Sociology

One of the most important books on the American culture of violence that emerged from the twin crisis of defeat in Vietnam and of feminists and minorities challenge to the status quo. In this brilliant, wide-ranging work, Gibson shows how this new cult of the warrior has affected life at every level, from the offices of the federal government to the mean streets of our cities. -- Richard Slotkin, Wesleyan University

The way the book had been written will give one an idea or an outline on the principles and arguments in exploring and finding answers to some of the conflicts in classic theories in sociology and methodologies how conflicts are resolved with the use of skills and the data interpreted from these theories. This book makes me see how a story that revolves on the Post American-Vietnam War can be so moving successful in widening ones understanding about war  and violence in the society both in the old and modern times.

The waves of ideas and patterns used in Warrior Dreams also gives some answers to the questions about how a particular subculture had successfully transformed into a different totally different society.

Here is a real brief description of what the book Warrior Dreams really is
The end of the Vietnam-American War also gave an end to the power of the paramilitary. In the book, the James William Gibson admitted and argued on the shame that had been brought up due to the defeat of the warriors by enemies who are not even technologically armed.

James Williams Gibson is an author known for his war-themed books. One of his well-known books is the Warrior Dreams. This book deals on the rise of what had been coined as the cult of warrior in the land of the free the United States of America. Started on the middle of seventies and on its peak on the year eightys, there had been an exploration that lead to a lot of peoples fascination to weapons, military activities and yes, violence. The book had been written with a touch of Freudian and Jungian ideas and principles- how far the masculinity in an American society goes.

Reading deeper on the book, one will notice on some assertions that a violent free society is hard thing to attain but a less violent one is possible with the right move with the right psychological approaches. It might be a little uncommon but there are some individuals who find too much interest in media violence assassinations, mass killings, mercenaries and wars- the Warrior Dreams is but a perfect book to feed that hunger.

The whole story was quite impressive- the way it was written was done with craft without a doubt but there would seem to be a lacking element of balance. There were parts of the book where the loss of the identity of the deemed stronger sex- the males were discussed had been pointed out but no part had bravely discussed or admitted the truth that there are real warriors out there who are not really into violence or dont even watch or enjoy war or hard core action films. Warriors had always been depicted or described in the books as individuals who would always be in service to everyone and anyone.

Another aspect that is pretty much obvious about the book is its authors denial of males loss of identity. It should have been better if there also had been a part of the story that tackled or discussed how to be a real man- a real warrior in the modern days.  Men, not only in the battle fields, not only in high political and societal positions but men from all walks of life and from any racial affiliation- not just the while male Americans. A woman reading it would maybe find it a little sexist and a little pornographic. The way guns and bullets had been described in some parts of the book would give one a real different interpretation. This is one aspect of the book that had been criticized by some people who have read it. But then again, we all have different interpretations to everything and what the author is trying to convey is not how we exactly understand it.

James Williams Gibson is surely a good choice when you wanted to enjoy a good reading material that talks about war and things related to it. One can say it is bad or good book based on his understanding and personal beliefs and no one can force you to interpret this book the same way they look at it.  (Gibson, 1994)