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Warrior King: The Triumph and Betrayal of an American Commander in Iraq | 
 enlarge | Authors: Nathan Sassaman, Joe Layden
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Category: Book
List Price: $25.95
Buy Used: $10.00
You Save: $15.95 (61%)
New (33) Used (14) Collectible (2) from $10.00
Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 64860
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 320
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.3
ISBN: 0312377126
Dewey Decimal Number: 956.704434092
EAN: 9780312377120
ASIN: 0312377126
Publication Date: May 27, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: excelent condition, light shelf wear, never read
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Product Description
The startling and controversial memoir of combat and betrayal, written by one of the most prominent members of the U.S. fighting forces in Iraq A West Point graduate, a former star quarterback who carried Army to its first bowl victory, and a courageous warrior who had proven himself on the battlefield time and again, Lt. Col. Nathan Sassaman was one of the most celebrated officers in the United States military. He commanded more than eight hundred soldiers in the heart of the insurgency-ravaged Sunni Triangle in Iraq, and his unit’s job was to seek out and eliminate terrorists and loyalists to Saddam Hussein, while simultaneously rebuilding the region’s infrastructure and introducing democratic processes to a broken people. Sassaman’s tactics were highly aggressive, his methods innovative, and his success in Iraq nearly unparalleled. Yet Sassaman will always be known for a fateful decision to cover up the alleged drowning of an Iraqi by his men, in which they purportedly forced two detainees to jump into the Tigris River. The army initially charged three soldiers with manslaughter and a fourth with assault---the first time troops who served in Iraq have been charged with a killing in connection with the handling of detainees. Sassaman’s decision led to his downfall, despite an impressive career, and sent shock waves through the American military. This controversial decision goes to the heart of the complex fight in Iraq, where key army leaders betray one another, politics in the war room leads to lost lives on the battlefield, and enemy factions routinely sabotage U.S. efforts, making success difficult for American commanders on the battlefield. Warrior King is the explosive memoir of one of the most deeply involved members of the U.S. military in Iraq. This is the first book to take readers from the overnight brutality of combat to the daunting daytime humanitarian tasks of rebuilding Iraq to the upper echelons of the Pentagon to show how and why the war has gone horribly wrong.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...
 How dare You? May 28, 2008
Thomas R. Luneburg
20 out of 50 found this review helpful
Sassaman dedicates this book to my beloved nephew, Eric Paliwoda, and another soldier, both of whom died under Sassaman's command in Iraq. He then proceeds to insult my family, in particular my sister and brother-in-law, people he has met for less than five minutes in his entire life. The descriptions of his contact with them (which did not occur until eighteen months after my nephew's death), their political views and relationship to my nephew, and the circumstances of the Army's non-notification of my nephew's death (in fact, my niece, Eric's sister, is the one the Army finally notified - she had to tell her parents their son was dead) are inaccurate, misleading and omit facts.
There was no attempt made by anyone connected with this book, either Sassaman, Layden or the publisher, to contact my family and verify any of this information, let alone to have the common decency to see if we wanted him to discuss this matter in a for-profit book.
We are outraged, disgusted and hurt by Sassaman's cruel and vicious invasion of our family's privacy. Why would someone who claimed to be my nephew's friend suddenly attack his parents in writing? People he hardly knows and who have done nothing to him. If he thinks that Eric would support what he has done, then he never knew him at all.
Stop exploiting my nephew's tragic death for commercial purposes, Sassaman. Stop hurting my family. Eric does not belong to you - he belongs to us. He was our life. Where have you been every birthday, and Christmas, and anniversary, as we suffered and mourned? Suddenly, years later, you appear to bring more pain and anguish to our family. What kind of human being would do what you have done to a dead soldier's family? It is disgusting beyond words. And you dare speak of betrayal?
 Warrior King May 28, 2008
Tony Lee Franklin (auburn,al usa)
15 out of 21 found this review helpful
A brutally honest betrayal of life in a war that a president and congress have no idea on what to do next in? Are we in it to win it or are we just occupying space. Nate Sassaman pulls no punches when describing how he entered a war zone with the idea that he was there to win only to find out through the unnecessary deaths and casualities of his men that there was no real plan on how to achieve, or even define, victory. The American government and military should be ashamed for sending our men into battle with no clear definition or plan to win. War is ugly and violent and our soldiers are having their throats cut by the very politicians and leaders who send them into battle.
This book should be required reading for every politician, general, and soon to be enlisted man in the military. I could not put it down as it was stimulating, frightening, and incredibly honest.
Soldiers with the courage and honesty of Nate Sassaman should be awarded promotions and career advancement as well as financial incentives to entice them into continuing their military service. They should not be subjected to second guessing and monday morning quarterbacking by people who have never dirtied their clothes on a battlefield.
Read this book and most importantly have your friends and neighbors read it as well.
Excellent Book!! May 30, 2008
F. Blake
14 out of 20 found this review helpful
I served with LTC Sassaman during the time this book covers. It is accurate, well written, and reminds me of what an excellent leader LTC Sassaman is. I learned more about leadership by working for him than from any book or class available to me. I am proud that he has told our story and I am proud to say I was a part of it. I will always consider him my Battalion Commander and would follow him anywhere even to this day.
"The Truth is Told" May 31, 2008
Michelle Lobato
9 out of 12 found this review helpful
I could not put the book down...It captured my heart and gave me a new perspective on the war,the people in Iraq,and our military.I think it takes great courage to speak the truth and share an experience such as this. Nate has done it in a profound way and has obviously put his heart and soul into this book. My heart goes out to every soldier serving in Iraq and I think every American needs to read this book.
I have to make a comment about the fallen soldiers,first my heart and prayers are with the families(I can only imagine the heartache).Second,I know Nate personally and I know his intent for dedicating his book to them was for no other reason than to give respect and honor where it is due.I think people need to understand that many lives and families have experienced great pain from this war.If you can some how use it to help others through their pain, then it becomes a labor of love and hopefully great healing. I believe that not only every American needs to read this book but also every leader in our government.
A Must Read for Every American! May 29, 2008
Chris J. Scheer
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
Warrior King is a compelling story and one that everyone must read...especially those of us who have no earthly idea what really goes on in combat situations. It opened my eyes to what has happened and still could be happening in the war in Iraq.(without getting bogged down with too much military terminology) It gave me perspective of how leadership at every level really does affect the outcome of a war and those caught in the middle pay a heavy price. I am inspired and challenged by the strong and courageous leadership of Nate Sassaman and determination to win and bring all those serving under him home.(with the exception of two) I want to thank him and every soldier who has served so bravely on the battlefield. This is a story that needs to be told and causes us to reexamine why and how we fight any war and potentially could bring about needed change in the military. Don't miss it!!
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