The Long Road Home: a Story of War and Family
See a Problem?
Thanks for telling united states of america about the trouble.
Friend Reviews
Customs Reviews
It'due south been making me think. I read online (and watched youtube
I started reading this volume nearly part of the war in Iraq the aforementioned dark I finished watching the movie "127 Hours" most the guy who got trapped in a canyon and cutting his ain arm off to survive. The flick was pretty gory, apparently. The showtime few pages of this book are also pretty gory. I ususally practice non handly gore very well, but for some reason I seem to be getting older and more hardened, and I didn't finish the picture, or stop reading.It's been making me think. I read online (and watched youtube videos) about Aron Ralston (the arm guy), and saw lots of people say "Wow! What an amazing man!!" And "He has my respect forever. I could never practise what he did."
Merely really, what did HE do? He was reckless and took unnecessary risks, and he most lost his life considering of information technology. Search and rescue crews have to risk their lives trying to recover people similar him. Yes, he cut off his arm. His other option was to die. I'yard kind of impressed that he managed to pull the whole matter off, merely was there really anything heroic, or THAT awesome about what he did?
On the other hand, the soldiers in this book are being killed and wounded in a horrific manner left and right. What are they doing that's crawly? They're leaving their family, home and comfortable life behind to drain and dice for US. They're doing it to protect u.s.a., to bring freedom to those who are oppressed, and to make the world a better place for the side by side generation. Then when people say "That soldier died for nothing. Information technology's so meaningless", I say "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING Near?!" Nearly every death in the earth is meaningless. You dice because you're one-time, you die in a car accident, you dice because you get y'all arm stuck under a rock in a coulee - those are all deaths with no real meaning. But to die because y'all are defending freedom and catastrophe terrorism and oppression - that is 1 of the very few means to die in the world that actually has pregnant.
Why doesn't somebody make movies almost every soldier who dies at war, rather than dumb guys who have to cut their artillery off to survive? How come up? Seriously.
Anyway, I finished this book in 48 hours. The concluding book I read took me virtually 8 weeks to end, every bit I have been defective free time since my married man left on his 2d deployment to Iraq this year. I stayed upward late at night reading this volume, mostly because I wanted to end information technology quickly. It was painful to read, especially the parts well-nigh families learning their soldiers were killed or wounded. It'southward the story of a battle in Sadr City, Republic of iraq, in April of 2004 ("Black Dominicus"). Soldiers were supposed to be in that location on a peacekeeping mission, but Shiite militants ambushed a platoon and fought to take over the city and run the Americans out. Cindy Sheehan's son Casey was in this battle, if you lot're familiar with her. The unit had simply left abode two weeks earlier, and had only been in Iraq a few days. Another soldier from a different unit of measurement was killed who was scheduled to return home the very next day, and get married four months afterward. His bags were already packed. His family had probably already planned the welcome home political party, but had to alter it to a funeral instead. None of it was cool. But I think everybody should read these kind of books. We all need to know these sort of stories, and then we appreciate the freedom nosotros have. It's style as well easy to have it all for granted, even for a military wife like me.
...more
While I volition not mention the names of any characters in this book, reading about what they faced, the permanent scars the soldiers of war were branded with, and the PTSD they experienced, whether they were aware of it or not, was painfully evident.
This was truly a difficult book to get through because it was and so emotionally charged. I believe my difficulty resulted from connecting in some emotional and
Raw courage, pride, fright, sacrifice, pain, grief, retaliation, and lives forever changed by war.While I will non mention the names of whatsoever characters in this book, reading near what they faced, the permanent scars the soldiers of state of war were branded with, and the PTSD they experienced, whether they were aware of it or not, was painfully evident.
This was truly a difficult book to get through considering it was so emotionally charged. I believe my difficulty resulted from connecting in some emotional and spiritual fashion with the characters throughout this volume. So much pain, then much suffering, so many tragic deaths as a result of a nasty, brutal, and deadly war.
Martha Raddatz did a very good chore at telling the stories of military personnel, troops, and their families facing the tragedy, stress, uncertainty, ugliness, the side-furnishings, and the reality of war. Information technology was so painful to read about the ambushes some platoons faced surrounded past strategically prepared militiamen who had no sense of emotion except to kill their enemy, regardless of them sacrificing their own women and children to acquit the ambushes out. Oh, the horrors and heartlessness of flesh.
This volume is a articulate reminder of how we cannot take life and living for granted. Time is non guaranteed. We must tell our loved ones we dearest them often and not just on a special occasion. Nosotros must non allow unnecessary bickering and unforgiveness to brand u.s. live with regrets. This book indicates how survivors regretted what they recklessly said, didn't say, did, or did not do that would forever change their time to come equally a result of the casualties of state of war.
This is a recommended read if you're an avid reader of war-fourth dimension related stories.
...more
"Some guys have seen things that no one e'er wants to meet. . . . I understand at present what it means when you go to a veterans' ceremony and you see the quondam veterans get together and hug and weep, and you lot never really understand it. I empathize it now."--Lieutenant Colonel Gary Volesky.
Alm
This book is a detailed look at an ambush that took place in what is known as the Sadr City slum section of Baghdad. A massive rescue effort happened later. Finally, eight soldiers were killed and many dozens injured."Some guys have seen things that no ane ever wants to see. . . . I empathize now what it means when you lot go to a veterans' ceremony and you run across the erstwhile veterans become together and hug and cry, and you never actually sympathize it. I understand information technology now."--Lieutenant Colonel Gary Volesky.
About all of these soldiers had never seen combat or pb soldiers in gainsay. Only they would see information technology now: the expressionless and wounded. And bullets don't care how they hit a body: one guy has his genitals smeared all over his legs.
The group that was ambushed was just on a shit patrol. They were protecting a truck picking up shit, loads of raw sewage all over the streets. The soldiers cannot grasp why they would be shot at when they were just trying to help. There was even a shit market: an open up market with shit puddles right next to it. The shit was known every bit "whatthefuck" past the soldiers. Equally in "Watch out for the whatthefuck."
The Mahdi Regular army was lead by Moqtada al-Sadr, a Shiite cleric. I've heard him on hour. He'southward insane. He gives no credit to America for helping to overthrow Saddam Hussein who killed his father and members of his family. He blames information technology all on Allah.
A few days earlier, a group of American contractors were killed, prepare on fire, tortured by men and boys. Their bodies were hung from a bridge. I find it interesting how people rarely mention these incidents whatever more than, but they will gladly point out examples of American soldiers committing crimes in combat.
The Mahdi Army used fiddling children and women and old men to aid them. All of them were put right in the line of fire. In ane incident, a huge group of people is pb past women and children. Then men in civilian clothes and guns. Then finally the Mahdi Regular army. Unfuckingbelievable.
...more
Stealing away the heart word by word. Nothing could brand you lot desire to say a bad think about this volume. You feel for the family and may fifty-fifty think of your own experience. Martha Raddatz book The Long Road Home is a heart grabbing book.
Freedom isn't as gratuitous as information technology is fabricated out to be. Without all the fighting we would be in a complete unlike situation.Sometimes when our troops are over seas they aren't gone to fight but they are trying to bring peace to other places. That's what Army camp State of war Eagle
Stealing away the centre word by discussion. Nothing could make you desire to say a bad call back about this book. You feel for the family and may even remember of your own experience. Martha Raddatz book The Long Road Home is a center grabbing book.
Freedom isn't as free equally information technology is fabricated out to be. Without all the fighting we would exist in a complete dissimilar situation.Sometimes when our troops are over seas they aren't gone to fight but they are trying to bring peace to other places. That's what Camp State of war Eagle was trying to practice for Sadar Metropolis in 2004. Trying to make everything back to a peaceful place can exist harder and so what information technology was said out to be. Raddatz showed how difficult it can be by using strong details.Keeping you hooked in she switches from whats happening in Sadar to what's happening back at dwelling house.
Family is what makes everyone come up together. How we stay united equally one when everything goes incorrect. When the worst matter comes across they are the ones there for yous. Showing what is happening back at home made everything center touching. Having to know what is happening to the peope unknowing whats happening is awful. With this in the volume though it makes it amazing.
I truly dear this volume their is no mode to depict how amazing it is. If y'all know a lot about the army and you are interested in guns you will have a better understanding then the remainder.Even if yous don't know a lot yous tin can learn and autumn in love at the same time....more
This volume striking close to home for me as a two bout veteran of Iraq. The Soldier's stories rang truthful to everything I knew of that place. It was gripping also t accept an accurate portrayal of the families back home and how terrifying it was for them to transport away their Soldier'southward into the unknown. Definitely worth a read.
Skilful read and an accurate portrayal of the chaos of combat in IraqThis book hit close to domicile for me as a ii tour veteran of Republic of iraq. The Soldier'southward stories rang truthful to everything I knew of that place. It was gripping likewise t have an accurate portrayal of the families dorsum abode and how terrifying information technology was for them to send away their Soldier's into the unknown. Definitely worth a read.
...more
...more
I was horrified when reading the violence that the soldiers experienced and angered at how the equipment they needed was but not brought because they were told they would be on a humanitarian mission and that bringi
This was an excellent volume - it wasn't at all how I imagined it would be written. I idea it would by and large tell the story of the soldier's families back home while their loved ones were at state of war. This volume told the story from both viewpoints and it did a tremendous job in doing and then.I was horrified when reading the violence that the soldiers experienced and angered at how the equipment they needed was merely not brought because they were told they would be on a humanitarian mission and that bringing armored vehicles would send the incorrect message to the people of Republic of iraq. This decision cost many lives and while I understand the reasoning, it was notwithstanding maddening to read the story and know that many of these deaths were preventable. State of war is ugly and battles take identify so chop-chop that things can be analyzed after the fact and second-guessed. I am non trying to practice so nor does the writer in this volume. I believe she does an first-class chore of telling the story without adding political slants, opinions or 2d-guessing. These are all my observations & opinions I am sharing.
All in all, this was an excellent book, extremely well written and a book that drew me in from the first page. I was seventy pages in before I realized information technology was way past my bedtime and I should cease reading. First-class book!
...more
I'm ofttimes a bit skeptical about non-fiction books written with explicit dialog and lush descriptions, though, as I don't think there'south any fashion a book like this could be a 100% accurate, literal account as it kind of purports to be. I enjoyed it for sure, and would recommend it to anyone interested in war literature, merely not-fiction readers who detect this type of embellishment a claiming to their satisfaction with a volume might want to look elsewhere.
...more
Outset: the writing. This is a volume
This (non-fiction) book opens with CPT Troy Denomy yelling for his lieutenant on one of their first days in theater during the Republic of iraq state of war. I picked this book upwardly because I work for Troy Denomy (he's LTC Denomy now) and I idea information technology was cool that he was in a book. This book talks nearly the first 24 hours that they were in Sadr Urban center, having just deployed from Ft. Hood, when one of the platoons was trapped past insurgents in the city and they were trying to rescue them.First: the writing. This is a book written by a journalist, not a long-grade not-fiction writer, and y'all can tell - it's a little choppy. She did a great job helping yous keep all the characters directly. Dealing with a whole brigade, particularly when yous're not super-familiar with Regular army structure, there are a lot of players, and I thought for sure I'd never be able to keep track of them. Just I did, partly because I knew it was going to be a challenge so I fabricated an try and also because the author was very conscientious to make each one singled-out. The maps that were included were also used to dandy effect, and it fabricated it easy to follow the action and sympathise what had happened. Otherwise it would have been 1 great muddy war story, and much less accessible.
2nd: including the effects of the deaths/injuries of soldiers on their families back home was a genius idea. It shows to great effect the full impact of the war, not just how much the soldier is hurt.
Third: The author reiterated over and over that none of these commanders (from CPT Denomy up to the full general) had ever lost a human being in gainsay before. None of the soldiers had actually ever killed anyone before. I guess this explains the foolish decision to allow soldiers going to the rescue to head into the city in unarmored trucks - it sounded like the worst injuries and near of the deaths came from those who were in those three trucks. 1 of the commanders apparently looked at a truck getting ready to leave and thought, that seems awfully vulnerable, only so was overcome with urgency to rescue the lost platoon and let them go. If you've never before actually been vulnerable to expiry, it'due south no wonder that you lot don't call back it'll be a trouble this time. But still- they made the same fault THREE times.
4th: I was impressed with how well-trained the soldiers were. They'd never been in a situation like this earlier, but they all seemed to know what to do and to be ready to improvise when they didn't.
It felt overall like the author wanted the states to feel how brave and courageous soldiers are, and to win our support for them as they fight. Okay. They are dauntless and mettlesome. (And my opinion of my dominate has gone up.) Simply my overwhelming feeling as I finished the book was, we fight wars because why? What merits the wholesale murder and desire to kill equally demonstrated here? I gave the book three stars because it was put together very well, but rather than feeling all patriotic and sympathetic, I ended up with greater ambiguity almost the war than before.
...more The Long Road Abode, past Martha Raddatz is a realistic and emotional journey through the minds and actions of soldiers and their families. The U.S portion follows the struggles of the families of soldiers that are overseas during a deployment. Information technology highlights the struggle that the spouses of the soldiers have to become through on a daily basis, with all of the extra work and worrying. Information technology also paint a moving picture of of the not bad deal of try that the families have to put in to panel the other grieving families of their losses. This novel actually makes the readers feel for soldiers and their families during times of struggle and heartbreak. I would not recommend this book to anybody, but for certain people. This book illustrates very graphic and emotional pictures of the horrors of war. If you lot are very sensitive to those types of things, and so this book is definitely not for you, merely if you are the type of person that tin can put up with that kind of stuff, then it might be for you. This book appealed to me in both a logical and emotional style. It appealed to me in an emotional way because it gave me insight on the mental struggles that soldiers and their families endure. It was highly-seasoned in a logical way considering it was a very good source for information and was near a topic that I am very interested in.
...more Martha Raddatz's The Long Road Home (2008) is a heartbreaking and anger-inducing book. It is nearly the assail on U.South. troops in Sadr Urban center on April four, 2004 likewise every bit its effects on the families involved back in the U.s.a.. The overall story is familiar to anyone who followed the worst parts of what we might telephone call the denial menses (or perhaps "Mission Achieved" period) of the invasion. The troops viewed Republic of iraq largely as a humanitarian mission
From http://weeksnotice.blogspot.com/2010/...Martha Raddatz'south The Long Road Home (2008) is a heartbreaking and acrimony-inducing book. Information technology is about the set on on U.S. troops in Sadr Metropolis on Apr 4, 2004 besides as its furnishings on the families involved dorsum in the United States. The overall story is familiar to anyone who followed the worst parts of what we might phone call the denial menstruum (or perhaps "Mission Accomplished" period) of the invasion. The troops viewed Republic of iraq largely equally a humanitarian mission, and their noncombatant superiors were careful to cultivate that. Simply all of a sudden they were massively fired upon, and the results were tragic.
Probably the most egregious instance is the lack of tanks or armored Humvees. General Peter Chiarelli is confronted by a wounded soldier wanting to know why they didn't take tanks--Chiarelli knew that he had begged for them (and had been rebuked for publicly saying hundreds of thousands of troops would exist necessary), but that the Pentagon "had thought the war was winding down; sending all the Beginning Cavalry Division'southward tanks, they reasoned, would give the incorrect bulletin to the Iraqis--the bulletin that the Americans were in that location equally occupiers" (p. 287). Of course, nosotros were there as occupiers fifty-fifty if nosotros wanted to pretend otherwise. But that denial meant many soldiers went out to fight in the equivalent of pickup trucks, and were easy targets for snipers. They also had no thought of the Mahdi Army'south tactics, which included marching with children in the front as shields--they did non know how to effectively reply.
That denial also meant the assistance station was overwhelmed: "The aid station wasn't gear up for surgery--it lacked the equipment and had no claret supply, which made even removing a bullet a perilous procedure" (p. 162). The scenes of carnage and expiry are moving, and frustrating.
The volume really focuses on the people, leaving judgment to the reader, though I think it is very hard to write about this and not feel indignation. As it happens, Cindy Sheehan's son was killed that day, and and so yous can run into how this sort of event could radically transform someone. Casey Sheehan was in the dorsum of i of those unarmored trucks and had been in battle just a few minutes when he was shot and killed instantly. It is no pleasant affair to read well-nigh exactly how families are notified.
It is bad enough to take an invasion and occupation, all the same even worse when information technology's done ineptly, which just means more people die. The road abode is indeed long.
...more than Raddatz gives the states insight into the minds of those U.S. soldiers involved in the fighting. She also provides graphic details of the horrors of the fight. As such, this is non an piece of cake book to read, especially because this is a truthful story - - it'southward NOT fiction.
Although the subject matter was gruesome, Raddatz did a good job of humanizing the effect. She not simply told us about the soldiers involved, she gave details about their wives and families whom they had left backside. The concluding chapter, which takes place during the week following the deadfall, is well-nigh the military families. Raddatz relates the stories of the wives and families seeing their wounded family members for the first time, or seeing the caskets of their expressionless love ones. It's a very moving chapter.
After that, there is an Epilogue about what events that took place nearly a year later on the ambush. And, an Appendix lists all the soldiers that were wounded in battle and what they (and some of their families) were doing as of 2006.
The story is well-written and volition definitely requite you a unlike perspective on the ravages of war.
...more Joyce Bean is one of the best narrators and did a wonderful chore portraying the different characters in this book. I tin can't do better at describing this book than the publishers note:
From ABC White House correspondent Martha Raddatz comes the story of a brutal 48-60 minutes firefight that conveys in harrowing detail the effects of war, not
only on the soldiers but
Joyce Bean is 1 of the best narrators and did a wonderful job portraying the different characters in this book. I can't do amend at describing this volume than the publishers note:
From ABC White House contributor Martha Raddatz comes the story of a brutal 48-hr firefight that conveys in harrowing detail the effects of war, not
just on the soldiers merely also on the families waiting back home. In Apr 2004, soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Sectionalization were on a routine patrol in Sadr
City, Iraq, when they came under surprise assault. Over the course of the next 48 hours, eight Americans would be killed and more than than lxx wounded. Dorsum
home, as news of the attack began filtering in, the families of these aforementioned men - neighbors in Fort Hood, Texas - feared the worst. In fourth dimension, some of the
women in their circle would receive "the phone call": the notification that a hubby or blood brother had been killed in action. And then the families banded together in
apprehension of the heartbreak that was sure to come up. The firefight in Sadr City marked the showtime of the Iraqi insurgency, and Martha Raddatz has
written perhaps the most riveting account of hand-to-hand combat to emerge from the state of war in Iraq. This intimate portrait of the close-knit community of
families Stateside, the unsung heroes of the armed services, distinguishes The Long Road Dwelling house from other stories of mod warfare, showing the horror, terror,
bravery, and fortitude not just of the soldiers who were wounded and killed but besides of the wives and children whose lives are at present forever changed.
There are a lot of names thrown around in the book, but the author makes the people recognizable. She makes sure the book isn't disruptive past bringing someone up and the beginning and never talking about them again until the last four pages to confuse yous. The brilliant thing about this book though, is she shows the touch on of the deaths back at home. The apprehension to see if they would become that letter of the alphabet saying their son has died. It's quite sad honestly.
Nearly all of the men had never seen combat before, never killed anybody. They fabricated mistakes, there was a lot of pressure on them. They were placed in a situation they hadn't been in before and they were scared. They made mistakes, they were new to the concept of actual combat, non just grooming drills. But put yourself in that position, information technology'd be tough for anyone. So if y'all like real stories, stories similar "Black Hawk Down" then I would recommend this for you lot.
...more than
my favorite grapheme was the ane guy who refused to leave the mess tabular array before finishing his meal when news came that one of the platoons needed to be rescued. a career soldier nowhere near the rank he should take been (motion-picture show dolochov from state of war and peace) and who only wanted to reach retirement and go dwelling, he ended up saving most a half-dozen lives in his unarmored convoy, every limb and even trunk applying force per unit area to his wounded compratriots. i was sad to read in the appendix that he was from cameron, la, leveled past hurricane rita.
the volume is okay and does a expert job of carrying the surreal nature of battles over there . it tries to distinguish itself from blackhawk down past adding a few skippable capacity about the homefront. ...more
This is one of those books that needs to be read to better appreciate and understand the backbone, sacrifice, and bravery of our incredible fighting men and their loved ones back home, and the mensurate of grievous losses that are the inevitable price of battle - e'er.
...more
The reason I recommend this book to everyone is considering i
I don't even know where to get-go. I retrieve this is a book that everyone should read. Information technology is about a battle/deadfall in Sadr City, Iraq. My brother Trevor was stationed in that location at the fourth dimension. He was one of the lucky ones and was in armored vehicles at the time. If you read it Trev was in the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) the first group sent in to rescue the ambushed platoon. His platoon isn't talked almost to much, as I said they were the lucky ones.The reason I recommend this book to everyone is considering it is really well written and factual. I didn't experience similar the author took any sides as far as the state of war is concerned. It is not nearly whether the war is right or wrong, just rather almost the soliders and their families and what they are fighting for (each other). Information technology is nigh what they went through and their honey and loyalty to each other and our state. It is about what happened that twenty-four hours in Sadr Metropolis and how these amazing men and their families sacrificed all for each other.
...more
In April 2004, soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division were on a routine patrol in Sadr Urban center, Iraq, when they came under surprise assail. Over the course of the next twoscore-eight hours, 8
I read this volume and cried while on a trip to Arkansas over Thanksgiving weekend. Not the well-nigh comforting volume for a mom of an airman and marine to read but I'm still glad that I did. The realities of war are brutal, I hope and pray that my sons stay rubber just I know that any they are called to do they will.In April 2004, soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division were on a routine patrol in Sadr Metropolis, Iraq, when they came under surprise assail. Over the course of the side by side forty-eight hours, 8 Americans would be killed and more than than seventy wounded. Dorsum home, equally news of the assault began filtering in, the families of these aforementioned men, neighbors in Fort Hood, Texas, feared the worst. In time, some of the women in their circle would receive "the call"-the notification that a husband or brother had been killed in action. So the families banded together in anticipation of the heartbreak that was certain to come.
...more
Related Articles
Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account.
Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/210488.The_Long_Road_Home
0 Response to "The Long Road Home: a Story of War and Family"
Post a Comment