THE SHARP END: A CANADIAN SOLDIER'S STORY. de Davis, James R - 1997

Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 1997. 270 pp, large 8vo (9 1/4" H). B&w photographs, maps. "Through James Davis's eyes, we see the real face of Canada's army: efficient, technologically advanced - sometimes brutal. The uncompromising opinions Davis has about the strengths and weaknesses of our present-day military are backed up by his own first-hand experience at 'the sharp end' as a frontline soldier. The bungling and politically motivated actions of the Forces' senior ranks and their government masters, he states, chronically compromise the effectiveness of our fighting forces. Davis was at the defence of Sarajevo as centuries-old ethnic emnity between Serbs and Croats exploded into house-by-house guerilla warfare. He was in Rwanda as Hutus and Tutsis struggled for dominance. A former member of Canada's famed Airborne Regiment, Davis relives its emotional, controversial last days following revelations of misconduct by a handful of members in Somalia. The story of his active duty is chilling but leavened with poignancy - hardened soldiers moved by the slaughter of children and innocents in the former Yugoslavia; an inspiring visit to a gorilla sanctuary in Rwanda, mere miles from horrific bloodletting. Davis also portrays the daily challenges of making-do in Canada's diminished military forces and tells shocking anecdotes such as one about the 'Remembrance Day Massacre', when a poorly planned field exercise went terribly wrong." Tiny light soiling speck on top of text block, light wrinkling at top/bottom of spine, rubbing on fore-edge of rear board. Dust jacket has minor wear and very light wrinkling at top/bottom of spine and flap-folds.. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good+.