Customer Reviews

365 Deployment Days: A Wife's Survival Story

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

As a wife going through my second deployment, Sara's book reminded me that I'm not alone. As I read her book, I laughed and cried right along side her. As the one left behind we all experience similiar emotions and circumstances, it's nice to see someone else experience and triumph through them. Sometimes you feel like you are going crazy, like you are the only one with these outrageous feelings. Sara hit on every aspect of the rollarcoaster. This is such a great read, you will feel like you are sitting in her living room over a glass of wine. Regardless if you are a military spouse or civilian this is a must read. Join Sara in her journey through 365 days of Deployment!

I ordered this review because I am an army wife whose husband is scheduled to deploy in the next year. I chose this book based on its good reviews, and it did provide some insight into what it is like when your husband deploys. However, I was a little disappointed because it is not really a "story" like the title suggests. It is a collection of forty short chapters each dedicated to tips or experiences she had during the time her husband was deployed, and I was hoping for a more chronological memoir-type book. I've already read lots of advice for women surviving a deployment from booklets and such about not watching the news or keeping to a routine. I could get the same basic advice from any google search of "how to survive a deployment". Of course, the author does discuss what it was like when her husband left, their R&R, and his return from her own personal experiences, which are the parts I enjoyed and learned from the most. However, these parts are somewhat disjointed and not really developed.

All in all I finished this book in less than two hours, and while it was somewhat helpful it was not what I was expecting when I ordered it.

Sara Dawalt's 365 Deployment Days is a tale of figuring out how to cope when your other half takes off for war. That sinking feeling of facing a reality without your spouse by your side is hard to put into words- the very thing that Sara has done.
This book offers accurate insight to the chaos one is plunged into and how to come back from that feeling of loneliness, helpless, and ultimately, the lack of control. It is easy to identify with Sara and know that I am not the only one experiencing the crazy roller coaster of emotions! It gives hope that the one left behind can make the most of it and come out better on the other end. I don't know how I would have made it through my first deployment without this book! I reccommend it to anyone who is beginning or in the middle of a deployment and definitely to friends and family of the spouse that is staying behind- it might explain a few things!!!

Leigh

Killeen, TX

This book has helped me (the soldier) deal with feelings that I never knew the wife had. Wife was so lost and felt like she was the only one in the world that felt this way. She was afraid to say things to me, she blamed herself often. Thank you Sara for helping us both understand what really goes on in the spouses mind and giving us the opportunity to know that we are not crazy. My wife purchased the book and read it, then felt it was good enough to send to me in Iraq. I think you may have saved our marriage and for that we are more grateful for more than the cost of the book. GOD BLESS

When i seen the cover and title of this book it was one i needed to look at. I then knew it was a must read, so i got it right then! I have to say that it was well worth it in so many ways! I had it read in two nights! I am a wife of a National Guardsman, and find it hard to find books that really have the feelings that i do having my husband gone fighting for his Country.
Sara put the true feelings to light in so many ways with out holding back at all. She let it be known that it's okay to feel like you do when it comes to the mixed feelings of having your spouse come home. So if you are a Military wife in any way or want to know how a wife feels this is the book for you!!!

This book is very informal, easy to read and simple to understand. As an army wife, the book explained most of my feelings and the things I went through. It is very brave for Sara to share with the world her experience and her true feelings towards your husband, I too experienced some resentment. If your soldier is about to deploy and you want to know what the roller coaster ride is like, then this book will give you and idea.

This was an awesome book! My boyfriend is in the army and I was interested in reading about this lady's experience. I laughed and cried while reading this book. I would definitely encourage anyone to read this book, especially if they have a spouse, friend, relative, etc in any of the Armed Forces!

This book was a great read, it made me realise i was'nt the only person who feels like this during a deployment. It also made me laugh when i needed it most. I read the whole book in one sitting!

This is a great book and it only took me one day to read it, i simply couldnt stop reading. So many of the things sara was describing and goin through is exactly what i feel like and what im goin through right now.
I cried and laughed right along with sara as i read the book.
I am goin through a deployment with my fiancee right now and the book helped me understand that i am not alone with my feelings. I am now able to understand my emotions better and my fiancee cant wait to read the book either. Im sure it will help him understand what i am goin through while he is deployed and it will give him a better understanding of what i am goin through back home.
This a must read for everyone who is goin through a deployment right now or anyone involved with the army.
Thumbs and, great job sara

I definitely recommend this book to anyone whose husband is deployed or about to deploy. Sara Dawalt talks about every aspect of deployment; grief, anger, loneliness, and even the SUDDEN addiction to shopping. Dont we all get that way?! This book helped me to realize that I am not crazy after all. I felt so alone when my husband left on his deployment to Iraq, but this book helped me to see that I am not alone at all. There are other wives going through the exact same things!! In every chapter she explains what helped her through the different stages of deployment. It really helped me a lot!