Customer Reviews

Joker One: A Marine Platoon's Story of Courage, Leadership, and Brotherhood

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Describing Joker One by Donovan Campbell in one word is a difficult task but if forced to do so the word would be poignant. Joker One is the story of the individual Marines who comprised one of the platoon's deployed to fight in Iraq. More than a story about a war, Campbell slaps the "Human Condition" on the face of the Iraqi War, and for good measure nail guns it in place. His story is one that needed to be told, not to sway your opinion of whether the United States occupation of Iraq is justified, but rather to put names and faces to the individuals who served their country. It doesn't matter whether you are pro or anti war what matters is that you understand the struggles of the individuals involved. The men in this story didn't wage the war but rather carried out their mission with courage, bravado, and outright selfless determination. If you are not touched by the words between the bindings of this book than I might suggest you send out a search party for your soul.

The Stateside news reports of the Iraqi War have been meaningless rhetoric up to this point. We have been feed the gruesome details of body counts and have seen the anti-American sentiments of the Iraqi people, but up until the story of Joker One these stories have been a benign representation of the actual happenings in Iraq. We haven't been told the stories of the "so-called" US allies who when forced with the decision of standing up for their own free society or their own mortality immediately switch their alliances and begin to open fire on our troops. Nor have we seen firsthand, the cowardly Iraqi insurgent's complete disregard of their own countrymen as they use them as human shields as a means to an end.

Some soldiers have returned to the States battered, beaten, and broken both physically and mentally. Others have returned Stateside in wooden boxes draped with the United States flag. Campbell has identified these soldiers by name. Soldiers like you and I who have families, dreams, and ambitions now which regardless of injury or death have become severely altered by their mere participation in the ugliest form of human interaction.

Lieutenant Campbell takes this opportunity to provide the reader a front row seat into the daily struggles of his platoon. It would have been easy for him to shed the spotlight directly upon himself in this story; in order to boost his own ego. But to the contrary, Campbell highlights the extraordinary camaraderie of the men under his charge. Instead of highlighting his successes, he focuses on the successes of his men and points out his errors in judgment. He continually second guesses the split-second decisions he was forced to make. If only I had done X rather than Y, things might have been different; is the common theme of his thought process.

Joker One reads like an action packed Major Motion Picture. I had to constantly remind myself that I was reading a true story and not a piece of fiction dreamed up by some overly imaginative author hammering away at the keys of his or her word processor.

Joker One is so vivid and alive with detail that it hits the reader in the solar plexus with unrelenting force. Thanks to Lieutenant Campbell, here is to the soldiers of Joker One, Semper Fi!

The raw emotion that Campbell has laid bare in this poignant telling bluntly demonstrates his own passions and concerns for his men of Joker One and their return commitment and love for him. Donovan Campbell has in simple terms defined what it is to be a Marine.

The story begins with a brief encounter during Campbell's first stint in Iraq. From there he returns to the United States and begins to cover the short pre-combat training regimen for his next insertion into real combat action again in Iraq. This section of the book is extremely engaging, as Campbell describes his first days with his new platoon and battalion. Never having been in the Armed Services, it was overwhelming for me to begin to understand what a Marine believes and how he perceives his world. Campbell opens doors into the day to day training and the mindset of Marines that it is impossible to obtain without such a wonderfully written first hand account. From there this unit arrives in Iraq and begins the trials and tribulations of trying to keep a city from falling into the hands of insurgents.

Campbell has written a heartfelt, honest, incredibly readable and moving biography of his time with the U.S. Marines in Iraq. It is difficult to write about something that is so recent without emphasizing various experiences and then "over writing" these experiences. Campbell has such balance in this book that it is difficult to find any fault concerning the topics of his choosing. From beginning to end, I was totally engaged. By the end of the book, I couldn't find the words that would fit the sacrifices made by these young men; their commitment to their unit and to their mission is simply incredible.

His explanations are crisp, clear and concise. His tales of the patrols, the descriptions of the Iraqi citizens, the psychology of his men and leaders is just riveting. The fears that any man or woman would have in these circumstances are clearly told. There is not a dribble of bias that I can see coming through. He states his opinions, but they are based on factual evidence and observation. No matter a person's inclinations politically, this is a must read.

I have been an avid reader since the 6th grad, and during my life I have read hundreds, if not thousands, of books. I have ordered from Amazon since the beginning, but this is the first time I have decided to write a review.

I found this book to be a deeply moving experience. I have always been a sucker for war stories but this one is different. I really felt that this was the most honest presentation of one man's experience of war that I have ever encountered.

If you are looking for a cold clinical discussion of battle with diagrams and notes on troop deployment this is not it. This book puts you at street level from the POV of one man commanding his troops. The depictions of battle in this book are gritty, bloody, and real.

Donovan Campbell served his country well as a Marine and also by writing this book. By reading this book I came to a greater understanding of what our men have been through. I gained a profound respect for our combat forces and veterans. This book was so poignant at times that it reduced me to tears. It was a brutal read but the hours I spent reading this book where more than worth it. I have never been as moved in my life by a storey as I was by this account. It is well worth your time. Buy it! Read it! You will not regret it!

My son is currently stationed in Iraq as a 1st Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. Donovan Campbell's well written book has given me a peek into life as a Marine in preparation for, and deployment to, a combat zone. Joker One brings alive the many faceless and nameless Marines that are referred to as "troops" in the daily news. Donovan Campbell fittingly dedicates his book to "the men of Joker One and to the parents, spouses, and fiancees of the fighters overseas. Those who wait at home have the hardest job in the military." Joker One give us more reasons to be proud of the decision our sons and daughters made to "assume responsibility greater than myself." (Cambpell's words, and our son's words when asked why he wanted to join the Marine Corps.)

After a couple hours of research and reading book descriptions/customer reviews I decided to purchase this book and put a couple others on hold (One Bullet Away, My War, Lone Survivor). I think I got what I was looking for, a first hand account of the fighting in Iraq. I think I also learned some important messages about leadership. I think Campbell also does a great job of clearly explaining all the military jargon that civilians like myself dont understand, and excelled at breaking down the battles they were involved in. However I actually would have liked to hear a little more about the author himself. I thought some of the more interesting parts were when he was describing how he was feeling and what he was thinking. I know from friends who have been to Iraq and in the service in general that it is a significant personal struggle (harsh living conditions, family problems, missing familty etc.)

I see why this book is a top seller. Its easy to read, everything is laid ourt very well, and overall its message is very positive, but for a first hand account I dont feel any connection to the author. I started reading My War by Colby Buzzell which is written in a completely different style but the reason I like it is that I feel a connection to the author and can picture myself in his shoes. Im not saying My War is the better book (depends on what your looking for) and I prefer the style of Joker One but some personal insights would have made this book much more enjoyable for me.

While this book is not super exciting, it does give a solid account of a marine platoon in Iraq at a time when some serious stuff was happening. The author does not try to deliver a message or grandiose explanation of why events occurred the way they did; he just tells it like it happened. It's also hard to say that there was a real "narrative arc" to the story--it's more like a still-life that paints a picture of how it was. The result is a work that feels a little like a memoir without sugar-coating and without the self-aggrandizement that often is found in such works. Although the review copy I received was a little unpolished, the whole result is an authentic-feeling picture of life with a deployed Marine platoon.

This is a wonderfully well-written first-person account of Donovan Campbell's almost 8 month tour of Ramadi, Iraq with the 40-man marine platoon called Joker One. It's obvious from the moment you start reading the book that Campbell has a great desire to bring to life the time he spent with Joker One's men, and to honor each of them to the best of his ability. He succeeds.

As I read this book it was obvious that he was the best leader and Marine he could be for his troops, and that they in turn were there best they could be for him. He formed bonds with them under fire, that he recounts with honesty and humility. He remembers the dead; both how they died and how they lived, honoring their sacrifice, but also their friendship and courage.

Ultimately Campbell brings it all back to 1 Corinthians 13, without saying as much.

In Joker One there was faith...in each other and the corp. There was hope... that their presence would make a difference and that they'd all come out of it OK. And there was love...for each other and the greater good. In action, by deeds they performed without thinking about it each day, these men showed their love for one another.

This book does a magnificent job of illuminating the sacrifices made by the men of Joker One in the name of war, but most of all it pays tribute to a faithful brotherhood of men who stood side-by-side and grew to love each other without reservation while getting the job done.

Well done Joker One!

Joker One is the story of one man's experience on a tour of duty in Iraq---beginning with preparation and training at home and in Kuwait.

I was a little concerned about getting through this book, as military writing is not my favorite. This one, however, held me throughout. This book provided me with what will undoubtedly be one of my favorite and most moving reading experiences.

Campbell tells his story with honesty, humor, and dignity. I'm (ALMOST) old enough to be his mother, and I found myself feeling very maternal toward this young man. Every time he questioned himself or worried about failure, I wanted to comfort him. He and his men performed their duties with remarkable courage and honor. And this book conveyed their experiences well. I feel proud and grateful for their service.

It was refreshing to read a book about Iraq that wasn't steeped in politics. Campbell "simply" told the raw tale of life on the ground in Ramadi. Having read it, I have a better idea of the hardship facing the fighting man than ever before. I've always had a healthy amount of respect and deep gratitude for the American military---those feelings are deeper and stronger in the aftermath of this story.

I often find with books like this that there is a compelling story that is written poorly. This book, however, tells a compelling story and is also written in a compelling fashion. Campbell has tremendous talent to convey deep emotion, humor, and create a "scene" that captivates.

I should disclose this was not only my first book on Iraq, but the first war memoir I have ever read. I'm not even exactly sure what made me pick it up or that I would make it through the first few chapters. As a housewife, I have as little in common with your typical marine as anyone. But this book is excellent, and surprisingly relatable. The consummately humble Campbell tells the story of his platoon, Joker One, from it's inception through deployment to Iraqi city of Ramadi for a nine month peace keeping mission. The reader is presented with a straightforward and honest account of war from the men who fought it.

Campbell writes with grace and humor telling us of the platoon's growing pains and mistakes as well as his short comings as a leader. He takes the time to walk the reader through military basics and the political setting of Ramadi making the story accessible without over politicizing or romanticizing his work. There is plenty of action, though nothing is gritty, and the book brims with poignant moments. I doubt it is possible to finish this book without renewed appreciation for the sacrifices our men make out of love for each other and our country. If you've ever wondered how service men keep their lives, faith and humanity--read this book.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It gives a great description of the daily lives of and the constant dangers facing our soldiers in Iraq. I, for one, have a much greater appreciation for their service and (many) sacrifices. To that end, I think everyone should read this book!