Most Americans are now familiar with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and its prevalence among troops. In this groundbreaking new book, David Wood examines the far more pervasive yet less understood experience of those we send to war: moral injury, the violation of our fundamental values of right and wrong that so often occurs in the impossible moral dilemmas of modern conflict. It is a call to listen intently to our newest generation of veterans, and to ponder the inevitable human costs of putting American "boots on the ground" as new wars approach. -- adapted from book jacket.

Includes bibliographic references and index.

The baptismal font -- It's wrong, but you have no choice -- Regardless of the cost -- The rules: made to be broken -- A friend was liquefied -- Just war -- Trotting heart, shell shock, moral injury -- Grief is a combat injury -- It's really about killing -- Vulnerable -- Betrayed -- War crime -- Atheists in the foxholes -- Home -- The touchy-feely tough guys -- Listen.