Fobbit

Fobbit

Summary

Fobbit ’fä-b t, noun. Definition: A U.S. soldier stationed at a Forward Operating Base who avoids combat by remaining at the base, esp. during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003–2011). Pejorative.

Welcome to the FOB – Baghdad’s Forward Operating Base Triumph.

This is the back-office of the battlefield, where Staff Sergeant Chance Gooding (a Fobbit through and through) spends his days tapping out press releases to turn the latest roadside bomb into something the folks back home can read about over their breakfast cereal.

This is where male and female soldiers are trying to find an empty Porta-Potty in which to get acquainted, grunts are playing Xbox between missions, and most of the senior staff are more concerned about getting to the chow hall in time for the Friday night all-you-can-eat seafood special than worrying about little things like military strategy.
This is where things can very quickly spiral out of control.

Reviews

  • In this wickedly funny novel, Abrams sees right past the self-aggrandizing illusions and comforting fairytales that tuck the US in at night.
    Derrik Miller, Guardian

About the author

David Abrams

Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more