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City of Death: Humanitarian Warriors in the Battle of Mosul
A frontline witness account of the deadly urban combat of the Battle of Mosul told by former Navy SEAL and frontline combat medic Ephraim Mattos.
After leaving the US Navy SEAL teams in spring of 2017, Ephraim Mattos, age twenty-four, flew to Iraq to join a small group of volunteer humanitarians known as the Free Burma Rangers, who were working on the frontlines of the war on ISIS.
Until being shot by ISIS on a suicidal rescue mission, Mattos witnessed unexplainable acts of courage and sacrifice by the Free Burma Rangers, who, while under heavy machine gun and mortar fire, assaulted across ISIS minefields, used themselves as human shields, and sprinted down ISIS-infested streets-all to retrieve wounded civilians.
In City of Death: Humanitarian Warriors in the Battle of Mosul, Mattos recounts in vivid detail what he saw and felt while he and the other Free Burma Rangers evacuated the wounded, conducted rescue missions, and at times fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the Iraqi Army against ISIS. Filled with raw and emotional descriptions of what it's like to come face-to-face with death, this is the harrowing and uplifting true story of a small group of men who risked everything to save the lives of the Iraqi people and who followed the credence, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
As the coauthor of the #1 New York Times bestselling American Sniper, Scott McEwen has teamed up with Mattos to help share an unforgettable tale of an American warrior turned humanitarian forced to fight his way into and out of a Hell on Earth created by ISIS.
After leaving the US Navy SEAL teams in spring of 2017, Ephraim Mattos, age twenty-four, flew to Iraq to join a small group of volunteer humanitarians known as the Free Burma Rangers, who were working on the frontlines of the war on ISIS.
Until being shot by ISIS on a suicidal rescue mission, Mattos witnessed unexplainable acts of courage and sacrifice by the Free Burma Rangers, who, while under heavy machine gun and mortar fire, assaulted across ISIS minefields, used themselves as human shields, and sprinted down ISIS-infested streets-all to retrieve wounded civilians.
In City of Death: Humanitarian Warriors in the Battle of Mosul, Mattos recounts in vivid detail what he saw and felt while he and the other Free Burma Rangers evacuated the wounded, conducted rescue missions, and at times fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the Iraqi Army against ISIS. Filled with raw and emotional descriptions of what it's like to come face-to-face with death, this is the harrowing and uplifting true story of a small group of men who risked everything to save the lives of the Iraqi people and who followed the credence, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
As the coauthor of the #1 New York Times bestselling American Sniper, Scott McEwen has teamed up with Mattos to help share an unforgettable tale of an American warrior turned humanitarian forced to fight his way into and out of a Hell on Earth created by ISIS.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 23, 2018
133 people are currently reading
1470 people want to read
About the author
Ephraim Mattos
1 book20 followersEPHRAIM MATTOS is a former Navy SEAL and the Founder of Stronghold Rescue & Relief. He grew up in Milwaukee, WI.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
April 18, 2022
Former Navy SEAL turned volunteer humanitarian worker and combat medic Ephraim Mattos shares a harrowing account of saving lives under fire alongside the Iraqi army at the frontlines of the battle against ISIS in Mosul. Vivid and inspiring.
May 17, 2024
City of Death, a biography of the life of Ephraim Mattos and written by Scott McEwen, is a great read. The book is made up of different stories from Ephraim Mattos’ time in the Middle East, and was officially released soon after the end of the war against ISIS. It follows the timeline of his life, from his childhood to his return from combat. The idea conveyed in the text is that hatred is the most destructive force out of any, even more so than that of those he fought.
To briefly summarize the events in the book, it quickly explains his religious upbringing in Wisconsin and its effect on his trajectory in life. After that, it follows on his short time in the Navy SEALs and how it didn’t make him feel any better about his goal to do right in the world. After that, a majority of the book covers his time with the Free Burma Rangers (FBR) and the Battle of Mosul.
So then, does the book convey its purpose effectively? Absolutely. The most effective parts in bringing the purpose into fruition are the brief moments between Ephraim and the other FBR members explaining his changing views of hatred against the enemy. There was a lot less focus on this point than there could have been, all things considered. If there were more scenes or events focused on the effects of this changing view, there would have been more efficiency in expressing the major point within the text.
One of the rhetorical choices made in this book is a kind of distance from the events. And it makes sense, considering that the book was written from memories and recall. There is a passively framed idea that this book is told for a purpose, and not just as a simple feel-good or thriller, but as something with values worth maintaining. An example of that is that everyone deserves to be helped, no matter who they are. A sort of wisdom is portrayed, one wrapped in the cloak of experience and virtue. The distance written into the story does not make it seem like a far-off theory, but like one that had enough impact to need to be written.
I would say this book doesn’t exactly align with its intended audience, since the main group that would learn this lesson would not be the type to read a book about conflicts in the Middle East, and it also feels rather… away from the reader. The book takes place in such distant regions, which makes it hard for the reader to relate, and thus truly understand the purpose.
Personally, I would say the best part of this book was during the assault on Gharbulah. It sets up how the rest of the book will feel and preps the style and scene that continues through the other chapters and fights. I would recommend this book because it portrays the humanity and reality behind conflict that many people neglect or ignore, and brings forward the idea that hatred is a major setback in helping people. Overall, it is definitely a book worth reading.
To briefly summarize the events in the book, it quickly explains his religious upbringing in Wisconsin and its effect on his trajectory in life. After that, it follows on his short time in the Navy SEALs and how it didn’t make him feel any better about his goal to do right in the world. After that, a majority of the book covers his time with the Free Burma Rangers (FBR) and the Battle of Mosul.
So then, does the book convey its purpose effectively? Absolutely. The most effective parts in bringing the purpose into fruition are the brief moments between Ephraim and the other FBR members explaining his changing views of hatred against the enemy. There was a lot less focus on this point than there could have been, all things considered. If there were more scenes or events focused on the effects of this changing view, there would have been more efficiency in expressing the major point within the text.
One of the rhetorical choices made in this book is a kind of distance from the events. And it makes sense, considering that the book was written from memories and recall. There is a passively framed idea that this book is told for a purpose, and not just as a simple feel-good or thriller, but as something with values worth maintaining. An example of that is that everyone deserves to be helped, no matter who they are. A sort of wisdom is portrayed, one wrapped in the cloak of experience and virtue. The distance written into the story does not make it seem like a far-off theory, but like one that had enough impact to need to be written.
I would say this book doesn’t exactly align with its intended audience, since the main group that would learn this lesson would not be the type to read a book about conflicts in the Middle East, and it also feels rather… away from the reader. The book takes place in such distant regions, which makes it hard for the reader to relate, and thus truly understand the purpose.
Personally, I would say the best part of this book was during the assault on Gharbulah. It sets up how the rest of the book will feel and preps the style and scene that continues through the other chapters and fights. I would recommend this book because it portrays the humanity and reality behind conflict that many people neglect or ignore, and brings forward the idea that hatred is a major setback in helping people. Overall, it is definitely a book worth reading.
March 23, 2025
This war story is unlike any I've read or listened to. The author/narrator's voice is the most beautiful voice I've heard in a long time. It's very hard to find a good narrator that keeps you engaged throughout the book. Ephraim Mattos' voice is always calm and gentle, a contrast to the story he's telling.
This book is written so well and so beautifully, I felt like I was there with Ephraim and could feel what he went through. The gentle voice and feeling that he got and saved his life may seem like it belongs in books and movies but it's real. I feel it too. And you don't ignore it.
I've never felt so drawn to a character as I have with this book. This man is someone I'd want to meet. A hero, a warrior, a man. In this life we aren't often given rewards for the good deeds we've done and the lives we've saved. But I do hope in the end God gives a reward to all those soldiers who kept on fighting even though they just lost a brother. Those soldiers who held on until they couldn't possibly fight anymore. All those soldiers who saved countless lives. All the soldiers who died for someone they didn't even know. For a country that wasn't theirs, for the people who needed them.
This book is written so well and so beautifully, I felt like I was there with Ephraim and could feel what he went through. The gentle voice and feeling that he got and saved his life may seem like it belongs in books and movies but it's real. I feel it too. And you don't ignore it.
I've never felt so drawn to a character as I have with this book. This man is someone I'd want to meet. A hero, a warrior, a man. In this life we aren't often given rewards for the good deeds we've done and the lives we've saved. But I do hope in the end God gives a reward to all those soldiers who kept on fighting even though they just lost a brother. Those soldiers who held on until they couldn't possibly fight anymore. All those soldiers who saved countless lives. All the soldiers who died for someone they didn't even know. For a country that wasn't theirs, for the people who needed them.
June 30, 2020
Very intense.
March 4, 2019
This is a great book. This book is about a former Navy Seal that leaves the navy and becomes apart of the Free Burma Rangers (FBR). During his time in the FBR the author recounts numerous stories of his time helping people during the the war in Afghanistan. The author does a very good job of detailing what happened and is very honest in his writing. His chapters are vividly described and the author does a fantastic job on making sure the reader is living the experience that he did when he during that part of the story.
At the end of this book I felt sad that it came to an end because the author did a fantastic job of keeping the hooked on what was happening and making the reader feel that they were apart of the experience.
At the end of this book I felt sad that it came to an end because the author did a fantastic job of keeping the hooked on what was happening and making the reader feel that they were apart of the experience.
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September 4, 2023There is an inherent contradiction being a Navy SEAL with a public persona. One line in the SEAL Ethos reads: I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. It is a broken joke at this point, but it is quite something to see so many former SEALs deliberately flout this particular line, Mattos included. He claims not to seek glory, yet he writes a book about his many escapades. He doesn't claim to be a hero, but will risk literal soul, sanity, and safety to go into the worst parts of the world to fight and kill. He also labels himself as a Christian and yet his biggest inspirations are people who are known liars, grifters, and thieves.
Mattos chooses to humbly compare himself against Christ Kyle (noted liar), Marcus Luttrell (another liar), Jocko Willink (grifter and cringe lord), Rob O'Neill (total tool), and Ryan Zinke (trash human). Were there no other SEALs available?! A cursory search on Google reveals several wonderful former SEALs who have made positive impacts on their local communities or who at the very least (bar is on the floor here, people) are not liars, grifters, or scum. But by choosing to group himself with those people, Mattos is making it clear how he wants his audience to view him.
It is worth noting that Scott McEwan co-wrote this book and also wrote American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History. It is impossible to tell how much of this is in Mattos's voice and how much of this is in McEwan's style - but there is a massive link between Chris Kyle and Ephraim Mattos.
There is an awful lot of whining and blatant falsehoods spread throughout the book. One of the big ones that jumped out to me was the Vietnam-era myth that anti-war protesters would scream and chant "baby killers" at soldiers, including Navy SEALs. Citation please?! I have heard this myth for so long and had never once been given a citation or any bit of proof on this. Where and when did this happen, Mattos!? Though interestingly, when I tried to look for proof myself I typed in "navy seal baby killers" and got a long list of articles about Eddie Gallagher, so, uh... yeah. That's a thing.
It is interesting to note that unlike the plethora of Navy SEAL books out there, Mattos does not spend much time on his career as a Navy SEAL. I am not sure why that is, exactly. Maybe he does want to keep some aspects of his prior career private, maybe there was not that much to write about - or maybe he wanted to spend the bulk of the book on his "humanitarian" efforts. His motivation to join the SEALs was because it was the hardest special forces group to get into and he wanted to prove himself that he could. He very nearly broke during Hell Week but had this vision of not himself, but another dude facing the Vietnam jungle and this stressed-induced hallucination somehow motivated him to keep going. (Is he sure he wasn't thinking of the movie Platoon?)
I get the sense that his time in the Navy SEALs let him down in some way. He has a major depressive episode at the end of his time (cure for depression = 5 shots of tequila + The Power of Now. Odd plug) and decides to join a bunch of loosely gathered freedom fighters/volunteers to go crazy in the Middle East.
The rest of the book is about his time in this group, getting to fight in the war but without those pesky rules and regulations that military imposes on it's troops. I don't know if this was intentional or not, but the pace and tone is all over the place. There are long, boring sections of routine checkups, supply gathering, cool downs, and then brief but violent episodes of warfare, injury, death, and destruction.
I also get the sense that Mattos does not have a lot of depth to him. It could be because of the ghostwriter, McEwan, but there were several lines or incidents where I had to pull back from the book and go, "Huh?!". One example is him claiming not to understand "the notion of genocide - that others would seek to wipe out an entire people." Which, dude, I have to ask... did you never crack open a history textbook? What about the massive Holocaust in Europe of the Jewish, Romani, Slavic, and homosexual people during the 1930s and 1940s? How about the 1994 Rwandan genocide (and if you get this far - read Shake Hands with the Devil, it is fucking brutal but a necessary read) or the Bosnian genocide during the Yugoslav Wars? Would Mattos understand the ongoing attempted genocidal attempts against the Ukranian people in the current war in Eastern Europe? I have to ask because lines like this demonstrate a serious lack of knowledge and understanding of the world.
Mattos chooses to humbly compare himself against Christ Kyle (noted liar), Marcus Luttrell (another liar), Jocko Willink (grifter and cringe lord), Rob O'Neill (total tool), and Ryan Zinke (trash human). Were there no other SEALs available?! A cursory search on Google reveals several wonderful former SEALs who have made positive impacts on their local communities or who at the very least (bar is on the floor here, people) are not liars, grifters, or scum. But by choosing to group himself with those people, Mattos is making it clear how he wants his audience to view him.
It is worth noting that Scott McEwan co-wrote this book and also wrote American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History. It is impossible to tell how much of this is in Mattos's voice and how much of this is in McEwan's style - but there is a massive link between Chris Kyle and Ephraim Mattos.
There is an awful lot of whining and blatant falsehoods spread throughout the book. One of the big ones that jumped out to me was the Vietnam-era myth that anti-war protesters would scream and chant "baby killers" at soldiers, including Navy SEALs. Citation please?! I have heard this myth for so long and had never once been given a citation or any bit of proof on this. Where and when did this happen, Mattos!? Though interestingly, when I tried to look for proof myself I typed in "navy seal baby killers" and got a long list of articles about Eddie Gallagher, so, uh... yeah. That's a thing.
It is interesting to note that unlike the plethora of Navy SEAL books out there, Mattos does not spend much time on his career as a Navy SEAL. I am not sure why that is, exactly. Maybe he does want to keep some aspects of his prior career private, maybe there was not that much to write about - or maybe he wanted to spend the bulk of the book on his "humanitarian" efforts. His motivation to join the SEALs was because it was the hardest special forces group to get into and he wanted to prove himself that he could. He very nearly broke during Hell Week but had this vision of not himself, but another dude facing the Vietnam jungle and this stressed-induced hallucination somehow motivated him to keep going. (Is he sure he wasn't thinking of the movie Platoon?)
I get the sense that his time in the Navy SEALs let him down in some way. He has a major depressive episode at the end of his time (cure for depression = 5 shots of tequila + The Power of Now. Odd plug) and decides to join a bunch of loosely gathered freedom fighters/volunteers to go crazy in the Middle East.
The rest of the book is about his time in this group, getting to fight in the war but without those pesky rules and regulations that military imposes on it's troops. I don't know if this was intentional or not, but the pace and tone is all over the place. There are long, boring sections of routine checkups, supply gathering, cool downs, and then brief but violent episodes of warfare, injury, death, and destruction.
I also get the sense that Mattos does not have a lot of depth to him. It could be because of the ghostwriter, McEwan, but there were several lines or incidents where I had to pull back from the book and go, "Huh?!". One example is him claiming not to understand "the notion of genocide - that others would seek to wipe out an entire people." Which, dude, I have to ask... did you never crack open a history textbook? What about the massive Holocaust in Europe of the Jewish, Romani, Slavic, and homosexual people during the 1930s and 1940s? How about the 1994 Rwandan genocide (and if you get this far - read Shake Hands with the Devil, it is fucking brutal but a necessary read) or the Bosnian genocide during the Yugoslav Wars? Would Mattos understand the ongoing attempted genocidal attempts against the Ukranian people in the current war in Eastern Europe? I have to ask because lines like this demonstrate a serious lack of knowledge and understanding of the world.
January 21, 2019
This is a book about a former Navy SEAL who goes to Iraq as a volunteer to help with Iraq's fight with ISIS. Ephraim Mattos, the author, went over as an unpaid volunteer to perform duties as a medic, saving many wounded and injured people from the battles with ISIS. He put himself in harms way everyday and eventually was wounded himself. It is an amazing story of self-less service. I love this book a lot!
March 14, 2019
Homerun!
Outstanding book. Ephraim Mattos and Scott McEwen did an extraordinary job in telling the story of the great battle in Mosul, Iraq. Read my highlights and notes for more details. Thank gentlemen for a great book!
Outstanding book. Ephraim Mattos and Scott McEwen did an extraordinary job in telling the story of the great battle in Mosul, Iraq. Read my highlights and notes for more details. Thank gentlemen for a great book!
September 24, 2021
Words cannot describe how I feel about this book, due to the fact that emotions also played a large role in my enjoyment of it. If one is squimish or has a detest for war and military veterans, then this is not the book for you as there are parts in which go into graphic detail into the daily life of a soldier (former). If you are still interested see below:
"City of Death" is a first person account from Former Navy SEAL and Founder of Stronghold Rescue and Releif, Ephraim Mattos and his time with the Free Burma Rangers (FBR) in Mosul, Iraq.
Ephraim was raised in devout Christian household in which his father was part of the Air Force Reserve. This gave Mattos not only a love for the Military but also a love for God. Throughout the book the reader will truly get to understand how both these conflicting loves played a role in shaping him into the a man that could look at the enemy, see atrocities, experience pain and sadness and "let go of hatred."
This story; co written by author of "American Sniper," Scott McEwen; had me hooked from the first time Mattos stepped foot in Burma. The emotional turmoil that went through the FBR was intimately felt by myself as I read, in large part to the writing style that embued the entire book with the storytellers emotions. I 100% recommend this book to those that want a better view into the life of veterans turned humanitarians and the struggles they go through both physically and emotionally.
"City of Death" is a first person account from Former Navy SEAL and Founder of Stronghold Rescue and Releif, Ephraim Mattos and his time with the Free Burma Rangers (FBR) in Mosul, Iraq.
Ephraim was raised in devout Christian household in which his father was part of the Air Force Reserve. This gave Mattos not only a love for the Military but also a love for God. Throughout the book the reader will truly get to understand how both these conflicting loves played a role in shaping him into the a man that could look at the enemy, see atrocities, experience pain and sadness and "let go of hatred."
This story; co written by author of "American Sniper," Scott McEwen; had me hooked from the first time Mattos stepped foot in Burma. The emotional turmoil that went through the FBR was intimately felt by myself as I read, in large part to the writing style that embued the entire book with the storytellers emotions. I 100% recommend this book to those that want a better view into the life of veterans turned humanitarians and the struggles they go through both physically and emotionally.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2022
Mattos was a Navy SEAL who went to Mosul with the Free Burma Rangers to provide aid in 2017. While I appreciated his tone of humility and honesty (as opposed to mucho bravado), it was dismaying to discover that he and his team were combatants. 90% was gun and war porn with a few rescues and bandages applied. He didn't seem to have been trained as a medic (couple of cringe moments there) and "couldn't wait to get back to combat" after Afghanistan...so they're missionaries with guns spraying buildings with bullets? Hmm.
And he rode rather loose with the Arabic translations. He gave good insight into his history and psychological changes but perhaps missed a great opportunity to ponder who has the right to take another's life? When confronted with the enemy he "had to kill" but it was ok if hate is removed from one's heart? A great contrast of humanitarian medics without spraying guns would be the White Helmets.
And he rode rather loose with the Arabic translations. He gave good insight into his history and psychological changes but perhaps missed a great opportunity to ponder who has the right to take another's life? When confronted with the enemy he "had to kill" but it was ok if hate is removed from one's heart? A great contrast of humanitarian medics without spraying guns would be the White Helmets.
June 29, 2023
Powerful story of Ephraim Mattos and his time with the Free Burma Rangers in Iraq during the Battle For Mosul. Mr. Mattos is a US Navy SEAL who joined the Free Burma Rangers after he completed his Navy service. The Free Burma Rangers served as combat medics and assisted refugees in support of the Iraqi battle against ISIS in the Battle For Mosul.
It is easy to hear and read about Iraq and view all Iraqi's as the enemy. Eric and Scott McEwen (American Sniper) present a much different view of Iraq than that simple picture. We read about people like Shaheen and Mahamed who serve with as much courage and compassion as anyone. This book really gave me pause about what it means to serve others. The FBR serves besides those who are forgotten and voiceless. They race from a scene of providing food and water to scenes of dragging broken bodies from the rubble while dodging bullets.
It is easy to hear and read about Iraq and view all Iraqi's as the enemy. Eric and Scott McEwen (American Sniper) present a much different view of Iraq than that simple picture. We read about people like Shaheen and Mahamed who serve with as much courage and compassion as anyone. This book really gave me pause about what it means to serve others. The FBR serves besides those who are forgotten and voiceless. They race from a scene of providing food and water to scenes of dragging broken bodies from the rubble while dodging bullets.
November 21, 2023
My rating gets a boost because of the events and actions described. If the same story were fictional, I have have given 3 stars (a good and enjoyable read). But, this story is astonishing as nonfiction. My only complaint is that the beginning is so utterly amazing that it was almost distracting. Without giving specifics, I could not have handled a job stuffing envelopes under the conditions he experienced while enduring Hell week, successfully becoming a Navy SEAL. I literally cannot imagine how this was possible. I can barely understand how it's possible under optimal conditions but this was borderline supernatural. Anyway, it blew me away. And what came after, I can't stop thinking about in a much more unsettling way. Again, the writing was OK. It did not get in my way. But the content had me crying and has left me shaken. Some people really are made of different stuff.
October 8, 2021
One of those books that takes you into the world of someone leading a really unsual life that makes you feel like a real dullard in comparison. Mattos was a Navy Seal who returns to Iraq with an outfit called the Free Burma Rangers - via Burma - and a tram of former US Special Forces soldiers and some Burmese medics under the leadership of a weird character called David Eubank who takes his family with him as he fights on the frontline of the Battle of Mosul. It's an intersting story and I was keen to learn more about Matttos's criticisms of Eubanks' "God will protect me" Holy-Rolling on the battlefield. This doesn't get explored or resolved in the book. Interesting read and Mattos and his colleagues have done some amazing work helping the Iraqi's defeat Isis.
April 30, 2025
I’m absolutely in love with this book. It was an excellent read but not for the faint of heart. Ephraim tells a really raw story about his life, becoming a SEAL, as well as his time doing humanitarian work in Burma as well as Iraq fighting ISIS. Very emotional and touching book that explains war as the gruesome awful life changing nightmare it is and what it’s like to both witness and involve yourself in such a horrific event. I had every range of room reading this book. I can’t say enough amazing things about Ephraim as a person. Great read, definitely recommend.
May 10, 2020
This is the second book I have read on the atrocities committed by ISIS during the battle of Mosul. The first being "They Will Have To Die Now: Mosul and the Fall of the Caliphate". Both are hard to read at times. An experience like this would never leave your mind. Just reading about it create's a haunting in your heart if you have any sense of humanitarianism. Ephraim Mattos presents this story and it's effects on his life. Very good.
September 1, 2020
An easy 4.5 stars for this book. Scott McEwen (author of American Sniper) helped write this book with former Navy SEAL Ephraim Mattos. I would love to see this turned into a movie as well.
The Free Burma Rangers (FBR) worked alongside the Iraqi Army to help liberate the people of Mosul. These Humanitarian warriors witnessed atrocities and carnage one can't even fathom, but remained dedicated to the cause of helping others. True heroes in every sense of the word. Highly recommend.
The Free Burma Rangers (FBR) worked alongside the Iraqi Army to help liberate the people of Mosul. These Humanitarian warriors witnessed atrocities and carnage one can't even fathom, but remained dedicated to the cause of helping others. True heroes in every sense of the word. Highly recommend.
January 28, 2020
Excellent read!!
I choose this book and figured that I would get to it and it would drag on.I was so wrong.The pages almost turned themselves as I quickly read this passionate story of honor and charity.The facts speak for themselves.Truly great and the pictures helped tell the tale.
I choose this book and figured that I would get to it and it would drag on.I was so wrong.The pages almost turned themselves as I quickly read this passionate story of honor and charity.The facts speak for themselves.Truly great and the pictures helped tell the tale.
July 15, 2023
Wow is about all I can say. Ephraim Mattos & Scott McEwen give an excellent 1st account Ephraim's time as a soldier and then as a vet turned humanitarian who returns to Iraq to help rescue those trying to escape ISIS. This is a true testament to Ephraim's character of a man, a soldier, and a Christian.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2024
I heard about the author and his story from a former friend and I'm so glad he brought it up. This book was absolutely amazing. From the emotional storytelling and action, to the honesty of his feelings and thoughts on religion, war, and internal self. Worth the read or listen depending on your choice of consumption.
September 17, 2024
Heard about this from MrBallen and decided to get the book. I figured even if I didn't read it or like it my husband who is also a Veteran may. Well I'll tell you we are both gonna love it because I couldn't put it down! I finished it in 4 days, you really start to get a glimpse of what the people go through over there, even if it's only the tiniest of glimpses. Worth the read!
December 28, 2018
Good read
An inspirational tale about good people doing good work in Iraq against isis. Lots of good quotes to start out the chapters. And they gave credit to the groups and individuals who needed to be credited.
An inspirational tale about good people doing good work in Iraq against isis. Lots of good quotes to start out the chapters. And they gave credit to the groups and individuals who needed to be credited.
May 11, 2021
This is the first book I've read about a war that does not focus around the armed forces but, instead, is about an ex-military joining a humanitarian group to fight. I find the narrator's honest expression of his deepest thoughts and feelings refreshing and, at times, endearing. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys memoirs and military stories.
May 6, 2023
3.5 stars. I gotta admit, I read this book after watching a Mr Baller account on his YouTube channel where he recounted the last fight scene where Mattos was injured. After that I saw a couple interviews re Mattos’ not-for-profit Stronghold and decided to read the book.
What I liked: 1) It felt like pretty accurate recounting of his time in Mosul after he left the US Navy as a Navy Seal Team member and re-enlisted as a member of the Free Burma Rangers. I really liked this organization. He started in Burma and then moved to Mosul, Iraq. 2) He did a great job describing his mission and thoughts around it; how he compartmentalized, dealt with anger/forgiveness/taking time for self/etc.
What didn’t work for me: 1) I find with autobiographies, the ghost writer or, in this case, the second author was just meh. It sounded like a guy who was laughing or talking with other guys who had done the same thing. Some of it probably would have funny, but I just couldn’t relate. Maybe I felt the audience was too narrowed. 2) I was surprised the Mr Baller story was the last one of the book. It was a rather strange way to end. I wish it ended with his founding his own organization to kind of bring it full circle. It just ended very abruptly.
All in all an okay read. I think it is important to read about these situations and the different kinds of needs and services people in war torn countries have so they can get adequate support.
What I liked: 1) It felt like pretty accurate recounting of his time in Mosul after he left the US Navy as a Navy Seal Team member and re-enlisted as a member of the Free Burma Rangers. I really liked this organization. He started in Burma and then moved to Mosul, Iraq. 2) He did a great job describing his mission and thoughts around it; how he compartmentalized, dealt with anger/forgiveness/taking time for self/etc.
What didn’t work for me: 1) I find with autobiographies, the ghost writer or, in this case, the second author was just meh. It sounded like a guy who was laughing or talking with other guys who had done the same thing. Some of it probably would have funny, but I just couldn’t relate. Maybe I felt the audience was too narrowed. 2) I was surprised the Mr Baller story was the last one of the book. It was a rather strange way to end. I wish it ended with his founding his own organization to kind of bring it full circle. It just ended very abruptly.
All in all an okay read. I think it is important to read about these situations and the different kinds of needs and services people in war torn countries have so they can get adequate support.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2023
Hands down probably the best book I’ve ever read. Ephraims story is one of valor and courage. I raw accounts of what he went through shows the evil in the world, but also how he was able to overcome those evils.
November 4, 2023
A definite, firm Five Stars. I want to leave a glowing review, but don’t have the words. I’m not sure they exist. Maybe after it digests a little and the “it hurts and I want to cry, but damn that was a good read!” wears off.
August 29, 2025
Truly amazing story. So many times I found myself laughing out loud, then crying, and even getting chills. It’s hard to process that everything in this story is true. I feel called to humanitarian work, but the work that Ephraim and FBR do is so valorous, transcendent, and heroic.
February 3, 2026
Incredible story of incredible people.
To come from the military and willingly go back to conflict zones to help others is so courageous, inspiring, and so underappreciated. Stronghold Rescue are still operating in Burma to this day, mad respect for these guys.
To come from the military and willingly go back to conflict zones to help others is so courageous, inspiring, and so underappreciated. Stronghold Rescue are still operating in Burma to this day, mad respect for these guys.
June 18, 2019
Amazing story of volunteers helping victims of war while also fighting in that war themselves
June 22, 2019
The story was interesting but the writing was painful to read.
November 19, 2019
Brutally honest. A reminder of how war damages everyone, not just the military.
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