Because Each Life Is Precious: Why an Iraqi Man Risked Everything for Private Jessica Lynch – An Inspiring Memoir of Heroism and Humanity

by Mohammed Odeh al-Rehaief

When thirty-three-year-old Mohammed Odeh al-Rehaief made the decision to risk his life and his family to save Private First Class Jessica Lynch -- an American soldier he did not know -- it was more than the everyday reckoning with death that permeates wartime. It was the culmination of a life spent at odds with the repressive regime that held his country. Mohammed's story is a coming of age tale in a society where violence and betrayal were everyday events, where one in five adult males worked for the state's security apparatus, where a president-for-life demanded absolute loyalty and adulation. Yet even as he navigates a culture tarnished by brutality and corruption, Mohammed reveals unexpected sides of Iraq -- scenes of surprising tenderness and stubborn generosity -- and emerges as an unlikely hero whose values transcend honor, compassion, and an unshakable belief in the sanctity of human life.

Genres: Memoir

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

Reviews

[Coral · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way to learn what Iraq was like during Saddam's reign. It was easy to read and an amazing story. You learned about the author's life and how he ended up helping rescue Jessica Lynch. I really liked this book and enjoyed learning while reading a true story.

I bought this book on a whim at a bookstore at the coast and I'm glad I did.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story of how an Iragi man, due to his father's influence, valued a woman's life--an American soldier, no less--Pvt. J. Lynch. It's like reading the book of Esther in the Bible (same geography too) where God's providentially works in the life of a person.

[Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now he is the true HERO in the Lynch story. This book is a real page turner. He has you laughing, crying, and turning those pages. I could not sit this book down.

[Biosyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sobering read. Prompted me to read Jessica Lynch's book. This one is far better. Why is this not a movie?

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book and don't think it has received the credit it deserved. This man risked alot to get information re: Jessica Lynch. It was an act of bravery and was laid out very well in this book.

[Michael Basile · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great, gave a different prospective from an Iraqi's point of view. Shows compassion that can be possibly in the human race especially during a war with opposing sides.

[Juanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what an honest look into the war in Iraq. Not a long book so you can get through it pretty quickly. Sad to read what went on and to know it still happens in countries today.

[Alysia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of this book is very compelling. Why would an Iraqi man during the Iraq war risk everything to save a US soldier that was captured and was now being beaten and not well treated for her injuries? The answer is a look at his whole life. He talks of his early education where he was forced to pay homage to Saddam Hussein or get whipped. His family tried to live in the Saddam Hussein regime and time and time again were mistreated or cheated out of things that were theirs.

But I think the incident that caused him to rethink his life was the horrible mistreatment and victimization of his young daughter when she was sick by several doctors at Iraqi hospitals because his family wasn't in the ruling class. Anyone who lived through what he lived through, would have been angry and wanted revenge. But instead of what we would consider typical anger or revenge, he chose an unusual revenge. Shortly after his daughter's "treatment", he saw the American POW also being mistreated and victimized at the same Iraqi Hospital and wanted to try to get her out of there, while she still had a chance to live and possibly have a good quality of life. So he went to the American front lines to tell them about where she was and later risked his life to help the US Marines rescue Jessica Lynch.

If I could, I would give this book 2 1/2 stars instead of 3. The negative of this book is that it was written very shortly after the Iraq war with a co-author and the narrative is very choppy. Also, at the time the book was written, much was still unknown, so the ending sort of leaves you hanging. I hope that he and his wife and especially his daughter were able to live a good life in the United states for the past 13 years.

[Vanessa]

An easy and fast read. Its a tale of real heroism.

[Carol Virshbo]

Good quick read. It is amazing what he risked to save one American soldier.

[Mel Jaeger]

Gripping story