182 Days in Iraq [Paperback]

Phil Kiver (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 22, 2005

Phil Kiver’s real life, moment-to-moment journal of his assignment as an Army journalist in Iraq is honest, irreverent—gripping and emotional one moment—a howl the next. Kiver, pictured above, in Iraq, with one of his heroes, Oliver North, doesn’t dress for company. His journals are raw reaction, impression, and introspection. This, folks, is what it feels like to be Phil Kiver in this war in Iraq—missing his wife, lounging at one of Sadam’s pools, angry with the brass, witnessing the deaths of children and comrades, nighttime explosions too close for comfort, pasta with the Italians, toasting the fallen with the Ukrainians. It’s a delirium of experience with this journalist sorting through the rubble and smoke in search of the story that will one day be history.

Product Details

• Paperback: 231 pages
• Publisher: Word Association (June 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595710787
• ISBN-13: 978-1595710789
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,540,976 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sincere, unapologetic commentary of an Army broadcast journalist's tour in Iraq, July 18, 2005

By 

Kimberley Heidler (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 182 Days in Iraq (Paperback)

I finished the book in one day, not because I am a fast reader (indeed I am not), but because I was so caught up in the adventure. What makes this book so much better than many other "war stories" is that it is the truth, as witnessed first-hand by a broadcast journalist for the U.S. Army. His position gains him access to many gatherings that the average GI would not have, and he takes readers along for the ride. I laughed out loud many times at Kiver's wit, but I also shared his fear; I even cried on a few occasions. I will confess that I cried as I read the final pages because I so badly did not want his story to end there. I am, however, grateful that Phil Kiver made it safely home and has shared with everyone his daily journal.

For anyone who will be deployed (or the family), who has been over to the war, who wishes he were a part of the war, or who would just like to know the truth about what is happening over there, this is a must read.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely important work in the Iraqi War discussion, July 26, 2005

By 

Fort Hood Soldier (Fort Hood, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 182 Days in Iraq (Paperback)

This is the absolute, hands-down best work on the conflict in Iraq. Kiver vividly describes his day-to-day activities in theater. Anyone who wants to gain some insight into what it is like to be deployed should read this harrowing story of a soldier's time in a foreign land, battling terrorists and coworkers alike. However, do not take my opinion as a soldier, read "182 Days in Iraq."

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why is this book not in stock?, July 26, 2005

By 

Keith Quincy (Spokane, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 182 Days in Iraq (Paperback)

"182 Days in Iraq" is Phil Kiver's revealing account of his tour of duty as a military journalist in theatre, on the ground, in the air, wanting to see it all, going places so dangerous he carried a hidden knife to kill himself so terrorists could not take him alive.

Kiver is without pretense. He tells you his politics, reveals his fears, tells tales on soldiers he thought incompetent, praises those he admired. He covered the coalition war, not only Americans, got to know the Ukrainians and Italians - gives us their take on the war, shows them with their guard down, guzzling vodka and emptying bottle after bottle of wine.

What I found most revealing was the things major media never reported, the many projects of soldiers and contractors to improve the lives of ordinary Iraqis. We see Kiver's affection for the children, his honest disgust for aspects of Iraqi life and culture that has him calling them savages.

Kiver did not tell his story to pat himself on the back or glorify the war; he is too brutally honest about his own failings, tells us repeatedly about military screw-ups.

He shows us who his is, warts and all; what he saw, the good and the bad, and simply wants us to know what it is like to be there.

It is rare reporting, not seen on the networks, right wing or left. Kiver lets you judge for yourself.

My only criticism is with Amazon, or the publisher - whoever is at fault. Why this potential bestseller is not in stock, and available next day, mystifies me.

-- Keith Quincy