Customer Reviews

Back In Action: An American Soldier's Story Of Courage, Faith And Fortitude

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a book you will want to read in a single evening. Maybe two, at most. The life story that David Rozelle shares with us is remarkable not in its uniqueness, but in showing us how the qualities of tenacity, work, discipline, courage, and pulling together can make an ordinary life extraordinarily capable of overcoming debilitating setbacks.

Captain Rozelle's story reminds us that while we mourn the dead in any war, we should be even more vigilant in supporting the living who have paid the price of disabling injury on our behalf. We learn how careless and thoughtless we ordinary folks can be in fumbling both our awkward statements of support and encouragement and in our uncomfortable avoidances. We owe it to these fine young people to learn how to handle ourselves better and to give more of ourselves in their support.

The author skillfully shares with us how his life led him to the army and how he ended up where he did. He helps us understand the physical and political difficulties in working in Kuwait and Iraq. At the same time he is able to give us a more complete picture of why the Iraqis are grateful to us and why a minority still resist the change the Americans represent. There have been several fine books written by generals and about the war from a high level viewpoint. Captain Rozelle takes us down to the troop level and lets us see what a magnificent job our brave soldiers are doing in such tough circumstances.

The suddenness of his injury is a reminder to us all how arbitrary life can be and the permanent effects an instant can have. Captain Rozelle does not pull any punches in telling us about the pain he suffered and the difficulties he went through in recovery. He does not spare himself in sharing with us his difficulties with his pain medication as well as his doubts and fears for his future.

His wife, Kim, wrote one of the chapters and we get to learn about his injury from her point of view. It is a terrific chapter. She is very honest in telling us about her reactions to the news and how she interacted with her friends and family who tried to support her. Again, she is very open and doesn't spare herself in retelling this story.

We can all thrill to time when Captain Rozelle got his bearings and decided to not only get on with his life, but to run and ski and try to get back on active duty. He did all those things and used his own recovery to help other soldiers who had themselves suffered disabling injuries.

Oh, and the author had an interaction with both Senator John Kerry and President George W. Bush. I won't spoil what each said to him, but it is very telling about the core of each of those men.

Strongly Recommended.

The autobiographical account, "Back in Action : An American Soldier's Story of Courage, Faith and Fortitude" by Captain David Rozelle is an inspiring story of courage and commitment. An ROTC officer, Captain Rozelle became commander of an armored cavalry unit in Iraq, receiving his orders to ship out to the theater of operations on Valentine's Day, 2003. Telling his wife that he had been called to duty was a hard thing to do, but not so hard as her hearing the news that he had been injured. He had only been in Iraq for four months by the time of his injury, which was sufficient time for him to become a feared adversary formidable enough for the Iraqi resistance to target him specifically as a threat.

Rozelle's descriptive work is good writing, and puts the reader in the heart of the action throughout his time, particularly concentrating on his recovery. In an anti-tank mine explosion, Rozelle lost his right foot, while sustaining other lesser injuries. His recovery time was long and painful, but the real drive in the heart of Rozelle was not just to walk again, but to be able to serve in the Army again.

Rozelle writes about the various procedures and therapies, as well as the drive to keep up his spirits, both his personal resolve toward success as well as his patriotic spirit of wanting to be of service to his country. With help from agencies such as Disabled Sports USA (whose motto is, 'If I can do this, I can do anything') Rozelle rebounded from his injuries to compete in such events as triathalons and mountain climbing. He even skis with the prosthetic leg fashioned for him.

Rozelle writes that one of his primary motivations toward a full and complete recovery was to live his life to be an example to others, particularly toward others wounded in military action. "I tried to set an example and offer hope. That is what these guys needed most."

Rozelle won both the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, and continues to demonstrate the kind of courage and commitment that these awards exemplify. Rozelle is the first amputee to be sent back into action in the battle zone where he sustained his first injuries; this is the stuff of heroes.

Bought the book this past weekend and read it in one day. An amazing story from a true American hero. Whether you support the war or not, this book will challenge you. So much has been given by so few; for the good of us all. Next time you see a soldier on the street, thank them AND their family.

David Rozelle is an amazing American. He is an incredible testament to our country's young people. My son was in the invasion in 2003 and has just returned for his second tour of duty again with the 3rd Infantry Division. There is comfort in knowing he fights along side men such as Rozelle. Thank you, David, for sharing your story.

Mary Ward
"Letters Home"
www.marehaven.com

and I'm not sure I've done justice, or injustice, by it with 4 stars.

On one hand I see the book as written for the general public's reading level. It reads like a romance novel much of the time, especially the first half. I think this book may be better-liked by women. I don't mean that as a "put-down" in any way. I mean there is far more about his relationship with his wife than about Iraq.

In spite of its title, "Back in Action", it is NOT an action story, and certainly not a thriller. However, it is a look into the life of an army couple who give more for their country than their critics have ever even considered.

Does it inspire? That depends on who you are. If you are like the left wing radical R. J. Pooley Jr. "eyes open", whose ignorant criticism of the book reflects not only his political bias, but his callousness toward disabled heros, the answer is a resounding "NO". There will be many cowards and weakling critics among the left, like R. J. Pooley Jr. "eyes open", who will use their review as a platform to spew their political garbage.

If you truly love your country; if you have had prolonged absences from your spouse and children, due to either military or civilian service for your country, you will be far more understanding. The book is about soul-searching, not war. It is about relationships, not political intrigue; and it is about love, courage, devotion to duty, and a strength a critic like R. J. Pooley Jr. "eyes open" cannot understand. It is far beyond these type of people to understand someone stronger and more courageos than they are.

Unless you are tainted by hate, anger, political bias, and just plain ignorance, you will be touched by the description of the phyically handicapped and how so many of them overcome terrible disabilities and become as successful, or more successful, and certainly more praiseworthy, than those who stayed home and criticized.

And,if you have the slightest bit of patriotism in your soul you will be touched by the soldier's devotion, not only to his country, but to his fellow soldier, and the United States Army.

It is people like David Rozelle that make me proud to be an American; that should make ANYONE proud to be an American. A man who made sacrifices to do what he believed in. Support the war in Iraq or not, one cannot deny the valor and determination of Captain DAvid Rozelle.

This book tells the story of Captain Rozelle and his duty in Iraq. We read the tale of how Captain Rozelle, like so many of our brave soldiers, left behind a family to do his duty in Iraq. Here is a man who led his troops into battle, often the first to enter captured cities and a man who actually had a bounty placed on his head by Iraqi insurgents. This was truly a soldier who put fear into his enemies.

Rozelle then lost his right foot to an anti-personnel mine in 2003. But the story only begins there as Rozelle, showing what can only be described as superhuman determination, not only recoved from his injuries, but returned to Iraq a year later to resume his duty, this time as the commander of an armored cavalry group.

Rozelle takes us through the months of agonizing rehabilitation he endured as he learned to not only walk, but run and compete athletically with his new prosthetic foot. Here was a man who was awarded every possible medal and could have remained home, safe in the knowledge that he had performed heroically, yet that was not enough. To Rozelle his job simply was not complete. This is an incredible, inspirational tale of courage, strength, and patriotism. This man defines patriotism. Everyone of us should be tipping our hat to him and all the soldiers just like him who are doing their duty for their country.

Capt Rozelle has inspired me to work harder to achieve my goals in life, and has helped me put things into perspective. I won't rehash what the other reviewers have said, except to say, this book is well worth reading. Also, as of 18 Feb 2005, Capt Rozelle is back on active duty and scheduled to return to Iraq in 2 weeks. I hope to meet him there.

Sub-Title: An American Soldier's Story of Courage, Faith and Fortitude

The sub-title of the book says it's a story of courage, faith and fortitude. It's also a story of determination, heroism, and bedrock patriotism. The story is pretty simple. Capt. Rozelle was on patrol in Iraq, riding in a Humvee when it set off an anti-tank mine. It shredded his right foot, which was amputated shortly thereafter.

There are two main points worth mentioning about this book. First is the story of rebuilding his abilities after his injury. What I found to be perhaps more important were his comments about the actions of of the troops in Iraq. As he simply says, his injury was a result of terrorism. We are fighting the terrorists in Iraq rather than here in this country.

As a hint if you meet another amputee, Capt. Rozelle reports on the comments that people make when they learn that he lost a foot. His favorite is: "Bartender, bring this man a drink and put it on my tab."

It's great to hear the personal story of one of our nation's bravest! I read this book in an evening-something I rarely do, but it was like having a conversation with Capt. Rozelle. I simply couldn't put it down. What a great role model he is.

If you believe that troop-morale is low this book should change your mind. I've heard Capt. Rozelle on Laura Ingraham's show telling his story and each time I hear him I'm more confident, proud and optimistic about what we're doing in Iraq. Rozelle provides great insight on what's really going on and is highly critical of the poor press coverage of the War in Iraq.