This was a compelling and thought provoking book that delves into the impacts of war on both individuals and society. Drawing from personal experiences as a veteran, the author here presents nine stories that traverse genres such as science fiction, psychological thriller, philosophy, and horror. This was a challenging book, confronting the harsh realities of the military and business and its pervasive influence on everyday life

One of the standout features of this collection is the author’s willingness to experiment with different forms and styles, separating itself from other anthology style books. I have not read many other books written in this stylized of a way. This inventive approach not only showcases the author’s versatility as a writer but also makes this a unique experience, different from other books that try and explore similar themes. This is also an intense, unsettling, and disturbing read. The author does not shy away from depicting the raw and often painful truths associated with warfare, making this a challenging yet essential read.

I was interested in this book because I believed it to be a unique spin on a potentially interesting playground for story telling and after reading it I believe it hit that mark. Reading will take some effort but that effort will be worthwhile.

3.5 rounded up.

I am the child of 2 Vietnam era veterans. Both my mom and Dad served in the Army. Dad over 25 years. I grew up hearing and seeing the after effects of war on the soldiers and it was not pretty. I have also learned as an adult that what the public is told about is far from the actual truth. With that said lets discus this book.

I will admit I was not sure what I was expecting when I started this read but wow. It is heavy, it is tense and it is emotional. I’m not going to say that this writing is the best or the style is amazing and I know those who did not grow up a military brat or who did not serve may find some of the terminology and story structure confusing. Which is one of the main reasons I rated it how I did. So even if you have to look up the lingo to understand, please do it.

What I will say is that this collection of stories is thought provoking. It will make you question and I believe that is a good thing. The stories are compelling and reveal the complex thoughts and emotions tied to the aftermath of war. War is so often idealized and romanticized to the extent that we are left with something that in no way resembles what truly existed. These stories put the reality and brutality back into war. Even if its ugly, it needed to be said.

A intense collection of short stories that really make you think.

I wasn't expecting this to be so deep but I'm thankful it was. It takes a hold of you and makes you look, listen and feel the brutality that is our current and future world.

Firstly, thank you Netgalley, Bauder and Meconopsis Press for allowing me to read this ARC.

This book is a thought-provoking collection that delves into the complex and distressing themes of war. The writing is sophisticated and intricate, demanding careful attention from the reader. The author uses a variety of storytelling techniques, weaving together different voices and perspectives that keep the narrative dynamic and engaging. While some stories are stronger than others, each is meticulously crafted, offering a nuanced exploration of the emotional and psychological toll of war.

I particularly appreciated the mini-essays that accompanied each story. These essays were not only educational but also added a layer of depth. helping to contextualise the themes and providing an insightful reflection on the narrative.

Admittedly, I found some of the terminology a bit challenging. though this was anticipated in the prelude, which prepared readers for such hurdles. This consideration, though, did not diminish my overall enjoyment of the book.

For those who appreciate literature that stimulates deep thought and introspection, this collection of short stories is sure to resonate. It's a powerful read that explores the complexities of war through a variety of lenses and leaves a lasting impact.


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I am going to be honest, I judged this book by its cover - that's how I ended up with an eARC (thank you to author, publisher, and netgalley).

I have no regrets in doing so. I am not sure what I expected going in, but this was a heartbreaking, harrowing series of stories (play, poem) dealing with the attitudes and acts surrounding war, patriotism, and the people who are sucked into both. I'm used to breezing through books in a day or two - this is NOT that kind of book. I can't sell it with a few buzzwords and a few relatable character traits, and I think I'd be doing it a disservice to try.

Disclaimer that I am a profoundly stupid woman, but this book was a <i>lot</i>. And I'm very glad to have read it.

I did something I don't normally do with ARCs, I read this twice before writing a review. And that, I think was the right choice.

The writing here is so stupidly good and reads as if someone is presenting or talking. That style works so well here and really adds to the gravitas of the topic.

Now a major theme here is who gets to tell stories about war so I'll give you my perspective. I was 11 and living in NJ when the twin towers fell. I had classmates whose parents died; on the planes, in the towers, or as emergency responders. My dad watched the plane hit the second tower and my grandfather had to run from ABC headquarters to his boss's apartment because his car was destroyed. I therefore believed war was not only the right course of action but appropriate as retribution.

I believed that for years until I was at a Goo Goo Dolls concert in long Island and saw Johnny Reznick say fuck George Bush and this hateful war. I thought he was an idiot--our president is beloved, and the war is justified. Then I had friends and classmates serve who told us about the futility of war. About how it wasn't cool or fun like Call of Duty. And how they felt their lives or identities were marred by their actions.

I now, as part of my job, support veterans reentering the workforce after their service. The stories they tell are often not one of valor but one of exclusion and ostracization. Many veterans don't want anyone to know they served because they don't want questions (why yes I have written guidance to employers telling them not to ask if someone killed someone. Because someone ASKED that on a job interview) or don't want to be discriminated against.

I am embarrassed by how long it took me to recognize what we were doing was wrong and how many people were hurt by our actions. I don't know if this book will sway anyone but my God it certainly has something to say. It will grip you close and spit on you. It was spew fire on your ideas.

I can't tell you how much I recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.

This is a very hard-hitting collection of stories (and one poem), all centered around the military. Make no mistake - these are horror stories, although they frequently veer into sci-fi territory as well. The vignettes between the stories hit me just as hard as the stories. 5 stars

My Father's Name is Forgotten ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
And Hades Followed Him ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Chasing the Dragon ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Omertá ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Non-Combat Related Incident ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Waidmannsdank ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
That It Was Good ⭐⭐⭐.25
Private Passenger ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
My Father's Name is War ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

I won’t lie—I knew going in that this wouldn’t be my usual kind of read. But despite that, I found myself completely immersed. Bauder’s writing is exceptional, and I actually hated how on edge I felt during certain moments—proof of just how powerful this collection is.

The level of detail and research behind each story is truly impressive, and the experimental formats and varied narratives fit their respective themes perfectly. Beyond that, the way Bauder crafts tension, emotion, and raw honesty into each piece is nothing short of remarkable. It’s a collection that lingers long after the final page, forcing reflection and discomfort in the best possible way. While this book wasn’t necessarily an enjoyable read in the traditional sense, I can’t point to anything I outright disliked.

Overall, My Father’s Name Is War is a thought-provoking and deeply affecting collection that examines the personal and societal consequences of war. It’s an important, well-executed work, and I look forward to reading more from Bauder in the future.

A militaristic short story collection showing the consequences of war. Bauder would like us to take a look at the good feelings when we think of our military and war and set them on fire. The toll he took and watched others take during his time in the military is evident by the tone and theme of this collection of short stories.

This collection is not for the faint of heart. Each story elicits severe emotion highlighting the depravity of war within a social, personal, economic, and societal level. It will leave you feeling like you took a melon baller to your insides. Hollow. An absolutely heartbreaking peak into what our soldiers go through. It will break you.

As a civilian, some of the jargon was difficult to understand, and some stories had more than others which required some research, but all in all, I would recommend this book to any and everyone.

Thank you to Meconopsis Press, Bauder, and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Bauder’s My Father’s Name Is War: Collected Transmissions is a kaleidoscope of genres, spanning from sci-fi to horror, and shifting through different time periods. This collection of nine entries invites readers on a radicalizing journey, presenting an array of narratives that explore deep and often unsettling themes.

One of the collection’s notable strengths is its ability to craft incredibly compelling worlds. Several entries left me yearning to delve deeper into the universes Bauder created. At its best, the writing is remarkably engaging, drawing readers in with vivid detail and powerful, emotive storytelling.

However, not every entry hits the mark with the same force. Some entries were more challenging to connect with, featuring writing that did not feel as polished or complete. Despite this, each story contributes to the overarching themes Bauder seems to be grappling with: the brutal realities of war and its costs, both mentally and physically, as well as the corrosive nature of capitalism and its role in the war machine.

As a whole, Bauder’s debut book provides a thought-provoking and varied reading experience. Bauder’s reflections on such weighty topics are both intriguing and unsettling, making this collection a distinctive, memorable, and important read in the world we live in today.

Thank you Meconopsis Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.
All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley, Meconopsis Press, and Bauder for providing me with an early copy of this book!

This book has one of the most interesting formats of anything I've ever read. Bauder presents several short stories, each an extremely detailed allegory dealing with various aspects of warfare and the institution of the state, and then follows them with exceptionally informative passages explaining how each of those things take place in real life and have taken place throughout history. This is, in my opinion, an ingenious way of presenting everything.

The allegorical presentation not only creates a much deeper, more empathetic understanding of the overall concepts, it also means that the reader is going into the nonfiction sections with emotional engagement. By doing so, it ensures that the true understanding of the human cost of all of this is at the forefront; it is impossible to read the nonfiction sections with a flat, distant, academic sense of tragedy that so often is a blight to the effectiveness of these sorts of texts.

I would say this is a must read, especially in the current climate.

The allegories are fabulously written. They have well-developed, complex science fiction settings that are remarkably detailed given the limited length. They invoke a sense of empathy and investment in characters that is quite frankly remarkable for such short stories because the characters are deeply human, flaws and contradictions and all. A short story has never made me cry, until Omertà.

The nonfiction sections were engaging and laid out clearly and concisely and their compliment to each of the allegories is clear. I like to think of myself as someone who's fairly educated in the realm of the state/methods of control/conflict/the military complex because I studied a lot of it in school; this was a more powerful read, and a better educator because of that, than any other piece of reading I have ever had on the subject. So much so that I'm considering emailing my professors to suggest they add it to their reading lists.

I really hope to see more releases from Bauder in the future.

As posted on Goodreads:

“Find any veteran, ask if they’d agree with a son’s willingness to enlist, and you might receive mixed opinions.

Then, ask the same about a daughter.”

My Father’s Name is War is a combination of real life observations about the complexities and consequences of war, and genre-bending fiction about the past, present and future of human warfare. This, combined with the “short story + brief introduction” format makes for a quick and entertaining read.

As with most short story collections, there were certainly some I preferred more than others, but I really appreciated the author not pulling punches and being clear about the cost of war, and the human toll that it takes - both mentally and physically.

Overall, I think this is a fantastic debut from Bauder, and I hope we’ll see more work from them in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I want to start this off with this is a complex book. If you are looking for a quick, easy read, this is not it. Do not be fooled by “collection of essays, short stories” etc.; each section is layered with depth and impact. I would also not recommend picking this up if you are not in a good mental space at the moment as the themes explored do not include victory or triumph, but only the aftermath of the ravages of war.

“I’ve rejected that salute every day since, rejected the salute of twenty-one guns while seeking the favor of one.”

This collection will leave you hollowed.

Very detailed! Love reading about the war times. That being said, it was hard to get through in terms of holding my attention.

This was not a fun read but I feel like as someone that grew up in the time period of the war on terror this book was very important to read through at least once.