Charles@Afghanistan: Crazy Encounters from the Not-So-Front Lines

With remarkable insight and a down-home clarity about daily life in war-torn Afghanistan, a truck driver for the U.S. Military shows that while war may never be fun, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be funny. charles@afghanistan Told in a series of email exchanges to his family and friends, Charles McDonald Holt recounts the many fascinating situations he endured while on his own personal tour of duty, a true recounting from this “stranger in a strange land.” Here are a series of stories, sometimes harrowing, sometimes laugh out loud funny, but always thought-provoking. Read about fallen comrades’ ceremonies, plumbing that is both primitive and mystifyingly complicated at the same time, and how he once shared his chicken dinner with the biggest wasp he had ever seen: “He is as large as a Bumble Bee, the color of a Red Wasp, and his tail is black in color with a big yellow ring. He looked like a hornet on steroids.” Holt sees it all, and tells it all—and never loses his sense of perspective. His stories have heart and humor, and his is also a truth-teller. His was an experience he’ll never forget. His tales are ones you’ll always remember. CHARLES McDONALD HOLT was born and raised in South East Texas. He has spent many years as a Police Officer in Texas and driven trucks for a living for as many years, and is currently working as Safety Manager in the Construction industry. Charles lives in South East Texas, with his wife Roxane and happy to be back on American soil, all in one piece, swatting at bugs he recognizes that are not as big as his head.