Originally posted on 2/12/06 at 02:53 PM

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From ContraCostaTimes.com | 02/12/2006 |

'Articles' offers a different take on war

By Lynn Carey
CONTRA COSTA TIMES


FEAR. Chaos. Violence. As we enter our fourth year at war, it seems appropriate to look at the viewpoint of a young man in battle. In this case, the young farm boy from Iowa is sent to Normandy shortly after D-Day. He's bored at first, then scared when he finally goes to the combat zone. What he discovers there is that he's a coward.

The novel is "Articles of War," by Nick Arvin (Anchor, 192 pages, $12.95). It's a short book, but powerful. It was recommended last year to the Times Book Club by Judy Wheeler, owner of Towne Center Books in Pleasanton. "It's a view of war that is just scary," she says. "It says how it is in the trenches emotionally. And it takes some unusual twists."

It's only fitting that we'll be going to Towne Center in Pleasanton to discuss "Articles of War," the movie rights of which, Judy says, have been bought by Johnny Depp. So we need to read it before it hits the big screen in a few years.

The book officially comes out in paperback Tuesday