Wednesday, November 20, 2013

{Review} THE FEMALE VETERAN by Ty Will

ISBN #: 978-1478705895
Page Count: 126
Copyright: June 20, 2013
Publisher: Outskirts Press


Book Summary:
(Taken from back cover)

On the heels of the Oscar-nominated documentary, "The Invisible War," comes a story that everyone who has a mother, daughter, aunt, sister or grandmother in the Armed Forces should read.

Over 3000 female veterans file MST (Military Sexual Trauma) reports every year. In 2010, a survey was sent out to all Armed Forces, the results showed more than 19,000 female veterans had been sexually harassed. That is more than 50 veterans a day!


About the Author:

Ty Will served in the Army Reserves from 1987-1989. She went into active duty from 1989 - 1992 then returned to the Reserves until she was honorably discharged in 1995. She served on a secret Drug Interdiction Mission and was awarded the Army Achievement Medal in 1991. Despite receiving this achievement, she has never actually received the medal, like so many other soldiers.


Mandy's Review:

Let me start my review by saying that I believe MST to be a real problem in the military, especially with the influx of women soldiers over the years. Granted, you piss a bunch of men off by invading the boys' club and things like this happen. I'm not making excuses, but something like this should have been anticipated and prepared for. Of course, with the military being previously testosterone-driven, I can see why it wasn't anticipated and why it needs to be remedied now.

Also, I agree that women veterans suffering from legitimate MST problems need a viable venue for receiving help. Throwing a woman suffering from MST in a room of men will only set her healing back. However, I also believe that you can only help people who want to be helped. People only going to therapy to seek attention aren't doing themselves any good and they're wasting people's time and money.

All of that being said ... I didn't like this book.

First of all, the "author" didn't write this book. She simply copied notes and reports from her various therapists, sometimes adding (what I'm sure she thought was funny) notes at the end of each. The comments weren't funny and I didn't laugh ... once.

Personally, I think this lady's issues began way before she joined the military. Her mood swings, cursing, and general personality just made me want to scream. For every rape story you hear about where the lady can't deal with, there's other rape stories you don't hear about where the lady dealt with it, moved on, and is living a happy life. I should know. I'm one of them.

Your life is what you make of it. If you choose to dwell in pain and misery, then that's what you're going to have in your life. If you choose to deal with your situation and problem and actually heal, then you can move forward and be happy again. It's YOUR choice. I don't feel pity for those who CHOOSE to dwell in their pain and misery. You can call me heartless if you want to, but I won't lose any sleep over it. After all, we are supposed to write honest reviews, right?


*A paperback copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

1 comment:

  1. I don't care if you rip my book apart Mandy but in your 1st paragraph you blame the victim for this happening and that is BS. The military has been hiding this for decades - my attempt in writing about it is just one story of thousands. I had a friend, who was also raped, and the letter she wrote to me said women in the military have a right to keep their legs closed. Really? I was on duty ,I wasn't drinking and ended up at a hotel - I was on duty doing my job. There is no excuse for someone taking advantage of another and no excuse for you to blame another women how she handles her rape!

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