[BCX]≡ [PDF] They Fought for Each Other The Triumph and Tragedy of the Hardest Hit Unit in Iraq [Hardcover] Books

They Fought for Each Other The Triumph and Tragedy of the Hardest Hit Unit in Iraq [Hardcover] Books

Download As PDF : They Fought for Each Other The Triumph and Tragedy of the Hardest Hit Unit in Iraq [Hardcover] Books

Noticeable wear to cover and pages. May have some markings on the inside. Fast shipping. Will be shipped from US. Used books may not include companion materials.

They Fought for Each Other The Triumph and Tragedy of the Hardest Hit Unit in Iraq [Hardcover] Books

*****
This book is important for every American to read to be able to understand what type of sacrifice is being made for us by our soldiers. Through the stories told by this reporter, the reader sees what everyday life is like through the eyes of the soldiers fighting in one particular area of Iraq. This is not dull non-fiction reporting, but stories of real human beings who are giving their lives, and without exception, having their lives changed because of what they are doing each day. They do it for us, dear readers, whether or not we appreciate it, or even know it.

This is the first book about the military or war that I have ever read; it is not something I normally go in for. However, I became personally acquainted with the wife of one of the heroes of Charlie Company who is portrayed in this book, and decided to read it after I heard a bit about her story and she recommended it to me. It impacted me in a way I'd not thought possible--I feel compelled to do my part, whatever that might be, and to get involved with our military as a way of giving back in a small way.

The book tells the story of one group of men over the span of a short time. Instead of listing just names and dates and battles, we get to know the soldiers individually, their backgrounds, and how they cope (or do not cope) with life in Iraq. The chapters have been compiled from a series of articles that originally appeared in the Army Times. For someone like me who knew very little about the war, it was eye-opening, and a read I could not put down. It is very realistic, and so includes much that is hard to read, but so worth it. No matter what your political stance, if you care about soldiers, and are wanting to know what the motto "Strength and Honor" truly means, you will not be disappointed.

Highly recommended.
*****

Product details Paperback ASIN B00439J3LQ

Tags : They Fought for Each Other: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Hardest Hit Unit in Iraq [Hardcover] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Noticeable wear to cover and pages. May have some markings on the inside. Fast shipping. Will be shipped from US. Used books may not include companion materials.,They Fought for Each Other: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Hardest Hit Unit in Iraq [Hardcover],B00439J3LQ
People also read other books :

• Kingdom Come Believing Magic Series eBook Shane Shelton
• Everyman land Charles Norris Williamson 9781176602724 Books
• The Conquest of Bread [London1913] P Kropotkin Books
• Tieryn Fury Shadowcat Nation Book 3 edition by Abigail Owen Paranormal Romance eBooks
• Paul Faber Surgeon eBook George MacDonald

They Fought for Each Other The Triumph and Tragedy of the Hardest Hit Unit in Iraq [Hardcover] Books Reviews

The author was embedded with the unit, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, during their 2007 Iraq deployment. This book tells the human, personal stories of those who served for 15 months and is a heartbreaking tribute to remember those who died.

The author vividly portrays the unique characteristics and traits those who passed away, but more importantly, how they brought life to the company and every soldier during the deployment. From humorous gags, to singing commercials to relieve stress, those who passed away served to protect each other from harm while attempting to perform the mission with insufficient resources in troops, equipment, and funding.

What is disheartening is the way that the injured soldiers were treated when they returned from the hospital. Broken limbs and often alone, with no one in the chain of command to negotiate the bureaucracy to schedule follow-up medical appointments or even basic assistance in trying to walk up the barracks steps, the wounded soldiers were left on their own. When an injured Staff Sergeant returned to Germany, he had to initiate many steps to help his fellow wounded soldiers, while trying to recover from his injuries and PTSD.

What is irritating is how the system failed these soldiers and it took additional time to establish the support system to provide better care.

With Memorial Day approaching, this book is one way to remember the lives of those who sacrificed. It was very heartbreaking to read their loss, of those who passed away, and those who were injured and they struggled to receive the proper care they deserve.

Another book that provides a similar story from 2004 Iraq and 1st Cavalry Division, is The Long Road Home by Martha Raddatz, which includes additional information on the family lives.
I would probably give this maybe 4 stars for the actual writing, but it's a five-star book as far as what it brings to Iraq War literature and reportage. There are superior books - "Good Soldiers," "Black Hearts," among them - but as far as getting into the deep details of an infantry company's deployment to Iraq, this does an exceptional job. While it might not be the first book you should choose, it should be on your shelf.

It is never preachy and rarely emphasises overly-exaggerated heroics. The truth is good enough. And, it's a real accomplishment that Kennedy pulled so much of this reporting together, considering she was present for very little of it. It takes an enormous amount of organization to create a narrative like this, grafting numerous sources and timelines all together.

My only 'complaint' is that Kennedy herself is missing TOO much. She was present for SOME of the events, and it would have been a good shift to see her perspective a little more clearly - not as a biography, but just so we can get a more personal look at these events, rather than ALL reportage. And, since she's an Army war veteran herself, that perspective was one that could have brought an interesting new level to the story. It's her story, too, so why not utilize her own experiences and observations a little more? In David Finkel's great book, "The Good Soldiers," he never 'appears' in the narrative, but it's clear to the reader when he's actually present for events, and that style is something that might have worked for Kennedy as well.

At times, the entire book seemed a little too 'newspapery' and not literary enough. Which makes sense, since it began as a newspaper series. That's not a negative critique - just reality. This is still a book that those interested in Iraq War reporting and soldier's stories should still seek out.

In any case, I'm jealous...I've embedded three times, plus, like Kennedy, was in Desert Storm too...and all my notes and attempts haven't come close to the depth and breadth of her storytelling and reporting. I've written lots of good newspaper stories, sure, but nothing as strong and complete as what she's done here.
*****
This book is important for every American to read to be able to understand what type of sacrifice is being made for us by our soldiers. Through the stories told by this reporter, the reader sees what everyday life is like through the eyes of the soldiers fighting in one particular area of Iraq. This is not dull non-fiction reporting, but stories of real human beings who are giving their lives, and without exception, having their lives changed because of what they are doing each day. They do it for us, dear readers, whether or not we appreciate it, or even know it.

This is the first book about the military or war that I have ever read; it is not something I normally go in for. However, I became personally acquainted with the wife of one of the heroes of Charlie Company who is portrayed in this book, and decided to read it after I heard a bit about her story and she recommended it to me. It impacted me in a way I'd not thought possible--I feel compelled to do my part, whatever that might be, and to get involved with our military as a way of giving back in a small way.

The book tells the story of one group of men over the span of a short time. Instead of listing just names and dates and battles, we get to know the soldiers individually, their backgrounds, and how they cope (or do not cope) with life in Iraq. The chapters have been compiled from a series of articles that originally appeared in the Army Times. For someone like me who knew very little about the war, it was eye-opening, and a read I could not put down. It is very realistic, and so includes much that is hard to read, but so worth it. No matter what your political stance, if you care about soldiers, and are wanting to know what the motto "Strength and Honor" truly means, you will not be disappointed.

Highly recommended.
*****