Desertion And the American Soldier: 1776-2006 by Robert Fantina

This book started off promising, discussing desertion during America's early history when the military was just being formed and everything was in chaos. But it quickly becomes a book that pretty much says that you can join the military, they'll spend tons of money on your ass to do what it is you chose to do, and then you just decide that it's not for you because you weren't coddled and your hand wasn't held the entire time, so you're just gonna leave. Now, don't get me wrong. When you're drafted against your will, I think a little more sympathy should be thrown your way. But when you make a willing decision to enter into an agreement to train in an environment that is common knowledge will train you to kill others and possibly go to war, and then you just decide right after that it's against your principles, I have no sympathy for you. This book was a piece of crap that called anyone who deserted and walked away from their responsibilities a hero.