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Fight
Leslie and John both served in the Army and crossed paths under unfortunate events. Now that they are out, they are having to readapt to civilian life and it’s not as easy as what they were originally told. However, they find out how important it is to stay close with their fellow Veterans who have different backgrounds and stories, but they all share one thing: adapting to their old life as a civilian isn’t as easy as it looks.
109 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2017
2 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Betsy Ross
28 books4 followersBetsy Ross was one of the first women to break into national sports media when she worked as an anchor on ESPNs SportsCenter in the late 1990s. She held the position for five years. She is president and founder of Game Day Communications and has more than 20 years of experience as a sports and news anchor. Before anchoring SportsCenter and ESPN News, Ross worked at NBC News Channel and Cincinnatis NBC affiliate, WLWT-TV, for seven years.
She continues to be involved in sports broadcasting as play-by-play anchor for womens college basketball for ESPN, Fox Sports and other national and regional outlets, and as a sports reporter for Cincinnatis FOX 19. She is the host of a weekly sports interview segment, The Front Row, that airs Saturday mornings on WVXU-FM, the NPR affiliate in Cincinnati. She also teaches a masters level course, Sports and PR, at Xavier University. She is active in a variety of organizations, including the Special Olympics, and the Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Womens Sports Association.
Ross is a native of Connersville, Indiana, received her bachelors degree at Ball State University and masters degree at the University of Notre Dame. She is on the board of the Ball State University Foundation. She has received the Sagamore of the Wabash award, the highest civilian award given to Indiana residents, and is a Kentucky Colonel.
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She continues to be involved in sports broadcasting as play-by-play anchor for womens college basketball for ESPN, Fox Sports and other national and regional outlets, and as a sports reporter for Cincinnatis FOX 19. She is the host of a weekly sports interview segment, The Front Row, that airs Saturday mornings on WVXU-FM, the NPR affiliate in Cincinnati. She also teaches a masters level course, Sports and PR, at Xavier University. She is active in a variety of organizations, including the Special Olympics, and the Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Womens Sports Association.
Ross is a native of Connersville, Indiana, received her bachelors degree at Ball State University and masters degree at the University of Notre Dame. She is on the board of the Ball State University Foundation. She has received the Sagamore of the Wabash award, the highest civilian award given to Indiana residents, and is a Kentucky Colonel.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 4, 2018
My review is 4.75 stars.
First I wanted to give it 4 stars because my final rating is 4.75 but the book is like I can't do injustice with it so instead of giving 4.75 stars I'm marking it as 5 stars.
This is now the no. 1 book in my all-time rated books. I never rated any book more than 4.7 stars. "Fight" is a short book to read, roughly 100 pages. But after reading it completely I have realised that the book is not of 100 pages it's actually 1000 pages. It's every page contains 10 pages in itself. This book is like an institution for the life. A chapter of life that we all know about but never cherish it completely. The chapter we all know about but never understand it completely. This book has said all the said and unsaid things that people may care about or may not but the real fact is they are there and needed to be understood and to be understood with all of your heart.
There are lots of emotions in the book because of the background on which the book is based on. It has the ultimate connection when you start reading it. And along with the journey, while reading word by word, line by line, after each paragraph and every page there is something either you'll realise or get to know which was there all the time but you haven't seen or felt it yet. This book is based on the Veterans and the army personnel but you can find yourself while reading it.
The characters of the book are so strong and impactful. It's just like the way veterans are. 'Leslie' is a very strong character and the way she develops in the book, it shows that this character is like an onion. The reader is reading all along and discovering the new facts all the time. When a soldier comes back to civilian life it's never easy. It's easy to say 'hey, now you are back and everything will be fine.' But actually, it's way more difficult than that. This book connects at the deepest level. There is no other way to explain emotion about the book or say something. You can only just understand it yourself and for doing that you must read the book.
This book will never let you down, from the first page to the last page this book is something... not something but everything. This is a book you have to watch out and definitely read.
First I wanted to give it 4 stars because my final rating is 4.75 but the book is like I can't do injustice with it so instead of giving 4.75 stars I'm marking it as 5 stars.
This is now the no. 1 book in my all-time rated books. I never rated any book more than 4.7 stars. "Fight" is a short book to read, roughly 100 pages. But after reading it completely I have realised that the book is not of 100 pages it's actually 1000 pages. It's every page contains 10 pages in itself. This book is like an institution for the life. A chapter of life that we all know about but never cherish it completely. The chapter we all know about but never understand it completely. This book has said all the said and unsaid things that people may care about or may not but the real fact is they are there and needed to be understood and to be understood with all of your heart.
There are lots of emotions in the book because of the background on which the book is based on. It has the ultimate connection when you start reading it. And along with the journey, while reading word by word, line by line, after each paragraph and every page there is something either you'll realise or get to know which was there all the time but you haven't seen or felt it yet. This book is based on the Veterans and the army personnel but you can find yourself while reading it.
The characters of the book are so strong and impactful. It's just like the way veterans are. 'Leslie' is a very strong character and the way she develops in the book, it shows that this character is like an onion. The reader is reading all along and discovering the new facts all the time. When a soldier comes back to civilian life it's never easy. It's easy to say 'hey, now you are back and everything will be fine.' But actually, it's way more difficult than that. This book connects at the deepest level. There is no other way to explain emotion about the book or say something. You can only just understand it yourself and for doing that you must read the book.
This book will never let you down, from the first page to the last page this book is something... not something but everything. This is a book you have to watch out and definitely read.
August 30, 2019
So, be forewarned, I am not a reader. I have read a total of 4 books now, front to back. Yes, this includes high school. (I just used the cliff notes or cheated then - let's be honest!)
Short, sweet and to the point. No beating around the bushes. This maybe a hard series for some to read for it may bring back memories of their own. However, if you are like I and really want to know what some of our brother and sisters are facing, this is one series that does that.
The author introduces us to a lot of military members and their significant others, whether it be family or friends, so paying attention is a must. However, no need to memorize the names, just their unique situations for therein lies the key. Real situations and real problems that face our veteran community. Even for someone like me, who has served, not all of our experiences are the same and therefore sometimes relating to those whom have had different experiences can be difficult. The author does a great job of explaining the situation and how the characters interacted with one another. She, the author, also does an outstanding job of explaining how each veteran has and deals with their own demons.
Fight had me confused to begin with. What is with the short, simple to read paragraphs and then, BAM – italics and an apparent flashback?? What was going on here? However, the more I read, the more I understood how the author was writing and the necessity for doing so. Once I grasped that, I was hooked and could not stop reading.
Thank you to Betsy Ross (author) for making a series that is straightforward and truth telling. A must read for anyone wanting to understand what our veteran community is dealing with on a daily basis.
Short, sweet and to the point. No beating around the bushes. This maybe a hard series for some to read for it may bring back memories of their own. However, if you are like I and really want to know what some of our brother and sisters are facing, this is one series that does that.
The author introduces us to a lot of military members and their significant others, whether it be family or friends, so paying attention is a must. However, no need to memorize the names, just their unique situations for therein lies the key. Real situations and real problems that face our veteran community. Even for someone like me, who has served, not all of our experiences are the same and therefore sometimes relating to those whom have had different experiences can be difficult. The author does a great job of explaining the situation and how the characters interacted with one another. She, the author, also does an outstanding job of explaining how each veteran has and deals with their own demons.
Fight had me confused to begin with. What is with the short, simple to read paragraphs and then, BAM – italics and an apparent flashback?? What was going on here? However, the more I read, the more I understood how the author was writing and the necessity for doing so. Once I grasped that, I was hooked and could not stop reading.
Thank you to Betsy Ross (author) for making a series that is straightforward and truth telling. A must read for anyone wanting to understand what our veteran community is dealing with on a daily basis.
March 24, 2019
America has been sending its warriors to foreign conflicts at an ever-increasing rate over the last couple of decades. Whether you agree with the reasons for these deployments or not, we owe a debt of gratitude to those that we asked to go. Hundreds of thousands of veterans have come back from these wars carrying with the scars of their service, some obvious and physical, but most hidden deep down inside—traumas that can only be imagined by those of us that have not endured them. This is a story about those brave men and women, whose toughest fights may still be ahead of them. How do you deal with these ghosts, these dark specters of memories and experiences that can’t be seen. Soldiers are asked to drive on, ranger-up, suck-it-up and all the rest. Push down whatever ails you and forge ahead. Unfortunately, it is not that easy. For the rest of us, it is easy to forget that these warriors are among us, since only 3% of us have worn the uniform and served. It is easy to pretend that we hold no obligation. It is easy to let them fight alone, or at the behest of a broken Veterans Support system. This story is a heartfelt, deeply emotional journey into the sometimes-insurmountable fight waged daily by many of our wounded children, now women and men—a struggle just to find a modicum of peace in their lives. And like our children, we should love them and care for them. Please, pick up this book, open the pages, and feel what they feel, see what they endure. You won’t regret it, even if it pains you. You will love these characters just like I did.
December 17, 2019
I have not picked up a book since the military studying for advancement for the HM rating in the Navy. I was discharged 2011! I came across this hidden gem on Twitter and was lucky enough and honored to be followed by the author as well as purchase a signed copy of "Fight". I support Veterans and small business or small endeavors and dreams so getting a book authored by a Vet was a no brainer and I expected a good read. BOY WAS I WRONG! It isn't just a good read it is phenomenal! It says all the things needing to be said because so many civilians (no offense) think they know or can empathize with a Veteran and on some level maybe you can but Betsy Ross puts all of the things we as Vets deal with in this novella not just for entertainment but an informational tool. Intended or not "Fight" teaches anyone what its like to be in our shoes and adapting to non military life and the importance of bonds we share because we took the same oath. I urge anyone to read "Fight" but I also urge you to make time because start to finish you won't want to put it down. Ross delivers not just a book or a story but a peace of art and no doubt this driven young author will earn her place in literary history.
May 29, 2018
Reading books was never my cup of tea . But, My friend recommended this book and i was thankful to find out i could read it as it contained few pages. But, as i kept reading and found myself in the middle of the whole story, it looked like this should go on and on and on.... and i finally read it to the end.
This book represents a truth many sections of society may not be aware of. The mindset of soldiers returning from war and how they struggle to keep it up with civilian life, all of this holds an universe in itself. Honestly, i find Leslie to be a confident girl and even after facing PTSD herself, she could not imagine her mates to face a similar situation. I am not an avid reader but this book always prompted me to turn the pages and read more.
I would recommend everyone to read this book at least once as it deserves this much attention and appreciation.
Thanks.
This book represents a truth many sections of society may not be aware of. The mindset of soldiers returning from war and how they struggle to keep it up with civilian life, all of this holds an universe in itself. Honestly, i find Leslie to be a confident girl and even after facing PTSD herself, she could not imagine her mates to face a similar situation. I am not an avid reader but this book always prompted me to turn the pages and read more.
I would recommend everyone to read this book at least once as it deserves this much attention and appreciation.
Thanks.
February 26, 2020
A stunning depiction of post conflict trauma
Betsy Ross writes passionately and skilfully about a subject obviously close to her heart. Characters you care about and a page turning style leave you rooting for the damaged veterans thrust back.into civilian life. The angst and terrors of their pasts are vividly brought home to the reader. A superb read.
Betsy Ross writes passionately and skilfully about a subject obviously close to her heart. Characters you care about and a page turning style leave you rooting for the damaged veterans thrust back.into civilian life. The angst and terrors of their pasts are vividly brought home to the reader. A superb read.
March 10, 2020
Betsy Ross has delivered a tale that feels very personal and helps show what it is like for veterans to come home from the war, but not always be able to leave.
Any book that helps draw attention to the struggles of PTSD and the mental health of our veterans is worth reading, Fight being among them.
Any book that helps draw attention to the struggles of PTSD and the mental health of our veterans is worth reading, Fight being among them.
May 30, 2018
This book speaks a lot of truth about ptsd of those that know about serving in the military or have spouses in the military. John and Leslie go through a lot in this book that they need each other to carry through, def emotional reading this!
May 8, 2019
This author is a Veteran who understands the struggle. As a military retiree I strongly recommend this book to those who want to know about the military transaction to civilian life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2020
Excellent read! Couldn't have hit closer to home if you tried!
You must have written this story about my Iraq experience and returning home. Can't wait to read the next two books.
You must have written this story about my Iraq experience and returning home. Can't wait to read the next two books.
July 28, 2019
Fantastic Books! Both fight and fight 2 are well written with a great story and real message! Looking forward to reading more from this Author!!!!👍
Read
April 12, 2019MWSA Review
Fight is a novel about a group of soldiers struggling with fitting into the civilian world after deployment in the Middle East. Back in the United States, the characters reveal their stories, told mostly through Leslie and John, about why and how they are struggling with life back at home. The reader learns of each one’s war experience through the characters’ internal thoughts and flashbacks.
The veterans help each other cope with their demons as they take advantage of counseling offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Their resistance to group therapy comes through, although they do help each other cope with tragic suicides and survivor’s guilt.
They grow to rely on each other for healing and moving forward with their lives, understanding that it will take time and they will always be there for each other.
Review by Patricia Walkow (April 2019)
MWSA's evaluation found a number of technical problems (misspellings, grammar, punctuation, or capitalization) as well as other problems in one or more of the following evaluation areas: content, style, and/or visual. This normally indicates a need for further editing.
Fight is a novel about a group of soldiers struggling with fitting into the civilian world after deployment in the Middle East. Back in the United States, the characters reveal their stories, told mostly through Leslie and John, about why and how they are struggling with life back at home. The reader learns of each one’s war experience through the characters’ internal thoughts and flashbacks.
The veterans help each other cope with their demons as they take advantage of counseling offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Their resistance to group therapy comes through, although they do help each other cope with tragic suicides and survivor’s guilt.
They grow to rely on each other for healing and moving forward with their lives, understanding that it will take time and they will always be there for each other.
Review by Patricia Walkow (April 2019)
MWSA's evaluation found a number of technical problems (misspellings, grammar, punctuation, or capitalization) as well as other problems in one or more of the following evaluation areas: content, style, and/or visual. This normally indicates a need for further editing.
August 24, 2019
This is a must read for veterans, family members and friends of veterans who are suffering from ptsd. Readjusting from military to civilian life is hard, readjusting with ptsd is damn near impossible! Finally a book that addresses the mind set of those who are struggling with this affliction.
2 many veterans are becoming a statistic to suicide, 2 many are suffer in silence, it’s time to raise awareness.
A personal thanks to Betsy Ross for her strength and bravery in writing this book, her writing has started me down a path of healing, I couldn’t imagine how difficult this journey has been for her. Bless you sister! Respect!
2 many veterans are becoming a statistic to suicide, 2 many are suffer in silence, it’s time to raise awareness.
A personal thanks to Betsy Ross for her strength and bravery in writing this book, her writing has started me down a path of healing, I couldn’t imagine how difficult this journey has been for her. Bless you sister! Respect!
May 12, 2019
Great book. Must read for veterans and anyone who knows a veteran. I think it is great somebody has finally taken the time to do something to help people understand why veterans have the troubles we do.
September 23, 2019
This is a powerful explanation of the challenges our returning combat veterans face.
September 27, 2023
This book packs a powerful punch as it skillfully details the often overlooked aspects of PTSD. The author brings this issue to light and respectfully crafts a great story. A must read for all those that have served and those that haven’t. More efforts like this need to be made to help those that have sacrificed it all.
July 31, 2023
An intimate glimpse into the war many veterans face in their own heads if they make it home- PTSD. 22 a day is an oft repeated fact, in this story we see some of those stories broken down intimately. This short, easy read is the first in a series.
Trigger warning for suicide and PTSD.
Trigger warning for suicide and PTSD.
September 5, 2024
I’ve read the entire series. As someone with similar issues and friendships, I can say this book and its series hits the mark and is excellently written. I don’t want to spoil the book, but I can relate to the characters, the story, especially the unexpected friendships. You need to read this book for yourselves.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews