New Dawn: The Battles for Fallujah [Hardcover]

Richard Lowry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 2010

Fallujah. Few names conjure up as many images of blood, sacrifice, and valor as does this ancient city in Al Anbar province forty miles west of Baghdad. This sprawling concrete jungle was the scene of two major U.S. combat operations in 2004. The first was Operation Vigilant Resolve, an aborted effort that April by U.S. Marines intent on punishing the city's insurgents. The second, Operation Phantom Fury, was launched seven months later. Richard Lowry's 'New Dawn: The Battles for Fallujah' is the first comprehensive history of this fighting.

Also known as the Second Battle for Fallujah, Operation Phantom Fury was a protracted house-to-house and street-to-street combat that began on November 7 and continued unabated for seven bloody and exhausting weeks. It was the largest fight of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the heaviest urban combat since the Battle of Hue City, Vietnam in 1968. Death and redemption were found everywhere, from narrow streets to courtyards, kitchens, bedrooms, and rooftops. By the time the fighting ended, more than 1,400 insurgents were dead, compared to ninety-five Americans (and another 1,000 wounded).

Lowry (Marines in the Garden of Eden) spent years researching and writing his new campaign history. In addition to archival research, New Dawn is based upon the personal recollections of nearly 200 soldiers and Marines who participated in the battles for Fallujah, from the commanding generals who planned the operations to the privates who kicked in the doors. The result is a gripping, page-turning narrative of individual sacrifice and valor that also documents the battles for future military historians.

The struggle against a determined enemy at the crossroads of civilization is the story of American kids who grew up down the block from you only to fly halfway around the world to fight in the largest battle of the war. 'New Dawn' is about their courage, their sacrifice, and their commitment to freedom. And it is a story you will never forget.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In New Dawn, Richard Lowry presents not just a brilliant account of the battle for Fallujah, but also a useful overview of the history, economics, and culture of the region. Lowry shows what's great about the US military: skilled and powerful but also humanitarian and ultimately peace-seeking. Lowry's book is a must-read for anyone interested in how we won in Iraq." --Newt Gingrich, bestselling author and former Speaker of the House of Representatives

New Dawn is an historically accurate and riveting account of the heroic struggle for Fallujah. Lowry has captured our warriors courage, determination, and sacrifice. A must-read to understand the War on Terror. --Colonel Mike Shupp, USMC (ret.)

Today s readers and tomorrow s historians will be most thankful that Richard devoted years of his life to ensure New Dawn not only accurately documents these battles, but also rightfully gives the credit to those young Americans whose sacrifices made success possible. --Lieutenant General Thomas Metz, US Army (ret.)

About the Author

About the Author: Richard S. Lowry is an internationally recognized military historian, public speaker, and author. He is a Vietnam-era veteran of the United States Submarine Service, husband, father of three sons, and longtime resident of Orlando, Florida. He has published The Gulf War Chronicles (iUniverse, 2003 and iUniverse Star, 2008), Marines in the Garden of Eden (Berkley Caliber, 2006 and 2007), and US Marine in Iraq: Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003 (Osprey, 2006). Additionally, he contributed to Small Unit Actions (United States Marine Corps History Division, 2008) and was commissioned by the History Division to write a battle study of Task Force Tarawa's involvement in the 2003 invasion. He has been published in The Weekly Standard, Armchair General, Military Magazine, and The Marine Corps Gazette. In 2008, Richard was the military consultant for David C. Taylor's award-winning documentary film, "Perfect Valor." The majority of the stories in "Perfect Valor" are pulled from the pages of New Dawn.

In 2006, Marines in the Garden of Eden won the Silver Medal for history from the Military Writers Society of America. The Gulf War Chronicles also received recognition from MWSA in 2006 and has achieved Editor's Choice, Reader's Choice, and STAR distinction from iUniverse. "Perfect Valor" earned the Best Feature Documentary Award at the 2009 GI Film Festival.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Savas Beatie (May 19, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932714774
• ISBN-13: 978-1932714777
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #96,578 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #93 in Books > History > Military > Iraq War

More About the Author

Twenty-First Century Historian
Modern-Day Storyteller

Richard S. Lowry is an internationally recognized military historian and author. His latest book, New Dawn, the battles for Fallujah (Savas Beatie LLC, 2010), has been nominated for the 2011 Pulitzer Prize in History and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation's coveted Wallace M. Greene, Jr. award. Richard has previously published the award winning Marines in the Garden of Eden (Berkley Caliber, 2006), The Gulf War Chronicles (iUniverse, 2003 and iUniverse Star, 2008), and US Marine in Iraq: Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003 (Osprey, 2006). Additionally, he contributed to Small Unit Actions (United States Marine Corps History Division, 2008).

He has been published in Armchair General, Military Magazine, Soldier of Fortune and The Marine Corps Gazette. Richard was the military consultant to David C. Taylor for the award-winning documentary film, "Perfect Valor." Richard frequently contributes to several internet news and blog sites i.e., www.op-for.com, www.theweeklystandard.com, and www.blackfive.com and now has his own site; http://blog.richardslowry.com. He also has a continuing military news column at http://www.examiner.com/x-30068-Orlando-Military-Headlines-Examiner.

Richard has spoken to many community organizations to include the Military Officers Association, the Daughters of the American Revolution, as well as the Florida Retired Chief Petty Officers Association, Marine Corps Association, Marine Corps League, Navy League, the Association of the US Army, the Military Officers Association, Rotary and Kiwanis. He has spoken on many different subjects relating to the current war in Iraq and Operation Desert Storm.

Richard has appeared on Book TV and Veterans Chronicles and is regularly featured on the Andrea Shea King internet radio program. He is a military contributor to WFLA news radio in Orlando and has appeared on many regional television and radio programs.

Richard is an award winning author. In 2006, Marines in the Garden of Eden won the Silver Medal for history and in 2010, New Dawn won the Gold Medal for history from the Military Writers Society of America. The Gulf War Chronicles also received recognition from MWSA in 2006 and has achieved Editor's Choice, Reader's Choice and STAR distinctions from iUniverse. In 2009, "Perfect Valor" received the best feature documentary award at the GI Film Festival.

Richard has established himself as an expert on the war in Afghanistan and Iraq with a substantial radio, television and internet following. He is a distinguished historian, captivating writer and engaging public speaker.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Book, May 11, 2010

By 

Juan Rubio - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New Dawn: The Battles for Fallujah (Hardcover)

I just received my first copy of New Dawn, The Battles for Fallujah just two days ago. And let me tell you, I was unable to set it down. In two days, i finished the book and starting to read a second time. Just in case i may have miss something. This book is by far a must read. Richard S. Lowry out done himself once again. A perfect storyteller. I highly recommand this book. Outstanding work, Richard.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Real Deal -- An Amazing Book about Amazing Men!, June 1, 2010

By 

Joyce Faulkner (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Dawn: The Battles for Fallujah (Hardcover)

New Dawn: The Battles for Fallujah is award-winning author Richard Lowry's Opus Magnus. Well-documented, mapped, footnoted, and indexed to enhance comprehension of military terminology, this important piece of American history is as moving as a historical novel and as scholarly as a text book. It's a small piece that packs an enormous wallop.

Unlike other historians who focus solely on battle strategies and tactics, Lowry also introduces the reader to the participants--from the Generals to the Privates--by name. As a result, I shuddered as the Blackwater Contractors were murdered and mutilated in Fallujah - because this time, they weren't strangers but four men with names - Westley Batalona, Jerry Zovko, Scott Helvenston, and Michael Teague. I felt like I was with Gunny Popaditch as he charged into the city to clear out the insurgents - and I was distressed as any friend would be when he was wounded. Throughout the battle, I held my breath and prayed for the safety of real people with mothers and fathers and wives and children - men like Juan Rubio, Benny Alicea, Matthew Smith, and Jason Arellano.

For American tax payers who have come to expect the complications associated with inter-service rivalries, this book highlights the cooperative spirit between the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines that made this mission successful. Lowry allows the reader to peek behind the scenes as the Generals define their battle plans, assessing resources and determining who will do what. Then, as the insurgents react, we see Command reassessing and making tactical adjustments. We see the Army offering up not just the resources that were requested, but the resources that were available. We see Navy Corpsman risking their lives to bring aid to the wounded and dying. We watch as the Air Force C130s - Basher and Slasher -rain down death on the enemy--and we gasp at the bravery of young men willing to confront fanatics who came to Fallujah specifically to kill Americans.

Battle is grim under the best of circumstances - and this was a long, sweaty journey into horror. However, there are moments that make us laugh - like the time when two officers were talking during a lull in the action. One says to the other, "Let's play the Marine Hymn." They radio back to the Army Psyops group who queues up the tune and broadcasts it. In response to the taunt, the enemy pops up from their hidden positions firing wildly and the Marines pick them off, one by one. As silence returns, one officer says, "That turned out pretty good. Let's play it again!"

New Dawn showcases the close relationships our troops form with each other--so close that they literally risk life and limb to keep other Marines or Soldiers safe. How proud their Mamas must be - and terrified for them at the same time. On the flip side of that intensity, we can intuit that these young men will grieve for friends who couldn't be saved for the rest of their lives.

Lowry's book concentrates on what happened. He wisely leaves the why to be argued in other venues. He simply tells the world about Richard Natonski and Tom Metz and John Sattler and Pat Malay and Mike Shupp and Willy Buhl and Craig Tucker and Gary Patton and many others who guided our forces through this tough and frustrating assault. He shows us how men like Jeff Lee, Jason Clairday, Brad Kasal, and Jeremiah Workman came to be recognized for their heroism--and he reminds us about Ed Iwan, Antoine Smith, Steve Faulkenburg, Chris Adlesperger, and the others who didn't make it back alive.

I've been carrying this book around and showing it to everyone I meet. I tell them that it's the real deal. I don't tell them that this story makes me cry sometimes when it's dark and I'm all alone.

Joyce Faulkner, Author of "In the Shadow of Suribachi," and Co-author of "Sunchon Tunnel Massacre Survivors"
President of Military Writers Society of America

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book!!!, May 25, 2010

By 

E. Navarro (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New Dawn: The Battles for Fallujah (Hardcover)

Thanks to Mr. Lowry for writing a book that tells our stories and honors our brothers who lost their lives in Fallujah. If anyone is interested in how we won in Fallujah then this book is a must read.