Warrior Ways

Members of military organisations, like members of other occupational folk groups, are enculturated into characteristic behaviour patterns that identify them as group members, create solidarity, and help them manage stress. Warrior Ways is one of the first book-length explorations of military folklife, focusing on the lore of modern American warriors and illuminating the ways in which members of the armed services creatively express the complex experience of military life. In these short, lively essays, contributors to the volume -- all of whom have close personal or professional relationships with the military -- examine battlefield talismans, personal narratives, "Jody calls" (marching and running cadences), slang, homophobia and transgressive humour, music, and photography, among other cultural expressions. Highlighting the contemporary and historical importance of the military in American life, this book will be of interest to scholars and students of folklore, anthropology, sociology, and popular culture; those involved in veteran services and education; and general readers interested in military culture.