It was refreshing to read something about Iraq that wasn't all about the politics. The soldiers' stories were sometimes very raw, other times bordering on sentimental. An amazing mix of perspectives and experiences. Couldn't put it down until the last word was read.

Soldier stories. Bad and Sad ones.

Won't rate this one, though while well done, isn't a like/dislike book.

It's personal.

Neither pro- or anti-war, this book is an incredible collection of narratives from soldiers who served in Iraq. Some are gung-ho about the experience; others wonder what we're doing over there and are filled with anger over what they see as the Bush administration's ignorance of what is actually happening on the ground and their failure to provide adequate protection for the troops--so many stories of soldiers holding a weapon in one hand and a makeshift steel plate in another trying to provide some coverage while patrolling in one of their flimsy humvees.

Regardless of whether you are for or against what is going on over there, this is a must-read. It does a great job of showing the humanity of our soldiers and gives foreshadowing at the disturbing after-effects and stress of serving in such a brutal war.

Amazing book, heartbreaking. Everyone should read this book if they care at all about what's going on for the soldiers in Iraq. If they don't care what's going on, they should still read it. I read this for my thesis and became really attached to it.

I will have to read this again, because there is a lot to take in. It is a remarkable work, and I appreciated that the chapters were not prefaced by any form of summary or description from the author. The words of each individual were left to stand on their own.

This book should be on the top of everyone's nonfiction list. Heartbreaking, but the stories deserved to be told.

READ THIS BOOK if you want to understand what we ask of our young people when it comes to war. This is a balanced look and has perspectives from soldiers who support the war in Iraq and those who don't. It will prepare you to be helpful to returning vets.

Roughly divided into four chapters (Winners and Losers, Bringing them America, Don't Look Away and Nor Fear the Dangers of the Day), this story lets the soldiers who fought in Iraq tell their story in their own words.

The interviewees are very expertly, led by questions, but the questions themselves aren't documented. This makes it all the more valuable, in my opinion, because it emphasis that these tales aren't just some stories, but memories, life-shaping impressions, that these soldiers were kind enough to share with us. Trish Wood has selected all sorts of people for her interviews - there are men who joined the army because everyone in their family did, others who were on drugs and at a dead-end in their life and needed a way out. There are anti-war soldiers, and others who are convinced that there were WMDs at some point. There are people who got bored by the daily routine of raiding houses, and others who admit that they love fighting, that they cannot imagine living their lives without that daily uncertainty and adrenaline.

The book never judges, not in the subtext (that would be the subtext hidden in those questions that aren't there), nor in the introductions to the book and the different chapters. It lets everyone tell their story, because every story is as valuable as the others.

And that's what this book is - valuable. I honestly feel that everyone, EVERYONE, should read this book. PLEASE read this book. No matter if you are an American or a European or you live on the Northpole - please read this book. I sure as hell don't care if you are pro-war (is there such a thing?) or anti-war (what does that even mean?) - you cannot deny that this war existed, still exists, and that too many people lost their life their. I think we owe it to them to hear their story.

From the many books I read on this subject, this is, without any doubt, the most important one.

the interviews are very raw; it's amazing that these people could be so open and honest about what they felt and saw and did. some parts were challenging just to read, so I can't imagine what it was like to have actually experienced.

A tremendous deal is to be learned through these soldeirs reflections of the war. There is a lot to say about this book, but I think every person will take away different stories.

This book is told from the soldier's point of view. They described their experiences in Iraq which at times was very difficult to read. It does show what these young men and women went through and how very couragous they are.

Such a sad, inspiring story of the men who fought for America. My Grandpa is a veteran of the Korean War and I read this under his insistence, and I am glad I did. I finished it in a day, it was very large but flew by in a flash. 5/5 stars.