Brian Turner (American poet)

Brian Turner (born 1967) is an American poet and essayist known for his poetry collections and memoirs focusing on his experiences as a soldier in the Iraq War. He served seven years in the U.S. Army, including deployments to Bosnia-Herzegovina (1999-2000) and Iraq (2003-2004) with the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

Turner's work explores the psychological impact of war, the complexities of military service, and the moral ambiguities faced by soldiers in combat. His writing often uses stark and direct language to depict the realities of violence, loss, and trauma. He is recognized for his ability to convey the emotional and ethical dilemmas of war with honesty and empathy, giving voice to the experiences of veterans and challenging readers to confront the human cost of conflict.

Published Works:

• Here, Bullet (2005), a collection of poems that won the Beatrice Hawley Award, the Pen Center USA Best in the West Award, and the Northern California Book Award.
• Phantom Noise (2010), a second collection of poems that was shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize.
• My Life as a Foreign Country: A Memoir (2014), a memoir detailing his experiences in Iraq and their lasting impact, which was a New York Times bestseller.

Awards and Recognition:

Turner's work has been widely recognized and honored. In addition to the awards mentioned above, he has received a Guggenheim Fellowship, an NEA Fellowship, and a United States Artists Fellowship. His poems and essays have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies, solidifying his reputation as a significant voice in contemporary American literature.

Turner holds an MFA from the University of Oregon. He has taught at various universities and writing programs.