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Battle Damage Assessment
In the unforgiving countryside of eastern Afghanistan, Private First Class Tyson York is thrust into a situation with improbable odds of survival where he learns the difficult lessons of loss, unshakable loyalty and love.
Tyson, who is deployed to an active theater of war for the first time, is initially appalled at the casual way that his fellow soldiers discuss the deaths of their enemies and he vows to retain his decency as a human being. But when he is injured and witnesses the true horrors of combat, unbelievable boredom between missions and experiences betrayal from the home front, he finds himself enthusiastically wishing for the destruction of his enemies.
After he returns from the war, Tyson realizes that he’s changed and seeks help to cope with his altered emotional state. Over time, and with the help of a beautiful young woman, he learns how to cope with his PTSD and overcome the adversity that he faces upon his return.
WARNING: Graphic Language throughout.
Tyson, who is deployed to an active theater of war for the first time, is initially appalled at the casual way that his fellow soldiers discuss the deaths of their enemies and he vows to retain his decency as a human being. But when he is injured and witnesses the true horrors of combat, unbelievable boredom between missions and experiences betrayal from the home front, he finds himself enthusiastically wishing for the destruction of his enemies.
After he returns from the war, Tyson realizes that he’s changed and seeks help to cope with his altered emotional state. Over time, and with the help of a beautiful young woman, he learns how to cope with his PTSD and overcome the adversity that he faces upon his return.
WARNING: Graphic Language throughout.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2014
3 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 13, 2015
What makes this military novel particularly interesting is that the reader gets to experience the main character, Tyson York, in his developing process. When York joins the military, he is young and immature. As the story advances, the reader watches him turn into a man. The story is written in the first person, and so the reader can learn what York is thinking. He starts off quite gullible and makes his share of mistakes. York does his share of push-ups as punishment when he doesn’t follow the rules. There is humor watching York and the relationships he has with other military enlistees. He develops a relationship with a woman named Meagan, who is a grand manipulator to a very naive York.
Things do get serious in battle. York rescues a young injured woman named Addison after a helicopter crash. He too is badly injured, and then suffers through PTSD. However, at this time, he learns about the people who are genuinely important to him.
The strong character development was an important strength to this novel. The writer, also in the Army, gives the reader, particularly civilians, a chance to obtain a vivid picture of military life, starting from Boot Camp to battle. I enjoyed reading about York’s relationship with his superiors as well as the friendships he made with fellow Army soldiers. I enjoyed reading about the gags the men would play on each other while passing time in Afghanistan. Having never been in the military myself, I felt that the author makes it understandable for the layperson. He also gives examples of the nonsensical paper trails that the Army, as in all government agencies, insist upon.
This book was an entertaining read and I highly recommend it.
Things do get serious in battle. York rescues a young injured woman named Addison after a helicopter crash. He too is badly injured, and then suffers through PTSD. However, at this time, he learns about the people who are genuinely important to him.
The strong character development was an important strength to this novel. The writer, also in the Army, gives the reader, particularly civilians, a chance to obtain a vivid picture of military life, starting from Boot Camp to battle. I enjoyed reading about York’s relationship with his superiors as well as the friendships he made with fellow Army soldiers. I enjoyed reading about the gags the men would play on each other while passing time in Afghanistan. Having never been in the military myself, I felt that the author makes it understandable for the layperson. He also gives examples of the nonsensical paper trails that the Army, as in all government agencies, insist upon.
This book was an entertaining read and I highly recommend it.
December 8, 2017
Action packed and well done
As a veteran, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. It was a well thought out action packed book.
Ok, now for my review.
The opening grabs you. And then we go backwards to teen lust, an enlistment, disjointed family and then work back to the beginning which is later than all that. Yep. Confusing kinda.
I'm not a big fan of being immediately taken out of action I was first thrust into, I kept going cuz I wanted to get back to where we started. That took half of the book. The main character thinks highly of himself, but I excused that because he also got a great sense of humor.
The chapters following the opening seem more like journal entries than chapters of a novel. That happens frequently in first person, and I am guilty there as well.
If you like anything military, you will want to read this one!
As a veteran, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. It was a well thought out action packed book.
Ok, now for my review.
The opening grabs you. And then we go backwards to teen lust, an enlistment, disjointed family and then work back to the beginning which is later than all that. Yep. Confusing kinda.
I'm not a big fan of being immediately taken out of action I was first thrust into, I kept going cuz I wanted to get back to where we started. That took half of the book. The main character thinks highly of himself, but I excused that because he also got a great sense of humor.
The chapters following the opening seem more like journal entries than chapters of a novel. That happens frequently in first person, and I am guilty there as well.
If you like anything military, you will want to read this one!
June 8, 2017
Awesome military story
This story was very intriguing and heartfelt. As being a veteran myself, it was interesting to read about the p!aces I, myself, had been and trained at. Being from Missouri, I went through the Kansas City MEPS station and trained at Ft. Sam Houston. With the character York making his way through these particular places, it brought back my own memories of these places that had been placed in a part of my mind that I haven't touched in a while. I love the descriptive way that the author writes, creating the pictures in your mind as if watching a film. For any military enthusiast readers out there, this is definitely one you shouldn't pass up!
This story was very intriguing and heartfelt. As being a veteran myself, it was interesting to read about the p!aces I, myself, had been and trained at. Being from Missouri, I went through the Kansas City MEPS station and trained at Ft. Sam Houston. With the character York making his way through these particular places, it brought back my own memories of these places that had been placed in a part of my mind that I haven't touched in a while. I love the descriptive way that the author writes, creating the pictures in your mind as if watching a film. For any military enthusiast readers out there, this is definitely one you shouldn't pass up!
May 28, 2019
Battle Damage Assessment is a wonderful heartfelt story. We follow Tyson York through his growing pains in the U.S. Army after high school. The first-person journal style is very well written. The emotions, fears, and joys of experiences come vividly through the audio. Eric Vincent performed flawlessly in delivering Ty’s emotions. I felt so glad when ty corresponded and then got together with Addison. I felt as though I knew Ty and was very happy for him considering what he had gone through. This is a truly amazing, beautiful, heartwarming story and highly recommended. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
June 21, 2019
Battle Damage Assessment. A powerful and moving read, That describes a man military career and how it affects his personal life.
The story of an ordinary young man, who does extra-ordinary things.
Well written with strong characters.Narration is strong but deals with sensitivity his loss.
I was given a free copy of this audio book at my own request, and voluntarily leave this review.
June 8, 2020
Outstanding. Read!
Fully engaging. As a twenty year veteran, I can confirm the authentic tenor of the story. It is true to life and tastes like the army. Even at the end, I could not decide if it was fiction or autobiographical. Highly recommended!
Fully engaging. As a twenty year veteran, I can confirm the authentic tenor of the story. It is true to life and tastes like the army. Even at the end, I could not decide if it was fiction or autobiographical. Highly recommended!
August 20, 2019
Good story
The title may sound like it is a war story. It is but it has a back story to the character's life. I think most readers would enjoy the plot .
The title may sound like it is a war story. It is but it has a back story to the character's life. I think most readers would enjoy the plot .
March 26, 2016
A truly exceptional book that follows the experience of a young man, Tyson York as he graduates high school and continues on to an enlistment with the Army. His experiences through OSUT and onwards are amusing and extremely realistic. His camaraderie with his 'brothers' is real and vital to this story. Deployment to Afghanistan ensures more experiences for him and his friends.
Mr. Parker's details and descriptions are sobering to a civilian reader and really touched me. His writing brought to light, not only the experiences of our soldiers in combat, but the very real challenges that many face after returning stateside. The emotional and mental toil that servicemen and women face is not always apparent, but it is an obstacle that they must find the fortitude to overcome.
A beautifully written and enlightening glimpse into a world that so many of us will never see or even fully comprehend. This was read in a single sitting. Not due to an insane amount of action, but an extreme empathy with the characters. I had to follow through on Tyson's journey and see how his life progressed. Very well done!
Mr. Parker's details and descriptions are sobering to a civilian reader and really touched me. His writing brought to light, not only the experiences of our soldiers in combat, but the very real challenges that many face after returning stateside. The emotional and mental toil that servicemen and women face is not always apparent, but it is an obstacle that they must find the fortitude to overcome.
A beautifully written and enlightening glimpse into a world that so many of us will never see or even fully comprehend. This was read in a single sitting. Not due to an insane amount of action, but an extreme empathy with the characters. I had to follow through on Tyson's journey and see how his life progressed. Very well done!
December 11, 2016
Battle Damage Assessment: BDA
An excellent book about combat, surviving a helo crash, working your way out from under PTSD, and finally Choosing to be happy and get on with your life out of the military. The author has penned a remarkable book, filled with military combat descriptions, FOB antics and boring AZZ Tower guard. he also pens a harrowing scene of surviving an insurgent shoot down of his Chinook helicopter and the backlash of losing his platoon buddies, rescuing casualties from the bird, immediate first responder actions and then preparing to fight or die until the survivors can all be rescued. HIs own feelings of: "I'm NOT a hero." resound throughout his recovery and the chance he has to finally meet up with a female chopper crew member he pulled off the bird and saved her life. HIGHLY recommend this book to both military, former military and any civilian who would like a 'Peek thru the keyhole' at our current military AND the Wounded Warriors who fall onto the other side of the Luck/Skill dice roll of Combat. RJ Sends.
An excellent book about combat, surviving a helo crash, working your way out from under PTSD, and finally Choosing to be happy and get on with your life out of the military. The author has penned a remarkable book, filled with military combat descriptions, FOB antics and boring AZZ Tower guard. he also pens a harrowing scene of surviving an insurgent shoot down of his Chinook helicopter and the backlash of losing his platoon buddies, rescuing casualties from the bird, immediate first responder actions and then preparing to fight or die until the survivors can all be rescued. HIs own feelings of: "I'm NOT a hero." resound throughout his recovery and the chance he has to finally meet up with a female chopper crew member he pulled off the bird and saved her life. HIGHLY recommend this book to both military, former military and any civilian who would like a 'Peek thru the keyhole' at our current military AND the Wounded Warriors who fall onto the other side of the Luck/Skill dice roll of Combat. RJ Sends.
June 28, 2015
I normally wouldn't review a book that I have edited but I wanted to tell you how this book made me feel.
It is hard to know how the men in the United States military deal with day to day life overseas. In this book, Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) I got a glimpse into the minds of our much appreciated soldiers and learned things that I never knew before this book. I have had relatives and friends in the military but I always felt detached from them because I really couldn't understand the things they have gone through. Brian Parker just gave us a fictional glimpse into the day to day life of a soldier. He uses humor to tell a tale that few will touch on. How do they cope? Read this and you will find out. This made me laugh and cry. A quick read that I couldn't put down until it was over and I sat in stunned silence. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good military fiction, friends and family of our military personnel, and anyone considering joining the military.
It is hard to know how the men in the United States military deal with day to day life overseas. In this book, Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) I got a glimpse into the minds of our much appreciated soldiers and learned things that I never knew before this book. I have had relatives and friends in the military but I always felt detached from them because I really couldn't understand the things they have gone through. Brian Parker just gave us a fictional glimpse into the day to day life of a soldier. He uses humor to tell a tale that few will touch on. How do they cope? Read this and you will find out. This made me laugh and cry. A quick read that I couldn't put down until it was over and I sat in stunned silence. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good military fiction, friends and family of our military personnel, and anyone considering joining the military.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews