I listened to an audiobook version of this book first, but reading the physical book made me appreciate the story more - simply because I had more time to reflect upon the ideas and admire the writing style. Barker deftly makes her case against war not by focusing on the physical violence (although there are instances from war, the therapy session with Yealland is described in more detail), but on the psychological effects. In addition, Rivers is a good substitute for the reader as he realizes how war literally turns society upside-down: creating conditions of helplessness that make men as neurotic as women in peacetime; forcing (old) doctors to heal (young) men so that the latter can resume their self-destructive activities. Are these effects worthwhile when there is no ultimate standard?

Dates: 1-8 March 2014