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Title: No True Glory: A Frontline Account of the Battle for Fallujah
ISBN: 0553383191
Author:
Bing West
Publicate Date: 2006-09-26
Publish: 2006-09-26
List Price: $15.00
Average Customer Rating: 5.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $8.37
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $8.57
Amazon Merchant Price: $10.20
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| Customer Review: |
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1: No Glory in This Story
I bought this book as a gift for our grandson who is in Iraq right now (he asked for it), but thought I would read it first. I read about half of it and gave up, because I was so disgusted with the way we mishandled everything. Politicians need to let the Generals fight the wars, maybe we might win in a much shorter time without so many dying needlessly. The book itself was very graphic in its descriptions, but that was expected. I guess I would have to say that the book was as good as it could be, considering what the author was trying to tell.
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2: great !!
As a veteran of both OEF and OIF i can tell you that this audio book is dead on, It is extremely accurate but it gives you an idea of the day to day struggle that we went through to gain a foothold in Fallujah. I would recommend this audio book to all vet's that are home or you back from your deployment.
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3: The most comprehensive and accurate Iraq War book at this time.
I came across this book thanks to two things. One being that it was recommended by another Iraq war author (David Bellavia). The second being that it was on my Kindle recommended reading list. I must admit that at something like 400 pages I expected it to drag on and become convaluted at times. This is not the case at all here. Mr. West does an amazing job of pacing out the book and describing the hellish combat that the Marines faced. He also analyses the political climate and assigns the blame for the unnecessary violence where it appropriately belongs. Kudos Mr. West on a tour de force, we need more authors of your caliber in this genre.
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4: Compelling and thought-provoking microcosm of the war in Iraq
People might be sick and tired of Iraq, but this is an excellent recounting of the battle of Fallujah in 2004 and a detailed analysis of the decisions that led to so many problems in that region.
West zooms in on the street-by-street fighting between the Marines and the insurgents, and these scenes have visceral intensity. You are there with the soldiers as bullets ricochet, RPG rounds careen through alleyways and bodies crumple with mortal wounds. Then West zooms back out to recount the meetings between the politicians, generals and religious leaders whose decisions determine the course of the Fallujuh fighting even more than the actions of the soliders on the ground.
In many ways, Fallujah is a microcosm of the war in Iraq. Misunderstood by the press and public alike, this book studies how countless acts of Marine bravery and heroism were offset by political infighting and dithering within the Bush administration and in the upper echelons of military command. It is at once tragic, exciting, frustrating and mind-boggling.
"After the mutilation of the four contractors in Fallujah in April 2004, the White House and high officials reacted emotionally by ordering a full attack on the city." The same could be said about our government's decision to go to war after 9/11 and Osama bin Laden's escape. One major questionable decision put everyone involved in an impossible situation thereafter. Especially with too many cooks in the kitchen.
Whether you are for, against or just plain frustrated by the war in Iraq, this is a compelling read. I was up until 2:00am each night until I finished it. You will not be disappointed. You will also gain further appreciation for the pressure the principal decisions makers faced, for the soldiers who fought in those streets and for Bing West's reportage.
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5: Very accurate and explained things I didn't understand during the Battle.
This book is a very good book about the battle. I served with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force during this battle during Operation Phantom Fury. After returning home and seeing this book I immediately bought it. When you are on the ground even with a high level of information there are still things you don't understand and this book explained some of the things I still didn't understand even after being in the middle of the battle. Now I know where the incoming was coming in when 9th Communications Battalion took the 17 casualties in one mortar attack. Great job Bing and Semper Fi.
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