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Moment of Truth in Iraq: How a New 'Greatest Generation' of American Soldiers is Turning Defeat and Disaster into Victory and Hope | 
 enlarge | Author: Michael Yon
Publisher: Richard Vigilante Books
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
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You Save: $10.18 (34%)
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Rating:  97 reviews
Sales Rank: 1157
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1st
Pages: 256
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6 x 1.1
ISBN: 0980076323
Dewey Decimal Number: 956
EAN: 9780980076325
ASIN: 0980076323
Publication Date: April 1, 2008
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Book Description
Never underestimate the American soldier. That's the moral of former Green Beret Michael Yon's brilliant battle-by-battle, block-by-block tale of how America's new `greatest generation' of soldiers is turning defeat and disaster into victory and hope in Iraq. The American soldier is the reason General David Petraeus's brilliant strategy of moving our soldiers off isolated bases and out among the Iraqi people is working. Working to find and kill terrorists, reclaim neighborhoods, and help lead Iraq to democracy. Yon is no cheerleader. According to the New York Times, he has logged more time in combat situations in Iraq than any other reporter. When failed American leadership was driving Iraq into chaos and civil war, nobody told the story earlier or better than Michael Yon. The top brass was so mad that twice the U.S. military denied him access to Iraq. So Yon has supreme credibility when he says that we are finally winning, not primarily with our overwhelming technology, not with shock and awe destruction, but with the even more powerful force of American values--with the courage and leadership, strength and compassion of our soldiers. Iraqis respect strength, says Yon. They know American soldiers are "great-hearted warriors" who vanquish the Al Qaeda terror gangs that "raped too many women and boys, cut off too many heads, brought drugs into too many neighborhoods." But Iraqis also discovered that these great warriors are even happier helping rebuild a clinic or a school or a neighborhood. They learned the American soldier is not only the most dangerous man in the world, but the best man too. That's what turned defeat into victory. Here is the true, untold story of the American soldier and the courage and values that are bringing victory for America--and Iraq.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 92 more reviews...
Awesome! It will not dissappoint. April 10, 2008
James Beall (Macon, GA)
109 out of 123 found this review helpful
As a long time fan of Michael Yon's work, I eagerly awaited the arrival of this book and it did not disappoint. His portrayal of our troops is detailed and allows you an intimate look at the roles they perform in Iraq. The fact that he is right alongside the troops and living with them allows him to bring you a perspective you don't get from green zone reporters & agenda setting producers and editors. Be sure to check out his website michaelyon-online.com/ for more information Michael Yon and his time as the longest serving imbedded report in Iraq. One way to describe the book is snapshots of history. Each chapter telling a story of part of the history of Iraq and how our troops are shaping that history.
You Can't Understand Iraq without You (or sand in your boots) April 13, 2008
Michael B. Openshaw (Dallas, Texas)
81 out of 90 found this review helpful
A great piece of work by the Ernie Pyle of our time (Michael strongly contested that comparison, but it's true). This is a different kind of war and Michael brings to life the issues, the problems, the missteps and the triumphs to be found there. And through it all, he honors the service and sacrifice of the American (and British) military in the field. Through him, you will understand the 'Devil in the details'; the frustrations and the hopes of Americans and Iraqis alike. And you will have pride in the humanity shown by the vast majority of both. No one portrays it better and there is not a dull moment to be had in this book.
The contents within the book match the photgraphic excellence on the cover. If you see that picture and want to know the whys and wherefores, GET THIS BOOK!
Timely and Vital April 13, 2008
Craig Good (Emeryville, CA USA)
77 out of 85 found this review helpful
Those who have been reading Michael Yon's dispatches from Iraq have been ahead of the information curve for years. Everybody who cares about the war, one way or another, should buy and read this book. Yon has the call-it-like-it-is, straightforward delivery of a soldier - which sometimes got him in hack with the military. But he's always been an independent voice and keen observer.
So here is a warts-and-all look at the tragic mistakes and near miraculous triumphs of the war in Iraq as lived by the people wearing the boots on the ground. Yon is this generation's Ernie Pyle. His book is a must read.
A must read April 12, 2008
R. G. Dyman (Brookfield, IL USA)
41 out of 43 found this review helpful
If you are looking for a more clear telling of the story of our soldiers in Iraq than you find in newspapers and broadcast news, I highly recommend this book. As a former Green Beret who has spent more time with the troops in theater than anyone else, Michael Yon provides a perspective and insight that is sorely lacking in virtually all other sources.
From his first-hand accounts, I now have a greater appreciation of the work being done by our men and women in Iraq. Men like CSM Mellinger, LTC Kurilla and Captain Cook. I also see that many Iraqis like "Tonto" and the "Kit Carson Scouts" are doing what they can to remove the AQI barbarians and establish a functioning society.
This book is not, however, without it's criticisms of mistakes that we made in the past. As so often pointed out by our media (and much to the delight and benefit of AQI) there have been errors in judgment and action which have greatly increased our cost in both blood and treasure for this war. But it is refreshing to read how members of our military have recognized the mistakes, adapted their strategies and reclaimed the moral high ground. Something that Yon makes abundantly clear is needed when fighting a counterinsurgency as we are now.
An objective look at Iraq April 14, 2008
Michael T Kennedy (Mission Viejo, CA USA)
39 out of 43 found this review helpful
Michael Yon is not a cheerleader. He has been a soldier and must be in good shape to spend month after month embedded with troops and accompanying them on patrols. I have been reading his web site and have been on his mailing list (and contributor list) almost from the first time he went to Iraq. He and Michael Totten must be read every week to know what is going on. About half of this book is repeating material from his web site. The rest, however, is riveting and his opinions on the war prior to General Petraeus taking over are harsh. He says that hapless General Sanchez could "turn wine into vinegar with a glance." He is very critical of the Fallujah invasion, both the initial aborted one and the second invasion which cleared the insurgents but destroyed much of the city. He gives many examples of exactly how the new strategy is carried out and provides a "worm's eye view" of what is going on every day. He is very reluctant to generalize about strategy except to point out how successful General Petraeus was in Mosul in 2004 as 101st Airborne Division commander. He also points out how those gains slipped away when the 101st went home. He puts the final word out to confirm my theory that disbanding the Iraqi Arm in 2003 was a disaster, as was the dismissal of all Baath Party members from the government. This, at a stroke, decapitated the bureaucracy, which like Germany in World War II required all government workers to be party members. In 1946, we ignored a lot of small time Nazis to keep the country running. The same would have been wise in Iraq. This book is not large and can be read in one sitting as I did last night. Even though a lot was repetition of what I had read on the web site (and I recommend it), it is all worth while.
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