Customer Reviews

I Am a Soldier, Too: The Jessica Lynch Story

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

Jessica appears to be a very likable person, honest about her shortcomings as a "brave soldier" she has been portrayed by the "too much in a hurry to learn the truth American media." However, I don't see the story here and feel that readers will waste their money. All they have to do is listen to the TV interviews and they will get the entire story. And, this book certainly does not give any insight into Iraq, which should have been important to the writer and the publisher. (I heard Rick Bragg say that he didn't have "time" to go into Iraq to research for the book. A shocking oversight if the writer is serious about the subject.) There are several other books that are much more compelling and give information most Americans should seek: I highly recommend "Naked in Baghdad" and "Mayada, Daughter of Iraq" over this book. I particularly liked "Mayada, Daughter of Iraq" since the subject of the writer was an Iraqi woman who had been through about everything a human being can live, all under the Saddam regime. I wish every soldier could read it, as it gives a good idea of how treasured freedom is to the Iraqis released from Saddam's mad grip.

Rick Bragg says that he often writes about people who step in front of a moving train. That analogy certainly works for his just released book about Jessica Lynch. I can think of no writer more qualified to tell Jessica's story than Bragg. He is a first class journalist, having won the Pulitzer, and comes from a region of the country, rural Alabama, not unlike the West Virginia where Lynch grew up. (Since I grew up in rural East Tennessee, I'll take the temerity to make that judgment.)

Although Bragg had to have written this book quickly, it does not suffer from haste or sloppy writing. Bragg doesn't waste words-- and while I miss his humor, I understand that what he is about here is serious business. His account of the ambush of the now famous ill-fated convoy from the 507th Maintenance Company captures the immediacy and horror of battle. It's as good writing about the awfulness of war as you'll read.

The narrative is slim. That's as it should be. The event in Lynch's life that the world wants to know about is her capture and what happened to her while she was a POW. There is little of that information available and we may know now most of what we'll ever know. Bragg also discusses Lynch's growing up in West Virginia as well as her immediate and extended families. Her appeal is obvious: she is hardly more than a teenager, blonde, green-eyed, fragile and, from everything Bragg says, honest. She is our daugher, sister, cousin, and rightly or wrongly, hers is the face the public most associates with the American soldier in Iraq.

Jessica Lynch does not consider herself a hero. (I'm reminded that Senator John McCain, another famous American POW, said that there was nothing heroic about getting captured by the enemy.) Bragg discusses the initial sainthood bestowed on her by the government and media and the later disillusionment in some circles because she didn't immediately disown the hype and inaccurate information that was fed to the hungry public. They expect this from a twenty year old who has had many of her bones broken and crushed, was suffering from malnutrition (it is the consensus of everybody involved that she would have died shortly if she had not been rescued by U. S. forces) and in her own words "cannot go to the bathroom." As one of her neighbors said, "She was courageous to do what she done in the first place. . . I couldn't have done it. . . How was she going to set the record straight from days of surgery and fleeting consciousness?"

If she is not a hero-- does it matter-- she comes across as a decent, brave young woman. Her best friend was Lori, a Native American, whom Bragg pays tribute to, along with Lynch's other comrades who died in that awful massacre. The Lynch family, along with the Palestine community, are decent, salt-of-the-earth types as well. I bet I could identify most of those dishes the women brought in as the family awaited news of their "baby."
Lots of potato salad and banana pudding. It was heartening to read that Mr. Lynch, Jessica's dad, said that you cannot hate a whole country, particularly since Iraqi doctors apparently gave their own blood to help keep Jessica alive and an Iraqi civilian--Mohammed Odeh-al-Rehaief risked his own life to save hers.

Whatever your feelings are about the rightness and wrongness of the U. S.'s invasion of Iraq, you have to feel empathy for this young woman. Her words "I am an American soldier too" have the ring of poetry and will be long remembered after she has had a chance to get on with her life.

I'm giving this book high marks not so much for the story interest, but for the former private's honesty. Here is a person who could easily have been corrupted into following the fictitious story of her plight that was presented by the government, military, and the media. Of course, this is not a book for analyzing these issues of propaganda. That will have to be done in other types of books. I have to wonder if some readers will have a negative reaction to Lynch's story because she tells the truth as she knows it. I can't say that she was a military hero since I believe that such a title should be dispensed to those who have acted above and beyond. Gratefully, she does not try to place that title upon herself. However, I do believe that she is a hero for her honesty.

This was a kind of weak read. Bragg's sentences were so choppy they gave me a headache trying to read it. I think he was in too much of a hurry. I heard Homer Hickam was the other author Jessica considered. She maybe should have gone with him. He knows West Virginia and has a great writing style.

First, I think Amazon should delete all of the reviews by bitter and politically motivated yahoos who admit they haven't even read the book. This is a book review site, not a political forum. That having been said, I HAVE read the book and thought it was wonderful. It's simply one soldier's story. Jessica Lynch could have been any of our sons or daughters. It's not exactly her fault that's she's petite, cute, blonde or white. Rick Bragg does his usual masterful storytelling here. His simple prose often reads like poetry, yet he never editorializes, but simply allows the reader to draw their own conclusions about the events as they occur. He does an especially lovely job of bringing Wirt County and that particular corner of West Virginia to life. At its core, this book is about the triumph of faith over reason, and one young girl's stoic courage in the face of great adversity. Bragg remains one of my two favorite living writers, along with Anne Lamotte. Jessica, we salute you. You may not claim the title of hero, but that's exactly what you are to myself and many others throughout not only America, but the world.

This book is the simple story of an average American who joined the military to obtain an education and the chance at a better life. As a veteran I can identify with that, as well as with the sense of duty toward one's compatriots that over-rides any misgivings about war and the reasons behind war.

Ms. Lynch in her story and in her interviews is modest, telling us the straight story, no matter how embarrasing some of it is to her - or how contradictory it is to the Pentagon's and GOP's preferred version of events.

As a result of her integrity and honesty, by giving credit where it's due (the Iraqi doctors, the Special Forces who brought her out) - and by not allowing the record of propaganda to go uncorrected - Ms. Lynch now finds herself being attacked by the very people who used her as a symbol of all that is good about Americans (see the reviews below).

My heart goes out to this young woman, who demonstrates she knows more about honor than all the so-called patriots who now insult and disparage her. I originally bought this book because I wanted support a fellow veteran, but in the process Jessica Lynch has reminded me how important the truth really is.

Pfc Lynch, you've done your duty well.

I just finished reading Jessica Lynch's book, and I enjoyed reading about her side of the story and about her family. The book has 200+ pages, and I finished it in three days. It was just too good to put down!

If you're really into politics, then this probably isn't for you. If you want to read about an intriguing young woman's life, how she was miraculously rescued (if she had been rescued even a few days later, she would have died), and how she's adjusting to her current life, I think you will find this book a worthwhile investment.

Jessica Lynch has been through alot in her short life, and I don't believe any of us have a right to be critical of her. She is a very courageous young woman. It takes a strong person to survive on such little hope, but by the grace of God and with many prayers lifting her up, she did, and she deserves our respect, not our critism.

The comments about this book and Pvt. Lynch are unbelievable. When the convoy was ambushed it had become lost and entered a kill zone. The Officer leading the convoy got lost because he did not read the map correctly. When the ambush occurred the crap hit the fan. With RPG's, mortars and small arms fire going off the dark night lit up and metal was flying everywhere. In the middle of this her vehicle was hit and crashed during which she was severely injured, not wounded but injured. The initial firing was chaotic and with all troops who were still able trying to return fire the confusion grew. She stated her weapon became inoperative and while trying to clear it the crash occurred. Now I don't how many of you have ever tried to do ANYTHING while taking incoming rounds but the pucker factor joins Murphy's law and everything seems to go down hill very fast. Something as simple as a loose magazine can cause the person to go nuts trying to figure out what is wrong when people are shooting at you. Don't believe me, try it sometimes. Her injuries prevented any further action on her part and she was subsequently captured. The press release was done prior to any rescue of her or the other captives so details were either scarce or at least very limited.

Did Pvt. Jessica Lynch stand up and say she was a hero Heck NO. So get off her back. If anything I can guess that survivors said SOMEONE from either the vehicle she was in or one near it had put up a heck of a fight. With so many known dead assumptions were made in error. Only a guess. The people talking to the press were making comments based on what little info they had. Was it wrong, probably because that is the confusion of war. The reports that come in from a firefight are so confusing no one can be sure what really happened until an after action report is completed and even then there are blank spots.

I don't know her nor was I in her unit but I can say that all you morons are giving her hell when she did not do anything but get injured during the ambush and then captured. Her injuries from what I have read are ones that will cause her to suffer until the day she leaves this earth. I consider myself lucky because I have had twelve surgeries to repair damage. I can get out of bed each day albeit slowly. Running, walking distances or playing catch is a dream that will never come true again. I can say with 100 percent accuracy she remembers those injuries every day, especially when it is cold or raining. Her injuries would not have happened had it not been for the ambush so she earned what ever the military gave her. One writer complained because she received a medal. In Vietnam some Officers received a Bronze Star because they served in theater. Those with an attached "V" EARNED them in combat. I would say anyone who survived that ambush earned something except, of course, the OIC that got them lost.

Most of the comments here are obviously from people who have not "been there and done that". They reflect your bias opinions either against the war or you think she is responsible for what was said when she wasn't even there. You are talking about a young soldier involved in supply and transportation not a grunt. In the Army soldiers are taught how to shoot in boot camp. Unless they are in a fighting unit they don't train with their weapon daily because not everyone is a combat soldier. In the USMC everyone is a rifleman first and then are trained for other jobs. Weapons are something you must use every day to maintain proficiency. Every Marine can disassemble and re-assemble their weapon blindfolded in the middle of a blizzard. In the Army only soldiers in combat units could do that. Supply and transport are NOT your usual combat units although the IED's have now changed that. If you are reading this in the safety of your own home thank our military. Semper Fi.

Jessica Lynch's story is at once heartbreaking and inspiring. A 19-year-old woman from West Virginia enters the U.S. Army in order to earn college money and see the world, and winds up in a combat situation where support personnel aren't supposed to find themselves. She is the sole survivor from her ambushed unit, and she wakes in an Iraqi hospital being cared for as best they can by doctors and nurses who have only outmoded technology at their disposal. She does not remember three hours that she apparently spent in enemy hands, but her injuries tell a more brutal story than what happened to her before those three hours - the battle, and the wreck of the Humvee in which she was riding - can account for.

The first rescue operation for a POW mounted by the U.S. military in decades gets Jessi out, and her whole country rejoices. As she lies in a series of military hospitals, drifting in and out of consciousness while her close and loving family wonders how far back the healing process can bring her, the military begins spinning a myth around her. It's a story that Jessi disputes as soon as she is able, and in my eyes (as well as those of many other Americans) that is a kind of heroism in and of itself.

This book tells a simple story that gets the simple, straightfoward handling it requires from co-author Bragg. A fine piece of work about an ordinary young woman thrown into an extraordinary situation, and the family and community that taught her how to survive it. Both before her ordeal in Iraq, and through her still on-going ordeal afterward.

--Reviewed by Nina M. Osier, author of LOVE, JIMMY: A MAINE VETERAN'S LONGEST BATTLE

Alright, Everyone needs to give this poor young woman a break! As other reviews stated, she did not assk to be thrust into the public spot light. She was simply doing her job. The code of conduct says that if you are captured that you sshould try at all costs to escape and evade. Although this was impossible for her, she did manage to fight off the doctors who tried to amputate her leg. The author obviously took a lot time in doing the research for this book, conducting what must have been hours upon hours of interviews. For anyone to say that we have made to big a deal over this, I say to them, walk a mile in my shoes. Walk a mile in her shoes. We are just doing our job and it is our job that allows you to say those things. Read the book. It is a great book, welll written , and very herat felt. This review says I am reviewing the audio cd. That is not the case. I did read the book!