Awarded the Navy Cross for gallantry under fire, Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Workman is one of the Marine Corps’ best-known contemporary combat v...
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reviews
Feb 07, 2010
James
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I had to stay up late to finish this book. It's the story of a bitter and horrific battle-within-a-battle during the Battle of Fallujah in Iraq in December 2004. The author, a Marine NCO at the time, earned a Navy Cross, the second highest medal for heroism in the U.S. military, in that gunfight - his leaders nominated him for the highest award, the Medal of Honor, but for whatever reason, the people at the top of the chain of command downgraded it to the Navy Cross, still a medal that is very s
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Jan 22, 2010
Alyce (At Home With Books)
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By sharing his experiences both during the war and afterward, Jeremiah Workman has created a book that can help civilians gain an understanding of what life is like for soldiers after they have come home from battle. Even more importantly, it unveils what it is like to live with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and attempts to remove the stigma associated with it.
Jeremiah Workman's experiences in Iraq are, at times, hard to read about. His recollections of his time in battle (part More...
Jeremiah Workman's experiences in Iraq are, at times, hard to read about. His recollections of his time in battle (part More...
Aug 13, 2009
Jennifer
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 12, 2009
Bruce
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I received the advance uncorrected proof yesterday and found it difficult to put down. It is a quick exciting read. The author PTSD is exhibited in the writing style. In one sentence you are in the States but in the next you are taken back to Fallujah. Descriptions of his comrades in arms are vivid: "He wants to kill the enemy face to face. For him it is vengeance. He lost family in 9-11." This and other parts are indicative of the effectiveness of Bush/Cheney propaganda. But t
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Aug 11, 2009
Susan
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The true account of Marine Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Workman's time in Northern Fallujah Iraq and the impact it made on his life afterwards. Vividly describes the stark reality of the stress of war on an individual. Brings to light the startling facts of Post Traumatic Stress disorder, how it invades ones mind changing who they are, and the internal battle to learn to cope and go on each day. Honors the memory of those lost and the stories of those who survived.
Did not care for the structur More...
Did not care for the structur More...
Sep 09, 2009
Steve
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This book has given me new and renewed respect for the soldiers who fight for my freedom. It is the story of combat Marine Jeremiah Workman and his fight against Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after returning home from war. I thought I understood what PTSD was before reading this book but I really had no clue.
While the writing style and sometimes harsh language put me off at first, the story being told quickly latched on to me, leaving it hard to put the book down.
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While the writing style and sometimes harsh language put me off at first, the story being told quickly latched on to me, leaving it hard to put the book down.
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Sep 08, 2009
Jan
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Wow. This was a truly amazing book to read.
It documents the story of a Marine, who served in Iraq in 2004, and who suffers from Post traumatic stress disorder because of the combat situations he was in.
It is truly a heartwrenching tale of the personal hell that so many of our servicemen and women face after putting their lives on the line for the USA. As many as 760,000 people who served in Iraq are in this same boat. As other people have described, the book works as a More...
It documents the story of a Marine, who served in Iraq in 2004, and who suffers from Post traumatic stress disorder because of the combat situations he was in.
It is truly a heartwrenching tale of the personal hell that so many of our servicemen and women face after putting their lives on the line for the USA. As many as 760,000 people who served in Iraq are in this same boat. As other people have described, the book works as a More...
Oct 15, 2009
Sarah
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This is my brother-in-law's book. I definitely didn't know half of the things that he says in this book. I find it to be very riveting. I could not believe the horrors that he faced when he was in Iraq. To see the things that happened to his at home were first hand to me. I thought it was scary the things he did, but I had no idea what was racing through his head. I think the arrival of my nephew (his son) was very helping. This has to be one of my favorite book of all time and will always be on
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Aug 22, 2009
Sandra
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This book had my attention from page one. It pulled me right into a marine's mind, and showed me the life changing crucible of combat. This is a heartwrenching story of Sgt. Workman's experiences in Iraq, and one battle that forever changed his life. Three of his marine brothers died in that fight and Workman was awarded the Navy Cross for heroism. Workman, however, was filled with guilt & shame because he had failed to save the lives of those three men. The battle raged on in his mind, day
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Aug 13, 2009
Cassandra
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The book is about Jeremiah Workman's experience in the Marines and a firefight in Iraq that left some of his men dead. Jeremiah goes into detail of what it is like to be a Marine and the philosophy of what a good Marine is taught. The beginning of the book starts off with his experience as a drill instructor and I've had a couple of friends who were Marines and it's kind of shocking of what men and women go through. I had a really hard time reading this book, but yet it was hard to put down for
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Aug 18, 2009
Michele
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This is a true account of Jeremiah Workman's experience after coming home from Iraq. He was diagnosed with PTSD after surviving a firefight where three of his men had been killed. He also married his high school sweetheart right out of high school, which his PTSD also affected his relationship with his his young wife, as did their age when they had gotten married. Her behavior while he was in Iraq shows how young and immature they were when they had gotten married. This book does a good job
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Aug 19, 2009
Sheila
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Jeremiah, no matter what you think, you are a true American hero. You, and all the men and women who have fought in the war on terror. You deserve your Navy Cross, and you have done a great honor to the memories of your fallen comrades Raleigh, Eric and James. Their heroism and sacrifice of December 23rd will be remembered by all who read your book. Thank you for sharing your very personal story, and the details of your battle with post traumatic stress disorder. I recommend this book to every
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Apr 06, 2010
Carla
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Jeremiah Workman narrates a life story that is at times suspenseful, at others frightening, and still at other times it's sad then hopeful. He details how his tour of duty in Fallujah later affected him, his family and his career. If you've wondered about the horrors our troops are subjected to while defending our freedom on foreign soil, this read is not to be missed. VERY satisfying.
Oct 23, 2009
Marquita
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This book opened my eyes wide to effects of war and trauma on the human soul. This journey of one Marine speaks for all those that suffer from PTSD. Spoken with heartfelt honesty, SSGT Workman is not afraid to reveal all sides of himself and his dealings with the demons inside.
I am honored and humbled to have read this memoir of a truly courageous man who rose above despair to find light and meaning in his life; and to offer help to his fellow warriors.
Thank you, Jeremiah Workman. Yo More...
I am honored and humbled to have read this memoir of a truly courageous man who rose above despair to find light and meaning in his life; and to offer help to his fellow warriors.
Thank you, Jeremiah Workman. Yo More...
Sep 17, 2009
Tiffany
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I found this book to be heartbreaking and comforting all at the same time. The stories the author shares will certainly tug at your heart strings, but at the same time, the amazing bond between Marines is comforting. It's nice to know that our boys and girls have each other to lean on in times of difficulty and in times of war.
I highly recommend this book because it gives a real glimpse into the fight our servicemen and women are facing in Iraq and elsewhere.
I highly recommend this book because it gives a real glimpse into the fight our servicemen and women are facing in Iraq and elsewhere.
Sep 04, 2009
Marty
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Excellent book for those of us who have any interest or past lives in the military.
The life of our military are not to be taken lightly. They give every thing they have as indicated in this story.
The life of our military are not to be taken lightly. They give every thing they have as indicated in this story.
Aug 30, 2009
Erin
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This was a well-written book by Jeremiah Workman, a Marine who served in Iraq. He does a very good job of describing his experiences and struggles both in Iraq and back home. While some parts of this story are difficult to read, due to the graphic images he describes, I feel that this is a very necessary story to read.
Aug 16, 2009
Jenny
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This is a Goodreads "First Readers winner" book!
This is a memoir from a Marine Vet who earned the Navy Cross while fighting in Iraq and his struggles with PTSD. Semper Fi! The writing makes the story accessible to all types of people.
This is a memoir from a Marine Vet who earned the Navy Cross while fighting in Iraq and his struggles with PTSD. Semper Fi! The writing makes the story accessible to all types of people.
Aug 30, 2009
Laura
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Shadow of the Sword is a compelling true story of one soldier's war, first fought overseas, then even more frighteningly back at home. He pulls you into his world and his head. The demons he brought back as flashbacks by day and nightmares haunting his nights become as real to the reader as they are to him. Like so many veterans returning from war, he struggles to find his way back to himself.
This book was excellent, I applaud Workman for sharing his pain to help others.
This book was excellent, I applaud Workman for sharing his pain to help others.
Jul 29, 2009
This is the second first reads book that I've won this week. Must be my lucky streak!
Aug 16, 2009
Just found out that I will be getting this book from the GR giveaway! Looking forward to reading.
May 20, 2010
Kellie
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Amazing book. I read this in 1 day. I've always said that the men & women of our Military are my heroes & this book just proves how much they really sacrifice for our freedom. I think it's great that this Marine was able to write about his PTSD & the ordeals he has gone thru. Hopefully this will help other men & women in the same situation to see that they are not alone. God bless our Military men & women.
Aug 21, 2009
Amber
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Overall it was a compelling story. What struck me most and what I think a lot of people lose sight of is how young a lot of these soldiers are.
Aug 26, 2010
Suzanne
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This was definitely eye opening to the effects of PTSD in our military. I spent 20 years as a military wife but had somehow never seen what happens and the aftermath that is leaves. Reading this has also given me more insight to what my sister who spent a year in Afghanistan as a combat medic is suffering with too.
Jan 20, 2012
Amy
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I liked it, although I can barely imagine what Workman has been through It's been awhile since I've read it. I got it for free from Goodreads first reads.
Dec 04, 2011
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