Scenes from the war: photojournalist Victor J. Blue visits my friend's platoon in Afghanistan. Some really striking photos here.

Two book reviews from my household in the Indy this week: my review of Master of War: Blackwater USA's Erik Prince and the Business of War and Jaimee's review of Fred Chappell's latest book of poems, Shadow Box.

In a related sidebar, Lisa Sorg asks: "What's the difference between Daniel Boyd and Blackwater's Erik Prince?"

Good luck to a good friend who deploys overseas today.