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Two Wars: One Hero's Fight on Two Fronts--Abroad and Within
Former army ranger Nate Self, a hero from the Robert’s Ridge rescue in Afghanistan, tells his whole story―from the pulse-pounding battle in the mountains of Afghanistan to the high-stakes battle he has waged against post traumatic stress disorder. This book will become a go-to book for understanding the long-term effects of the war on terror. Thousands of families are fighting this battle, and Nate opens up his life―including his successes, tragedies, struggles with thoughts of suicide―to show how his faith and his family pulled him through. Includes 8 pages of color photos.
In a nutshell: .
In a nutshell: .
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
February 5, 2018
I received this book from Nate Self (the author) who co-taught a one-day class for BSWH providers called Rejuvenate which focuses on recognizing, treating and preventing burnout. This is his account of his time as a Ranger and a deadly battle fought in Afghanistan 6 months after 9/11. I really enjoyed his account of pre-battle, battle and post-battle though due to unfamiliarity with military terms it was somewhat hard to follow the battle account. The author, his wife and a pastor friend/mentor clearly talk about the spiritual war that takes place during and after the physical war and how God is the healer.
Highlights:
I really loved the quotes from famous people (military or not) at the beginning of each chapter.
P. 22 “Whenever I actually had a plan, it always fell through. Maybe God knew that if he gave me a road map, I’d likely never ask him for directions again.”
P. 31 “The hardship of the exercises is intended less to strengthen the back than to toughen the mind. The Spartans say that an army may win while it still has its legs under it; the real test comes when all strength is fled and the men must produce victory on will alone.”
P. 67 “Exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.”
P. 74 “I was once again following the Army’s simple design: placing me in a position for which I was ill prepared. This required me to teach myself—to survive, the succeed, the excel. Just when I reached that final level of performance, I was off to a new place, and a new job.”
P. 144 “When tempest tossed, embrace chaos.”
P. 322-323 recount his experience listening to sermon on Acts 27. “You can’t live your whole life trying to escape your situation. You’ve got to find God in it now.”
P.348-349 is Julie Self’s beautiful account of how God healed them without forsaking them.
P. 358 “The secret to beating post-traumatic stress is not unlike basic skills of combat patrolling: go slow, and stick together. Friends are what get you through the dark nights.... When no one else understands, he does. When no one else can sort through the kaleidoscope of chaotic thoughts, he steps in and brings order. When the path ahead seems to wind into darkness, he takes the point and leads the way. Jesus Christ, who knows more about war and death than any of us will ever experience, is that ultimate Friend. And he will leave no one with a thirsty heart behind.”
Prov 18:24
Highlights:
I really loved the quotes from famous people (military or not) at the beginning of each chapter.
P. 22 “Whenever I actually had a plan, it always fell through. Maybe God knew that if he gave me a road map, I’d likely never ask him for directions again.”
P. 31 “The hardship of the exercises is intended less to strengthen the back than to toughen the mind. The Spartans say that an army may win while it still has its legs under it; the real test comes when all strength is fled and the men must produce victory on will alone.”
P. 67 “Exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.”
P. 74 “I was once again following the Army’s simple design: placing me in a position for which I was ill prepared. This required me to teach myself—to survive, the succeed, the excel. Just when I reached that final level of performance, I was off to a new place, and a new job.”
P. 144 “When tempest tossed, embrace chaos.”
P. 322-323 recount his experience listening to sermon on Acts 27. “You can’t live your whole life trying to escape your situation. You’ve got to find God in it now.”
P.348-349 is Julie Self’s beautiful account of how God healed them without forsaking them.
P. 358 “The secret to beating post-traumatic stress is not unlike basic skills of combat patrolling: go slow, and stick together. Friends are what get you through the dark nights.... When no one else understands, he does. When no one else can sort through the kaleidoscope of chaotic thoughts, he steps in and brings order. When the path ahead seems to wind into darkness, he takes the point and leads the way. Jesus Christ, who knows more about war and death than any of us will ever experience, is that ultimate Friend. And he will leave no one with a thirsty heart behind.”
Prov 18:24
December 18, 2019
Nate does an excellent job of not just telling his story, but he pulls you into the book. I felt the emotional highs and lows throughout the book! A very riveting account of not just The Battle of Takur Ghar, but also of a soldier’s beginnings, combat, leaving his team for another assignment, and post service recovery. As Nate and I progressed (as any other reader most probably will feel), the unsung hero there all along was Julie. I feel for her struggles and strength as I do of my wife of 28 years and the struggles she has had as the wife of a first responder similar to Julie’s.
December 27, 2023
An excellent read about America's recent wars. The author tracks himself from High School to West Point. He gets married and the couple move to Germany, only he's immediately sent to war-torn Bosnia as a peacekeeper. After 9/11, things pick up for this soldier, he puts you in his pack and carries you with him.
June 3, 2018
Heroism at its best.
Nate Self does a magnificent job of bringing us all into the fight while maintaining the utmost respect for his fellow soldiers who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
Nate Self does a magnificent job of bringing us all into the fight while maintaining the utmost respect for his fellow soldiers who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
March 14, 2019
Riviting
Heroic, exciting, detailed and sad. Two Wars shows how the past two decades have affected out young generation of men and women in so many aspects if their lives. Very well told. God Bless our Military Families.
Heroic, exciting, detailed and sad. Two Wars shows how the past two decades have affected out young generation of men and women in so many aspects if their lives. Very well told. God Bless our Military Families.
April 9, 2022
Not bad. Certainly less dramatic and a lot more guarded than Brian Castners story, however I believe that Selfs story is probably a lot more common to the average soldier who experienced combat and made it out alive.
July 3, 2018
Nate Self, a Ranger officer, gives his perspective on life before, during and after the Battle of Takur Ghar. Honest conversations and a vulnerable outlook, he shared how war impacted his life and how his Christian spirituality was a buffer against despair.
December 28, 2020
This is a heart-wrenching, honest, beautifully told story. I know the author and his family and they are just wonderful people. I'm grateful to Nate for telling his story.
January 10, 2025
A good perspective on a soldier who was actually on the ground.
March 24, 2025
Okay read. Was expecting more incidents the author had been involved in while on active service but it was an easy read. A lot of religion I hadn’t been expecting.
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August 4, 2011Another excellent account of Operation Anaconda and the rescue of Navy SEALS by their Quick Reaction Force comprised of Army Rangers commanded by Nate Self. This first hand account completes the story already told by Robert's Ridge and Not a Good Day To Die. Where 'Not a Good Day' is excellent at recounting Operation Anaconda and WHY the battle/tragedy took place, and Robert's Ridge reports from first-hand accounts, this book also tells the story from the first responders that also came under fire and had their Chinook shot out from under them on the very top of Takur Ghar, near the Shah-i-kot Valley. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_o...) trying to rescue Razor 03 and SEALS from Mako 30. It also tells of the struggle to deal with the death of soldier-brothers and PTSD. A must-read by everyone that has read 'Lone Survivor' by Marcus Lutrell.
Pg153-154:
"We're going down. I slammed into the deck My head bounced off the frozen floor, breaking my night vision goggles off their mount and onto my nose. My eyes were watering...The impact rolled me onto my back, crashing me into the side of the aircraft and leaving me faceup in a stupor. I saw the streaks of light passing overhead.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Machine gun fire sounded like someone beating the aircraft with a ball-peen hammer as it punched through the helicopter's skin. Glowing lines of tracer bullets zipped just above my head, zigzagging their way through the aircraft, shredding the insulation off the inner walls and leaving confetti-like residue hanging in the cabin.
I turned to see the mini-gun's smoking barrels swivel to rest over a crumpled mass of fleece ad canvas in a pool of blood. The right-door gunner was down. The left door gunner fell at my feet, grunting as a bullet hit his survival knife and splintered blade fragments into his leg, fracturing his femur.
Another RPG blew into the cabin, exploding an oxygen tank directly above me. Sparks blossomed and fell, searing my pale uniform before the oxygen tank caught fire. I rolled to my stomach, staying low as another burst of machine gun fire thumped the cabin. I looked toward the ramp and saw a mangled heap of bodies-No movement. Groans came from the pile. Judging from the amount of incoming fire, I knew several were wounded or dead.
The pilot emerged from the cockpit, his limp hand suspended by tendons and bone; he was holding the wrist together with his good hand. Blood shot between his fingers in arterial spurts. He was struck in the companionway to the cabin as another RPG blasted the cockpit, peppering his backside with more shrapnel. I heard voices outside the aircraft. They spoke in languages I didn't know."
This half-page is just the crash. The next hours/days on the mountains takes up the rest of the book.
Pg153-154:
"We're going down. I slammed into the deck My head bounced off the frozen floor, breaking my night vision goggles off their mount and onto my nose. My eyes were watering...The impact rolled me onto my back, crashing me into the side of the aircraft and leaving me faceup in a stupor. I saw the streaks of light passing overhead.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Machine gun fire sounded like someone beating the aircraft with a ball-peen hammer as it punched through the helicopter's skin. Glowing lines of tracer bullets zipped just above my head, zigzagging their way through the aircraft, shredding the insulation off the inner walls and leaving confetti-like residue hanging in the cabin.
I turned to see the mini-gun's smoking barrels swivel to rest over a crumpled mass of fleece ad canvas in a pool of blood. The right-door gunner was down. The left door gunner fell at my feet, grunting as a bullet hit his survival knife and splintered blade fragments into his leg, fracturing his femur.
Another RPG blew into the cabin, exploding an oxygen tank directly above me. Sparks blossomed and fell, searing my pale uniform before the oxygen tank caught fire. I rolled to my stomach, staying low as another burst of machine gun fire thumped the cabin. I looked toward the ramp and saw a mangled heap of bodies-No movement. Groans came from the pile. Judging from the amount of incoming fire, I knew several were wounded or dead.
The pilot emerged from the cockpit, his limp hand suspended by tendons and bone; he was holding the wrist together with his good hand. Blood shot between his fingers in arterial spurts. He was struck in the companionway to the cabin as another RPG blasted the cockpit, peppering his backside with more shrapnel. I heard voices outside the aircraft. They spoke in languages I didn't know."
This half-page is just the crash. The next hours/days on the mountains takes up the rest of the book.
December 10, 2008
A Patriot without question, West Point Graduate, Army Ranger, Captain Nate Self, is a fine leader of men, a Christian husband and father. This is his story.
The book is divided into 2 parts. The first portion is written from a strong military perspective, with discipline, courage, orderliness and a profound sense of divine purpose. The chapter quotes are fascinating. The descriptions of Captain Self’s feelings, decisions, relationships with family and other soldiers, all are described in a finely synched briefing. I feel like I am getting to know the Captain, I like him, I am grateful to him for training so well, for protecting our Nation, for defending my family and other families like ours.
The concise narration of his life, Part 1, ends following the brave and violent battle of Takur Ghar in Afghanistan whereupon he led his men, through great danger, home. He tells us then that his life is changed. The style and tone of writing also dramatically change. Part 2 begins. Captain Self suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He suddenly leaves the army, and loses all sense of direction. His emotions and story become confusing yet God has a hold of him and never lets go. I pray that the Lord continues to lift up Captain Nate Self, and bless him. He is an American Hero and I am thankful for his service, his life, and his story, our history.
“Today I see a generation of soldiers…as skilled, courageous, and dedicated as any this Nation has ever known. And they are literally standing between us and all that would destroy us and our way of life. They pay a heavy price. Some pay the last full measure and give their lives for us. Others are wounded, some severely so. Still others escape without physical wounds. But no one is untouched. And not one returns from combat the same person who entered it.” Stu Weber, Two Wars.
This excellent article fills in some of the gaps of the second part of the book: http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/...
Youtube Video Discovery Documentary on the battle of Takur Ghar Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWA5vE...
Military Channel Documentary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy7ySL...
Transcript from Dateline Story Rescue on Robert’s Ridge featuring Nate Self and his wife Julie
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13233811/...
The book is divided into 2 parts. The first portion is written from a strong military perspective, with discipline, courage, orderliness and a profound sense of divine purpose. The chapter quotes are fascinating. The descriptions of Captain Self’s feelings, decisions, relationships with family and other soldiers, all are described in a finely synched briefing. I feel like I am getting to know the Captain, I like him, I am grateful to him for training so well, for protecting our Nation, for defending my family and other families like ours.
The concise narration of his life, Part 1, ends following the brave and violent battle of Takur Ghar in Afghanistan whereupon he led his men, through great danger, home. He tells us then that his life is changed. The style and tone of writing also dramatically change. Part 2 begins. Captain Self suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He suddenly leaves the army, and loses all sense of direction. His emotions and story become confusing yet God has a hold of him and never lets go. I pray that the Lord continues to lift up Captain Nate Self, and bless him. He is an American Hero and I am thankful for his service, his life, and his story, our history.
“Today I see a generation of soldiers…as skilled, courageous, and dedicated as any this Nation has ever known. And they are literally standing between us and all that would destroy us and our way of life. They pay a heavy price. Some pay the last full measure and give their lives for us. Others are wounded, some severely so. Still others escape without physical wounds. But no one is untouched. And not one returns from combat the same person who entered it.” Stu Weber, Two Wars.
This excellent article fills in some of the gaps of the second part of the book: http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/...
Youtube Video Discovery Documentary on the battle of Takur Ghar Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWA5vE...
Military Channel Documentary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy7ySL...
Transcript from Dateline Story Rescue on Robert’s Ridge featuring Nate Self and his wife Julie
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13233811/...
June 30, 2009
Two Wars is a military autobiography which impressed me with the astounding story and by the vivid writing. Nate Self describes the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings of what it's like to be in modern front-line combat. (In fact, fiction authors researching modern combat might want to read this book.)
The first part of the book describes his decision to join the army, his training, his peacekeeping deployment to Kosovo in 1999-2000, more training, and his deployment to Afghanistan in 2002. The second part of the book describes in detail the battle on Takur Ghar. The last part of the book describes how that battle changed his life. This is the PTSD section, though he tells it as he experienced it rather than addressing the topic of PTSD directly. This section covers his deployment to Iraq, eventual decision to leave the military, his troubles, and his eventual start toward healing.
The story is fast-paced and interesting throughout. Once the Afghanistan battle began, the story was heart-pounding in intensity, and I read late into the night to finish the book. I had no trouble following the story or visualizing what was happening. The author describes the equipment, terrain, positions, and acronyms in the text. If you ever get confused (which I never did), some maps, pictures, and a glossary are included.
The author is a Christian, but the focus of the book is not on his Christianity but on what he experienced. Most of the book has little mention of God, but the author does describe a few spiritual high-points and very low points. There was some cussing in the book, but it's written as "F--- that!" rather than spelled out. The potentially gory parts were not explicit and were usually glossed over.
I'd recommend this excellent book to anyone who likes to read war stories, to anyone who wants to know what modern warfare is like, or to anyone who wants to understand why their family member has changed since coming back from a deployment.
The first part of the book describes his decision to join the army, his training, his peacekeeping deployment to Kosovo in 1999-2000, more training, and his deployment to Afghanistan in 2002. The second part of the book describes in detail the battle on Takur Ghar. The last part of the book describes how that battle changed his life. This is the PTSD section, though he tells it as he experienced it rather than addressing the topic of PTSD directly. This section covers his deployment to Iraq, eventual decision to leave the military, his troubles, and his eventual start toward healing.
The story is fast-paced and interesting throughout. Once the Afghanistan battle began, the story was heart-pounding in intensity, and I read late into the night to finish the book. I had no trouble following the story or visualizing what was happening. The author describes the equipment, terrain, positions, and acronyms in the text. If you ever get confused (which I never did), some maps, pictures, and a glossary are included.
The author is a Christian, but the focus of the book is not on his Christianity but on what he experienced. Most of the book has little mention of God, but the author does describe a few spiritual high-points and very low points. There was some cussing in the book, but it's written as "F--- that!" rather than spelled out. The potentially gory parts were not explicit and were usually glossed over.
I'd recommend this excellent book to anyone who likes to read war stories, to anyone who wants to know what modern warfare is like, or to anyone who wants to understand why their family member has changed since coming back from a deployment.
May 6, 2011
Not one to ever pass up a free book, I grabbed this for my Kindle when the publisher made it available for free. I started reading it a few nights ago and haven't been able to put it down. Just an amazing story.
The first 3/4 is a captivating story of Self become a warrior in battle and in his faith and both being tested in the heat of battle. The end of the book deals with the battle that nearly destroyed him: post-traumatic stress syndrome.
The lead up to the battle on the mountain and the battle itself were just so well done that I never wanted to stop reading - I had to find out what happened next. The last quarter of the book was captivating for all the wrong reasons. But I was impressed with the way Self communicated this second battle. It was a change of perspective but I thought he did a good job of capturing the confusion and depression that nearly buried him. Through his faith, and his amazing wife, he was able to over-come the darkness and begin the process of healing and thinking about he future again.
A great, though gut wrenching at times, story of triumph and the power of faith and family (both blood and military).
The first 3/4 is a captivating story of Self become a warrior in battle and in his faith and both being tested in the heat of battle. The end of the book deals with the battle that nearly destroyed him: post-traumatic stress syndrome.
The lead up to the battle on the mountain and the battle itself were just so well done that I never wanted to stop reading - I had to find out what happened next. The last quarter of the book was captivating for all the wrong reasons. But I was impressed with the way Self communicated this second battle. It was a change of perspective but I thought he did a good job of capturing the confusion and depression that nearly buried him. Through his faith, and his amazing wife, he was able to over-come the darkness and begin the process of healing and thinking about he future again.
A great, though gut wrenching at times, story of triumph and the power of faith and family (both blood and military).
June 16, 2011
An amazing book! The fact that Nate Self opens up his life is awesome in itself. To see how he began his journey towards being a soldier (Ranger), husband, and eventually a father was intense. Nate opens up completely about being a Ranger and being in one of the toughest ground fights in Afghanistan. Seeing his dedication to his country and the love for his men was moving. Seeing his faith be strengthened then ultimately questioned was gut wrenching. I almost lost it while reading the section where he is speaking with the father of one of the soldiers he lost under his command. Being from a military family, this book just opened my eyes to the other war these men fight when they come home - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Some of our soldiers deal with this when they come back and it breaks them. Nate shows that side of himself openly and honestly. He allows you to see what effects PTSD had on him, his wife, and his family and friends. You also get to read a few pages written by his wife Julie and see her struggles being an army wife.Great book for anyone who wants to understand what our soldiers go through! A must read!
March 8, 2013
Having served in the military but never in real combat I really never understood what these guys that are doing the fighting are going through when they finish their tour and return to civilian life. With their training and what they go through and see when in combat lives with them for along time. So they come back and have to fight war within themselves.
Reading Two Wars will help you understand what these guys and gals are going through after their enlistment runs out and they return to civilian life and their families. The book is on 2 parts, if you don't want to read about the training and fighting everyone at the very least needs to read the second half to see what they go through when they return. But I really think you would need to read the whole book to understand what they are going trough.
Our government trains them to be warriors and them sends them off to protect our country from the bad guys. But when it's time for them to return to civilain life and their families our government doesn't to much to unprogram them from being fighting machines. In my minds this is just plain wrong.
Reading Two Wars will help you understand what these guys and gals are going through after their enlistment runs out and they return to civilian life and their families. The book is on 2 parts, if you don't want to read about the training and fighting everyone at the very least needs to read the second half to see what they go through when they return. But I really think you would need to read the whole book to understand what they are going trough.
Our government trains them to be warriors and them sends them off to protect our country from the bad guys. But when it's time for them to return to civilain life and their families our government doesn't to much to unprogram them from being fighting machines. In my minds this is just plain wrong.
November 4, 2012
I listened to this book during my drive to and from Greensboro--early on Saturday, late on Sunday, so most of my drive was in darkness. I'm not a big fan of listening to books--nothing beats turning pages and going back to look at a passage again, gazing away while you're thinking of a particular quotation--but it was cool to listen to the author's voice in my car as I zipped along in the darkness.
I give the first 3/4 of this book five stars. I loved the beginning, listening to his West Point days and early Infantry experiences, and descriptions of the Rangers. This was my childhood. The story ratcheted up to 9/11, a quick deployment to Afghanistan, and rescue on Robert's Ridge.
I wished there was more on his return, on how his faith (in God) and love (for and with his wife) got him through PTSD. But I understand why there isn't more on that--I was impressed with Self's honesty and openness, but that's some super personal stuff. Still, if there's a follow-up years from now, I'll read it.
I give the first 3/4 of this book five stars. I loved the beginning, listening to his West Point days and early Infantry experiences, and descriptions of the Rangers. This was my childhood. The story ratcheted up to 9/11, a quick deployment to Afghanistan, and rescue on Robert's Ridge.
I wished there was more on his return, on how his faith (in God) and love (for and with his wife) got him through PTSD. But I understand why there isn't more on that--I was impressed with Self's honesty and openness, but that's some super personal stuff. Still, if there's a follow-up years from now, I'll read it.
November 20, 2013
This is a wonderful book chronicling the authors' experiences in the Army Rangers and the battle at home to survive PTSD.
The first two thirds of the book speak of Self's years in the military. He tells about his time at West Point Military Academy, his deployment to Kosovo, and his appointment to the Army Ranger Battalion then into Afghanistan. He then speeds through the latter part of his military career, including deployments to Iraq, until he is discharged. This section is exciting and quite exhilarating. He keeps your attention and has you at the edge of your seat in this section.
The second section might be less exhilarating, but it much more important. This section chronicles his battle with PTSD and it's effects on his growing family. This may not be nearly as flashy and exciting, but this needs to be read and shared. This is a voice representing thousands and thousands of veterans and their families. It is hidden dark side to war.
This is a book worth reading. Buy two copies. Read one, and then pick someone to pass the second copy to.
The first two thirds of the book speak of Self's years in the military. He tells about his time at West Point Military Academy, his deployment to Kosovo, and his appointment to the Army Ranger Battalion then into Afghanistan. He then speeds through the latter part of his military career, including deployments to Iraq, until he is discharged. This section is exciting and quite exhilarating. He keeps your attention and has you at the edge of your seat in this section.
The second section might be less exhilarating, but it much more important. This section chronicles his battle with PTSD and it's effects on his growing family. This may not be nearly as flashy and exciting, but this needs to be read and shared. This is a voice representing thousands and thousands of veterans and their families. It is hidden dark side to war.
This is a book worth reading. Buy two copies. Read one, and then pick someone to pass the second copy to.
July 26, 2016
A fantastic and deeply moving account of the making of an Army Ranger. Although he writes in a personable way, it's not so conversational that it's hard to get into, something that I've had a problem with in other first hand warrior's stories (Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 had this issue). About 3/4 of the book deals with his training and his war time accounts, and the last 1/4 about his difficulties transitioning home and his struggles with loss of faith and PTSD. I appreciated how honest he was with his struggles, and it gave me hope and a feeling of connection for him to open up so completely. Excellent book, especially for those with a loved with PTSD (whatever the cause) who are trying to understand what it feels like more completely.
May 14, 2012
A slightly vain book about a soldier who led a bloody battle in Afghanistan when a rescue mission to find a soldier who fell out of a helicopter went bad. The chinook Self was in was hit by an RPG. With air support and after 5 hours of battling, they finally managed to get to safety but then had to wait till dark for rescue.
Told in the typical format -- teaser prologue as they head toward the landing zone and are hit with the RPG, followed by the author's training and assignments, then the battle and the aftermath. The aftermath -- the PTSD part -- was actually the biggest disappointment. And, I got really tired of the word "warrior" but I guess that's just a military thing. Otherwise, I thought it was a very good read -- pretty clear and definitely vivid. I'm surprised I didn't have nightmares, actually.
Told in the typical format -- teaser prologue as they head toward the landing zone and are hit with the RPG, followed by the author's training and assignments, then the battle and the aftermath. The aftermath -- the PTSD part -- was actually the biggest disappointment. And, I got really tired of the word "warrior" but I guess that's just a military thing. Otherwise, I thought it was a very good read -- pretty clear and definitely vivid. I'm surprised I didn't have nightmares, actually.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2015
Having edited the book I Always Sit with My Back to the Wall: Managing Traumatic Stress and Combat PTSD, I have an interest in PTSD in veterans. Two Wars is a powerful personal account of Nate Self's experiences in war in Afghanistan and the inner war of PTSD after returning home. With so many of our bravest and brightest undergoing the trauma of war, especially multiple deployments, this is a serious issue. This hero's story demonstrates the importance of faith in dealing with both war and its aftermath.
July 31, 2009
Nate Self graduated from West Point and trained in Ft Benning, Ga. He served in Kosovo, Afkanistan, and later in Iraq. He landed with his platoon on a mountain side in Afkanistan to rescue 2 lost Navy Seals. The helicopter landed in the middle of enemy staging area and 1 helicopter was shot down. Six men were killed and several wounded. The book helps to understand both the soldiers and wives challenges. After resigning Self experience post-traumatic stress disorder but fortunately counseling and his faith helped him overcome it.
April 18, 2011
I brought this book home for my 14 year old son, Eli to read. I thought the combination of loyalty and honor to one's family and country would be a great read for him. It didn't take long for him to finish it, so I picked it up. The open, revealing story of Nate Self, a Captain in the famous Army Rangers who fought for his country and with his men on the Robert's Ridge rescue in Afghanistan. Brutally candid, Self bares his thoughts before, during, and after the rescue that leaves him fighting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Now that I'm finished, my husband has picked it up to read!
December 27, 2012
Amazing! What an incredible life story! And he tells it with such simplicity and humility! The honesty he shows with his Spiritual relationship with God is humbling to say the least!
I want to watch that program mentioned at the end, now that he has made me feel like I know each of these hero's personally now.
I would be very honored to one day meet this hero and his wife, who in my point of view fought a third war of her own here at home! I am thankful that our Country still has men like this who give their all for us every day! Thank you Nate Self!
I want to watch that program mentioned at the end, now that he has made me feel like I know each of these hero's personally now.
I would be very honored to one day meet this hero and his wife, who in my point of view fought a third war of her own here at home! I am thankful that our Country still has men like this who give their all for us every day! Thank you Nate Self!
February 9, 2016
The portion that covers the battle itself is worth the time spent reading the book. However, outside of that narrative, the book is rather poorly written - choppy, lots of unexplained and loose ends left out there, and seemingly random details with no tie in to the context.
I recommend "The Unforgiving Minute" instead. While Nate Self's experience involved more death, intense violence and apparently personal struggle afterward, Craig Mullaney's text is enjoyable from beginning to end.
I recommend "The Unforgiving Minute" instead. While Nate Self's experience involved more death, intense violence and apparently personal struggle afterward, Craig Mullaney's text is enjoyable from beginning to end.
July 23, 2008
Nate is a war hero that is a brother-in-law to me by marriage, and I cannot wait to read this book!!!
He's a man of integrity, spirituality and service and has written a wonderful book about his experience. It's next on my list, but I highly encourage anyone to read it!!
Book Signing
3 pm
Sunday, July 27th
BookPeople
603 N. Lamar
Austin, TX
He's a man of integrity, spirituality and service and has written a wonderful book about his experience. It's next on my list, but I highly encourage anyone to read it!!
Book Signing
3 pm
Sunday, July 27th
BookPeople
603 N. Lamar
Austin, TX
October 3, 2008
Still reading this, but it is truly interesting, makes me think there are
warriors out there fighting for our
freedom everyday while were home
trying to figure out what to watch
on tv that night....
warriors out there fighting for our
freedom everyday while were home
trying to figure out what to watch
on tv that night....
May 24, 2011
The first 2/3 of this book rocked...it had me hook, line and sinker. The last 1/3 dragged and it was all I had in me to finish it. Had the beginning not been so suspenseful I would have stopped reading but I kept hoping it would get better. I was wrong
November 3, 2011
A definite page turner for the portion of the book where he is in combat. That portion was a 5-start effort. The transition from combat to deployment in Iraq and then into the challenges of returning to civilian life didn't flow well for me.
December 1, 2011
A great story of the Rangers who rescued a missing SEAL team in the mountains of Afghanistan. Self does a good job compartimentalizing the war in real-time and the war within himself. Good action details too. Wonderful read.
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