I heard the author being interviewed and was interested as a retired reservist. Great story. I could relate to problems with 'old guard'. I was in NY on 9/11 and had that tie. My best to the 69th.

Hu Rah account of a rag-tag group of guys who were first on the scene after the 911 attacks and followed the war to Iraq with a personal score to settle with the radicals who murdered thier freinds and neighbors. A good read. My only complaint - I wanted to hear more about the author himself.

This is a must read book for all Americans: civilians, regulars, Congressmen, fellow reserve component Soldiers, etc. It's also a must read for the enemy, too, as you must understand the true mettle of the American fighting man when aroused or face the consequences. As a Reserve Component Infantry Soldier (both Guard and Reserve) who was also called up to do a Homeland Security mission (01-02), a tour in Bosnia (02-03), and then one in Iraq (05-06), the experiences and opinions shared in this book are shared. I said, "A-men!" or "Ha!" or "I can't believe how similar..." a lot...and loved the author's penmanship.

I especially liked the comments about military bureaucrats--the antithesis of the WARRIORS we say we treasure. I was also drawn to the book because of all the connections. e.g., I met BG Basilica, the 69th's brigade commander at the War College in 07, I also went through a non-sensicle train-up in the states, went through Camp Buering (in August!) like the 69th IN, went through "Campus Victory" for a couple days, was posted in Taji for a week before going to Fallujah as an Iraqi Army advisor in 2005-06, and basically compared my experiences with theirs. I also loved how the book is a TRUE LEADERSHIP MANUAL.

Only one point of order: the author claims that we got BS training in the states (and we did) because of what happened to PFC Jessica Lynch and her company of loggies. I agree with that point but the author states that she and her company were Reservists. They were not, amigo, but Regulars(small detail to correct the historical record).

The modern-day 1-69th US Infantry (TF Wolfhound), which literally went from the pit to the palace, reminded me a lot of Wheat's Tigers, the infamous 1st Louisiana Special Battalion of 1861-62. In fact, they are the absolute incarnation of the original Tigers.The First Louisiana Special Battalion: Wheat's Tigers in the Civil War

If the author of this book is reading this, please contact me at gary.schrecengost on my army.mil account and give me an address so I can give you all a copy of my book on Wheat's Tigers (see it on Amazon), as you fellows embody the true spirit of the American Citizen Soldier. Huzzah and a TIGER and pass the beer and the ammo and NEVER FORGET THOSE WHO GAVE THIER LIVES. The next time I'm at Gettysburg, I'll be sure to leave a card of memorandum for my brothers from the 69th at their monument along the Wheatfield. Semper Paratus, and This, We'll Defend: To the Death.

This book left me speechless. I am a US Army Infantry officer and have read about 150 military books. Never have I read anything quite like this. With regard to the guy who gave it one star, I suspect he might be a racist who wasn't the least bit happy to read a book about a bunch of poor immigrant kids serving their newly-adopted homeland and exceling. (Those people do exist.)

The writing and the events depicted in the book were both quite depressing. The author was obviously kissing up to Ltc. Slack who IMHO was/is a brick shy of a load. I got very little that was interesting from this book and lots that disgusted me. Of the hundreds of military history that I have read, I rank this as the worst.

Captain Flynn tells the story of the National Guardsmen who served in the 69th Infantry in the aftermath of the 911 attacks in New York and in service in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He does not romanticize the experience or try to cover up short comings of this fabled unit but tells the story with clarity and honesty and with the voice of one whose own boots were on the ground. This book is a must read for anybody interest in the history of this unit or in the conduct of the war in Iraq. Thank you Captain Flynn

This is a must read book for every family member who had a member serving with the 69th in Iraq. Thank you Sean Michael Flynn for putting many unknowns into perspective. Now we know why we had little feedback from our officer son during Sept 2004 to Sept 2005.

So it drags a little in spots....but very interesting and what an awesome group of men! Plus it helps that my brother is in the book!

This is an easy read about a difficult subject. Didn't want to put it down from beginning to end. Interesting story for guys, and I know the girls will like it, too. Share it with your friends!

Excellent book on a Famous Unit. The 69th's struggle from a Down & Out Unit pre 9-11 to Successful Combat Soldiers in Iraq makes for a good read. The Central Characters Journey from Ground Zero to Iraq is an Odyssey the reader will remember.

Author pulls no punches about Infantry Combat in Baghdad & Taji