On Military Memoirs Soldier-authors, publishers, plots and motives A mixed-method study into military Afghanistan autobiographies from the US, the UK, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands published between 2001 and 2010. On Military Memoirs Soldier-authors, publishers, plots and motives A mixed-method study into military Afghanistan autobiographies from the US, the UK, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands published between 2001 and 2010. Over militaire memoires Militaire auteurs, uitgevers, plotten en motieven Een mixed-method studie naar militaire autobiografieën over Afghanistan uit de VS, het VK, Canada, Duitsland en Nederland uitgegeven tussen 2001 en 2010 Thesis to obtain the degree of Doctor from the Erasmus University Rotterdam by command of the rector magnificus Prof.dr. H.A.P. Pols and in accordance with the decision of the Doctorate Board The public defense shall be held on Thursday 11 September 2014 at 13:30 hours by Lamberta Hendrika Esmeralda Kleinreesink born in Doetinchem, the Netherlands Doctoral Committee Promoters: Prof.dr. H.J.G. Beunders Prof.dr. J.M.M.L. Soeters Other members: Prof.dr. R. Woodward Prof.dr. J.A. Baggerman Prof.dr. A.M. Bevers Hoc vere historiam belli contextere dextra, Si calamum arripiat quae tenuit gladium. The true history of war is best written, When he who wields the sword takes up the pen Francisco Balbi de Correggio (1585) (cited in Harari, 2004: 29) On Military Memoirs Soldier-authors, publishers, plots and motives A mixed-method study into military Afghanistan autobiographies from the US, the UK, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands published between 2001 and 2010. © 2014 L.H.E. (Esmeralda) Kleinreesink Graphic design: Merel de Hart, Multimedia NLDA Maps of Afghanistan: Randy Lemaire Painting on front cover: Stef Fridael Photograph on back cover: Martijn de Vries All other illustrations: L.H.E. (Esmeralda) Kleinreesink Printed by: Bureau Repro, NLDA, Breda The views expressed in this dissertation are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Dutch Ministry of Defence. ISBN: 978-9088920004 7 Contents Contents 9 Contents Summary.......................................................................................................................17 Samenvatting (Summary in Dutch) ................................................................................21 Preface ..........................................................................................................................25 Glossary ........................................................................................................................31 Chapter One: Introduction ............................................................................................33 1.1 Problem Statement ............................................................................................. 33 1.1.1 Defence ambiguity ................................................................................. 34 1.1.2 Soldier-author profile ............................................................................. 35 1.2 Research Gaps ..................................................................................................... 36 1.3 Research Design .................................................................................................. 38 1.3.1 Aim of this study .................................................................................... 38 1.3.2 Research question .................................................................................. 39 1.3.3 Definition ............................................................................................... 39 1.3.4 Unique contribution ............................................................................... 40 1.3.5 Societal relevance .................................................................................. 40 1.4 Outline ................................................................................................................. 41 Chapter Two: Theory .................................................................................................... 45 2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 45 2.2 Egodocuments and the Military .......................................................................... 45 2.2.1 Social truth ............................................................................................. 45 2.2.2 Military use ............................................................................................ 47 2.2.3 Intended public ...................................................................................... 48 2.2.4 Military writers ...................................................................................... 50 2.2.5 Timing .................................................................................................... 52 2.2.6 Reminiscence ......................................................................................... 53 2.3 Who ..................................................................................................................... 54 2.3.1 Warrior nation ........................................................................................ 54 2.3.2 Publishing strategy ................................................................................. 57 2.3.3 Fringe writers ......................................................................................... 60 2.3.4 Autobiographical continuum ................................................................. 62 2.3.5 Preface and foreword ............................................................................ 64 10 Contents 2.4 What .................................................................................................................... 65 2.4.1 Fact versus experience ........................................................................... 65 2.4.2 Disenchantment .................................................................................... 66 2.4.3 Flesh-witness ......................................................................................... 68 2.4.4 Revelatory plots ..................................................................................... 69 2.4.5 Truth ....................................................................................................... 70 2.4.6 Plot ......................................................................................................... 76 2.4.7 Adaptation and PTSD ............................................................................. 84 2.5 Why ..................................................................................................................... 85 2.5.1 Therapy .................................................................................................. 85 2.5.2 Implicit and explicit motivation ............................................................. 86 2.5.3 Historical writing motives ...................................................................... 87 2.5.4 Self and other ......................................................................................... 90 2.6 Concluding Remarks ............................................................................................ 92 Chapter Three: Context .................................................................................................95 3.1 Military Missions in Afghanistan ......................................................................... 95 3.1.1 OEF ......................................................................................................... 95 3.1.2 ISAF ........................................................................................................ 95 3.1.3 UNAMA and EUPOL ................................................................................ 97 3.2 Peace ................................................................................................................... 98 3.2.1 Provincial reconstruction teams ............................................................ 98 3.2.2 Mentoring teams ................................................................................... 98 3.3 Embedded journalism ......................................................................................... 99 3.4 Contribution & Strategic Narrative ................................................................... 100 3.4.1 Cultural differences .............................................................................. 100 3.4.2 Contributions ....................................................................................... 103 3.4.3 Strategic narratives .............................................................................. 104 3.4.4 United States – fighter of evil............................................................... 104 3.4.5 United Kingdom – over-ambitious ....................................................... 106 3.4.6 Germany - pacifist ................................................................................ 107 3.4.7 Canada – global peacekeeper .............................................................. 109 3.4.8 The Netherlands – 3D approach .......................................................... 110 3.5 Concluding Remarks .......................................................................................... 112 Chapter Four: Methodology ........................................................................................115 4.1 Introduction