldiers at once. The most amazing thing is how she looks at herself and is critical of how she handles issues. Which gives tremendous credence to the criticism she levels at others. While no book can truly explain what it is like to be in combat, this book comes awfully close. And it makes you appreciate how incredible a lot of our soldiers are - like Sgt. Williams. Update: I have seen people complain about what subjects she concentrates on in the book (sex being a biggie). I think her concentration matches what they she was thinking about over there and that makes it an accurate book. Another vote in it's favor.