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The Battle Within
Major Hugh Dégaré never thought working a desk job could be worse than combat. But shortly after starting a new position in a bureaucratic military headquarters far from the front lines, he finds himself fighting to maintain his grip on reality. Amid sleepless nights and intense memories from his combat service, he does what he’s always done―takes action.
Afraid of being stigmatized by his chain of command, he turns to a psychologist and an estranged friend, Daryl, now an ex-soldier. Despite his best efforts, Hugh’s rage continues to grow. When his support network starts to fall apart with no end to his symptoms in sight, Hugh finally turns to a questionable military medical system, desperate to do anything to save his career, marriage, and life itself. His last hope is that the system supposedly designed to help him doesn’t put the final nail into his coffin instead.
Afraid of being stigmatized by his chain of command, he turns to a psychologist and an estranged friend, Daryl, now an ex-soldier. Despite his best efforts, Hugh’s rage continues to grow. When his support network starts to fall apart with no end to his symptoms in sight, Hugh finally turns to a questionable military medical system, desperate to do anything to save his career, marriage, and life itself. His last hope is that the system supposedly designed to help him doesn’t put the final nail into his coffin instead.
- GenresFiction
350 pages, Paperback
Published June 27, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 5, 2017
Alistair Luft weaves an evocative tale of love and trauma, of life and death. Luft tells the story of Hugh Dégaré, a Soldier in the Canadian Army, who has risen in the ranks from Private to Major through, courage, grit, and a bit of good fortune. The story picks up Dégaré's career as he struggles with a new challenge, life in a Headquarters, separated from the soldiers who he has lived his entire adult life. Dégaré, deals with these new challenges while simultaneously addressing or trying to address the ghosts of, seemingly, another life. As he comes to grips with working in an almost foreign environment he struggles to balance his personal life with the love of his life Elizabeth, her seemingly incompatible family, and the ghosts that traumatize him from the past.
Through Dégaré, Alistair tells the tale of every Canadian Soldier. He recounts, based off of years of experience in the Canadian Armed Forces, how a Soldier deals with, or in Dégaré's case, doesn't deal with the stresses associated with deployments across the globe.
The ghosts from the past are described in such a way that the reader can almost see their faces. The ghosts are born not just from active combat, but also from the actions not taken over the course of a career.
Throughout the story Luft brushes the surface of the alarming rate of Veteran suicide, the causes, and more importantly the effect.
This is a powerful firsthand account of what life in the military can lead to. This story is a wonderful dive into the life and mentality of a Soldier (maybe to some extent every Soldier). For anyone looking to examine the experiences of this generation's Veterans, anyone living with or related to a Soldier, or anyone looking at how Soldiers interact with society as a whole, The Battle Within will give you a first person view of what the cost of war really is.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It deals with a very difficult and uncomfortable subject from someone with a enough experience and credibility to tell the truth.
Through Dégaré, Alistair tells the tale of every Canadian Soldier. He recounts, based off of years of experience in the Canadian Armed Forces, how a Soldier deals with, or in Dégaré's case, doesn't deal with the stresses associated with deployments across the globe.
The ghosts from the past are described in such a way that the reader can almost see their faces. The ghosts are born not just from active combat, but also from the actions not taken over the course of a career.
Throughout the story Luft brushes the surface of the alarming rate of Veteran suicide, the causes, and more importantly the effect.
This is a powerful firsthand account of what life in the military can lead to. This story is a wonderful dive into the life and mentality of a Soldier (maybe to some extent every Soldier). For anyone looking to examine the experiences of this generation's Veterans, anyone living with or related to a Soldier, or anyone looking at how Soldiers interact with society as a whole, The Battle Within will give you a first person view of what the cost of war really is.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It deals with a very difficult and uncomfortable subject from someone with a enough experience and credibility to tell the truth.
July 11, 2017
A great vacation book, compelling, intense and a hard to put it down. A must read for anyone with authority in the free world to put others in harms way! Real insight into the hidden cost of conflict. Loved it!
August 21, 2017
In this gripping novel, we follow the implosion of the military career and more importantly the life of a soldier suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The account feels all too real, with lurid details of the depression and anger that compete to take over the protagonist's mind. It is a fascinating insight into the real feelings most soldiers experience once they have returned from a theatre of operation and are left considering the actions they have taken, against the backdrop of a changing national outlook towards the conflict that motivated those actions. In the protagonist’s case, his inability to justify himself leads to his mental collapse.
Many lessons can be drawn from this novel, as it clearly describes the compounding effects of various stressors within the military system, the medical systems (both military and civilian), and the familial and friend support networks. The account is vivid, and the details perfectly encapsulate the raw emotions and language of soldiers, especially when among themselves. I believe all soldiers will easily identify with the protagonist, and I hope those that are suffering will recognize the feelings expressed in this novel, and realize they are not alone in feeling this way.
Many lessons can be drawn from this novel, as it clearly describes the compounding effects of various stressors within the military system, the medical systems (both military and civilian), and the familial and friend support networks. The account is vivid, and the details perfectly encapsulate the raw emotions and language of soldiers, especially when among themselves. I believe all soldiers will easily identify with the protagonist, and I hope those that are suffering will recognize the feelings expressed in this novel, and realize they are not alone in feeling this way.
August 21, 2017
The Battle Within was captivating throughout. Alastair really captures the emotional turmoil and social challenges associated with operational stress injuries/PTSD, and the way he tells the story makes it almost impossible to put down. I highly recommend it, especially for anyone whose life has been touched by PTSD in some way. Truly a "GoodRead."
August 15, 2017
I liked this book. It was an easy read and I would recommend it.
August 7, 2017
An excellent book despite/because of the subject matter. Major Dégaré who has returned from combat, begins to experience psychological trauma after being involved in horrific events on the front line. The reader is brought into the world of PTSD, where we see Dégaré's symptoms escalate, creating immense psychological and physical distress, as he struggles in both his professional and personal life.
The book is extremely well written and gripping. The tension builds throughout the book, making the reader want to continue with both hope and dread.
The book also appealed to me because it did not show bias, but instead brings in multiple viewpoints on PTSD, public perceptions, military and political issues/decisions.
Highly recommended!
The book is extremely well written and gripping. The tension builds throughout the book, making the reader want to continue with both hope and dread.
The book also appealed to me because it did not show bias, but instead brings in multiple viewpoints on PTSD, public perceptions, military and political issues/decisions.
Highly recommended!
June 26, 2017
I was fortunate enough to get an early copy of this novel and could not put it down. The story helped shed light on the struggles of those with PTSD and gave me a new appreciation for those that battle through it in while trying to balance life. I can't wait for his next book...
August 7, 2017
Great, great and did I say great! Loved this book, although the ending left something to be desired. Anyone who has been touched by PTSD you should read this. If you ever wanted to understand PTSD this might give you a glimpse. Hugh experiences not one traumatic thing but many and they take their toll on his mind. When they become too much for him to process will it destroy him? Will the horrors of our past destroy us or is there a way out?
August 2, 2017
I purchased this book not only because I grew up with Alastair and wanted to support him but also because I was curious about PTSD and the Canadian Military. I knew it would be a good read but I must say I BLOWN AWAY by the gripping story Alastair has created. This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat desperate to know what was going to happen next, needless to say I read it within a couple of days! The way Alastair has woven together facts, firsthand knowledge of Canada, and fictional characters is top notch - much, much more than I expected from a first novel!
While the subject matter is heavy it was also eye-opening and I sincerely hope that this book can be used to help change the perspective of our government and the public with regards to military service and PTSD and that we can do more to help our soldiers deal with this life altering condition.
While the subject matter is heavy it was also eye-opening and I sincerely hope that this book can be used to help change the perspective of our government and the public with regards to military service and PTSD and that we can do more to help our soldiers deal with this life altering condition.
April 28, 2021
I thought it started a little slow, but the story definitely ramped up as it progressed, with all the plot threads tying together in an explosive ending that had me figuratively biting my nails on behalf of the story's protagonist.
This protagonist, Major Hugh Dégaré, is a deeply flawed individual (even before we take the PTSD angle into account) but also very human. I'll admit I was prepared to dislike him in the beginning: he seemed like the sort of arrogant prick who has everybody neatly docketed in his mind at first glance, dismissing as irrelevant anyone who can't bench their own weight. But Luft succeeds in making him sympathetic in spite of this and in spite of some rather horrible actions taken in the course of the story. Dégaré's rage comes across as very natural, his struggle feels very real, and the conclusion feels as inevitable as anything written by Sophocles.
This protagonist, Major Hugh Dégaré, is a deeply flawed individual (even before we take the PTSD angle into account) but also very human. I'll admit I was prepared to dislike him in the beginning: he seemed like the sort of arrogant prick who has everybody neatly docketed in his mind at first glance, dismissing as irrelevant anyone who can't bench their own weight. But Luft succeeds in making him sympathetic in spite of this and in spite of some rather horrible actions taken in the course of the story. Dégaré's rage comes across as very natural, his struggle feels very real, and the conclusion feels as inevitable as anything written by Sophocles.
September 19, 2019
Highly recommend! This novel gives huge insight into what living with PTSD must be like not just for the individuals suffering from it, but also for the families who suffer along with them. An accurate portrayal of the experiences of our military personnel both on and off the battlefield. I read the book over a weekend and couldn't put it down as I needed to know what happened to Major Hugh Degare and those individuals closest to him.
October 23, 2017
Wow! Raw, poignant, dark, scary and totally believable. Alastair has delivered a phenomenal first novel that accurately depicts the whole range of possible emotions, challenges that many soldiers face upon returning from operational deployments around the globe.
August 6, 2018
A difficult story to listen to but beautifully written covering a topic that all Canadians should be aware of.
April 24, 2020
Interesting to read a book from the point of view of a serving soldier with PTSD.
December 21, 2020
My only issue with the book was I wasn't keen on the ending. I did love the rest of the boon though.
August 2, 2017
I just finished "The Battle Within" . WOW! Great book Alastair. I couldn't put it down as I got closer to the end. At the end of each chapter, I had to take a deep breath because it was enthralling and intense. Alastair's insight of the emotional distress and confusion that often accompanies mental stress injuries is no less than astounding! Anyone who wants to get insight of PTSD must read Alastair's book. Thanks for the great read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews