Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author Rick Bragg lends his remarkable narrative skills to the story of the most famous POW this ...
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reviews
Jul 03, 2010
Barbra
rated it: 
I had heard about Jessica Lynch some time ago and when I came across the book decided I would give it a try. It's the story of this girl's courage and fortitude when she was made a POW in Iraq.
Back Cover Blurb:
On March 23, 2003, Private First Class Jessica Lynch was crossing the Iraqi desert with the 507th Maintenance Company when the convoy she was travelling in was ambushed, caught in enemy cross fire. All four soldiers travelling with her died in the attack. Lynch, one of th More...
Back Cover Blurb:
On March 23, 2003, Private First Class Jessica Lynch was crossing the Iraqi desert with the 507th Maintenance Company when the convoy she was travelling in was ambushed, caught in enemy cross fire. All four soldiers travelling with her died in the attack. Lynch, one of th More...
Jul 17, 2009
Patti
rated it: 
Really enjoyed the book. It makes me sick to find out that she was beaten up so bad that the doctors thought she had been shot, and that she was sexually anally abused. This abuse went on for three hours which fortunately Jessica has no recollection. It was heartwarming the compassion she received from doctors and nurses once she was transferred from Iraq military hospital to a civilian hospital. She was acutally on the operating table about to get her leg amputated for propaganda purposes.
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Jul 31, 2009
dora
rated it: 
full of patriotic mish mash but then also has a drescription of the wounds she recieved that her mind doesnt remember the torture she was put through. pretty sad that humans can do things like this to other humans and be proud of it! ahhh religious wars...
the worst part of this story is that the whole country (if not world) focused on the one person who survived and almost totally ignored those other people who died in this attack. her best friend was in the vehicle with her and after all More...
the worst part of this story is that the whole country (if not world) focused on the one person who survived and almost totally ignored those other people who died in this attack. her best friend was in the vehicle with her and after all More...
Jan 06, 2012
Kristin
rated it:
I don't often read war stories. They don't really capture my attention often, but this one was different. I suppose since war, army, etc. interests me outside of novels, kind of helped when I gave a novel about those things a shot. I loved that Jessica is from my home state. I also loved that it was a war novel about a woman; and it was all based on a true story.
Other than that, I found that it was kind of slow at times, but I have successfully read this story twice. When reading you More...
Other than that, I found that it was kind of slow at times, but I have successfully read this story twice. When reading you More...
Jan 31, 2010
Rayni
rated it:
I added a "war" bookshelf just for this book. I wish Goodreads would give us a choice of half stars & I would have given it 4.5 stars. This was a real eye-opener & Bragg did a great job of reporting it.
It's amazing how the media can twist the truth. Bragg did a wonderful job of correcting those errors & in his reporting made it a "good" read. In a M*A*S*H episode Major Frank Burns said, "We all know it's brutal up there at the front, especially those of us at More...
It's amazing how the media can twist the truth. Bragg did a wonderful job of correcting those errors & in his reporting made it a "good" read. In a M*A*S*H episode Major Frank Burns said, "We all know it's brutal up there at the front, especially those of us at More...
Nov 28, 2008
Terri
rated it:
a good reminder of what our military faces and how grateful i am for them.
while i am in my warm home, brave soldiers, like jessica lynch are putting their lives on the line.
all the reports i had heard and read about this incident were quite different from the actual happenings.
i enjoyed the authors reading on the cd too, he has a great southern voice, perfect for this story.
while i am in my warm home, brave soldiers, like jessica lynch are putting their lives on the line.
all the reports i had heard and read about this incident were quite different from the actual happenings.
i enjoyed the authors reading on the cd too, he has a great southern voice, perfect for this story.
Feb 21, 2011
Jacki
rated it: 
I could not stop turning the pages of this book that depicts America's ill equiped invasion into Iraq. Jessica Lynch tells a moving story about her capture and subsequent rescue from American troops. She adds in a subtle way the account of the Bush invasion as fighting his daddy's war. Made me cry, could have been one of my daughters.
Apr 08, 2009
Florence
rated it:
Nothing special. Ms. Lynch was doing her job, and was taken hostiage. Over all she was not miss treated and they were trying to treat her injuries when the USA found her. Over all the book was poorly done. I wish she would have writen her own book, then I would have been a little less harsh.
Jan 13, 2009
Biosyd
rated it:
Not as good as the biography of the irac man that saved her. I can't remember his name. This shoud not have happened. I'm glad to hear that she has since recovered, married and had a child.
Mar 01, 2009
Angel
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I thought this was a good book. I read it in a day becuase it was hard to put down once you start and get into it. It shows what a strong and brave young woman Jessica Lynch is
Jan 26, 2009
Laura
rated it:
Good writing. The most interesting part of this story, in my opinion, was how Jessica's home town rallied around to support her family and pray for her. There were other parts of the book that dragged.
Aug 13, 2011
Had Rick Bragg not written this, it would not have been as readable - he is wonderful - not sure about her.
Oct 01, 2011
Heidi
rated it:
Jessica may never have fired a shot but she is definitely a hero. The author was maybe a little 'dramatic' in his description of her hometown and the people there but he really made me feel like I knew Jessica and her humble heart. Great story.
Dec 19, 2011
Leslie
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This is a very touching story. It's true, and quite amazing of this girl!
Aug 14, 2011
GK
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This book disappointed me. I believe Rick is best at telling his own story.
Dec 30, 2010
Dave
rated it:
I Am a Soldier, Too: The Jessica Lynch Story - Rick Bragg (Alfred A. Knopf 2003)Biography, is the story of a petite blond female POW in Iraq who was injured while riding in an armored vehicle, taken prisoner, and then sexually assaulted. The army bent over backwards to locate a trooper to annoint as the politically correct hero of the day, whose best friend was a Hopi Indian single mother and whose love interest was Hispanic. Ricky Bragg, I've been moved by your other work; I just hope you we
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Jul 17, 2008
Vaughn
rated it:
This book gave me incite to today's military and not my father's military. Touches the heart, as I'm also a girl who grew up in a rural community and value the same things she did/does. Her experience is humbling to us who take for granted many things. I only gave 3 stars, bc I didn't really care for the way the book was written by the author--choppy, short, and hard for me to find a flow. But Jessica picked him to write her book, so who am I to criticize??
Jan 29, 2012
Jaclynn
rated it:
I had heard about Jessica and her story briefly in the news some years ago, but was glad I finally got to read the whole thing. It is really amazing all that she went through and what got her through it was her determination to live. Unfortunately, the book is not really clear on what Jessica’s faith is comprised of, but I have no doubt after reading this that God had/has a special plan for her life. There is some language in the book.
Dec 30, 2008
Jennifer
rated it:
This book was not what I expected in that it focused mainly on Jessica, her background, and her family while still giving enough insight into her capture to paint a clear picture of the horror through which she must have lived. I read this book in one sitting and found it to be particularly moving.
Aug 08, 2007
Leslie
rated it:
I listened to this book on audio, and it was really good. Rick Bragg does the narration, and his voice perfectly captures the story with his Southern accent. He paints a portrait of the town Jessica grew up in and her childhood, then details her capture and rescue. Rick Bragg takes you there and makes you feel as if you are in the moment.
Oct 16, 2007
Emily
rated it:
AMAZING!!!! I finished this book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. This book gives us a little bit of insight about is what is going on overseas, while we sit at the table, in our heated houses and sip our hot coffee. Jessica's story is truly one of bravery, pain, heartache, and celebration. MUST READ!!!!
Jul 11, 2008
Lennie
rated it:
It was interesting to read Jessica's personal account of her experience as a POW because it was so different from what was reported in the newspaper. I felt this was a good book to read because I learned about the horrors of war and it makes me appreciate the men and women who serve in the military.
Feb 19, 2009
Christina
rated it:
my high school played her high school in sports!
the writing is overwrought, but I came away with a great deal of admiration for her in speaking out as she did. go, homegirl!
the writing is overwrought, but I came away with a great deal of admiration for her in speaking out as she did. go, homegirl!
Aug 26, 2008
Eva
rated it:
This was a surprisingly good book. As much as I like memoirs and non fiction I didn't think I'd be very much into this but I was. I read it years ago so I can't really remember specifics but I do remember being pleasantly surprised.
Sep 23, 2008
Shirley
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After having heard the untrue hero version put out by the government concerning Jessica's statis as a POW in the Iraq War, it was interesting to find out what really happened and to have real sympathy for her ordeal.
Feb 03, 2008
Samantha
rated it:
The story of American solider Jessica Lynch and her tragic story in Iraq in 2003. Very interesting and an "emotional" read. However, I would've liked to know if Jessica truly believes in God and if He saved her life.
Nov 10, 2007
Dina
rated it:
I'm still not sure how I feel about her. Maybe it's because deep down I'm afraid something like that could happen to me. I think the book could have been better written...it seemed to jump around a bit too much.
Apr 25, 2008
Amy B
rated it:
Excellent, excellent, excellent. Makes your heart go out to our service people even more. Makes me proud to be an American and very proud of Jessica Lynch. I read this....didn't 'listen' to it.
