Review.   Wali MISSION: SNIPER

I have placed this book in the "Adventure" section. I have put this book in the "Adventure" section, but in fact it should be placed in a "War" section which is currently not there.

The author is the mysterious sniper Wali, who, for obvious security reasons gives very little information about himself in the book and this is completely acceptable, indeed, I hope that the name he gives himself in the book is fictitious. Wali is not a mercenary, in the sense that he does not receive any remuneration for his activities, but voluntarily participates at his own expense in missions that he considers to be in defence of freedom.

It is a book of reportage from 2009 on the battlefield around Kandahar (Afghanistan) describing the experience of four Canadian volunteers, all snipers, in the difficult conflict in Afghanistan that began in 2001. There are 527 pages in all, which can be read almost in one go, with a succession of events that follow each other in difficult contexts ranging from the desert to the hills, from the camp to the life, described in minute detail, of the local villages, sometimes inhabited, sometimes mysteriously deserted.

There is no plot, the plot is that of events that unfold independently of the will of those involved because nothing is completely predictable in a combat camp despite professional elite training. No one can know or predict whether the day will go well or not. It is a hard-hitting book about long-term ambushes and protection of frontline troops. The episodes are described in a simple way with the immediacy of a documentary and the English of the book is understandable even to those who do not know the language perfectly.

A hard book as I said and, as announced on the cover, "uncensored" which means that what is described will make you reflect on the atrocities of war and their meaning. Actions that are inconceivable to those who live in a civilised world, but which may be dictated by desperation or fanaticism or simply by hatred or disturbed minds. Humanity is divided into three positions: there are people who hate everyone, people who sacrifice their own lives to help others, and people who pretend not to see and selfishly do not want to be disturbed. The eternal struggle of good and evil has been going on for millions of years.

Unfortunately, the black and white photos are not of good quality in relation to the cover price and I was disappointed because a giant like Amazon could have provided a better graphic edition. The text also seems to be printed on the cheap in black ink and the fonts are rather small. On the other hand, the cover (which is meant to draw attention) and the last page showing Wali's photo and part of his equipment are attractive.

A book I highly recommend to those who want to meet live the brutal reality of war.