I first heard of this book through a review written by the Army Times. I had been home from Iraq for one year and had found many setbacks. I was astounded at the experiences each soldier had. I saw so many similarities between their experiences and my own. I wish I had read this book when I first returned.

This book gave a lot of insight into the personal aspects of our military personnel. The emotional requirements of serving in Iraq are huge. Many of our soldiers are scarred for life. Going to war is the end of their lives as they know them. The book gave me even more reason to admire and respect our brave soldiers.

I decided to read this book after hearing the author's interview on NPR. I am glad I decided to read this book as my first introduction to military non-ficiton. The book woke me up to certain issues that I was not aware of and now appericate the wealth of knowledge this book has given me. I know deeply appericate all the hard work and years citizens-soliders have given their country. I think I have become a better citizen, because I read this book.

It reads like a novel, but it's actually a deeply researched and empathetic account of the challenges faced by some real people serving in Iraq, and their readjustment to civilian life upon their return. Very readable; quite moving.

Disclosure: I'm personally acquainted with the author.

This book provides fascinating insight into today's Citizen Soldiers...and the motivations/experiences of a handful of National Guard men/women who chose to serve, even while knowing that they would likely be shipped overseas in war-time, their lives disrupted and forever changed.
I got the book after hearing the author describe what happens to the various realife "characters" on Diane Rehm 's NPR show whose stories were as interesting as fiction. Hearing him mention that one of the guards"men" was from a chapter of my sorority (KD) at William & Mary I was curios to learn more about this girl who could've been me--if only I'd had her courage, drive, intelligence, patriotism, seriousness when I was her age. But of course, like the other 99 percent of American's who don't serve, I DO NOT!! I wanted to learn more about how/why she had to leave mid-semester and how she tried to finish her classes via independent study from Iraq, w/ her computer shutting down once when they were under attack and losing her homework in a chapter entitled "the terrorists ate my homework"... hearing him describe the vast difference between her college life and Nat Guard training weekend stints (which instead of sharing this interesting part of her life, she inexplicably kept secret from most classmates/sorority sisters) --and about her experiences after "winning" a coveted spot as a gunner on a blackhawk helicopter ... the line one of her sorority sisters "but I thought only poor people had to go to war" was so sad and clueless yet personified what I think is wrong with -- the chicken hawk cliches --old white men in washington sending other people's kids to die in war overseas ...
But I remember my own cluelessness about politics and world affairs when I was too busy studying and having fun in college, It was interesting how many of his characters questioned the war, yet answered the call anyway and came to resent the anti-war rhetoric, even as they also questioned the war.
It's an important book with interesting profiles, I'm surprised it only has 11 reviews. Unfortunately, Iraq fatigue had set in by the time it was published. But the story goes on, with drawdown in Iraq, but buildup in Afghanistan it will be sadly interesting to see if they will still keep going back to the National Guard "well" with extended tours ... no good deed goes unpunished, voluteer and you're "rewarded" with extensions...never mind PTS, broken relationships, etc etc

Note to Publisher/Davenport: If it comes out in paperback, it should include PHOTOS! It educates so well on an important topic, because it reads like good fiction in tradition of Alex Hailey (Wheels, Moneychangers, etc)...but since these are REAL people, readers should get to see their photos!

An eye opening look into the true existence of the National Guard, re-defined my perceptions of the Guard and the citizen-soldiers that serve.
A must-read for anyone considering service.

This was an excellent book, taking on a topic few have given consideration to for the "war". We all need a dose of reality now and then, and this one delivers it with certainty and assurance.

PB

The author who was embedded in the unit provides an insight like no other war author. The individualized stories brings home the personal effects that war has on familys. Definistely would reccomend.

The focus is not on combat and war, but rather a rare insight into the sacrifices of National Guard citizen soldiers. This informative, well-researched book follows the lives of 5 individuals and their families just before, during, and after their mobilization to active military service in Iraq. Although the book does describe some combat-related action and the human tragedy of war, the focus is on individual personalities and differing backgrounds of the soldiers including their subsequent readjustments after being released from active duty. This easy-reading book walks the reader through some of the complexities of the military including how mobilization, the Army bureaucracy, and combat affected the soldiers, their families, and their friends.

The general public should read this enjoyable book for an understanding of how individual citizen-soldiers and their families sacrifice in answering the call to duty in a story that touches the heart. In the case of one citizen-soldier, Ray Johnson, this was his second war for the 58 year-old Vietnam veteran - that is real patriotism!

To the extent that one can "enjoy" a book about something as tragic as war, I definitely did enjoy reading this book. I've read about a dozen books about our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and think this is the first one to really tell the story of the impact that being called up has on the lives of our soldiers. The quote retold in here about how "our military went to war while America went to the mall" struck a chord with me. I really haven't had to sacrifice a single thing since 9/11. Taking the time to read about the people who have is the very least I can do. Davenport tells these stories well. The book is very well-written and should be required reading for everyone else who benefits from the sacrifices our soldiers make.

Whether you support the war or not, whether you liked Bush or voted for Obama or McCain, this is a book you simply must read.
You won't find much action, or any gorey scenes (with one possible exception) but what you will gain is an understanding of what kinds of sacrifices our military personnel go through, not just in service overseas, but also here at home. You might be surprised at how they are treated and "rewarded" by the country they volunteered to serve.
This book also chronocles what their families must go through, as they sit at home dreading every news report of a soldier missing, wounded or killed overseas, and worried that every knock on the door or phone call could be devestating news.
However, this does have some bright moments as well. A military wife who learns her own brand of courage and strength, a civilian who shows understanding and compassion for the soldier he begins dating after she returns home, and the comaraderie the soldiers depend on to get through the worst of times.
If you've never served in a warzone, or if you have a loved one who did, you owe it to them and yourself to read this book. You'll be grateful you did.

This book chronicles 6 people's experiences with and in the Iraq war; not set in Iraq but rather on the home front. Most people don't even think about what soldiers have to go through once they get home from war but members of the National Guard are meant to just step right back into their lives and this is a fascinating look at how challenging that transition can be.

I developed a different understanding of what this war means and truly appreciating the sacrifice these vets make by heading off to war. It's a timely story and one that should be told. I hope to find out more about these people--I feel so invested in them already.

This book will make you tear up but also make you laugh. Highly recommended.

Absolutely wonderful book. Bought it at the recommendation of a friend. Look forward to going to a book signing in June to meet the author.

Davenport does a stellar job of accurately capturing the voices of these soldiers and their struggles of coming home after being away for so long.
Their stories are moving and gut-wrenching so be prepared to get misty eyed. Regardless of political point of view, it is hard to ignore the difficulty they have readjusting to civilian life and the messy aftermath that is the Veterans Assistance program.
I would recommend this book to anyone. Particularly if you happen to know one of the 1% of the population who volunteered to be a citizen soldier.
Davenport captures their voices and personalities with grace and you will feel as if you know these soldiers and their loved ones once finished.
These soldiers have been heard and now that their stories are being told this book can aid in having conversations about PSTD and reintegration into a society that sometimes seems to forget that there are fathers, sons, sisters and daughters that are being asked to give years of their lives away from loved ones.

Have your Kleenex ready when you read these stories of five National Guard soliders called to fight in Iraq. Whether you support the war or not is irrelevant, this book is about real people, their feelings and struggles. Davenport personalizes the soldiers in a way that they are pushed out of anonymity and into your heart.

A great first book!