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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 973
EAN num: 9780553383195
ISBN number: 0553383191
Label: Bantam
Manufacturer: Bantam
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 400
Printing Date: September 26, 2006
Publishing house: Bantam
Release Date: September 26, 2006
Sale Popularity Level: 10386
Studio: Bantam
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'This is the face of war as only those who have fought it can describe it.'–Senator John McCain
Fallujah: Iraq’s most dangerous city unexpectedly emerged as the major battleground of the Iraqi insurgency. For twenty months, one American battalion after another tried to quell the violence, culminating in a bloody, full-scale assault. Victory came at a terrible price: 151 Americans and thousands of Iraqis were left dead.
The epic battle for Fallujah revealed the startling connections between policy and combat that are a part of the new reality of war.
The Marines had planned to slip into Fallujah “as soft as fog.” But after four American contractors were brutally murdered, President Bush ordered an attack on the city–against the advice of the Marines. The assault sparked a political firestorm, and the Marines were forced to withdraw amid controversy and confusion–only to be ordered a second time to take a city that had become an inferno of hate and the lair of the archterrorist al-Zarqawi.
Based on months spent with the battalions in Fallujah and hundreds of interviews at every level–senior policymakers, negotiators, generals, and soldiers and Marines on the front lines–No True Glory is a testament to the bravery of the American soldier and a cautionary tale about the complex–and often costly–interconnected roles of policy, politics, and battle in the twenty-first century.
From the Hardcover edition.
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Rated by buyers -
People might be sick and tired of Iraq, but this is an excellent recounting of the battle of Fallujah in 2004 and a detailed analysis of the decisions that led to so many problems in that region.
West zooms in on the street-by-street fighting between the Marines and the insurgents, and these scenes have visceral intensity. You are there with the soldiers as bullets ricochet, RPG rounds careen through alleyways and bodies crumple with mortal wounds. Then West zooms back out to recount the meetings between the politicians, generals and religious leaders whose decisions determine the course of the Fallujuh fighting even more than the actions of the soliders on the ground.
In many ways, Fallujah is a microcosm of the war in Iraq. Misunderstood by the press and public alike, this book studies how countless acts of Marine bravery and heroism were offset by political infighting and dithering within the Bush administration and in the upper echelons of military command. It is at once tragic, exciting, frustrating and mind-boggling.
"After the mutilation of the four contractors in Fallujah in April 2004, the White House and high officials reacted emotionally by ordering a full attack on the city." The same could be said about our government's decision to go to war after 9/11 and Osama bin Laden's escape. One major questionable decision put everyone involved in an impossible situation thereafter. Especially with too many cooks in the kitchen.
Whether you are for, against or just plain frustrated by the war in Iraq, this is a compelling read. I was up until 2:00am each night until I finished it. You will not be disappointed. You will also gain further appreciation for the pressure the principal decisions makers faced, for the soldiers who fought in those streets and for Bing West's reportage.
Rated by buyers -
This book is a very good book about the battle. I served with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force during this battle during Operation Phantom Fury. After returning home and seeing this book I immediately bought it. When you are on the ground even with a high level of information there are still things you don't understand and this book explained some of the things I still didn't understand even after being in the middle of the battle. Now I know where the incoming was coming in when 9th Communications Battalion took the 17 casualties in one mortar attack. Great job Bing and Semper Fi.
Rated by buyers -
This is a must read for anyone that wants to really know what it is like and what happened in Fallujah. The subsequent time you see a Marine after reading this, you will thank them for signing up.
Rated by buyers -
I must admit I was not looking for this book when I got it, I stumbled upon it and man am I glad I did. The book is not only a great story of the incredible bravery that our armed forces show every day, but also a great lesson (at least for me) on how military decisions are affected by politics and news coverage. The book is very even handed and leave outs all of the usual "our military and our president never make a mistake and it is the liberal media who is to blame for every thing" crap that dogs other military books. Not that after finishing this book you will not be left wondering how in the world the American press does not find a way to report the heroism that is displayed by these troops every day. I know for me I better understand why when the news harps on "Abu Graib" events (which needed to be told to prevent it from happening again) the troops on the ground feel shafted because they just spent the day risking their lives to save their buddies or patching up an insurgent who was just 1 minute ago trying to kill them. I do now understand their frustration in being lumped in with a few idiots who do something wrong when they are doing such heroic things everyday.
You will also get from this book an understanding how dangerous a news organization which only panders to its audience to push a premeditated message with out reporting the full truth, like Al Jazerra repeatedly does. Which leaves you better understanding the danger that Fox News really is to our own country. When a news organization trusted by so many people repeatedly distorts the truth or only report things that push it's agenda it is dangerous for us all.
This book brings a full 360 degree view of the Fallujah battles, the break down in communications, the mistakes of non-military making military decisions, and the mistakes of the military making diplomatic and political decisions. In this respect this book is truly unique and a great read.
Rated by buyers 
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"No True Glory" written by Bing West.
"No True Glory" chronicles the combat and political events directly relevant to the city of Fallujah from April of 2003 through 2005. Perspective is given from soldiers on the ground all the way up to commanding officers.
The Good: No True Glory provided a wide range of perspective and gave good information from all sides of the Fallujah story. It didn't just given the action and tragedy on the battle field and it didn't completely bog you down with politics or tactics. A good blend of political explanation that helped you to understand what happened and why was combined with thoughts and attitudes of the high ranking officers and mixed with the day to day activities of the guys who were actually kicking in doors and getting shot at. The mix was good and paints a full picture of not just what happened when but also why.
The Bad: I had previously read "Jarhead: a Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles" and "Generation Kill". Both of which were more personal because they focused on individuals or individual groups providing a personal aspect to each. That is the only aspect in which "No True Glory" lacks. The reality is that this couldn't be accomplished in "No True Glory" because the time frame the book covers is longer than any single tour of Duty served.
Overall: If military books interest you then pick up No True Glory and give it a try. A great read!
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