Chicos de la Guerra by Daniel Kon

Description

Chicos de la Guerra by Daniel Kon is a poignant account of the experiences of young Argentine conscripts who fought in the Falklands War in 1982. Through in-depth interviews and firsthand testimonies, the book provides a raw and intimate look at the lives of these soldiers, many of whom were barely 18 or 19 years old when they were sent into combat. Kon captures their fear, confusion, and the harsh realities of war, painting a vivid picture of how unprepared they were for the brutal conditions they faced. The book does not just focus on the battlefield but also delves into the emotional and psychological toll the war took on these young men, many of whom returned home forever changed.

Beyond its personal narratives, the book offers a broader critique of the way these soldiers were treated before, during, and after the war. Many of them were poorly trained, inadequately equipped, and left to endure extreme hardships with little support from their superiors. Their return to Argentina was marked by neglect and silence, with society and the government largely ignoring their suffering. Chicos de la Guerra serves as both a historical record and a powerful commentary on the impact of war, highlighting not only the horrors of combat but also the lasting consequences for those who fight it.