In Chasing Ghosts: Failures and Facades in Iraq: A Soldier's Perspective, Paul Rieckhoff writes a brilliant, no-kidding memoir of what it was really like to walk the streets of Baghdad from his first hand, under-the-helmet perspective. You don't have to like what he has to say but you can't ignore it--regardless of where you sit in the political spectrum. The embedded reportage of the two wars simply lacks the insider's view. Rieckhoff fills in the gaps.

There's no shortage of books on Iraq -- if you only read one make it Chasing Ghosts. This is a definitive account of the first year of the occupation written as only someone who has been there can write it, a book Americans need to read.

A champion of today's generation of warriors and Veterans, Rieckhoff has taken the fight to Washington, D.C. demanding accountability from the elected leadership through his non-profit Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). Support him. Support our veterans. And read this book.

Chris Palmisano
OIF Veteran, 2005

Paul really depicts what life is like for American troops that are on combat missions in Iraq. He brings fourth the fact that Iraq's problems will not be solved by American troops; the tactics currently used there of American troops showing up at Iraqi's homes unannounced will only breed future hatred; the opposition is growing because conditions have gotten worse for Iraqis since the invasion in terms of safety, curfews, electricity, food and water; the Iraqis that are currently detained and tortured in prisons is affecting future Iraqi's generations' views and perceptions of America, their policies, tactics and priorities. Paul also delves into his personal life and the dangers and mental/physical suffering that troops endure as a result of not knowing who the enemy is and what they are fighting for.

The first picture in the center of the book is a picture of Paul and Hillary Clinton. Gee, how many platoon leaders in the Florida Guard got to go get a White House photo with Hillary? This book is so biased and supports the claims of many of his troops that he was an attention hound in country. We call guys like this Spotlight Candidates in OCS. They only shine when the spotlight (The Brass / Media) comes around. Very biased and a clear display of political ambition. There is a reason a kid from New York (Democratic district) would transfer to Florida's Panhandle (Republican district) to join the war effort. He could have stayed home and gone with the New York Guard but then that wouldn't be much of a story would it?