Battleground Iraq: Journal of a Company Commander [Paperback]

Todd S. Brown (Author), Center of Military History (U.S. Army) (Producer)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0160787068 | ISBN-13: 978-0160787065 | Publication Date: June 29, 2007

This gripping journal of a company commander from 2003 to early 2004 in some of the most dangerous areas of post-Hussein Iraq discusses tactics, techniques, and procedures as they evolved in the struggle to maintain order and rebuild the country. The journal tells of the dichotomy of combat operations versus nation building. It vividly captures the stresses of combat and corresponding emotions as they accumulate over time in a combat outfit. It reinforces the ideal of camaraderie among soldiers and deals with the emotional impact of losing friends in battle. Understanding these could prove invaluable to those who courageously serve our nation and will continue to endure them in this and future conflicts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

''Here is a book that tells it like it was . . .In general, what we see on TV or read about the war is written by journalists and is not the first-hand account of the soldiers who are over there. Captain Brown has done a fine job of recounting his participation in Iraq.'' --Military magazine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

About the Author

U.S. Army Center of Military History

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Dept. of the Army (June 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0160787068
• ISBN-13: 978-0160787065
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,171,567 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Iraq Close Up, March 24, 2008

By 

C. Bevan - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Battleground Iraq: Journal of a Company Commander (Paperback)

Whether you agree with the war or not, this book will enable you to experience the daily operations of an Army combat company. These men spent time in Samarra, an active part of the Sunni Triangle and were responsible for pacifying the area. The story brings you the good, bad and ugly of their experience and illustrates the bravery of those directly involved with the Iraqis in the first year of the war.
You will need to use the glossary of terms in the back frequently unless you are already in the military. Good reading for those thinking of enlisting. The real thing, not glorified.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unfiltered look at modern warfare, August 25, 2010

By 

Peter Mancini (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Battleground Iraq: Journal of a Company Commander (Paperback)

This book represents an unfiltered look at the experience of war as witnessed by a company commander in Iraq. The writing is not in a style a professional writer would use and that makes it better. There isn't a lot of extended description - just a telling of the facts most of the time. It stays focused on what a commander has to think about rather than on descriptions of sunsets on the desert. As a reader I was reassured by this.

The humor is often sublime and comes from the practical nature of Mr. Brown's thinking. For example, when the armor commanders in his mechanized unit suggest beefing up security during early morning hours (even though there was very little probability of attack) Major Brown suggest instead of putting rangers on the perimeter they just conduct life fire ranging exercises with his thinking being "I don't think anyone would prove a mechanized company doing live fire training." The break from the Field Manual way of doing things produces the humor.

Besides military jargon which the book is rife with, there is also a casual use of colloquialism. While not the mark of a professional writer it does add color and probably reflects how Major Brown actually speaks in person. It adds a lot of human element to the writing.

My own grandfather spoke extensively about his experience in the Central Pacific during WWII as a Seabee. Oddly, I reread many of his comments in Major Brown's book. Apparently there are common experiences in all wars. For me it improved my sense that this book was telling the real story of the Iraq war. The difference may be generational, but my grandfather was less sarcastic in his telling his story. His was also unfiltered and at one point the war deeply changed for him driving him to pessimism and one could argue poor discipline. Major Brown is already a bit of a pessimist to start with but one with a practical view on soldiering. All of his surprises are good ones. I think the best lesson of the book is the practical application of pessimism - how to survive through it, how to understand any situation through it and how to get of the war on it.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a real take on warfare. It is just as applicable to any other modern war as it is to the Iraq war. For the soldier the lessons at the end offer fantastic advice. The book was suggested to me by a Major and good friend who is off to Afghanistan.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Todd Brown, March 25, 2010

By 

K. Honey (Leavenworth, KS United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Battleground Iraq: Journal of a Company Commander (Paperback)

I had to have a book were I knew the author not often that happens.