 |
|
Title: From Baghdad, With Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava
ISBN: 1592289800
Author:
Jay Kopelman
Melinda Roth
Publicate Date: 2006-10-05
Publish: 2006-10-05
List Price: $22.95
Average Customer Rating: 5.0
Format: Hardcover
 |
|
|
|
|
Amazon Lowest New Price: $3.03
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.69
Amazon Merchant Price: $15.61
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Customer Review: |
|
1: There is More to This Story
Those of us who were there, and knew Lava from his first discovery by Marines, thought he was a cute and wonderful animal. But consider that for every hour of attention that LtCol Kopelman devoted to rescuing a puppy, he spent one less hour training the Iraqi forces (his mission). Thousands of other Marines and Soldiers, who put their lives on the line day in and day out during the second battle of Fallujah in a far more visceral and dangerous way than the author, didn't have the luxury of rescuing puppies. They didn't have the luxury of a LtCol's paycheck. They didn't have the luxury of pathos-laden tomes upon their return. They certainly don't have the luxury of royalties, fame, and speaking tours. The other side of this story, unfortunately, is about an officer whose commitment should have been to his fellow Marines and his mission, not to the rescue of a puppy (no matter how wonderful a dog he was).
|
2: Not just for dog lovers
This is an interesting book to get a soldier's perspective of the war in Iraq. It's not the best written book but if you understand it's not fine literature going into it then you'll be fine. I think everyone should know what's going on over there -- what our soldiers are going through for us here back at home.
Thank you LTC Kopelman for your service to our country and for writing a book about your experiences. I am so happy for you that Lava came into your life.
|
3: A Moving Tale
This is a nice little novel about, as I'm sure you already know, a group of Marines who come across a very young puppy who they named "Lava" and "unofficially" adopt him, despite orders that prohibit soldiers from keeping pets.
It's a simple book written by a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps who grew attached to the puppy and made it his mission to save the dog. Some other reviewers complain it's poorly written and has too much profanity throughout the story. Well, when you take into consideration the author, the story, where the story takes place, etc...it's perfect.
The author, Jay Kopelman, does an excellent job of making you at least comprehend just a fraction of what he and thousands of other soldiers go through while serving in Iraq and you quickly understand why saving at least one life in Iraq was so important to him and everyone else involved in getting Lava to the U.S.
Any dog lover will understand how Lava impacted the life of a Marine serving in a place like Iraq and will understand the emotional roller coaster Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman went through, even if he's unable to put that part of the experience down in words. And this story makes you realize there's more to the war on terror than killing and being killed for the men and women who serve their country with honor and distinction.
|
4: Could Have Been So Much Better
I had heard about Lava the dog and the many pitfalls it took to overcome to get him home and so I couldn't wait to finally read the book. Unfortunately, this book does not live up to it's potential. It could have been a real gem had the author perhaps had a lot more help from a more experienced writer.
I'm surprised this book had two authors and quite possibly an editor and yet, it's so choppy and poorly written and dare I say, juvenile at times and I'm not talking about the profanity sprinkled throughout the book either. I'm not tremendously offended by profanity. In this case, I didn't feel it added or detracted from the book for me. The problem here is vocabulary. For example, there are several passages where the author used one word or one phrase over and over and over. In one passage it's the word "weird" when he's trying to explain to the reader how being in Iraq was and in another passage it's the phrase "at least" that begins every sentence for at least a paragraph. Maybe someone can gift him a thesaurus.
Frankly, until I read the interview between Amazon and the author, I would have just given the book 1 star because if the subject matter of the book wasn't so attractive, I doubt it would ever have gotten published. In the interview above at least, he does seem to have a more diverse vocabulary than was apparent in the book.
Another thing I found extremely difficult to get past was a passage where the author describes those who join the Army as basically losers, the guys who couldn't get the girl, who didn't play sports and who just weren't "good" enough was the impression I got. So unnecessary to the story and in my opinion, absolutely NOT true.
One last thing that gave me pause was the way he described himself getting into the faces of Iraqi's and hollering at them, including profanity which he insisted the interpreter include when relaying it back. Maybe they needed it, I don't know, I wasn't there but all I could think of while reading that was that's the sort of behavior that quite possibly could cost lives down the line. It's sort of like you can criticize your own children but woe unto those who are NOT a part of your family criticizing them. It just doesn't fly and even the author comes to realize this later in the book.
I don't know if I can honestly say this book is worth reading. I gave it two stars because I love dogs and found the subject matter appealing. The rest of the book just wasn't up to par to me and if you are looking to read down-to-earth, I-Was-There accounts of the goings on in Iraq or poignant, heartwarming stories about dogs then there are much better books out there on those subjects.
|
5: The Horror of war creeps on you, and yet, touched by hope
This book is one of those that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. Deeply emotional. Heroes vs evil. The author infuses his psychological insights into a story of an insane situation.
The horrors of the true story memoir creeps and builds. Intertwined by the deeds of the people coming together to help, adds hope to dispel the sense of a world with no compassion.
The emotional connection to the group of Marines known as Lava (named for where they trained in Hawaii) is immediate in the first few pages.
A career Marine fighting in Iraq (and sometimes near the border of Syria) desperately searches for a way to bring home to the States - a rescued puppy. (Thou shalt not have pets nor befriend animals, Article G something). Marines, news reporters, State side animal rescue groups, supportive Iraqis; fighting against the military machine ordered to shoot dogs. All this, while under the guns of insurgents, rocket propelled grenades, car bombs, cows strapped with suicide equipment.
To add more heart pressing depression to the harsh truths revealed, reading the parts about puppies being buried alive in sewers, fresh in my mind was the 'youtube' story. (Of the puppy thrown off the cliff by Marines making home videos. How could you?)
The author describes the military rationale behind some of the numbing military rules and realities.
Do I feel a little wiser after reading this?
What's the difference between foreign militants or American Marines shooting puppies?
I read this book in one sitting, not skipping to the last page (no cheating). I couldn't put it down.
Apple pie, Marilyn Monroe, dogs and waggily tailed puppies.
Tears for 21 Lava. Angels with wings, for sure.
|
|
|
|
|
