War Surgery in Afghanistan and Iraq

War Surgery in Afghanistan and Iraq: A Series of Cases, 2003-2007 has been published by the U. S. Government Printing Office, but it's hard to get, as the New York Times reported yesterday in "To Heal the Wounded." It's written to teach surgeons on the ground the newest techniques for treating injuries of war. And it has pictures. Pictures that show wounded veterans.

According to the Times, "There were strenuous efforts within the Army over the last year to censor the book and keep it out of civilian hands," but the Surgeon General has insisted on releasing the book. For $71 (including shipping), you can order it direct from the U. S. Government Book Store -- but it's out of stock. Supposedly, more are being printed.

Given the Bush administration's record of suppressing information it finds politically unpalatable, I have to wonder how long it will take before more copies are actually made available.