Customer Reviews

New Dawn: The Battles for Fallujah

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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.

From the fighting general's view to the fighting lance corporal's view at the absolute tip of the spear, Rich Lowry has sewn together a masterful story as he takes the reader block by bloody block, almost room by room, to the costly victory secured by American (mostly Marines but the army is covered in glory as well) warriors in the battle for Fallujah. Lowry's exhaustive cast of participants really does range from the top of the command chain down to individual infantrymen and navy corpsmen, with numerous players at every level to broaden the view and feel, whose 21st century tenacity, courage and sense of honor are in keeping with what their fathers and grandfathers demonstrated at places like Khe Sanh and Hue City, the Chosin Reservoir, Tarawa and Iwo Jima.
"New Dawn" is a tough read. It is replete with illustration after illustration of the prices paid by American forces in rooting out an equally determined and zealous enemy in the hell of urban combat. While not a happy story, the too numerous to count examples of the heroism and basic goodness of the modern American fighting man will gladden the reader's heart. That Lowry secured endorsements from senior generals and junior troops for this magnificent work speaks volumes.
The reader cannot finish "New Dawn" without refreshing his or her sense of gratitude and confidence that the American fighting man of today, on any battlefield, is without equal. A real tribute to American valor.

I enjoyed this book. While it can be a little dry and difficult the follow at times without a map in front of you, it is a story of real people doing heroic things. The battle strategy for Fallujah is thoroughly documented. As this battle falls deeper and deeper into history this book will become more and more important. One this is clear, the Marines of today are no less than the Old Breed Marines of Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Belleau Wood. The only difference is the technology, not the soul. PS: The Army was involved as well and did a fine job... (Didn't want to leave you doggies out)

New Dawn is one of the most poignant, evocative, and brilliantly written books I have ever read. Richard Lowry's credibility is incontestable, and his account of the battles for Fallujah is incredibly moving, and inspiring. I recommend this book to all!

I loved this book. I stopped just short of re-enlisting. I was able to gain a birds-eye view of both the planning and operational phases of this battle and understand the dynamic behind the many important decisions that had to be made in various levels of the chain of command. This book shares with everyone the courage and heroics of all service members who were involved that has defined our military since the birth of this country and ensures that the actions of those who sacrificed everything in the city of Fallujah will never be forgotten.

I thought for the most part that this was a well researched and well written battle history. It was not always easy to follow but the authour did better than most. A couple of more detailed maps perhaps with all the phase lines listed would have been a good add on but I do applaud the authour for his inclusion of numerous maps. I would have given it five stars except I thought it did have some limitations.
First it is the battle from only the US perspective, whilst I am well aware that getting to interview any of the insurgent combatants would have been difficult and perhaps given the short time since the battle and the fact conflict is still in progress impossible but none the less without some perspective from the opposition it is a incomplete in my view. Perhaps a revision in a few years time will complete it. Some perspective from the allied Iraqi forces would also help complete it. Second I did find in parts of the book a little bit of "flag waving" (I am non US) and a some parts the writing a little bit glib. Statements with the effect of "mowed them down" which are given as fact yet with little supporting evidence as to the real result of the fire fight detract from what I think is good historical writing. Also there is very little if any mention of civilian casualties despite there obviously being some civilians remaining in the city.
Despite the above I do highly recommend this book.

A scholar and brilliant writer, Richard Lowry has taken military history and made it personal. The unforgettable stories told in New Dawn touch the hearts as well as the minds that try to grasp the realities of violence and valor in the timeless struggle of human evolution. In Lowry's "New Dawn", the battles fought for Fallujah become the battles Americans are willing to fight on behalf of America's commitment to freedom for all. Lowry makes it real and gets it right.

New Dawn: The Battles for Fallujah follows the battles that represented a months-long combat operation in 2004. It comes from a researcher who spent years studying the new battle history of Fallujah, using archival research plus the personal memoirs of nearly 200 soldiers who participated in the battles. The result is a powerful narrative history essential for any studying the Iraq conflict.