Roger Blake

I always find it difficult to rate and review a memoir. While I'm critiquing the book, and not the author's life, it often feels like one and the same (especially to the author). So I want to start by saying I have immense respect for Roger Blake. His honesty in sharing his experiences had to be heart-wrenching to relive in writing. PTSD, especially with military personnel, is finally getting some attention, but it needs much more. Books like this one are essential if we are to understand what we're doing to our men and women in combat, and what they need from us to help their transition back to regular life.

With Ramjet, Roger Blake offers us an unflinching look at a man whose promising young life spirals out of control. He touches on an issue I found particularly interesting, which is whether genetics play a part in PTSD. Another issue I found myself pondering is how much family support - or the lack thereof - matters. Would victims of PTSD suffer less if they returned home to a better equipped family support system?

The writing here is quite professional, although, at times, a bit distant. I could almost feel the author pulling away, as if getting too deep inside the emotions hurt in a way he couldn't yet express. I would have liked to know more about his return home. The Vietnam War was incredibly controversial, and the men returning often felt victimized by their own country. I also would have liked to know more about his therapy now that he has finally received a diagnosis and treatment.

Despite what I would have liked to see included, this story belongs to Roger Blake and only he knows what was most important to him at any given moment. It's not up to me to decide what he should or should not have included in his story. And, while this book might not be perfect, neither are any of our lives. This story is a powerful one that demands acknowledgement. For a very long time, we've been sacrificing men like Roger, and now women as well. It's about time we looked closely at the damage we're causing.… (mais)