The Valley, Renehan - B +

                                             This is a fabulous novel set in Afghanistan. Lt.  Black is assigned to an admin function at a vast forward operating base ( F.O.B. Omaha) where he lives a very easy life and has just submitted his resignation papers.  His colonel assigns him a 15-6, which is an  investigation of a civilian complaint involving a dead goat.  The problem is that the task must be performed on-site and the site is very, very deep in the shit. It's a literal Ft. Apache in the wilderness near the Pakistani border.  Everyone knows that Black has been handed a thankless, likely wasteful, task. Matters go quickly downhill when he gets to COP Vega ( the platoon size post in the Valley) where no one wants  to waste time on the shooting of a goat. The local lieutenant is not there, the sergeant in charge is completely indifferent and hostile, and the primary response to his inquiries is - "fuck-off Lieutenant." Men fighting for their life on daily basis couldn't  care less about a 15-6.  Black's attempt to investigate the complaint goes awry and the astute lieutenant figures out that there are many other  things wrong in the Valley.  He concludes that the Yanks are involved in the heroin/poppy protection racket and that men who are supposed to be on the roster really aren't there.   Black is shot in the bang-up last section of  this book, which has been compared to 'Heart of Darkness' and 'Apocalypse Now'.  I thought of my favorite line in 'Apocalypse'  ( "Who's in charge here, soldier? Aren't you?") when all hell breaks lose in the Valley. The Army and all its disconnected hopelessness in combat is set forth brilliantly here. This book is recommended.