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House to House: An Epic Memoir of War

4.21 of 5 stars 4.21 · rating details · 1,304 ratings · 147 reviews

"Blood flows over my left hand and I lose my grip on his hair. His head snaps back against the floor. In an instant, his fists are pummeling me. I rock from his counterblows. He lands one on my injured jaw and the pain nearly blinds me. He connects with my nose, and blood and snot pour down my throat. I spit blood between my teeth and scream with him. The two of us sound l...more "Blood flows over my left hand and I lose my grip on his hair. His head snaps back against the floor. In an instant, his fists are pummeling me. I rock from his counterblows. He lands one on my injured jaw and the pain nearly blinds me. He connects with my nose, and blood and snot pour down my throat. I spit blood between my teeth and scream with him. The two of us sound like caged dogs locked in a death match. We are." On the night of November 10, 2004, a U.S. Army infantry squad under Staff Sergeant David Bellavia entered the heart of the city of Fallujah and plunged into one of the most sustained and savage urban battles in the history of American men at arms.

With Third Platoon, Alpha Company, part of the Army's Task Force 2/2, Bellavia and his men confronted an enemy who had had weeks to prepare, booby-trapping houses, arranging ambushes, rigging entire city blocks as explosives-laden kill zones, and even stocking up on atropine, a steroid that pumps up fighters in the equivalent of a long-lasting crack high. Entering one house, alone, Bellavia faced the fight of his life against six insurgents, using every weapon at his disposal, including a knife. It is the stuff of legend and the chief reason he is one of the great heroes of the Iraq War.

Bringing to searing life the terrifying intimacy of hand-to-hand infantry combat, "House to House" is far more than just another war story. Populated by an indelibly drawn cast of characters, from a fearless corporal who happens to be a Bush-hating liberal to an inspirational sergeant-major who became the author's own lost father figure, it develops the intensely close relationships that form between soldiers under fire. Their friendships, tested in brutal combat, would never be quite the same. Not all of them would make it out of the city alive. What happened to them in their bloody embrace with America's most implacable enemy is a harrowing, unforgettable story of triumph, tragedy, and the resiliency of the human spirit.

A timeless portrait of the U.S. infantryman's courage, "House to House" is a soldier's memoir that is destined to rank with the finest personal accounts of men at war.(less)

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published September 4th 2007 by Free Press (first published January 1st 2007)

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Feb 11, 2013 Sean rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who lives brutal, vivid, non-fiction, war-stories

Recommended to Sean by: David Bellavia, haha

Shelves: owned, reviewed, signed, 2007

(Warning, disjointed ramblings below) =P

Great book, read it about 4 years ago now. I actually live about 10 minutes from the author. My friend and I went to his book signing at a local bookstore and just chatted with him for a good 30 minutes. It was actually rather depressing, we were the only ones who ended up coming, haha. Oh well, it was an amazing honor. We hadn't planned on buying the book, my friend simply called me up one weekend saying "dude, want to come see this Iraq vet speak?, he wa...more

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Jul 05, 2010 MG rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who is interested in a ground-view account of the War in Iraq.

Recommended to MG by: Amazon.com

Before picking up this book (on Kindle) some of the reviews I had read suggested that the language and demeanor of the Author were unrealistic (even "over-the-top"), meant to paint a "Rambo" portrait of him, in some self-glorifying way.

Honestly, that's one of the things that piqued my interest in the book. I downloaded a sample chapter from the Kindle store, and I was hooked after 10 pages. Bellavia writes a gritty, "through genuine eyes" portrait of combat you will never see on the evening news...more

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Jan 30, 2010 Ron rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was a very dramatic and intense perspective on modern warfare. It described to me the complex struggle that American men take on to proove manhood, or maybe just to feel meaningful. David describes his and other soldiers courageous actions. He gives a good description of what America thinks men aught to be. This concerns me, I even teetered towards sensationalizing the sacrifice. I know there will always be soldiers, but to give killing a stage, seems to glorify it. I honor David's str...more

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Dec 16, 2011 Katie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction, real-life-heros, audio-and-paper, audio, favorite

It took me a bit to put the words together in my head what I wanted to say in my review of House to House. I absolutely loved it, that was never a question. My confusion was how to convey how much I loved it and what a book like this means to me. House to House is the memoir of David Bellavia's time as a soldier in Iraq and in particular his and his unit's experiences in the second Battle of Fallujah, which took place in November of 2004 and was arguably the bloodiest battle in the Iraq war.

The...more It took me a bit to put the words together in my head what I wanted to say in my review of House to House. I absolutely loved it, that was never a question. My confusion was how to convey how much I loved it and what a book like this means to me. House to House is the memoir of David Bellavia's time as a soldier in Iraq and in particular his and his unit's experiences in the second Battle of Fallujah, which took place in November of 2004 and was arguably the bloodiest battle in the Iraq war.

The Army was in the Battle of Fallujah! I honestly didn't even know that prior to reading this book. The tiniest bit that I've read on the battle was in the main stream news, and of the information I've seen on it in the past it is all about the US Marines' involvement in the battle. As a matter of fact I didn't know a fraction of the information about the Iraq war that was provided in this book. Laid out in a manner that is in your face and impossible to ignore, David Bellavia tells us what it is like for a soldier to be in the middle of battle and you feel every word of it.

I don't pretend to know what it's like for a soldier in the middle of a war because I've read a book or in particular this book. I know this book wasn't written for SSG Bellavia to thump his chest and show the world he is "the man". I especially know this wasn't written for the American people to show pity or feel sorry for our soldiers. This was written to open the eyes of the reader to see what it takes to be a soldier in the US Army infantry and the values that these men hold dear. Their cause is just, they go off to war to serve their country. But what they are truly fighting for is the man on their left side and the man on their right side who has become their brother. This point was gotten through to me crystal clear.

Not once did I get the impression that David Bellevia was showing off, or blasting his own horn, as after this battle he would have every right to do. He constantly told how proud he was of his men, how honored he was to serve with Fitts, Faulkenburg, Iwan, Simms, Cantrell and on several different occasions indicating how other soldiers both his subordinates and his superiors were his heros. In fact, the amount of modesty in this man astounded me. He was recommended to receive the Medal of Honor for events that took place in this book. But in SSG Bell's description of these events he is not bragging but almost criticizing himself for how he handled himself. At no point in this book did he mention any of his awards that he's received as a soldier. Which include a Bronze Star and a Silver Star. This book wasn't written for others to recognize him as a hero, but for us to recognize his fellow soldiers and what they've endured, proven and sacrificed.

House to House is written in a crude in-your-face manner, which is sure to grab anyone's attention. This is definitely not for the faint or delicate of heart as just about every other word is referring to some kind of violent act, killer weapon or an f-bomb (which is part of the reason I loved it so much, it was real dialogue). I would and have recommended this to anyone interested in reading a story of true life military heroism at it's most horrifically described.

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Mar 09, 2010 Rodney rated it 5 of 5 stars

Amazing book. I've read other reviews that compare Bellavia's work to Tim O'Brien. It is a solid comparison, but Bellavia gives more of a vivid picture of not only combat but the suffering that each solider goes though on the battlefield.

The book contains one of the most violent description of two men fighting to the death. The terror/rage/pain described will haunt me.

Often times you hear people pay lip service to supporting to troops and thanks to all what veterans do. After reading this, there...more

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May 05, 2013 Sean Schojan rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: action readers, those interested in war thru the eyes of the soldiers

Recommended to Sean by: Amazon.com

I have been wanting to read this book for what feels like forever, and I finally ot it on Audible.com as an audiobook on my iPhone. This book is an absolute must read, that is the only way I can put this. The details are in-depth, the tension of the firefights & the actual combat was amazing and had me on the edge of my seat, and the inclusion of the massive amount of comraderie shown throughout House to House actually made me feel more proud for not only my friends serving as Army Rangers i...more

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Jul 24, 2010 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: girls, women who want to understand about men's relationships, Americans, and humans.

Shelves: iraq, military, leadership, memoir

I LOVE this book!!!!! I Really really really LOVE this book. This book may possibly be tied for my FAVORITE with War and Peace and just above Les Miserables. I'll have to wait awhile and see if the glow wears off.
Certain books make you feel like your world was turned upside down...War and Peace did this for me, and so has this book. Bellavia answered a million questions I always wondered about combat, many that couldn't even be intelligently expressed. I keep thinking of images from this story....more I LOVE this book!!!!! I Really really really LOVE this book. This book may possibly be tied for my FAVORITE with War and Peace and just above Les Miserables. I'll have to wait awhile and see if the glow wears off.
Certain books make you feel like your world was turned upside down...War and Peace did this for me, and so has this book. Bellavia answered a million questions I always wondered about combat, many that couldn't even be intelligently expressed. I keep thinking of images from this story...mental pictures...conversations between David and Faulkenberg, Simms, Fitts, Ware, Lawson, and others... Sludging through the sewers, Sarcasm toward high ranking idiots, humorus twists on movie quotes, quips to break the tension, and some of the best "dark humour" which I, as a nurse, can appreciate. I am not one for gratuitous profanity, but in this story it was reasonable and realistic.

My favorite part of these types of books is always the part where the writer gives a detailed description of a comrad...you feel the respect that the author has...you feel the love between the men...you feel an almost reverential awe...like you're falling in love with the guy...then you realize...the guy's gonna die. Maybe not on the next page, or the next battle, or the next chapter, but very soon. Rarely, does a soldier show this level of passion for a living comrad.

When I found myself bawling at the end of the story, it really rattled me. My knees were shaking for hours. Why? The realistic mental images of battle? The very palpable sensory experience that the author's words created? The honesty elicited by the authors openness and vulnerability? I think it was the relationship with SSG Fitts. SSG Bell and SSG Fitts are no longer close now that Bellavia has left the Army and it literally made me cry.

I read "Band of Brothers" by Stephen Ambrose, and "Beyond Band of Brothers" by Major Dick Winters about Easy Company of the 506th. These men joined the Army together after Pearl Harbour, and those who lived, served together until the end of the European campaign. Those who remain continue to meet regularly and are the closest friends imaginable.

Like the soldiers in Vietnam who rotated in for 6 mos to a year of combat and then went back home alone, it seemed like Bell's unexpected decision to discharge left him feeling lost and alone. It makes me so unbelievably sad that these soldiers of the Iraq War went their seperate ways. Maybe Fitts feels abandoned by Bellavia. Maybe Fitts feels like he worked through his demons, why couldn't his buddy? I can't help but believe that David is doing what he should be doing right now with the Warrior Legacy Foundation and other projects. I hope that Colin Fitts can see the value and honor in what David is creating.

David Bellavia has been accused of Machismo and Bravado in his descriptions of the Battle of Falluja, but I have never been so deeply touched by a soldier's descriptions of relationships, specific events that fueled his passions, intimate conversations with God in the midst of battle, fears of not measuring up in the eyes of his men, fears of placing them in harms way by his actions or omissions. I'm in absolute awe of the intimacy laid bare in this book!
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Feb 04, 2012 Suzie Quint rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: those who want an understanding of what our troops really do in urban warfare

Recommended to Suzie by: Katie

Shelves: nonfiction, favorites

It takes a special kind of person to want to be an infantry soldier. David Bellavia is one of those people. If you really want to know what the battle of Fallujah was like, this is the book. He was there in the thick of it on his 29th birthday. To say I'm awed by the loyalty, courage, and tenacity of these men is an understatement, but I don't have the words to express my admiration and gratitude that these men exist in my world. These are the men who go out there and get the job done while the...more

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May 26, 2012 David rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a riveting story about infantry close combat in the Battle of Fallujah. It is told from the first person by a soldier who was there. The account is direct, clear, and describes the personal brutality of close combat. The book is not for the faint-of-heart and the dialogue is clearly infantry. (Read if you're sensitive to profanity, don't bother reading this book.)

The conditions under which our soldiers fought were horrible. The frustration of the small-unit leaders is apparent and the la...more

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Oct 31, 2011 Mike Elness rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

House To House: An Epic Memoir of War by David Bellavia injects you straight into a mechanized infantry platoon fighting insurgents in Iraq. Bellavia pulls no punches, providing a fascinating look into the mind of the modern soldier -- his fears, his triumphs, his heartfelt bonds with his fellow warriors -- all at a frenetic pace that keeps the pages turning one after another. His narrative is riddled with extreme violence and nonstop profanity, just like the daily lives of the soldiers whose ex...more

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Apr 14, 2008 Nicko rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Militarists

Wow. War is hell. Words escape me.

"America is not at war, The Army is at war; the Marine Corps is jammed up at the gates; and America is at the mall."

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Sep 29, 2011 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

The language in this book took some time for me to get used to. There is a glossary and abbreviations are spelled out when introduced, but it's challenging to enjoy casual reading when you have to constantly look things up. The material itself was also difficult, but that's to be expected given the subject matter. The content is a play by play of events without much personal analysis offered. I would have been interested in hearing more about the emotional aspects, but that was not the motive of...more

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Jun 18, 2009 Mary rated it 4 of 5 stars

My son-in-law wrote this book. It is a compelling read about a topic I usually shy away from.

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Mar 07, 2013 Debi rated it 5 of 5 stars

I listened to the audio version of this book. It is excellent and I highly recommend it. I believe this book should be required reading by every American. I have the up most respect for the young men who have made a commitment to fight in this war. I can honestly say I will never forget this book. I will be purchasing the hardcover edition and dominating it to our local library and since I am a library assistant I will be recommending it to all patrons. I will also have a copy for my grandson to...more

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Jul 19, 2010 Kevin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: history, military, non-fiction

The book is hard to put down. This book details the experiences of Sgt. Bellavia. He is a team leader in the early years of the war in Iraq, and the story builds to when his unit is sent into Fallujah. Beware, because this book contains graphic war images and plenty of curse words (but I suppose that is what you experience being in the military :-) Bellavia and his company fight house to house, and the story climaxes when his team enters a house to clear it and encounter a number of Terrorists w...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Kadir Okumus rated it 4 of 5 stars

To begin this was my favorite good read of this summer. To quickly summarize the book, it is about a task force of soldier’s in Fallujah who face more and more hardships as they continue on in the battle for their lives and even more importantly, their country. The book kept me interested and the constant action packed paragraphs made this a fun and exciting read. I never knew that you could get an adrenaline rush by simply reading a book. I highly recommend this book to whoever is an adrenaline...more

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Dec 02, 2008 Erikhart Hart rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: persons interested in military history.

This book was a phenomenal depiction of the brutal, hand to hand combat in the Second Battle of Fallujah. Told from the perspective of an infantry Squad Leader, I think this book complements some of the more familiar, and broader perspectives by providing a direct insight into the daily routines of the small unit leader. The camaraderie, black humor, and tense, intimate relationships between brothers in arms will be instantly familiar to anyone who has spent time in a line unit. Not for those w...more

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Apr 30, 2013 Sara rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm not a war person. I don't like war movies or war games, I don't come from a big military family, and I cringe my teeth at our nation's defense spending budget. All of that said, David Bellavia's memoir about his time spent in Fallujah was one of the most moving and effectual stories I've ever read. It takes the reader into the mind of a soldier during his darkest moments, both abroad and at home, while also evoking empathy for parties on either side of the firing line. Read cover-to-cover in...more

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Feb 28, 2012 Carolyn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012

It is difficult not to get pulled immediately into Bellavia's story from the beginning. The book is extremely candid in tone and is written in the first person, present tense which is a bit unusual but very effective in this case. Without being flowery or verbose, the author/main character brings the reader to the streets of Iraq. His descriptions allow you to smell the acrid air, show you the intense gore of combat, and feel your heart flutter in your throat at every sound.
There is a lot of act...more

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Mar 12, 2012 Benjamin Cheah rated it 4 of 5 stars

House to House is exactly what it says on the cover: an epic memoir of house to house combat in Fallujah. It reads almost like a military thriller, with breathtaking action scenes and vivid descriptions of combat. In between the firefights, the death and the combat, Bellavia injects scenes of brotherhood, humour, and the humanity that is experienced at the edge of life and death. The combat scenes, of which there are many, are both intense and readable, giving the reader an insight into the mind...more House to House is exactly what it says on the cover: an epic memoir of house to house combat in Fallujah. It reads almost like a military thriller, with breathtaking action scenes and vivid descriptions of combat. In between the firefights, the death and the combat, Bellavia injects scenes of brotherhood, humour, and the humanity that is experienced at the edge of life and death. The combat scenes, of which there are many, are both intense and readable, giving the reader an insight into the mindset and tactics of men fighting the most controversial war in the 21st century.

This book is relatively uncomplicated, though. It is concerned with expressing what Bellavia and his men did and thought and felt in a few days of Fallujah. The author made allusions to other incidents in the book, but they weren't expanded upon. There was also this sense of emptiness after the climax of the story. Bellavia had triumphed in his most vicious fight yet, but the battle for Fallujah is still raging around him. The rest of the time he spent in the city were barely touched upon, described only as flashbacks or in fleeting detail in the rest of the story. It is also a highly personal story, giving a grunt's eye view of the battle. Don't expect meditations on strategy or thoughts on what the US military was doing there; expect instead Bellavia's thoughts on the enemy in front of him and how to keep himself and his men alive. The story could also have benefited from greater characterisation; almost everybody who isn't Bellavia are treated as little more than extras in a fiction story, given lines and nicknames and only one or two insights into their personalities. That said, this is a memoir and the sheer number of people in Bellavia's story would make deeper characterisation much harder to swallow.

This book is written in the language of blood and sweat and tears. I just wish Bellavia had spent more time fleshing out the characters and discussing why the military was there. But then, this is from a grunt's eye view, and soldiers like these usually don't have time for such higher thoughts when the bullets start to fly.(less)

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Nov 17, 2010 Tippy Jackson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: memoir, war

This was a great book. Bellavia does a great job of describing the battle of Fallujah from a soldier's standpoint. He doesn't just dwell on the physical descriptions of what's happening, but also brings up the mental stress, the questions that come to mind and the strategic decisions, with unknown and possibly horrific consequences, that he has to make for himself and the men he genuinely cares about. His descriptions of his fellow soldiers make it really easy for the reader to care about them....more This was a great book. Bellavia does a great job of describing the battle of Fallujah from a soldier's standpoint. He doesn't just dwell on the physical descriptions of what's happening, but also brings up the mental stress, the questions that come to mind and the strategic decisions, with unknown and possibly horrific consequences, that he has to make for himself and the men he genuinely cares about. His descriptions of his fellow soldiers make it really easy for the reader to care about them. So even though you know he obviously survives, you don't know if any of the other soldiers will and so it still has an element of suspense.

Aside from the battle, he describes the waiting. This is an important part to war stories that often gets over looked-the amount of time spent simply waiting for something to happen and while staging an attack. I could feel the adrenaline-fueled anticipation and impatience as the men were waiting for what will probably be the biggest battle of their lives to begin.

Also very compelling, he briefly gets into the discussion of his conscience, his Christianity and where he feels his relationship with God is. While he believes in his mission and follows through with conviction, he faces death everyday and with remarkable honesty talks about what it has done to him spiritually. I am very much not a religious person, but I really appreciated this. Whenever a soldier's sacrifice is brought up, it usually has to do with something physical-they lost an arm. Maybe psychological-they have PTSD. But not about their spiritual sacrifices. This is not really considered, probably because it's not measurable, or is difficult to identify and discuss. He talks about taking joy in his enemies suffering, but with a realization of what he thinks it means about himself, and still with no regrets about it. He is a proud infantryman and to do a good job, he had to turn off a little piece of himself. No one could witness the horrors of war around them everyday without becoming desensitized to it. And a fair warning-he does go into detail about some of those horrors. It can be gruesome at parts.

As for the writing itself, as someone who is not in the military, I appreciated the fact that he did not use a lot of military jargon. It was quite easy to understand and he defined any codes and briefly described any weapons as part of his explanation, so you don't have to speak "guns and ammo" to appreciate this book. The author is incredibly talented and knows what is interesting to the widest range of people. Fast paced is an understatement and the battle descriptions are exactly where they need to be-not too long but still detailed. The writing is excellent, although it's no "The things they carried." But then, what is? The fact that I would even compare them is a testament to my opinion of this book. :-)

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Sep 26, 2009 Timothy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Intense, proper look into the early years of American infantry in Iraq sweeping house to house in an epic testiment from this Staff Sergeant. The whole book covers 3 days as far as his missions, but encompasses the neverending American spirit & the lifelong honor of heroes that serve our country each & everyday. I couldnt put this down & highly recommend this book if you enjoy reading about military/conflict or american history, except if you have loved ones currently abroad serving...more

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Jan 24, 2009 FicusFan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, middle-east, modern-day, iraq, war, violence, read-2009, read-1-09

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Just a searing and amazing book.

I saw him giving a talk about his book in a bookstore, on C-SPAN. It was back in 2007, when the book was out in HC. I was so memorized by his talk that I vowed to buy the book when it came out it paper. And I did. I didn't read it until now, because I got one of my RL book groups to read it as the January selection.

The passion and honesty of his presentation made it seem like he spoke for an hour or more on one breath. It was fast and it took you to the events he...more Just a searing and amazing book.

I saw him giving a talk about his book in a bookstore, on C-SPAN. It was back in 2007, when the book was out in HC. I was so memorized by his talk that I vowed to buy the book when it came out it paper. And I did. I didn't read it until now, because I got one of my RL book groups to read it as the January selection.

The passion and honesty of his presentation made it seem like he spoke for an hour or more on one breath. It was fast and it took you to the events he talked about, the horror of war, the men he fought with, those who lived and those who were lost. That same vitality comes across in the book. I read it in one sitting.

The book is a series of connected stories about their life in Iraq and the battles they get into. There are lots of descriptions of battles, and weapons. It is gory, brutal and quite frank. Not for the faint of heart or those who require sugar-coating. The major part of the book is about his unit going into Fallujah to clean out the insurgents after they killed and hung the bodies of 4 American contractors from a bridge.

He doesn't really go into politics, other than to say he is upset at how the media portrays the war. He is also critical of those in the military who are living a cushy life in the rear area, while the troops are in danger. They get very little in terms of support, comfort, or even basic necessities. He is full of pride for his men and their courage, and unapologetic at the killing and destruction, though he does recognize the enemy as human.

There is a good bit of introspection, but not at the time of the events, and not enough to keep him from acting and staying alive in the heat of battle. He believes in his men, in the US, and in the ability to change the world for the better with a gun in his hand, and our flag on his shoulder.

Not a popular sentiment in the world today. But unlike the scumbags in Washington who believe the same, Bellavia truly believes good will come of it. He didn't lie or manipulate us into this war, and he is willing to put his life and his body on the line to back up what he believes. Unlike the cowards in Washington.(less)

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Apr 13, 2008 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Rachel by: Eric

Shelves: military

This is a pretty engaging story of one sergeant's experience in Iraq. He tells it in a very melodramatic, epic style, which is somewhat amusing, but the information is all there. Unlike most military memoirs, which are careful to say only good things about others, Bellavia is fairly blunt in his opinions, reserving his compliments for people he honestly admired and those who fell in the line of duty. It offers a lot of insight into life on the ground during the battle of Fallujah, and details so...more

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Aug 04, 2011 Karl Tenney added it

This is one amazing story. On the down side it sets a new standard in bad language. You know how some movies are either so clean or so filthy they don't even bother with a rating? Well the combat language in this book takes it beyond a rating. I don't think I came across this much potty-mouth the entire time I was in high school. That said, this story is unbelievable. I'm so grateful to those who more than self, their country love. I can't even put into words how amazing this is.

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Nov 11, 2010 Mark rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Military and anyone trying to understand the war/soldiers who fight it

A stunning book and I can say, being in the Army myself, it is a great insight into the mind of a modern combat leader and demonstrates in no BS language what the war in Iraq was REALLY like, not the watered down bull one hears in the news. Bellavia does a great job revealing many of the thought processes and emotions that go through the head of a combat soldier during some of the toughest moments they face. I strongly recommend this book not only for the average person but for the soldier and N...more

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Apr 08, 2008 Justin rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

Recommended to Justin by: housing works

I know I vacillate back and forth between flaming liberal hippy and little boy who thinks war is video games, and neither perspective is all that appropriate for this book...that said, it's completely terrifying and kickass and easily the biggest adrenaline-rush I've ever gotten out of reading a book. I don't know what to make of soldiers like Bellava. I have friends in the service who were in Iraq and I can feel the pride in their expertise and ability and loyalty to their friends and unit, but...more

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May 30, 2010 Cheryl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-nonfiction, war-stories-nonfiction

David Bellavia takes the reader along with his platoon as they attempt to recapture the city of Fallujah from insurgents in 2004 in Iraq. The urban warfare was brutal, and the reader is given a front row experience as the troops encounter the horror and vicious hand to hand combat that was part of this battle. At times the language is very rough, but it's a very realistic portrayal of what our troops experienced. It's a gritty story that is hard to put down and hard to forget.

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Oct 03, 2012 Matthew rated it 3 of 5 stars

In House to House, David Bellavia recounts his experience of the Battle of Fallujah, the most costly and hotly-contested battle of the second Iraq War. Ballavia provides a vivid description of urban, house-to-house warfare, and I found the book to be a very quick and intense read.

I was also pleasantly surprised to find information that was new to me (such as the magnitude of the US's fire superiority; the degree to which the opponent can threaten our troops despite their fire inferiority; the a...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Cherine rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A very real and sobering book. I would not recommend it to most people. It is gory and the language is foul. Beyond the insubordinate language you see the soldiers in a new light. Your respect will increase and you will be ever grateful these are the type of people on the front lines! I have been so pensive and kept thinking I can't believe it as i read it! I for one say shame on those who ever criticized the battle in Falluja Iraq. I love our soldiers!

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About David Bellavia

Staff Sergeant David Bellavia spent six years in the U.S. Army, including some of the most intense fighting of the Iraq War. He has been awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star for his actions in Iraq, and recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross and Medal of Honor for his actions in Fallujah. In 2005, he received the Conspicuous Service Cross (New York State's highest award for military va...more

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“All the sins I've committed, I've done them with one objective: to keep my men alive. Those kids in my squad, those kids of mine, they are everything. My wife doesn't understand this job or why I do it. My son is too young. My dad wouldn't get it if I tried to explain. My mom would have a heart attack. The need to keep my men alive makes everything else negotiable, and everyone and everything a potential threat.” — 3 people liked it

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House to House: An Epic Memoir of War

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