“Inside the Wire” by Erik Saar and Viveca Novak

There's lots of talk in the news these days about Gitmo. A seemingly black hole in the war on terror, the prison at Guantanomo Bay has always been controversial. While the general public hears the basics from the media, we don't really know what it's like inside. "Inside the Wire" takes you there.

Erik Saar, co-author of the book, shares his 6.5 month experience as an Arabic translator and army Seargeant, in vivid detail. It is a book that sends chills up your spine. It is a book that will have you debating well into the night as to whether or not Gitmo is serving its purpose and whether or not its purpose is just.

First working in the detainee cells as a translator and then working as a translator in interrogations, Saar presents a graphic and disturbing visual of what has been happening in Gitmo for years. While at Gitmo, Saar is able to speak with many of the detainees. His conversations with them are eye-opening and important for every American to read:

"Mustapha was confounded when I explained to him that Christians' motivation to do right comes from their gratitude for God's love and forgiveness, rather than fear of judgment alone. This was incomprehensible to him. He didn't believe in a loving God, nor did he know if he was assured paradise. He genuinely hoped the Americans would kill him so he could be certain of becoming a true martyr."

The detainees' views of women are also startling as Saar relays some of his conversations with the detainees. When referring to the women soldiers at Gitmo, one detainee says:

"I'm not a fool; there is no way these women in uniforms are really here as solidiers? Do you think we are stupid? All of the detainees know the truth-that they are here to service the real soldiers."

As disturbing as the conversations with the detainees are, there's something even more bothersome. Gitmo has not been easy on our soldiers. While the detainees are held without charge, some of our military get stuck there, in a psychologically trying place with a mix of people that is ripe for conflict.

"Inside the Wire" is a book that every American should read. It opens your eyes to the thinking of those we are up against in the war on terror. It shows you how hard our military works to keep us safe; and it brings to light what's been happening in Gitmo since the first detainees started to arrive.