“What Stephen Ambrose did for Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry in Band of Brothers, Glass does for Charlie Company, 1st Marines in this excellent, powerful book."—John C. McManus, author of Alamo in the Ardennes and The Deadly BrotherhoodThursday, October 12, 1967, marked a fateful day for Marine Lance Corporal Kevin Cahill and Charlie Company, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division. Deep in the dense Hai Lang National Forest of South Vietnam, Cahill led his unit of 166 Marines on a mission to locate and eliminate North Vietnamese Army forces.Despite Cahill's reservations about the ominous trail they followed, orders were orders. Little did they know, they were walking into a deadly trap. As Cahill stepped toward a small knoll, he walked straight into enemy fire, triggering a devastating ambush.What was meant to be a search and destroy mission turned into a desperate fight for survival. Surrounded and outnumbered by over two thousand NVA soldiers, Charlie Company found themselves on the brink of annihilation in the unforgiving jungle terrain."Captures the chaos and ferocity of infantry combat, and shows that little has changed from the pass at Thermopylae, to the jungles of Vietnam and the streets of Iraq."—Nathaniel Fick, New York Times bestselling author of One Bullet Away Read more

Based on Evan Wright's National Magazine Award-winning story in Rolling Stone, this is the raw, firsthand account of the 2003 Iraq invasion that inspired the HBO® original mini-series.Within hours of 9/11, America’s war on terrorism fell to those like the twenty-three Marines of the First Recon Battalion, the first generation dispatched into open-ended combat since Vietnam. They were a new pop-culture breed of American warrior unrecognizable to their forebears—soldiers raised on hip hop, video games and The Real World. Cocky, brave, headstrong, wary and mostly unprepared for the physical, emotional and moral horrors ahead, the “First Suicide Battalion” would spearhead the blitzkrieg on Iraq, and fight against the hardest resistance Saddam had to offer.Hailed as “one of the best books to come out of the Iraq war”(Financial Times), Generation Kill is the funny, frightening, and profane firsthand account of these remarkable men, of the personal toll of victory, and of the randomness, brutality and camaraderie of a new American War. Read more

The author, a retired Navy Commander, presents a unique view of the Vietnam War while providing an understanding of the horror, brutality, chaos, and insanity of war. His interviews with 61 members of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1965 who served during the war in Vietnam include candid, first-hand accounts of American action on the ground, in the air, on the rivers, and offshore. Their stories involve Marines fighting bloody battles for hills soon abandoned after being captured; Naval aviators watching their wingman being shot down on missions targeting meaningless targets while Hanoi remained off-limits; "Brown Water Navy" sailors conducting ambushes and being ambushed,; Swift boats conducting dangerous operations on the rivers and canals of the Mekong Delta; firefights on gunboats during secret forays into Cambodia; clandestine assassination missions with the CIA; secret night operations into North Vietnam; offshore bombardment where targets may, or may not, be enemy; and many other aspects of this bloody, and preventable, war. The horrific losses were not limited to the 58,000 Americans who lost their lives and over 300,000 others who were wounded, but included three million Vietnamese (many of whom were innocent civilians) and countless Laotians and Cambodians.Linz presents background information explaining how the United States became involved in a decades-long diplomatic slippery slope leading to American Marines coming ashore at Da Nang in early 1965, just prior to his class graduating from the Naval Academy. He describes how each officer, many of whom could not locate Vietnam on a map when entering the Academy in 1961, ended up fighting a frustrating, and deadly, war halfway around the world. Nine of these classmates died during service in Vietnam, some following capture by the enemy. It was indeed a filthy way to die. Read more

The author of the heartwarming Craig and Fred tells the deeply emotional and inspiring story of the next phase of their lives together: working closely with prison inmates in Maine who raise and train puppies to become service dogs.Former US Marine Craig Grossi and his dog Fred appeared on the "Today Show' and 'Rachael Ray', and in schools, bookstores, and military bases across America as they told the uplifting story of how Craig found Fred, a stray, while serving in Afghanistan--and brought him home. During their travels, Craig was invited to speak at Maine State Prison—the penitentiary that inspired Stephen King’s famous “Shawshank.” While there, he met a group of very special inmates, participants in a program run by the non-profit America’s Vet Dogs.Craig discovered that many of the prisoners are veterans—former soldiers serving their country in an entirely different way: by transforming purebred Labrador Retrievers from floppy puppies into indispensable companions for disabled vets. These service dogs literally and figuratively open doors for men and women, offering hope and a renewed sense of freedom. Yet these disabled vets are not the only lives changed by these dogs. The inmates who train them “are given a purpose, they’re given experience, and most importantly they’re given a sense of self-worth,” Craig explains. “The men at Maine State are given a second chance—something that I believe everyone deserves.” For Craig, the visit had a profound impact. “There was something special going on inside its walls and it was calling out to me. I quickly realized that the program and its men had something to show the world.”In this emotionally powerful book, he introduces these men and challenges us to look deeper, to see them as human beings deserving of a new shot at life. “We’re quick to give second chances to celebrities, politicians and famous athletes when they screw up,” Craig reminds us, “but when it comes to those who’ve been convicted for their mistakes, we too often dismiss them as forever lost.” Second Chances poignantly shows that no life is irredeemable and that each of us can make a difference if given the opportunity. Read more

The gripping story of an extraordinary American hero, the most decorated man in US Marine Corps history, from a New York Times–bestselling author.“We are flanked on both sides by an enemy that outnumbers us 29:1. They can’t get away from us now!” —Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, USMC   In the glorious chronicles of the US Marine Corps, no name is more revered than that of Lt. Gen. Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller. The only fighting man to receive the Navy Cross five separate times—a military honor second only to the Congressional Medal of Honor—he was the epitome of a professional warrior. A son of the South, descendant of Robert E. Lee, and cousin to George S. Patton, Puller began his enlisted career during World War I and moved up through the ranks as he proved his battlefield mettle in Haiti and Nicaragua, with the Horse Marines in Peking, in the Pacific Theater of World War II, and in the nightmarish winter engagements of the Korean War.   Fearless and seemingly indestructible, adored by the troops he championed yet forced into early retirement by a high command that resented his “lowly” beginnings and unwillingness to play politics, Puller remains one of most towering figures in American military history. Bestselling military biographer Burke Davis paints the definitive portrait of this extraordinary marine hero. Read more

19 years old. In a war. In Vietnam. A memoir.In late December of 1968, a nineteen-year-old Marine was lying in a hospital bed after having spent eight months engaged with the enemy in the jungles and the mountains of Vietnam. During his recovery, he began writing about his war experiences. He returned to his combat unit, and later was among those wounded in action and medevaced to a military hospital in the United States. As he recovered, he continued to record his experiences “in country.” Those writings form the main part of this memoir some fifty years later—battles, heroes, everyday bravery, losing the friend right beside you, and larger than life leaders—told simply and forthrightly of valor and patriotism. Read more

A young Marine recon sniper navigates the harrowing complexities of unconventional warfare in Iraq post-2006.In 2006, the shock and awe campaign of securing the major cities had ended, and the Iraq War had moved into an alien phase for the operators of Black Flag One. With their motto “swift, silent, deadly,” the Marine operators of 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion were trained for unconventional warfare but they were tasked with holding and securing swathes of the country, facing Insurgents who were adapting their tactics to kill as many Coalition soldiers as possible using IEDs. It was a terrifying new phase of the war where every disturbed patch of dirt, every piece of rubbish, every civilian acting oddly could mean instant death.Into this cauldron of hate came a young Marine recon sniper. Brennan Morton had been fascinated by war and the military as long as he could remember, and had signed up for the Marines as an enlisted after 9/11. Developed from writing undertaken at the suggestion of his VA therapist, his immersive memoir takes the reader through selection and training and the first patrol sweeping for caches, to endless night watches, and deadly IED attacks. Read more

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A clear-eyed account of learning how to lead in a chaotic world, by General Jim Mattis—the former Secretary of Defense and one of the most formidable strategic thinkers of our time—and Bing West, a former assistant secretary of defense and combat Marine.  “A four-star general’s five-star memoir.”—The Wall Street Journal Call Sign Chaos is the account of Jim Mattis’s storied career, from wide-ranging leadership roles in three wars to ultimately commanding a quarter of a million troops across the Middle East. Along the way, Mattis recounts his foundational experiences as a leader, extracting the lessons he has learned about the nature of warfighting and peacemaking, the importance of allies, and the strategic dilemmas—and short-sighted thinking—now facing our nation. He makes it clear why America must return to a strategic footing so as not to continue winning battles but fighting inconclusive wars.   Mattis divides his book into three parts: Direct Leadership, Executive Leadership, and Strategic Leadership. In the first part, Mattis recalls his early experiences leading Marines into battle, when he knew his troops as well as his own brothers. In the second part, he explores what it means to command thousands of troops and how to adapt your leadership style to ensure your intent is understood by your most junior troops so that they can own their mission. In the third part, Mattis describes the challenges and techniques of leadership at the strategic level, where military leaders reconcile war’s grim realities with political leaders’ human aspirations, where complexity reigns and the consequences of imprudence are severe, even catastrophic.   Call Sign Chaos is a memoir of a life of warfighting and lifelong learning, following along as Mattis rises from Marine recruit to four-star general. It is a journey about learning to lead and a story about how he, through constant study and action, developed a unique leadership philosophy, one relevant to us all. Read more

Blood on Red Dirt is the true story of Marine Corporal Gary Cowart. The book encompasses the time before enlistment, Boot Camp, Infantry Training Regiment, Artillery School, and his time in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive of 1968. Incorporated with actual pictures from the times and places remembered in this book, it gives the reader a mix of emotions felt during the good times and bad, of combat and of non-combat, with the intent of giving the lay person a more complete picture of the Vietnam experience. After serving in Vietnam, Dr. Cowart earned a B.A. degree in Zoology from the University of Washington, and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the UW School of Dentistry He currently lives, writes, and maintains a general dental practice in Kent, Washington. Visit the "BLOOD ON RED DIRT" Facebook page to see all the pictures in this book in full size and living color. Read more

"We were chasing ghosts in killing fields, where adolescence ended and the war began."A captivating account of the deeply personal experience of modern combat and the raw, unfiltered reality of enlisted Marine Corps life.At twenty-one years old, Lance Corporal Aaron Kirk found himself in charge of a Marine infantry squad at one of the most austere patrol bases in all of deadly Helmand Province, Afghanistan. A desolate place, on the edge of the American military empire. A place without comfort or a clear mission known simply as: The Hill.With unique perspective and intensity, Aaron Kirk tells the story of his time as a Marine during the height of the U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan. On the pristine beaches of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and in the training areas of Twentynine Palms, California, Kirk searches for elusive brotherhood and belonging. On two deployments to Helmand Province, he grapples with combat and leadership. During his time as a squad leader in Garmsir district, Kirk's squad occupies a forlorn and austere location called Patrol Base KT-4-or more simply, The Hill. Fighting the elements, the enemy and themselves, the grunts of third squad drift further from the unwritten strictures of the Marine Corps as they embrace danger, isolation and misery. Meanwhile, Kirk battles his own shortcomings and fear of failure as he struggles to keep his men alive against an enemy who watches their every move without revealing himself. Following the author's odyssey from civilian to Marine and back again, The Hill is a definitive account of modern Marine Corps culture andan essential meditation on the universal truths, emotions, and costs of the Longest War. Read more

The New York Times bestseller that “provides a close-up and often harrowing look at Fick’s service both in Iraq and Afghanistan” (U.S. News & World Report).   If the Marines are “the few, the proud,” Recon Marines are the fewest and the proudest. Nathaniel Fick’s career begins with a hellish summer at Quantico, after his junior year at Dartmouth. He leads a platoon in Afghanistan just after 9/11 and advances to the pinnacle—Recon— two years later, on the eve of war with Iraq. His vast skill set puts him in front of the front lines, leading twenty-two Marines into the deadliest conflict since Vietnam. He vows to bring all his men home safely, and to do so he’ll need more than his top-flight education. Fick unveils the process that makes Marine officers such legendary leaders and shares his hard-won insights into the differences between military ideals and military practice, which can mock those ideals.   In this deeply thoughtful account of what it’s like to fight on today’s front lines, Fick reveals the crushing pressure on young leaders in combat. Split-second decisions might have national consequences or horrible immediate repercussions, but hesitation isn’t an option. One Bullet Away never shrinks from blunt truths, but ultimately it is an inspiring account of mastering the art of war.   “Fick’s writing style sets this book apart from other accounts of recent conflicts and guarantees One Bullet Away a place in the war memorial hall of fame.”—USA Today “What One Bullet Away accomplishes, in a way all the blather on cable TV never will, is to give readers real insights into the modern war and its warriors.”—Rocky Mountain News Read more

At turns poignant, funny, philosophical, and raw—but always real—The Wolves of Helmand is both a heartfelt homage to the Marine brotherhood with whom Biggio served and an expression of respect and love for the people of Afghanistan who ultimately trusted, shared, and appreciated their purpose.Ten years after serving his country as a U.S. Marine, Captain Frank “Gus” Biggio signed up once again because he missed the brotherhood of the military. Leaving behind his budding law career, his young wife, and newborn son, he was deployed to Helmand Province—the most violent region in war-torn Afghanistan—for reasons few would likely understand before reading this book.  Riven by conflict and occupation for centuries because of its strategic location, the region he landed in was, at that time, a hotbed of Taliban insurgency. As a participant in the landmark U.S.-led Operation Khanjar, Biggio and his fellow Marines were executing a new-era military strategy. Focused largely on empowerment of the local population, the offensive began with a troop surge designed to thwart the Taliban, but was more importantly followed by the restoration of the local government and real-time capacity building among the withdrawn and destitute Afghan people. The Wolves of Helmand is unlike other war memoirs. It takes us less into the action—though there is that too—and more into the quiet places of today’s war zones. Yes, you’ll read of our Marines’ stealth arrival in a single night, our advanced weaponry, and our pop-up industrial village command centers. You’ll read, as well, about the ambushed patrols and the carnage of IEDs. But you will also read of the persistence, humility, ruggedness, loneliness, tedium, diplomacy, and humanity of our Marines’ jobs there, which more than anything else reveals the magnitude of even the smallest victories.   Completed years after the author’s return from his mission, The Wolves of Helmand is most of all a decade-long self-examination of a warrior’s heart, conscience, and memory. Whether intended or not, Biggio’s deep reflections and innate honesty answer every question you’ve ever wanted to ask about life and death in war—and even questions you probably never thought to ask.  What calls a warrior to duty?  What makes, sustains, plagues, and even breaks a warrior? These are bigger questions than the ones impolite society pokes around when a veteran returns home—Did you kill anyone? Did you have to go? Why would you fight for another country? Why were we even there? Yet the answers to those queries are here, too, in this thoughtful memoir that will make you think about war, family, love, and loss. Read more

The first in-depth look at the marine hero who has become one of the most beloved and admired men in America today: Secretary of Defense James Mattis.In the hyper-partisan political atmosphere of 2017, General James Mattis astonishingly received nearly unanimous bipartisan support for his nomination for Secretary of Defense. What is it about Mattis that generates such respect and appreciation across the political spectrum?In this illuminating biography, Jim Proser takes readers through the general’s illustrious career, featuring firsthand accounts of his running some of the most significant military engagements in recent American history. Readers will understand what it feels like to work for, and fight alongside, this remarkable figure.Mattis is a devout student of history and an erudite reader, revered by rank-and-file Marines, officers, academics, politicians, and civilians alike. In 2003, he shared a message in his “Eve of Battle Speech” with the men and women under his command in the 1st Marine Division, outlining their responsibilities. Emphasizing the importance of the mission and the goal to act with honor, Mattis ended with the motto he had adapted from another great figure, Roman general Lucius Cornelius Sulla: “Demonstrate to the world that there is ‘No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy’ than a US Marine.”Chronicling how Mattis’s martial and personal values have elevated him to the highest levels of personal success and earned him the trust of a nation, Proser proves that America is stronger because of the secretary’s service and his example.“A concise, fast-moving story of the battle career of the introspective and fiery General James Mattis, one of America’s most intriguing and gifted military figures of the postwar era. From this lively portrait, Proser’s Mattis emerges as our generation’s composite of George S. Patton and Omar Bradley.” —Victor Davis Hanson, author of The Second World Wars Read more

INTERNATIONAL BEST SELLER AUTHORWar in Our Wake: The Untold Story of the Last American Military Presence of the Vietnam Warby Jonathan MalayStep aboard the USS Benjamin Stoddert (DDG-22) and discover a compelling, untold chapter of history in War in Our Wake. Through a gripping and deeply personal narrative, Jonathan Malay recounts the final days of the Vietnam War from his vantage as a young naval officer. Three days after the last Marine Corps helicopter left Saigon, Malay and his shipmates became the very last American military presence in Vietnam. This remarkable memoir weaves history, adventure, and human emotion into the story of a Navy destroyer’s mission during a pivotal moment in history. From the stark reality of Vietnam's coastal waters to the excitement of port visits across the Pacific and Indian Oceans, Malay brings to life the demands of service, the intensity of duty, and the humanity behind military operations. At the heart of this story lies a bold humanitarian mission that saved over 150 lives. Through letters to his wife, the ship's logs, and his vivid recollections, Malay captures the pride, sacrifice, and sense of duty that defined this historic journey. This book is more than just a recounting of military events—it is a testament to resilience, courage, and the personal toll of war. With rich storytelling, Malay brings readers closer to understanding the lives of those who served and the weight of their experiences. About the AuthorJonathan Malay is a retired naval officer and accomplished writer with a passion for history and science. Over his 20-year Navy career, he specialized in oceanography, meteorology, and satellite remote sensing, serving in pivotal roles across the military and government.After retiring, Malay worked with organizations like NOAA and Lockheed Martin and led professional societies such as the American Astronautical Society. Now an author and enrichment speaker, he brings his experiences to life in War in Our Wake, offering a rare and poignant perspective on the Vietnam War. Don’t miss this extraordinary story of courage, sacrifice, and humanity.Order your copy of War in Our Wake today and uncover the untold legacy of the Vietnam War's final chapter! Read more

For the first time ever, you are about to discover 350+ years of fighter pilot experience in one special book!Single Seat Wisdom (Volume 1) is a collection of life advice, tips and challenges from 20 of America's elite fighter pilots.Written to guide and inspire the next generation of American heroes, Single Seat Wisdom is also an ideal read for business owners, entrepreneurs, athletes, coaches, and teams who want to become #1 in any category!In each chapter, you will read the exciting and emotional stories from the men and women who protect the United States and share:• Secrets that high-performance achievers leverage to increase chances of success.• How to avoid having to learn everything on your own.• How to experience personal and professional success for a lifetime of impact.• What everyone ought to know about goal achievement.• And much, much more!Plus 100% of the profits from this book are donated to the Anna Schindler Foundation to help kids suffering from childhood cancer.Pick up your copy of Single Seat Wisdom today! Read more

An elite Navy SEAL Team 6 operator trained to kill the United States’ most dangerous enemies takes readers inside the unadulterated, morally complicated and riveting post-military adventures of a lethal American mercenary. In American Mercenary, Daniel Corbett takes readers on a wild ride through the unadulterated, morally ambiguous, and riveting world of being a hired gun. From Abu Dhabi to Washington, DC, Cairo to San Diego, Belgrade to places that must remain secret, this is a world where money rules, and where adventure, danger, and absurdity often follow. A star high school athlete, Corbett passed on a Division I football career and opted for the US Navy.  He began his career at SEAL Team 5 and eventually checked into SEAL Team 6. The navy spent millions teaching him and his fellow Team members how to sneak, subvert, recruit, disappear, survive, resist, and exert. And of course, how to shoot, a discipline at which Corbett excelled. What the navy did not do was prepare these men for post-military lives beyond the usual suite of veterans’ benefits and unimaginative job-training programs. So what does Corbett do? He goes private. There are still plenty of bad men in the world, and the only sin worse than wasting talent in dead-end pursuits is not using it at all. He starts small, but quickly moves up. The work is simultaneously familiar and foreign. The command structure is shady. The clients are dubious. The equipment is subpar. But what the fuck: the pay is good. Then things change in 2017 when Corbett is arrested on a job in Belgrade, Serbia. When the authorities discover he’s a Navy SEAL, they imagine the worst: he’s in Belgrade to assassinate the Serbian president. They throw Corbett in jail, where he spends the next 18 months making international headlines and fighting for his freedom in a kangaroo court. Ultimately, American Mercenary highlights the struggle of many veterans: how to reconcile military service with civilian life. For Corbett, becoming a mercenary isn’t just the best option, it feels like the only option. It’s a lot better than drowning in a bottle or holding a pistol under your chin and pulling the trigger, but is it enough? Read more

"This book should be required reading for NCO's, junior officers and senior leaders. Ajax describes in compelling detail tactical level actions and tough decisions that had strategic consequences."— H.R. McMaster, Lieutenant General (retired) and author of Battlegrounds"A detailed, finely-researched account not just of one battalion, but of the complex, grueling nature of the post-Saddam insurgency."— Bing West, bestselling author of No True Glory"Top notch history that is simultaneously hard to put down. A rare combination... Critical to understanding the Marine victory in Iraq's toughest province; Anbar..."— Owen West, award-winning author of The Snake EatersBastards & Brothers tells the story of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment (3/2) -- aka the "Bastards of Betio"-- fighting in the wild west of Anbar Province, Iraq in 2005. In the spring and blazing summer of that year, 3/2 took on the gathering forces of Al-Qaida in Iraq (the precursor of ISIS), hunted and engaged arch-terrorist Abu-Musab al Zarqawi, withstood fanatical suicide bombers and defeated the enemy in several major operations and hundreds of firefights.At the same time, they also forged an unlikely partnership with former insurgents among a local Iraqi tribe. In the middle of a deadly battlezone, and despite prevailing guidance, young Marines found a way to talk with tribal leaders who joined forces in the struggle against Zarqawi and AQI. This tentative alliance was the first time an Iraqi tribe openly sided with the Marines and the coalition, ultimately sparking the historic Anbar Awakening in 2006 which in turn paved the way for the success of the surge in 2007.This is an untold story, overlooked by other writers and publishers, that covers a true pivot-point in the Iraq War. It is the product of deep research, including over 200 author interviews with veterans from 3/2 and others who were there, ranking from the most junior "boot" Marines to the battalion and regimental commanders. While these first-hand accounts are the beating heart of the text, the author has expertly folded in operational and strategic context, making this a unique book in its genre. Read more

Named to the 2020 Commandant of the Marine Corps Professional Reading ProgramNot all wounds are visible. Dan Sheehan is a third-generation military pilot. He was eager to test his skills as a Cobra gunship pilot in the theatre of combat – and then he got his chance, first, in East Timor, then during two tours of duty in Iraq. The scenes in Dan’s military memoir crackle with tension and excitement as we follow his path into battle. Bullets pierce their Cobras as Dan and his buddies struggle to separate enemy fighters from civilians - ultimately deciding who lives and dies. Through blinding sandstorms, the smoke of battle and chaos of low-altitude firefights at night, Dan puts us in the front seat of the Cobra - where we white-knuckle our way through barrages of enemy fire - and into his head as he makes split-second decisions that carry lasting consequences. But there is far more to Sheehan’s story than this – an important reason why he wants us to understand what military men and women experience on the front lines of war. And what they bring home. After the adrenaline rush of combat, something inside Dan would not turn off. He was a warrior, willing and proud to serve his country and he was fortunate to come out of battle whole, time and again. But he had not escaped Iraq untouched. The subtle agitation he felt continued to grow into - restlessness - wariness - the hyper-vigilant sense that he needed to be always on guard. Even as he struggled to ignore it, the edginess grew, trailing him long after the action was over. Eventually, it began to intrude into his personal life, his intimate relationships, and threatened to hurt those he loved the most. What Dan Sheehan learned, and what he exposes so bravely and frankly in his writing, sheds light on the invisible marks left on the soul of many warriors. As he shows us, admitting those marks are there is the next step in a veteran’s journey after action. If you are a warrior …or know one… you will want to read this brave and moving memoir. Read more

One of NPR's Best Books of 2019“Lyrical . . . A thoughtful perspective on America’s role overseas.” —Washington PostFrom a decorated Marine war veteran and National Book Award finalist, an astonishing reckoning with the nature of combat and the human cost of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.“War hath determined us.” —John Milton, Paradise LostToward the beginning of Places and Names, Elliot Ackerman sits in a refugee camp in southern Turkey, across the table from a man named Abu Hassar, who fought for al-Qaeda in Iraq and whose connections to the Islamic State are murky. At first, Ackerman pretends to have been a journalist during the Iraq War, but after establishing a rapport with Abu Hassar, he takes a risk by revealing to him that in fact he was a Marine special operation officer. Ackerman then draws the shape of the Euphrates River on a large piece of paper, and his one-time adversary quickly joins him in the game of filling in the map with the names and dates of places where they saw fighting during the war. They had shadowed each other for some time, it turned out, a realization that brought them to a strange kind of intimacy. The rest of Elliot Ackerman's extraordinary memoir is in a way an answer to the question of why he came to that refugee camp, and what he hoped to find there. By moving back and forth between his recent experiences on the ground as a journalist in Syria and its environs and his deeper past in Iraq and Afghanistan, he creates a work of remarkable atmospheric pressurization. Ackerman shares vivid and powerful stories of his own experiences in combat, culminating in the events of the Second Battle of Fallujah, the most intense urban combat for the Marines since Hue in Vietnam, where Ackerman's actions leading a rifle platoon saw him awarded the Silver Star. He weaves these stories into the latticework of a masterful larger reckoning with contemporary geopolitics through his vantage as a journalist in Istanbul and with the human extremes of both bravery and horror. At once an intensely personal story about the terrible lure of combat and a brilliant meditation on the larger meaning of the past two decades of strife for America, the region, and the world, Places and Names bids fair to take its place among our greatest books about modern war. Read more

This is the story of Don Rust's time in the Navy during World War II, from induction to discharge. His primary battle was serving in the Marines as a corpsman in Iwo Jima. The story is a compilation of notes and audio tapes he left his family.Don was a great storyteller, and, like many soldiers, he had mixed emotions about his time in the military service during the war. On one hand, he was proud that he served his country; on the other hand, he was haunted by the memories of the battle. This story encapsulates how the memories of his World War II experiences persistently reverberated into his consciousness, compelling him to relive those moments repeatedly throughout his life. Read more