- What does Ben Fountain have against Texas, and particularly Dallas?
- Are the Bravo characters military stereotypes? Or do they seem like fleshed-out individuals? Explain your answer.
- How much is the movie like the book, and are these kinds of comparisons ever useful?
- Why doesn't Billy have a nickname? And why doesn't Josh have a last name?
- Why doesn't author Ben Fountain go into more detail about what exactly Billy did that's heroic? What function does that serve in our story?
- Why do we never get to see too much of what happens in Iraq in this novel?
- What is up with Billy's attraction to his sister, Kathryn?
- If you were in Billy's shoes, would have you gone with the guys from Austin or not? Why?
- Do you think Faison is really into Billy? Like, for real? Can we be sure? Why or why not?
- What is Norm's primary motivation? Explain your answer.
- What does this book have to say about patriotism? Is it a good thing? A bad thing? Either, depending on your motivation?