Customer Reviews

Murder in Baker Company: How Four American Soldiers Killed One of Their Own

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

 

 

Through impressive research, Cilla McCain unravels a complex story that goes well beyond the true-life murder mystery of one American soldier. She deftly draws the reader in as she uncovers disturbing truths surrounding the brutal murder of Army Specialist Richard Davis. From the first report of Richard being AWOL, through the ensuing investigation and murder trial, these elusive truths that had haunted Davis's father, prompting him to launch his own investigation into his son's murder, are fully discovered by McCain and meticulously revealed. We learn the frustrations and struggles he faces in this determined life's mission are shared by a growing number of families of American soldiers who have died in other troubling noncombat situations.
Entwined in this many-faceted story is a disquieting awareness of serious problems faced by today's military, from recruitment through care provided our battle-scarred young heroes. McCain presents her discoveries with skillfulness and compassion and without indictment. This thought-provoking story touched my heart and is highly recommended.
Murder in Baker Company: How Four American Soldiers Killed One of Their Own

First, Lannie Davis is my brother-in-law. When Lannie was at his home here in Missouri, he was only two miles away and my wife (his sister) and I spent many hours with him getting updated on the investigation of Richard's murder and all the new information gathered and how the process was going. This with all the additional information received from the various media sources, we thought we were well informed. HOWEVER, as my wife puts it "It is like he (Lannie) is speaking to us". There are a lot of things mentioned in the book that we were never told and information that not only helped fill in all the blanks, but gives us a new view or picture from several different angles. Not only is the book well written, but it gets out the message loud and clear. The GOVERNMENT and MILITARY from the lowest levels to Washington, DC are still trying to sweep all their DIRT under a rug that can't hide the stink any more. Lannie wanted to let the world know, as he has shown, one person can make a small difference, but with the help of a few others, a BIG difference can be made for the good of all. We only hope each of you will carry this message on and use it as a guide to help you is your situation.

This book is a must read for anyone who truly wants to help our soldiers and their families during times of tragedy. So many of our soldiers are making it home from war only to be murdered here at home. That is wrong on every level. The investigation surrounding the murder of Specialist Davis was an insult to everyone who wears a uniform. The civilian authorities helped the military to hide the fact that this murder was a long time in the making and nobody did anything to stop it. They hid PTSD, they hid the drug use, they hid the problems with Lariam. They knowingly allowed one of the soldiers involved, who had dangerous mental problems to be deployed and then when he told them he was a danger to himself and his fellow soldiers, they still did nothing. And this is just the beginning!! Murder In Baker Company also proves that this is not an isolated case. That is something that we should all be terrified of!!!Write to your elected officials, send them a copy of this book and demand they takes steps to get these issues under control!!

Murder in Baker Company: How Four American Soldiers Killed One of Their Own unveils the darkest side of the American Justice System in heartbreaking detail. You begin to get the slightest glimpse of the bigger true picture of our Justice System as you're drawn into the depths of the darkness yourself, and slowly, the reality comes over you that you really are a part of it all just by being an American citizen. Have you served on a Jury? Have you been a Witness for the Defense? The Prosecution? Ever served in the United States Military? This is a must read.

Cilla McCain has clearly outlined the murder of Richard Davis by fellow service members and has explained the convoluted process of trying to get justice. This story is complicated because there was not only obfuscation by the Military -- Civilian authorities also added their own twist. The legal deal making and the CID's sloppy investigation sounds all too familiar to me and to hundreds of other family members of soldiers killed in non-combat deaths involving other service members.

Richard's parents' grief and pain comes through Cilla's words. She has distilled the complicated story in a readable book.

For those of you who are unaware of the immensity of the problem of non-combat death, I hope you'll visit our website: [...] and read some of the stories there. This is just the proverbial "tip of the iceberg." We family members are finding one another and exposing the problem to the public. We hope it will make a positive difference, just as "Murder in Baker Company" is sure to do.

Let's reclaim our country's honor by insisting that investigations be properly done and that the perpetrators pay for their deeds. Cilla McCain has done a great service by writing this book.

Cillia McCain has produced a good book of a sad story. Murder in Baker Company is the story of how a company of soldiers made it through the invasion of Iraq, but upon its return in mid-2003, the demons that were just at the surface resulted in the murder of one of those soldiers by four members of his company. The sorry had already been told by Rolling Stone Magazine as well as in the movie "In the Valley of Elah." McCain was able to develop rapport with the victim's father, and he was able to tell the story up through the time of the trial. However, her writing is sometimes full of hyperbole.

The story McCain tells is worth knowing. It is the extreme demonstration of many of the problems the post-9/11 army has had in recruiting; recruits with gang ties, violent tendencies, unable to work with others, a past history of violence. This short read is worth the time.

The cover photo covers the eyes, but not the youth. What to expect of something titled 'Murder in Baker Company: How Four American Soldiers Killed One of Their Own?

It appears that the book has been written by someone just deeply disturbed by facts that came out early in the case. Mark Boal's article, which served to inform his screenplay for 'In the Valley of Elah', can still be read on the Playboy website. It's brevity is helpful; it focuses on the pertinent realities.

There is such a thing as a reliable narrator, and an unreliable one. We see things from where we stand, broadly speaking. In order to have sources, we have to respect sensitivities.

More importantly, as related here, 'he who squeals deals'. The trial went the way it did because money is risked on circumstantial cases; states evidence witnesses tie things up nicely.

But the country is relieved that there are people willing to kill for the country, at this particular moment of history under the care of George Bush. Conscription is another story.

These guys had the training, the weapons, the pills and drinks at the strip clubs.

You get the feeling from reading this that there is a better way to conduct war, although I don't see anything in here that would bring us closer to it.

The victim here is one of the many sons of military families that comprise our armed forces; it could as easily been one of the many who see little future for themselves outside of honorable military service.

As in so many aspects of life today we find ourselves involved with pigs in pokes.

The roots of society are families.

Cherish your children.