DUNSTABLE, ENGLAND -- The publication by AnyTongueBooks.Com of the controversial "White Man Black War/Objects In The Rear View Mirror" by Special Forces war veteran Bruce Moore-King has re-ignited the debate over the treatment of soldiers and ex-soldiers.
In an angry foreword addressed to "civilian voters" and his fellow war veterans worldwide, Moore-King has lashed out at politicians and civilians alike.
"We, the soldiers society sends to war with gratitude, marching bands and bright-eyed woman, are being abused and despised by those that sent us to fight so that they, the civilians of society, can hide from mirrors.", he writes, calling on the "obscene hypocrisy" to stop, and for soldiers to re-gain their self respect.
Directly addressing fellow war veterans, Moore-King describes his perspective of why soldiers are being badly treated; "We make civilians and voters uncomfortable with the undeniable reality of our existence. We remind them of the wars they started, and all the dead and maimed they caused. It would be much more comfortable for all if we were in body bags or locked away in some quiet place that didn't allow the press to visit."
Moore-King's attitude toward politicians is particularly bitter, condemning "People who walk past begging wrecks stretched out on the pavement, people who turn their embarrassed eyes away from the squalid homes and shelters that cater for the maimed, the crippled and those dying very very slowly as budgets are conveniently and quietly slashed so that politicians, by definition and obligation doing the people's bidding, can give an extra billion or two in headline grabbing "aid" to some knuckle-dragging Swiss-banked dictator running a concentration camp of a country somewhere on the edge of the stone age. Politicians should be viewed like gynaecologists or dentists - occasionally useful, sometimes needed, but, really, you have to wonder why any particular individual chooses the profession."
The format of the book itself has added to the controversy. Marketed as a 3D-EBOOK™, it is a downloadable package that includes video and audio created by the writer to add audio visual expression to his writing.
"We have added to the writer's creative scope, without in anyway diminishing the power and importance of the writing itself", said Sue Downes, Marketing Manager for AnyTongueBooks.Com, "The end result is a complete sensory experience for the reader that is very, very powerful. This is the new book format for the 21st Century"
Moore-King's use of actual war footage with his writing has shocked some readers, but, according to Ms Downes, that is the reality the writer has been aiming for in writing about war and it's effects.
"The writing preceding each video defines the video, For example, in one piece Moore-King is writing about a character experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. You read that powerful, written, insight, and then you turn the page and you see and hear Moore-King's audio-visual expression of what PTSD feels like, is like", she said, "I challenge anyone to experience that communication from the writer, and walk away unmoved. The reader will know, will have an actual knowledge, of what PTSD feels like".
In the concluding part of his foreword to fellow veterans, Moore-King gives his starling opinion on what actually causes PTSD, and describes the stages of the process ex-soldiers have to face; "When you come out of the furnace, the first things that hit you are the colours (too bright), the loud noises (can't identify them immediately, reflexes therefore say danger), and all these vehicles and people and noises moving fast around you (same reflex)."
In conclusion Moore-King defines what makes veterans different ; "We soldiers, active or retired, must understand that we are different, and not be conned into being ashamed of that fact. We have walked roads in worlds where mirrors dominate the terrain.
We come to know who we are, and not be fearful of our reflections.
We have personal knowledge and knowledge of person that cannot and need not be denied. We have a knowledge of War, and through that, of the reality of human circumstance, and what it means to be human".
He then finishes angrily "The message to the civilian voters from every honest soldier coming home from a war started by those same civilian voters must be; "Its your bloody war I've been fighting, so you adapt to what I am, I'm not adapting to what you are." And specifically to soldiers he says "Remember, never ever be ashamed of what you are and have been - a soldier. It is an honourable and honoured way of life."
White Man Black War / Objects In The Rear View Mirror is available in ten languages, with a full print out facility, from http://www.anytonguebooks.com priced £5
Note to Editors: Ten languages are English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Dutch, Portuguese, Polish, and Russian.
Telephone: 01582 656629
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