McCoy's Marines: Darkside to Baghdad

by John Koopman

San Francisco Chronicle reporter and marine veteran Koopman was embedded in the Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, during the most recent war in Iraq. He enjoyed a close working relationship with the CO, the battalion sergeant major, and several other members of the battalion. This didn't destroy his ability to distance himself from aspects of the military that he never liked, or from political judgments on the war. The combination of embedding and prior service did give him a rare perspective on the gritty (literally, when a sandstorm blew up) details of ground combat in Iraq and how the modern American marine relates to his buddies, his enemies, and his family back home. The conclusion of the book offers equally rare material on the nation-building efforts that continue, with sympathy for both the U.S. military and most shades of Iraqi opinion.—ALA Booklist

Genres: Military Fiction, History, War, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2005

Reviews

[Julia Chenoweth · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better military books I’ve read. Maybe it’s because it was written by a reporter and not a Marine, or because it’s about a unit I have a personal connection to? Regardless, I found the focus on the experience of war much more interesting than the usual, overly complicated battlefield descriptions of other war books.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not going to go down in any halls of fame, but it was really enjoyable. The writting style is simple, McCoy's not trying to convince you he's any kind of profound thinker. I probably appreciated this book more than most because my husband was literally one of McCoy's Marines, and I was able to envision the hulking commander in action.

[Bobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I was a writer/reviewer so I could do this book justice. I invite you to read this book. I met John Koopman, the author of this book, several months ago when we began working for the US Decennial Census. We were instant friends. He is interesting, humble, sincere and the list goes on. I bought his book to have him sign it. I figured I would read a little but not finish is because I really do not like war books and I have a terrible memory when it comes to history. Well , when I asked him to sign the book, I admitted to him that I had only bought the book because he was my friend and I wanted to be supportive, but that I had actually read the book and really liked it. The story is about him embedding as a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle during the Iraq War with a Marine troop. It is a read that both men and women enjoy. You will learn a lot about my friend and the War in the book, and being the reporter that he is, he tells it like it is. If you are lucky enough to read this and know me, come to Omaha once the bars open again, post Covid19 days, and we can all celebrate with John. I would love for you to meet the person who you will grow to know in the book.

[Brad Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author John Koopman was embedded with the 3/4 Marines on the initial drive to Baghdad during the Iraq War beginning in 2003. He was there at the famous scene where the statue of Saddam Hussein was pulled down by US troops. The book starts with his own career as a marine and moves to his second assignment with the same company dealing with insurgents in 2004. This book dovetails nicely with Rick Atkinson’s In the Company of Soldiers which I read last year and details his following General Petreus during the same drive to Baghdad. Riveting reading.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writer describes his experiences in Iraq with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines. He interweaves his own experiences as an elicited Marine fro the late 1970s so that two stories are being told at the same time.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book about the invasion of Iraq by a Marine Battalion. I have a copy signed by Darkside 6, LtCol McCoy. Also sent me his book called Passion of Command. An outstanding book and Marine.