The article discusses American discourses surrounding war and war veterans, with a particular focus on U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.. According to the author, the sentimental rhetoric prevalent in American discussions of war distances and fetishizes veterans rather than reaching a deeper sympathy or understanding of their experiences. It is suggested that themes of hopelessness and futility in war literature deserve further exploration. Details on the books "Richard III" by William Shakespeare, "Lone Survior" by Marcus Luttrell, and "In Pharaoh's Army" by Tobias Wolff are presented.