Reviews
War Is Boring: Bored Stiff, Scared to Death in the World's Worst War Zones by Matt Bors, David Axe
chadstep's review against another edition
4.0
War-torn journalist Axe reveals his penchant for excitement in pursuit of his work but finally realizes it's not about him. The hollow feeling he has is his concern and. later, his discovery that is key to the title. War isn't boring, it just doesn't get him what he's looking for.
kellylynnthomas's review against another edition
2.0
This book was too short--it did a lot of telling ("war is boring") and not very much showing. And what we did see wasn't how boring war is. We got to see the explosions and firefights. And while Axe is trying to get at something deep in this book, he really falls short and winds up coming off as a total self-absorbed asshole who thinks he's so special because he makes his living by being a spectator to human suffering of the worst kind. There are some illuminating moments, though, and it's a quick read. I just think that the things he's exploring and trying to say can't be said in such a small space.
norrin2's review against another edition
1.0
No, David Axe is boring - and whiny and fatalistic and deeply depressed. Not a great traveling companion to say the least. And why do publishers continue to call illustrated book length works of nonfiction graphic "novels"? Novels are fiction, fools.
dumblydore's review against another edition
3.0
Hard to empathise with Axe when he is apparently so fatalistic about war and peace. He himself ironically gets rather boring. He does highlight the sad truth how war is a necessity in the world, not just as an economic stimulant but as a means to self-worth and purpose. Does this make a correspondent (or anyone working in the line of fire) noble or just a coward running away from his or her own problems? I think the story could have been explored a bit deeper to challenge and consider these ideas.
Also pretty appalled by how Axe treated his girlfriend—she should've got away sooner if this account is to be believed...
Also pretty appalled by how Axe treated his girlfriend—she should've got away sooner if this account is to be believed...
nnebeluk's review against another edition
4.0
A graphic account of a war zone correspondent. It's a quick rumination on the nature of humanity and war and it's interesting to see someone with such a different perspective on it all. Axe's epilogue at the end is particularly bleak.
lazy0718's review against another edition
3.0
This non-fiction graphic novel is an interesting look into the life of a war reporter. David Axe describes (and shows) his experiences in several war zones, what he saw there, and how it affected him. I found this to be a novel way to look at the subject. I don't think David Axe comes off as a particularly sympathetic person, but it all appears to be true to life, so perhaps that just shows he didn't sugar-coat his experiences.
tiamatq's review against another edition
2.0
One of the teens at my library had finished reading this and I asked him to tell me about it. His description was excellent and made me want to read it, so I'll borrow from him. This book is about David Axe, a war correspondent who is addicted to war. If this man has a drug, it's being in the middle of a war zone. And as you follow him on his journey from third-world country to military bases, you wonder if Axe just has a deathwish, or is really looking for a deeper meaning in all the horror that he sees.
This description really hooked me... unfortunately, I think that the description is more intriguing than the actual story. Axe has led an interesting life and witnessed countless atrocities. However, there's not a lot of depth to this book. We know he's struggling with his desire to be out seeing wars, trying to figure out why he feels so strongly about being in the midst of danger. But there's no great sense of discovery or any sort of epiphany, which I suppose would be fine if Axe didn't present the book that way. He acts as if we've peered deep into his soul and discovered something.
I think this book is just pulled in too many directions. Is it about his need to witness war - and perhaps to die doing something meaningful? Or maybe about the countries subject to so much war? That it's important to document these stories? Or something else entirely? I ended up feeling confused by Axe's story. The artwork often said more about what was happening and the emotions he felt than his narration ever did.
While this is an interesting story in concept, I didn't enjoy reading it. Not because of the content, but because of the lack of focus and reflection.
This description really hooked me... unfortunately, I think that the description is more intriguing than the actual story. Axe has led an interesting life and witnessed countless atrocities. However, there's not a lot of depth to this book. We know he's struggling with his desire to be out seeing wars, trying to figure out why he feels so strongly about being in the midst of danger. But there's no great sense of discovery or any sort of epiphany, which I suppose would be fine if Axe didn't present the book that way. He acts as if we've peered deep into his soul and discovered something.
I think this book is just pulled in too many directions. Is it about his need to witness war - and perhaps to die doing something meaningful? Or maybe about the countries subject to so much war? That it's important to document these stories? Or something else entirely? I ended up feeling confused by Axe's story. The artwork often said more about what was happening and the emotions he felt than his narration ever did.
While this is an interesting story in concept, I didn't enjoy reading it. Not because of the content, but because of the lack of focus and reflection.
stephb413's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't dislike this book as much as I thought I would. I know that is not the kindest review, but it is not the meanest either. I really like graphic novels, so despite being certain based on what I had heard about this book, I read it anyway to make up my own mind. The author makes light of conflict and greatly lacks empathy which I think is the main criticism of the book for me. That said, I think the book is about him being fully aware of that and as a result gaining a fraction of empathy by the end. I am not certain who, if anyone I would recommend this book to, which is an unusual situation for myself.