Our Veterans: Winners, Losers, Friends, and Enemies on the New Terrain of Veterans Affairs

by Suzanne Gordon, Jasper Craven, Steve Early

In Our Veterans , Suzanne Gordon, Steve Early, and Jasper Craven explore the physical, emotional, social, economic, and psychological impact of military service and the problems that veterans face when they return to civilian life. The authors critically examine the role of advocacy organizations, philanthropies, corporations, and politicians who purport to be “pro-veteran.” They describe the ongoing debate about the cost, quality, and effectiveness of healthcare provided or outsourced by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). They also examine generational divisions and political tensions among veterans, as revealed in the tumultuous events of 2020, from Black Lives Matter protests to the Trump-Biden presidential contest. Frank and revealing, Our Veterans proposes a new agenda for veterans affairs linking service provision to veterans to the quest for broader social programs benefiting all Americans.

Genres: Nonfiction

352 pages, Hardcover

Published August 5, 2022

About the author

Suzanne Gordon is an award winning journalist and author who writes about healthcare delivery and health care systems. She is the author of more than 15 books, including Beyond the Checklist and First Do Less Harm, both published in 2012.

Reviews

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been working as a veterans law attorney for six years, and have read quite a few books about veterans and veterans policy. This is, without a doubt, the best- and most accurate- book of them all. It is thorough, it is well-researched, it has unique viewpoints that many books don’t even dare touch on, and it isn’t narrowly focused like some books. It’s not just about VA healthcare. It’s not just about benefits. It’s about veterans policy. Highly recommend.

[Mike Ferner · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can describe "Our Veterans" in a single word: "thorough."

It summarizes every important aspect of veterans' lives, including topics rarely covered like moral injury, military sexual assault and our disproportionate suicide rates.

But it's at its most thorough regarding the V.A. -- when the agency does a great job, when it falters, and more importantly, why. It examines politicians' voting records, highlighting those with greatest power to influence policy, and particularly those who profess to love veterans but have a much greater love for funding from insurance companies trying to destroy the V.A. through privatization.

It examines well-known veterans groups like the Legion and VFW as well as several post 9-11 ones, critiquing some for spotty advocacy and some for becoming little more than platforms for outsized egos.

It even gives a nod to smaller organizations that aren't courted by presidential candidates but do the remarkable work of trying to change U.S. foreign policy to reduce the number of veterans we produce.

Mike Ferner, former national president, Veterans For Peace

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Vietnam combat veteran and patient of VA Healthcare for many years, I found this book extremely interesting and informative. I feel even stronger now that VA Healthcare shouldn’t be privatized. I was surprised to learn that going to private providers often results in longer wait times and poorer results. I’ve been going to the Northport, Long Island VA Medical Center for a long time. They make me feel very special and the staff is top-notch. I don’t want to be told that I have to go elsewhere, especially not to private doctors where I’d have to wait weeks for an appointment and then have to deal with cold uncaring staffers.