Customer Reviews

What Was Asked of Us: An Oral History of the Iraq War by the Soldiers Who Fought It

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The book reveals once more the power of stories. No matter how many hours of cable news, talking heads, and political speeches you may have seen, or commentaries you may have read, when it comes down to it, it's the men and women who were there who can tell us the most. Trish has done an outstanding job compiling one of the first oral histories of the Iraq War. I can not overstate the importance of this book. In reading it, no American can take another breath without feeling a debt of gratitude and a sense of responsibility for what we have asked (and continue to ask) of today's military in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In "What was Asked of Us," Trish Wood has captured the true nature of war. The challenges of combat requires a team effort, but each individual's experience is very personal. The personal experiences of the 29 soldiers and Marines who share their stories with Trish takes her readers onto the battlefield and into the fight. It is "a must read" for those who have been there and for those who have not.

As a Veteran I felt obligated to see what our troops were experiencing in Iraq. Every chapter was the experience of a survivor, whether they came out of it intact or in pieces, who told about their buddies who didn't make it. These are the men and women who went to war believing in the weapons of mass destruction, but quickly discovered there weren't any. How on their first tour in the sand they were liked by the Iraqis, but by the time their second tour rolled around they were hated. How promises were made by others that the troops couldn't keep, which disappointed the Iraqi people even more. There was the little girl's shoe. Unfortunately her foot was still in it and the rest of her was nowhere to be seen after the explosion. A common thread that ran through most of the chapters was a request for honesty as to why they were actually sent. Some said it was all over oil, but they just want honesty from the United States government. There was little or no political correctness and I believe the Chaplain was the only one who didn't curse. I've already loaned out my copy. It should be on the best seller lists. For those who believe placing a stupid yellow ribbon on their SUV is sufficient sacrifice, GUESS AGAIN!

It is the story of the war in Iraq, out of the mouths of the people who have been there fighting it. It has no political agenda, just the words of soldiers and marines who have done one or more tours of duty there. After reading it, I wondered even more "why are we there?"

It is sometimes gruesome, often sad, but it is, more than anything, a real look at what's happening over there. Most of the people interviewed have no illusions - only one actually believes there was a connection between Saddam Hussein and 9/11, although I believe 30 or more were interviewed.

It is an interesting, albeit upsetting read - one can't help but wonder how these soldiers, many of them kids, really, are going to recover mentally from what they have had to do in Iraq, just to stay alive. It is also a story of "brothers" wanting to fight for their "brothers". A few recognized the fact that there was going to be a civil war no matter what they did, and felt that our presence there was futile. They are professional military, and they are doing their jobs, but feel the people in Washington have no idea what is going on on the ground there, and pay no attention to what is really needed.

My heart breaks for the men interviewed, as well as for their fallen comrades, and the innocent Iraqi's that died. The book doesn't leave you with much hope for the war itself, but it does tell you a lot about the young men and women who are fighting it, and fighting to keep their humanity, too.

It is a book everyone should read, particularly those who support the war, in my opinion. Although it is difficult to read at times, at least for people like me, who don't have particularly strong stomachs, it is also necessary - we are the ones who allowed them to be sent there. I think it is important that we know exactly what we sent them into.

As a Marine, i am constantly asked what i think of the Iraq war and what my friends who are there now think. I never truly answer that question.

Anyone who has never been in war should read this book before making an opinion on what is happening in Iraq. Family members of our warriors who are going there, are there, or have been there, should read this book to gain an understanding of what their loved ones are suffering.

To fellow warriors who have been there, read this book, but handle with extreme care.

Semper Fi

The author did a great job depicting the Marines and soldiers stories! It was a very interesting book. I couldn't put it down. My husband is actually in the book. So of course I had to read it! But I was amazed and intrigued by the other stories as well. A definate MUST READ.

The soldiers in this book show us what real "troop support" looks like. It's what they give each other: a willingness to share in the experience of the unimaginable. As hard as it is to sit through the telling of these stories, you feel a sense of obligation to do so. To listen with some hope of understanding. To put aside your politics for the sake of the real person in front of you. This book is a practice workout for the kind of support your soldier will need when s/he comes home. And a searing, multisensory image that you can't help but hold in your thoughts and prayers while they are away.

What happened in Iraq? What's happening now? Is it as bad as some say? Could things have turned out different? These questions are being asked on a daily basis, and it seems only those who don't truly know are the ones giving the answers. It would be nice to hear from someone who's been there, someone who experienced it first-hand. That's exactly what this book brings to the table.

This is not political, so don't expect spin or slant. The politics stops on page one. That in itself is refreshing. Rarely is there any discussion of Iraq without politics quickly becoming involved and, frankly, I've had enough of it. This is different. This is the war from the soldier's point of view. In short, this is Iraq as it really happened.

We see it every time some bonehead reporter sticks a microphone in the dirty, grease-ridden face of a soldier in Iraq and asks that soldier if he thinks the war is right. For a brief second, the soldier has a certain look on his face. It's frustration. It's pity. It's "you-don't-know-what-you're-talking-about" all rolled into one. It's the look of a soldier who knows his job, and does what's asked of him. The "right" and "wrong" can be left up to the politicians. The soldiers don't discuss that until the job is done. Many of those soldiers do just that in this book. And like Wood says, America has an obligation to hear what they've had to say. Until now, we've only heard from the politicians, and it's evident to me that they have no clue what's going on over there. So it's about time we hear from those who do know, and this book fits that mold perfectly.

In this book, you'll get first hand descriptions of the war. You'll hear about the first days of the invasion and the first major battle within the city of Nazariya. You'll hear about the first car bomb attack and the fall of Baghdad. You'll hear about the assault on Fallujah and Najaf, and the heavy resistance our troops met in those cities. You'll hear how the attitudes of the Iraqis changed over time, from one of greeting us jubilantly to despising us for intruding. All of these are truly amazing descriptions that will stir emotion in every reader.

As for the politics, if you want to know what went wrong, and what happened to change the course of the war against us, you'll know by page sixty. In a word, it made me nauseated. Without giving away too much, I'll say that few battles are won by Generals, but they can easily be lost by them. It seems the upper military and Pentagon leadership disappointed our troops in a tremendous way. If nothing else, I'm thankful that this book helped me realize that.

And what about the "anti-war" crowd? How do they affect the troops? Well, it seems the effect is profound. As one soldier says, "people are supportive of the troops as long as it doesn't take any sacrifice from them." How true. It seems that, once again, this nation has forgotten what it means to truly support their soldiers and, once again, we've betrayed them Vietnam-like in so many ways -top to bottom.

My only criticism comes from what seems to be a repeat theme among the soldiers. It appears that many of them disagree with the war and see it as a lost cause. I don't have a problem with that because, again, they're the ones who experienced it. But is that the consensus among the troops? If not, then where is the other side? This could open the book to harsh criticism from supporters of the Iraq War who would call the book political propaganda, and it could potentially threaten the message found within. That would be a shame, because the book is great and highly recommended by this reader. At last, the troops have been given their chance to speak, and we all owe it to them to hear what they have to say whether or not we agree with it. My advice is to put politics aside for a moment and listen to their words.

Anyone with a "Support Our Troops" ribbon on their vehicle should read this book. It's neither anti-war nor pro-war, and while readers may well find their own opinions about the Iraq war unchallenged, it will surely deepen their understanding of what that war means for those who have been fighting it. Here in the words of about 35 soldiers, mostly men and mostly marines, are accounts of being under fire, taking casualties, witnessing bombings, dealing with loss, anxiety, and grief, while maintaining a perspective that allows them to continue from day to day - staying the course.

It is impossible not to be moved by some of these stories. In some soldiers the initial idealism remains tried but uncompromised. In others, there is anger and disillusionment. In still others there is the welcome intensity of fighting itself. Among even the ambivalent, there is often pride taken in jobs well done and difficult objectives achieved. A frequent theme in their stories is the varying ability to perceive the Iraqis as fellow human beings or as so utterly foreign as to be beyond empathy. The reader quickly learns that it is inappropriate to generalize about the fighting forces in Iraq. As one of them says, if you ask a hundred different soldiers why they are there, you'll get a hundred different answers.

What the book speaks to is the need for Americans - regardless of their feelings about the war itself - to understand the immense toll that it takes on the mental and emotional health of individual soldiers, and that many return in great need of healing. For a further understanding of post-traumatic stress syndrome among those who have served in the military during wartime, read the books of Jonathan Shay.

I know I am biased because my twin sons make up two of the chapters but that aside....this is a book everyone needs to read. It lets the men tell in their own words what they did and how they feel. No one can understand what our men and women are dealing with without reading their words. I encourage everyone to suggest this book. It is not an easy read, especially for this mom, but one that will stay with you long after it is read.