Fighting Blind: A Green Beret's Story of Extraordinary Courage

by Ivan Castro, Jim DeFelice

Fighting was a practiced routine for Lieutenant Ivan Castro. But when a mortar round struck the rooftop of his sniper’s post in Iraq, he found himself in a battle more difficult than even he could have imagined. The direct hit killed two other soldiers and nearly claimed Castro’s life as well. Mangled by shrapnel and badly burned, Castro was medevac’d to Germany more dead than alive. His lungs were collapsed. He couldn’t hear. One eye had been blown out, the nerve to the other severed.

In the weeks and months that followed, Castro would find that physical darkness was nothing compared to the emotional darkness of loss and despair. Desperate for a reason to live, he eventually fought his way back to health through exercise and a single-minded goal: running a marathon. Once he set his course, there was no stopping him. Stubborn to a point that at times bordered on insanity, he managed not only to recover but to return to active duty. Since 2007, he has run over two dozen marathons, including the Boston Marathon in 2013, where he was one of the runners diverted when the bombs exploded.

Today, Castro he helps prepare soldiers for combat, working exactly as if he were “sighted.” This frankly told account of his struggle through adversity, the highs and lows and the always bumpy road in between, is a story of hope and perseverance against the odds: an Unbroken for the present generation.

Genres: Nonfiction, Military Fiction

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2016

About the author

Ivan Castro is a graphic designer based in Barcelona, Spain, who specializes in calligraphy, lettering, and typography. His work involves everything from advertising to editorial, and from packaging to logo design and gig posters. Although Ivan claims to have no specific style, one could say that he has a strong respect for the history of popular culture. He has been working in the field for 15 years, and has been teaching calligraphy and lettering for 10 years in the main design schools in Barcelona. He travels frequently, holding workshops and giving lectures at design festivals and conferences.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting Ivan, (and later on Jim Defelice) and he has been on my mind often since. His story has been an inspiration to me as I struggle with minor running injuries and think of all he has been through and continues to achieve. His passion, dedication to the army, his faith, his pain, and his flirtatious ways all come across in this book. Highly recommend.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story of recovery and dealing with a future one never expected or wanted. I am always hesitant to read stories written directly by military folks. They may have great stories to tell, but they are usually not writers, so it can be difficult to keep your interest. I looked at this book because it was co-written by an author who had worked with Tom Clancy. Unfortunately, there was less of the professional writer coming through than I would have liked. Too much raw "I was thinking this" or "I was feeling that". Still, good story of courage and overcoming obstacles.

[Anna Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fighting Blind by Ivan Castro and Jim DeFelice is the awe inspiring true story of Green Beret Ivan Castro that will leave you speechless. Ivan Castro has accomplished so many amazing feats in his military career that make this book difficult to put down. From the first page to the last you are transported into the world of this remarkable man and his journey to where he is today. This incredible story published by New York’s St. Martin’s Press in 2016 had me as a reader feeling exhilarated and motivated by the end.
In this narrative of his life, you truly feel like you are experiencing it first hand with former paratrooper, U.S. Army Ranger, Major, Green Beret and Lieutenant Ivan Castro. This book takes the reader from the very beginning, being born in New Jersey and then moving in his early years to Puerto Rico. Castro’s journey continues as he joins the military and becomes a paratrooper while also earning his college degree. He also married his wife Evelyn in 1990 who became his main support system. As Ivan worked his way up the ranks he eventually accomplished his dream, commanding his own squad. But one day all of that changed. On September 2, 2006, Ivan woke up in Yusufiyah, Iraq, at this point he was a member of the 82nd Airborne. As he and his men were taking their position on top of the sniper’s post, a mortar round shot and killed two men, Ralph Porras and Justin Dreese, and very badly wounded Castro. He was transported to Germany with collapsed lungs, with loss of hearing and with no sight at all. One of his eyes had been blown out and the nerve to the other eye severed. Months after his injury and difficult recovery, Castro set his sights on one thing, running a marathon. Not only has he achieved this goal, but exceeded it! Since beginning in late 2007, Ivan has completed over twenty-four marathons, cycled across the USA and went to the South Pole with Prince Harry. Throughout this amazing story, you are constantly encouraged and influenced by what this man has overcome and and his true grit and determination his entire life.
In Fighting Blind by Ivan Castro, this story encouraged me from beginning to end and helped me to value what is truly important in my life and has shown me that I have plenty to be grateful for, especially the little things. It also reminded me that just because your life isn’t taking the path you thought, it doesn’t mean that you can’t accomplish great and wonderful things. I hope more people will pick up and read this book because it will surely help them put things into perspective and have a more positive outlook on life.

[Samantha B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this one really interesting! It was about a Special Forces soldier who was blinded in Iraq, but ended up staying on active duty and accomplishing a bunch of other amazing things. I overall found it very interesting and inspirational.

I do have just a couple of tiny quibbles:
1. I found the army speak a little hard to follow, like, exactly what he was doing and going, and why. That could just have been because I was really, really tired. Like, falling asleep while reading. XD But I found those bits to be kind of clunky.
2. I was hoping he would describe what it was like to be blind a little more, but that was just my hope, so not a problem with the book, per se.

Content: some swearing (a couple of f-bombs included), war, sexual innuendo.

All things considered, I think I'll give this 3 stars.

[Elissa Kaplan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring book but may also be because I met the author. The author speaking engagement inspired me to hike 28 miles for the first time and to try to do it again next year. The book would be if interest to anyone but probably especially so for military or a person who is overcoming adversity.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doesn't read like many of the over the top motivational books. It has a very human and humble tone throughout that makes it a pleasure to read while at the same time forcing you to reflect on parts of your own life.

[Lawrence Rubal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had the honor to serve as an FSO with (then 1LT) Castro during the fight and deploment that injured him, so pretty vivd description of that solemn day, brought back a lot of memories (both good and bad). We fought hard in Yusifiyah again and again, amd took some significant casualties.
Absolutely stellar job. Great mix and transition between combat, recovery, motivation, and his current life. Ivan is an inspiration, I don't think anyone doubted he had the resiliency and drive to continue to succeed, and then some. While it's an awful tragedy what happened, it's amazing what it's led to in the long run, how much he's achieved, and how many he's inspired. God bless you brother.

[Kenneth Flusche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something Different

[Ceallaigh Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing outlook on life after being injured as a soldier.

[John Isenhour · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. I read the first chapter the night it was delivered and read the rest the next day in a marathon session. Before reading the book, I was already somewhat familiar with Castro's story after his injuries. What was surprising was how interesting it was to read about the person he was before the mortar attack that took his sight. There is some military action in the book, but even the action is described from the intensely personal perspective of someone who obviously loves the Army and even serving in combat but who also has a full understanding of the fear and confusion that often come along with that service.

I'm not familiar with the military memoir genre, so I can't compare Fighting Blind to any other books in the genre, but I can at least say that I was absolutely captivated by the book and enjoyed every minute of the read. I imagine that people who are already fans of this genre are going to love it.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting. Ivan Castro certainly has had a brilliant career in the Army and he certainly has had a hard life, though some of it was caused by some youthful exuberance. I liked the style in that this memoir detailed more of his life than just this one incident that permanently changed his life. I liked how this memoir detailed his journey through the ranks of the Army and how he explained what he could about the military, which helped me to learn how much these folks are entrusted with beyond having the lives of millions and millions of people on the shoulders. I recommend to this book to everyone, especially those who served in the armed forces.

I received this advanced uncorrected proof book as part of the Goodreads giveaway program.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an inspiring and motivational story. It is told in a down to earth simple manner which makes me appreciate it even more. I admire the faith and determination of Ivan Castro. I am proud that he serves our country. His achievements after his injuries are remarkable for anyone without those injuries. My desire is that some of what I read will impact my life in a positive manner and make me reach a little further in life. Love the three songs the author uses to sum up his life! I wo this book in a GoodReads Giveaway.

[Nancy Panko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to meet this extraordinary man and I did! What a treat it was because his story is remarkable and a true miracle!