Photo By Cpl. Jacob A. Singsank | The book 'The Long Road Home,' by Chief White House Correspondent for America...... read more read more
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I was very impressed with the book "The Long Road Home," by Chief White House Correspondent for America Broadcasting Company News (ABC) Martha Raddatz due to the way she made me feel like I was in the midst of a hectic battle, fighting alongside brave and heroic soldiers.
The novel shares a story that's very similar to the popular book and movie "Black Hawk Down." There are a few differences between the two, but overall, it's basically the same. And still, I was very impressed and couldn't put the book down.
The story focuses on a 48-hour gunfight in April 2004 involving insurgents in Sadr City, Iraq (near Baghdad) and the effect the battle has on both the soldiers fighting and their families. It tells the story of 1st Cavalry Division soldiers working as a team to repel the enemy when their routine escort mission comes under attack by a wave of insurgents.
Raddatz portrays detailed accounts of the soldiers being pinned down and the rescue team who comes in to save them. And she doesn't hesitate to give extremely graphic scenes during the fight.
Throughout the book, the story goes back to conversations the military members had with their spouses and children prior to the deployment, or the night before over the phone or Internet. The book also shares one instance in which a mother is notified about her son's death during the battle.
I recommend this book to all military members, and it should be a requirement for those scheduled for deployments to Iraq or Afghanistan. Readers can learn about insurgent tactics and how to work as a team to accomplish any mission.
At the end of the book, it shares what some of the soldiers did after returning from their deployment. Many of them stayed in and continued to serve, while others became active in anti-war rallies. Most of the soldiers returned to the United States with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, with a high percentage of them having family problems that most likely ended up in divorces.
After reading "The Long Road Home," I have a greater feeling of respect for all military members no matter what their branch. During that 48-hour battle, eight soldiers were killed and more than 70 were injured. It's people like them, doing what they do, who allow us to live the way we do.
| Date Taken: | 08.16.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.18.2009 17:07 |
| Story ID: | 37663 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 159 |
| Downloads: | 106 |
This work, The Long Road Home: Author writes a story of war, family and the effects of combat, by Cpl Jacob A. Singsank, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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