Fobbit

Fobbit \'f -bit\, noun. Definition: A U.S. soldier stationed at a Forward Operating Base who avoids combat by remaining at the base, esp. during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-2011). Pejorative.

In the satirical tradition of Catch-22 and M*A*S*H, Fobbit takes us into the chaotic world of Baghdad's Forward Operating Base Triumph. The Forward Operating base, or FOB, is like the back-office of the battlefield - where people eat and sleep, and where a lot of soldiers have what looks suspiciously like a desk job. Male and female soldiers are trying to find an empty Porta Potty in which to get acquainted, grunts are playing Xbox and watching NASCAR between missions, and a lot of the senior staff are more concerned about getting to the chow hall in time for the Friday night all-you-can-eat seafood special than worrying about little things like military strategy.

Darkly humorous and based on the author's own experiences in Iraq, Fobbit is a fantastic debut that shows us a behind-the-scenes portrait of the real Iraq war.


Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Grove Press, Black Cat
Published: 09/04/2012
ISBN: 9780802120328
Pages: 384
Weight: 0.95lbs
Size: 8.20h x 5.20w x 1.20d
Award: Montana Book Award - Honor Book
Award: L.A. Times Book Prize - Finalist

Review Citations: Library Journal 07/01/2012 pg. 71
Publishers Weekly 07/02/2012 pg. 45
Booklist 07/01/2012 pg. 23
Men's Journal 09/01/2012 pg. 40
Kirkus Reviews 08/15/2012
Shelf Awareness 09/07/2012
New York Times Book Review 09/30/2012 pg. 23
New York Times Book Review 10/07/2012 pg. 30
NY Times Notable Bks of Year 12/02/2012 pg. 25