The Day After He Left for Iraq: A Story of Love, Family, and Reunion [Hardcover]

Melissa Seligman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 2008

A stunning debut memoir sure to touch military families—and all Americans.

Melissa Seligman is something rare in the world of military families—a military wife who is also a beautiful writer. Here she describes her feelings as she watches her husband walk away from her and her newborn, knowing full well that he might not return from the war in Iraq. She experiences saying goodbye twice—both times he left when their children were still infants. While he's away from home again, Melissa struggles to remember the goodness of her husband and the joy of their life together. Working hard to raise a baby and a four-year old, Melissa tells of the heartbreak and desperation she experiences at home. She watches her daughter clutch a G.I. Joe doll she's named "Little Daddy," and wonders if the family will make it through.

Hers is a story of sadness and strength, desperation and hope, displacement and unity. It's a story that anyone left behind (and we have all been left behind) will respond to, one that, unfortunately, is becoming more and more common as the war in Iraq continues. This is a work of timely and powerful non-fiction by a significant new author.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The author’s son, Elijah, was eight weeks old when the boy’s father, Melissa’s U.S. Army husband, David, went to Iraq. Their daughter, Amelia, was two. This touching memoir explores the day-to-day life of a woman who is suddenly a single parent, a mother who doesn’t know if her children will ever see their father again, a wife temporarily without a husband. The terrible possibility of the separation becoming permanent looms over Melissa’s life, provides a grisly context for everything she does—and yet, somehow, she soldiers on in the attempt to live a normal life for herself and for her kids. If Sue Miller, or perhaps Anita Shreve, were to write a novel about a woman’s struggle to maintain her sense of normality—and her spirit—while her husband was fighting a far-off war, it might sound a lot like this memoir: moving, intelligent, insightful, and timely. --David Pitt

Review

The author’s son, Elijah, was eight weeks old when the boy’s father, Melissa’s U.S. Army husband, David, went to Iraq. Their daughter, Amelia, was two. This touching memoir explores the day-to-day life of a woman who is suddenly a single parent, a mother who doesn’t know if her children will ever see their father again, a wife temporarily without a husband. The terrible possibility of the separation becoming permanent looms over Melissa’s life, provides a grisly context for everything she does—and yet, somehow, she soldiers on in the attempt to live a normal life for herself and for her kids. If Sue Miller, or perhaps Anita Shreve, were to write a novel about a woman’s struggle to maintain her sense of normality—and her spirit—while her husband was fighting a far-off war, it might sound a lot like this memoir: moving, intelligent, insightful, and timely. (Booklist -David Pitt )

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing (October 6, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602392943
• ISBN-13: 978-1602392946
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,154,041 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very accurate picture..., April 2, 2009

By 

C. Emerson "kittymama" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Day After He Left for Iraq: A Story of Love, Family, and Reunion (Hardcover)

of the many conflicting emotions experienced during a deployment. It's like someone is reading my mind and writing this all down. Excellent book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, December 4, 2008

By 

R. Grindle - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Day After He Left for Iraq: A Story of Love, Family, and Reunion (Hardcover)

I appreciate the open and honest reality of life as a military spouce and mother that this book shares. This is a great tribute to mothers and spouces that gives a small insight to our lives. The book is for a wide audience, not just military. Showing some of the many thoughts, experiences and things we have in common with each other as wives and mothers is well depicted in the book. Not only did I read the book, but my husband did as well. Thank you to the author and her family for sharing.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read for all military wives!, August 28, 2009

By 

J. C. Buhrer "warmest_aloha" (Marysville, Ohio) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Day After He Left for Iraq: A Story of Love, Family, and Reunion (Hardcover)

I just spent the afternoon reading this book and consider it time well spent. I feel as though I spent the afternoon with the author reliving her experience- sharing the laughter, tears, frustration, and joy. I have already shared parts of the story with friends- and they received a warm laugh or connection. I think every military wife should read this book- and suggest it to friends. By the end- the author feels like your friend-the sign of a very well written and honest book!