My first praise for Yon's work here is that his credibility as an embedded war reporter cannot be surpassed by anyone. As a freelancer, he wasn't hamstrung by politically motivated editors back home. As an ex Green Beret, he understood the psychology of the combat soldier, allowing him to quickly gain the respect and appreciation of the soldiers he worked with. As a man of courage, he didn't hole up on base waiting for the soldiers to come back and tell the stories. He went with the soldiers out into the war. He rode in the Bradleys and the Strykers knowing that at any moment an IED could blow them into the sky. He patrolled alongside them in the streets of Baghdad, Mosul and other places. He spoke with the Iraqis, both civilian and military. He walked the talk.

My second praise is that he didn't fall into the trap of debating the political decision to go to war in Iraq. For the combat soldiers themselves, this debate was irrelevant in 2005 or 2007. They simply had a job to do. What was relevant to Yon was the repercussions of our success or failure. He makes it clear that he wants the US to win. He wants us to win and his reports indicate that most Iraqis also want us to win because they are on our side (surprise, surprise!).

My third praise is that he called a spade a spade. If we screwed up (and he believes we screwed up in big ways early in the war) he said so. And, he used the label "terrorist" for the roaches who blew up innocent kids deliberately, blew up mosques, terrorized families, etc... What else could people who do such things be? If their actions are based on terrorizing the people then, well, they are terrorists! What makes us different? He explains that in detail with real examples of unreal restraint and carefulness on the part of our soldiers. He explains how we did, in the end, win the "hearts and minds" of most Iraqis eventually through countless deeds of good will, restraint, and leading by example. Contrasted against that was the brutality of Al Qaida, which brought only murder, terror and hypocrisy. The Iraqis saw that we at least tried to build things and make life better, if not always successful at first, while Al Qaida always tried to destroy things and make life worse. The Iraqi people are on our side perhaps more so than the American people are--that's something to consider.

Don't think that Yon is a cheerleeder for the war itself. He leaves that for others to debate. But, he understands the consequences of failure, which are terrible indeed. At the end of the day, he's a boots on the ground war reporter who tells it like he sees it. And he sees us finally winning this thing, and in a good way, as long as we stick with it and finish the job right.

One thing that struck me as profound was the extent to which mid-level military leaders on the ground have become strategic thinkers. Gone are the days of the robotic orders-only combat leader. They have to think on their feet and make big decisions on the fly. They would be engaged in a firefight one hour, and the next hour having tea with an Iraqi shiek trying to fix a domestic problem, then the next hour negotiating with an Iraqi police commander. These lower level American soldiers are doing the work normally thought of being done by colonels and generals. This type of leadership at those levels is essential for winning this kind of war, and right now they are doing a fine helluva job at it.

I finished the book feeling proud of our soldiers and the work that we are doing there, warts and all. I can't wait to see the wonderful place that Iraq now has the potential to become.

While I don't agree with all the criticisms of the war from the author, and that he interjects them repeatedly just in case he starts to sound like he's leaning too far right (he seems to really love and respect the military and the cause of the war) to keep his "in the middle" reputation, this book definitely got me thinking.

While its fair to say mistakes were made, I don't think anybody really expected to go over there for Justice and come home with Allies and friends (or to fall in love with their kids.)

Most importantly, the author explains how Counter-insurgency works and why media and image are so crucial, and that it is working to fight terrorism.
Also, that values, morals and integrity are not an exclusive condiment, if you will, to war. They are part of it.

I also like that the author really goes into some things that the other books don't. The author explains the mind-set and psychology of counter-insurgency in a truly personal way, and the mind-set of the Iraqi people, taking time to explain differing customs and tribes where that knowledge is just assumed or not bothered with in other books. He also explains the difference between the various provinces of Iraq and why that is important to the war.

The author makes a very good case and points out that the enemy understands these things, both in the media and in the terrorist groups, and so should we.

Saying the author writes from an extremely biased and subjective view of the war would be objective and kind.

Iraqis know that al-Qaeda is evil, but they also know that the Bush army brought direct distruction and misery themselves in addition to being the ones who imported al-Qaida to Iraq so they can fight them there far away from the "god blessed" usa. Iraqi civilian blood ( collateral damage? ) is apparently cheaper than potential american blood. Good material for an army recruiting flyer, not for anyone who has a brain or is in touch with reality.

I'm a Navy officer doing a tour in Iraq with an Army SF group. I've had a chance to read this book while I've been here, and it's fantastic. I'm very proud to have served with this fine group of men and women, and this book reinforces what I've seen first hand.

Michael Yon is a journalist, who since 2004 has chosen to report on the situation in Iraq first hand, yep over in Iraq. He isn't allowed to carry a gun, but goes out on missions, watches, encourages, and reports about what is going on, what he is seeing and does so with such excellence that after finishing the novel I was left speechless. I have started and deleted my review for this book almost ten times.

This is the only book I have purchased for myself in over a year. Does that say enough? I don't think it does. I have dreads, I am a vegetarian, I go hiking for fun and I live in Oregon and I loved this book, maybe that is what I am trying to make sure is understood. My brother is in the Army, he has been an enlisted man for almost 10 years. He has a family, a wife and two kids, he was in Iraq for over 16 months recently. He was injured in Iraq, he received a purple heart, he doesn't like to be called a hero, he says he isn't one, he is a guy doing his job.

I have cried when I think about what he has given up, the time that has lost with his family the worry his wife has endured, but he has told me before that he doesn't think of it that way. He saw the Iraqis, he saw the people there he saw changes, he saw what most journalists aren't there to report on, the victories.

Michael Yon is there, he is side by side with these heroes who are too humble to think of themselves that way. For them that word, hero conjures up images, images of a men they admire but not themselves. Yon was out there when my little brother was fighting with Operation Arrowhead Ripper.Unknowingly I picked up a copy of this book and asked my brother if he had heard of this guy, he said he didn't know but then I jokingly said, "look at the picture, you might recognize him!" he looked at the jacket flap and did!

I have come to admire Michael Yon in many ways, but the most important to me right now are that he is an insane brave man, and his objectiveness, sure he is over there with these guys, but I saw that he didn't speak all about the good things, he covered the losses and the wrong choices being made. Yes, even if they were being made by the leadership of the army, even if it didn't make the army look good, his honest voice was what I admired the most. Tell me what it was like, what you saw, that is what I want to know!!!

This review could go on for a day and a half, and I have quotes underlined that could go on for longer, but I'll stop. It was good, I loved it. More than anything I have heard, read or seen has given me a much fuller perception of the current situation in Iraq. I would recommend Moment of Truth in Iraq to everyone, but in a big way to those who just want to know what is going on over there. I have never felt a portrayal to be more ballanced than this one by Michael Yon. I recommend this book with no reservations

As someone else posted here, this book is "journalism practiced by adults" or something to that effect. No Monday Morning Quarterbacks who have no idea what war is like and no desire to tell the real story. Michael is clear up front that he gives the real story, good and bad. His writing is full of life and you really can picture the courage, conviction, struggles and disappointments of those who actually fight this war. I picked this book up having never heard of the author or his blog. I am very impressed with his work and I hope he's back with more (God willing with a book about how we've won and our troops are coming home). At times the story jumps around, but overall he's locked into a progression of the war during its ups and downs. He makes it clear as well that this war was, is, and should be on terrorists, not the Iraqi people. He illustrates first-hand accounts that refute the premise that we're steam rolling over the people there and don't care what happens to them or their culture.

Now that the mainstream media magically dissolves away from Iraq to other topics (only revisiting it when something bad happens) and we're taking fantastic strides toward winning this war, reading Yon's work is a breath of fresh air!

JJR

I did not know of Michael Yon prior to reading this book, so I had no inclination to his work. I found the book to be well written, especially for a first or second manuscript. I was expecting gory, detailed and lengthy battlefield scenes such as depicted in Bing West's work, "No True Glory" (which was excellent), but found very little here. Sure, there are plenty of short and sweet battle stories, but left me wanting more. Mr. Yon leaves partisan politics behind and takes an objective approach; which leaves him canted to the Right, but only because the truth in Iraq leads him there (that doesn't mean he doesn't take the occasional shot at the Right either). His occasional quip has led to outburst laughter more than once.

The bottom line is that you will enjoy the book if you want to find out what is currently (almost) happening in Iraq. If you want blood-and-guts battlescenes, look to Bing West's work, or something else.

Michael Yon has been covering the fighting in Iraq for years and has been all over that country. He has a solid and unique overview of what has and has not worked in Iraq.

Michael Yon doesn't pander to sides but searches for the truth. He's the first to say we screwed up in some major ways when he was first over there, but now he reveals what we're doing now that's really working and why it's working. Yes, we really are winning now, and he's a bit baffled as to why people in America don't believe it (which is probably why he wrote a book about it).

The book is vividly written. It's interesting to read and easy to follow. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone.

Michael Yon is by far the best photo journalist covering Iraq. His descriptions are heartfelt and moving. Moment of Truth is just another superb example of his excellent work.

Micheal Yon's book is exceptional. It is, in my opinion, an absolute exercise in truth telling. You will be appalled at the blindness at the top of the command structure and, perhaps as I was, brought to an occasional tear at the creativity, courage and humanity of the soldiers on the ground.

If you are interested in as close to an unbiased view of what has gone on in Iraq this book is a must read. If you want your faith restored in the absolutly incredible capabilities of our armed services this book serves that pubpose in spades.

I completed this book with a renewed sense of an already strong pride in the quality of our fighting men and women.

Yon is not an Ernie Pyle: he is objective and even-handed and has been very critical of U.S. policies and actions at times. At all times, however, he remembers that he is a U.S. citizen. He realizes that it is not possible to be "neutral" in a war in which the other side has been absolutely clear that they will kill or enslave "neutrals" if given the opportunity.

From the book: "I prefer to write what I see with my own eyes in the streets and on the battlefield, to paint a picture as intimate and rich in detail as I can, and then, as much as possible, let the reader come to his own understanding." So-called "journalists" from the major news organizations would do well to try doing the same - it's called "reporting".

"Moment of Truth in Iraq" is not military history, it is journalism - a branch of journalism that might be called "military human interest stories". The writing is much tighter than in Yon's freshman book, "Danger Close", which is more of a true-life adventure story (and a good one at that). All-in-all this is an outstanding collection. [...]

Yon is now reporting from Afghanistan.

The Soul of Wisdom

This book carves a sharp and prolific path through courage and combat, harm and heroism, tactics, strategy and diplomacy.
The spiritual transfer of courage and morality from Americans to Iraqis is at once hopeful and inspiring.
Explanations about the cross-cultural bonding and diplomatic elements of counterinsurgency are crisp and comprehensive.
Luminous vision from a book of such brevity is awesome, exciting and astonishing.
It shines a wide and very bright light.
"Brevity is the soul of wit," but it is also the soul of wisdom.

Mr. Yons book is a tremendous edition to the myriad of literature about the war in Iraq. I tend to believe the facts he uses in the book becuase I was in Sadr City and Diyala province and he describes the areas, the attitude and the overall gist of these areas quite well. What Mr. Yon brings to the table is an accurate description of what it takes to fight a counter insurgency and why we were failing at it. He describes why we seem to have gotten a second chance at winning over the majority population in Iraq and what we are doing with that chance. The bottom line is he stays away from the "why" and "if" we should be in Iraq and stays with whats going on there right now. The fact is that we are in Iraq, will be there for a long time, and the way we get along with the locals and our moral compass dictates how many times we will be attacked and subsequently, how many soldiers we have to send home in a casket. A very good point Mike makes here is that Iraqis just want to go outside every day and not worry about catching a bomb or a bullet in the face. All the other issues (oil, infidels, religion, etc.) are all underscored by a basic need to be alive. Iraqis are human beings and they are motivated by strong, passionate, and yes, caring leaders.

We went Iraq and most soldiers in 2003-2004 (I was one of them) believed that the way to win over the Iraqi people was with an iron fist and audacity, because that is what they knew. We just became the next baddest gang they had to deal with. We have learned to change that. Iraq has responded to us. It doesnt matter why because it doesnt look like we are getting out of there any time soon. Mr. Yon brings this fact out beautifully.

I dont like this book because of a specific value or wing affiliation, but rather because he brings hope for both sides based on facts that I can confirm as true. In a time when the Iraq situation is not much more than a political issue or tool for milllions (we know IT IS much more), this book made me a little less frustrated, even if it may be short lived.

We gave this book to our daughter on her graduation from Army basic training. My husband and I both had careers in the Navy, and, while in active duty service, I was always aware of the huge reality gap between what gets reported in the news, and what really happens in the arena. If you REALLY want to know what is going on in Iraq, READ THIS BOOK!

I can only state that there is NO truth in this book. You have RUINED my country, and everyday the situation deteriorates further...
Tell me, if your 'excursion is victorious', why does the puppet government still keep their entire families OUTSIDE Iraq?
Tell me, if you were successful, why does my uncle who is attempting a very minor surgical procedure have to be wheeled out of the operation room FIVE times in one day due to lack of electricity...He didn't make it eventually.
I have one thing to say. Yes, you HAVE accomplished your mission. You have DESTROYED IRAQ PERMANENTLY!

This book gives you a fair assessment of the ground situation. In addition, it made me feel extremely proud of the selfless way our honorable warriors are conducting themselves.

Why our military's ability as public administration warriors made the surge a success, and why the surge could not have been a success except for the preparation of the field by our military commanders on the ground.

Despite what the MSM would have you believe, the seeds of the "Anbar Awakening" had to be planted before adding US troops made sense. Our soldiers planted those seeds, and the claim that that the awakening must be considered an event separate from our military presence is tripe. Barack Obama, for example, can't admit he was wrong on the signature judgment of his candidacy, so the success of the surge can't be what it appears.

Yon is no war apologist, and he explains why you should get behind finishing what we started in Iraq. For those reluctant because they think this book will be neo-con propaganda, Yon has been a serious critic of our Iraq policies.

He is a self-financed embedded reporter. He is the Ernie Pyle of the Battle of Iraq. HIGHLY recommended.

Yon is on his way to Afghanistan now. He deserves your support:
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1819:af-pak-reporting&catid=34:dispatches&Itemid=55#yvComment

Michael Yon ends his book, The Moment of Truth in Iraq, with a question: "The war isn't over yet. Victory remains in question. The choice is ours, the time is now - for a moment of truth in Iraq. What are we going to do?" Preceding this interrogatory, Yon relates the recent developments in Northern Iraq generally and Mosul in particular. The question he poses - whether we will withdraw forces from Iraq or remain there in significant numbers to see the mission through - is one that looms like a shadow through the entire book.

Yon argues relentlessly that successes are occurring in Iraq on both the battlefield as well as in the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people and that precipitously withdrawing U.S. forces would have devastating consequences. The situation in Mosul serves as a sterling example of successful counterinsurgency and the heroic efforts of U.S. soldiers and Iraqis alike. However, mainly a result of the gradually diminishing presence of American soldiers there since the war's outset, Mosul, like much of the country, is experiencing a fragile, tenuous peace interrupted by the seemingly random car or suicide bomb. Yon's basic message is that as goes Mosul, could well go the rest of the country if we were to pull out prematurely...

The Moment of Truth in Iraq essentially covers major campaigns in the war from the point of view of a combat journalist embedded with some of the fiercest, most capable U.S. infantry and cavalry units to venture outside a Forward Operating Base (FOB). Throughout his book, Yon offers his insights and opinions, leaving the reader with little doubt as to how he feels about the need to stay the course. He argues compellingly that the surge of U.S. forces led by GEN David Petraeus, along with the Sunni Awakening, not only in Al Anbar, but in other parts of Iraq - e.g., Diyala - has paid enormous dividends for U.S. and Coalition interests.

Nothing particularly new or earth-shattering so far...

Where Yon's book breaks new ground is in his praise for Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police units who he contends are "owning" more of the fight than most Americans are led to believe. Yon acknowledges that some senior leaders remain inept and that there are members of the Iraqi National Police, in particular, who are corrupt and abusive. Nevertheless, he offers a positive "ground truth" assessment regarding the prospects for our success in Iraq which is refreshing given we are inundated with negative mainstream media accounts. Without question, however, the Coalition still has a long way to go in stabilizing and rebuilding the country, training Iraqi security forces, and neutralizing the wide array of threats that includes Al Qaeda and Iran-sponsored Shi'ite militants.

Most enjoyable about The Moment of Truth in Iraq is Yon's on-the-ground reporting. His vivid accounts of valiant U.S. soldiers battling Sunni insurgents and Al Qaeda in Ba'qubah and tenacious British soldiers battling Shi'ite militiamen in Basra are superb. He offers us an insider's view of what, through 7 years of continuous, sustained ground combat, has become one of the most highly trained, battle-tested military forces in the history of modern warfare. Pound for pound the American G.I. is the most fearsome warrior on the planet, and he, along with his Iraqi Army and Police counterparts, is giving Al Qaeda all they can handle.

While easy-to-read and at times exciting, The Moment of Truth in Iraq lacks the balance characteristic of good reporting. Yon fails to offer any competing point of view. This ensures the book reads like a long political tract. Like many readers, I pick up a military book in order to learn how a particular battle or campaign was fought. The Moment of Truth in Iraq generally met my expectations in that regard, but I would have appreciated a bit more action and perhaps less commentary.

Although I agree with Yon's central argument - that we have come too far and paid too heavy a price to quit Iraq now - I found his persistent commentary about the need to remain in Iraq to be monotonous.

Most important about Yon's work is that he gives the American soldier a voice... He reports the story from his position next to that soldier in the HMMMV or Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle - not from interviews taking place after the fact in the safer confines of a FOB.

Yon is a soldier's journalist on a par with a Bill Mauldin or an Ernie Pyle - men from an earlier, bygone era (WWII) whose intrepid reporting from the front captured the hearts of soldiers throughout the battlefields of Western Europe and the Mediterranean. Yon's dispatches resonate with the same sights and sounds of battle, and he offers his and his soldiers' frank opinions about what's going right and what's going wrong. No sugarcoating or whitewashing here...

Today's American fighting men and women deserve more advocates such as Michael Yon who fairly and honestly communicate what is actually happening on the fields of battle... who turn the spotlight on those who actually deserve it - not the generals or colonels, but the privates and corporals... those fine Americans who have turned the tide in the Iraq War and who in Yon's words represent the country's "New Greatest Generation."

Well Done!

Michael Yon ends his book, The Moment of Truth in Iraq, with a question: "The war isn't over yet. Victory remains in question. The choice is ours, the time is now - for a moment of truth in Iraq. What are we going to do?" Preceding this interrogatory, Yon relates the recent developments in Northern Iraq generally and Mosul in particular. The question he poses - whether we will withdraw forces from Iraq or remain there in significant numbers to see the mission through - is one that looms like a shadow through the entire book.

Yon argues relentlessly that successes are occurring in Iraq on both the battlefield as well as in the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people and that precipitously withdrawing U.S. forces would have devastating consequences. The situation in Mosul serves as a sterling example of successful counterinsurgency and the heroic efforts of U.S. soldiers and Iraqis alike. However, mainly a result of the gradually diminishing presence of American soldiers there since the war's outset, Mosul, like much of the country, is experiencing a fragile, tenuous peace interrupted by the seemingly random car or suicide bomb. Yon's basic message is that as goes Mosul, could well go the rest of the country if we were to pull out prematurely...

The Moment of Truth in Iraq essentially covers major campaigns in the war from the point of view of a combat journalist embedded with some of the fiercest, most capable U.S. infantry and cavalry units to venture outside a Forward Operating Base (FOB). Throughout his book, Yon offers his insights and opinions, leaving the reader with little doubt as to how he feels about the need to stay the course. He argues compellingly that the surge of U.S. forces led by GEN David Petraeus, along with the Sunni Awakening, not only in Al Anbar, but in other parts of Iraq - e.g., Diyala - has paid enormous dividends for U.S. and Coalition interests.

Nothing particularly new or earth-shattering so far...

Where Yon's book breaks new ground is in his praise for Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police units who he contends are "owning" more of the fight than most Americans are led to believe. Yon acknowledges that some senior leaders remain inept and that there are members of the Iraqi National Police, in particular, who are corrupt and abusive. Nevertheless, he offers a positive "ground truth" assessment regarding the prospects for our success in Iraq which is refreshing given we are inundated with negative mainstream media accounts. Without question, however, the Coalition still has a long way to go in stabilizing and rebuilding the country, training Iraqi security forces, and neutralizing the wide array of threats led by Al Qaeda.

Most enjoyable about The Moment of Truth in Iraq is Yon's on-the-ground reporting. His vivid accounts of valiant U.S. soldiers battling Sunni insurgents and Al Qaeda and tenacious British soldiers battling Shi'ite militiamen in Basra are superb. He offers us an insider's view of what, through 7 years of continuous, sustained combat, has become one of the most highly trained, battle-tested ground forces in the history of modern warfare. Pound for pound the American G.I. is the most fearsome warrior on the planet, and he, along with his Iraqi Army and Police counterparts, is giving Al Qaeda all they can handle.

While easy-to-read and at times exciting, The Moment of Truth in Iraq lacks the balance characteristic of good reporting. Yon fails to offer any competing point of view. This ensures the book reads like a long political tract. Like many readers, I pick up a military book in order to learn how a particular battle or campaign was fought. The Moment of Truth in Iraq generally met my expectations in that regard, but I would have appreciated a bit more action and perhaps less commentary.

Although I agree with Yon's central argument - that we have come too far and paid too heavy a price to quit Iraq now - I found his persistent commentary about the need to remain in Iraq to be monotonous.

Most important about Yon's work is that he gives the American soldier a voice... He reports the story from his position next to the soldier in the Humvee - not from interviews taking place after the fact in the safer confines of a FOB.

Yon is a soldier's journalist on a par with a Bill Mauldin or an Ernie Pyle - brave men from an earlier, bygone era (WWII) whose intrepid reporting from the front captured the hearts of soldiers throughout the battlefields of Western Europe and the Mediterranean. Yon's dispatches resonate with the same sights and sounds of battle, and he offers his and his soldiers' frank opinions about what's going right and what's going wrong. No sugarcoating or whitewashing here...

Today's American fighting men and women deserve more advocates such as Michael Yon who fairly and honestly communicate what is actually going on in the combat zone... who turn the spotlight on those who actually deserve it - not the generals or colonels, but the privates and corporals... who in his words represent the country's "New Greatest Generation."

Well Done!

Having worked with Michael firsthand over in Iraq as he was on the ground and reporting from one of the real hotspots in Southern Baghdad, I can tell you that he gets it right in this book. It is an honest portrayal of the war as I knew it in 2007 as a member of one of the surge brigades.

If you want what is the closest account of the ground truth over there, this book delivers. Yon spent more than 2 months total in our OE (operational environment) with various units at different times from March 07- January 08, so he brings honesty, accuracy and a fresh perspective to the table here.

Want to read war reporting that is not influenced by politically influenced editors or media? Buy this book! I am a slow reader and I finished it in less than a week! It was impossible to start a chapter and not finish it, only then to be stuck with the difficulty of resisting reading the next chapter. This is book compliments "Shadow Warriors" in a few ways while also telling its own story at the same time.

Want to read war reporting that is not influenced by politically influenced editors or media? Buy this book! I am a slow reader and I finished it in less than a week! It was impossible to start a chapter and not finish it, only then to be stuck with the difficulty of resisting reading the next chapter. This is book compliments "Shadow Warriors" in a few ways while also telling its own story at the same time. I can't wait to deploy again!

This is probably the most important book written on the Iraq War. Michael Yon does an outstanding job of telling it like it is--no politics, no right or left, no spin, just the facts. He also reports the facts that the mainstream media usually deems unfit to print. Yon is critical about mistakes that were made, but at the same time shows that the Iraq War is in the process of being won. He credits the surge and a successful "community-policing" style of counterinsurgency strategy. The turnaround in events in Iraq is nothing short of spectacular. This book is easy to read, a page turner and will keep you on the edge of your seat. The stories and pictures Yon uses are especially powerful. Highly recommended. For those that support an immediate withdrawal of troops, this book will change your mind.

Why is the Kindle version of this book $4 higher than the current hardback price?

I would spend ten bucks to buy a version that I cannot share with others, but I won't spend more than what I would pay for a hardback.

The sample is great, and I plan to read this book (I have read quite a few others like it). But at $23.96 for a download!!!!!????? I'll wait for the price to come down, if it ever does, or buy a paper copy used.

This book is a much-needed memoir of our involvement in Iraq. For the duration of America's involvement in Iraq, the citizenry has been deprived of an accurate view of what our brave troops are accomplishing in Iraq. The media simply had little interest in actually sharing the positive aspects of our involvement in Iraq. Yon counteracts that tendency by providing a number of stories that provide a more positive aspect of our troop's actions. Simply stated, Murtha's version of the war is not born out by Yon's. If you read this book, your view of the war will be changed. Maybe not radically, but it will be changed to some degree. It is well written, but not unfair or biased. These traits make it a sure way to open your eyes.

This book is a very insightful look into the counter-insurgency battle in Iraq. If you want to understand the context of the fight against Al Qaeda in Iraq, this book is an invaluable source. It neither paints a rosy picture, nor a bleak one. His first hand accounts of combat and of the equally critical information war are compelling and informative. Micheal Yon effectively brings to light the competing factors and illustrates the many dimensions of this unconventional war.

I have found it very frustrating how hard it is to get an accurate sense of what is going in the Iraq War. Much of the media, of course, has a bias that they wear on their sleave: they see the war as Vietnam Act Two, and they strain every nerve to find disaster and defeat in everything. We get dozens of stories about prisoner abuse and the alleged massacre in Haditha; we get close to nothing about Medal of Honor winners.

The problem, however, goes beyond ideological bias, as bad as that has been. The larger problem is that the media does not understand what they are looking at. What facts indicate success? What facts indicate failure? The media, by and large, does not have a clue. They thus confine themselves to reporting the obvious -- like the latest car bombs -- and to printing the opinion of some windbag pundit as if it were news. In this respect, the Right has often been no better than the Left. While the Left sees doom and gloom in everything, the Right sees American victory in everything.

In this total desert barren of understanding, Micheal Yon has been and continues to be one of the few beacons of actual information to come out of the war. Yon is not a conventional reporter. Yon is an ex-Green Beret, who turned into a writer and who does freelance reporting from Iraq. I have read his reports for several years now on the internet. They have been the best single source of information that I have found on the war.

In this book, Yon pulls together what he has seen and where the war is. As he sees it, the war has gone through three phases. First, we had the fast and easy phase when American firepower knocked down Saddam Hussein. Second, we had the disasterous phase when grotesque incompetence on the part of Rumsfield and Bush threw the victory away. Their primary error was not to create law and order in the post-Hussein Iraq. We dismantled the Iraqi army and police, leaving Iraq with no functioning government, but we replaced it with nothing for far too long. In Yon's view, we were also too brutal and too rigid in this phase of the war, with the exception of the work done by General Petreaus as commander of the 101st Airborne. All of these mistakes lead to Al Queda taking over most of the country. This then lead to the third phase, in which Al Queda's unbelievable brutality toward the Iraqi people lead them to turn back to the U.S. and gave us a second chance for victory, which, in Yon's view. General Petreaus is brillantly exploiting, in his new role as overall commander.

Yon is very knowledgeable about the technical aspects of his subject. He understands modern weapons and he understands modern war, particularly that part of the war which is fought in the press. What he stresses, however, is primarily morality. Al Queda lost, in his view, because they had no morality. They acted like savage beasts, killing, raping and stealing from the Iraqi people, which lost them the critical moral high ground. In Yon's view, America is now winning the war, because -- while the Iraqis often saw us as stupid and out of touch -- we were never seen as evil. On the contrary, as Yon describes it, the Iraqi people have gained incredible respect for America, because of the exemplary behavior of our troops. The Iraqis respect strength and fighting spirit, which our soldiers have shown in spades. They also deeply love their children and their families. When they came to see Al Queda as threatening their children and their families, and the U.S. military as protecting them, that was the turning point in the war.

This book has flaws as a book. It is not very polished. It reads at times more like a bunch of reports stuck together than a book. It often assumes that the reader knows about things which the reader might well not know about.

But none of this matters. This book tells the truth about the Iraq War. Amid all of the partisan distortion and ideological hype, here is a guy who knows what he is talking about, who loves the United States and our military and who is dedicated to bringing us the truth, in all of its complexity and ugliness.

While I wish the Iraq war had never happened and personally think it was the biggest favor we could ever do for Iran, I also want to know what is truly happening and not have it filtered from either a right wing or left wing bias. I found this to be a tremendously interesting book. Yon is rightfully critical of the original war planners as being totally unprepared for an insurgency, but tells vivid first hand accounts of how the war is actually now being won. More importantly, he portrays the amazing heroism of the soldiers and leaves you stunned at their courage. He even has pictures of actual battles backing up his accounts. It seems like the turning point was putting General Petreus in command and getting rid of the bozos before him. If anyone is interested in an account of the last year in Iraq which will really give you info you never hear, then I really recommend the book. Even if you are anti-war, it is must reading.

While the changes in Iraqi are often attributed to a "surge" or increase in the numbers of our troops there. Michael Yon makes it clear that the real change came when our military began to adopt the 'live with the people' tactics of our special forces. And with that came a change in the attitudes of Iraqi citizens. Here's how he put it:

"We'd spent billions of dollars to protect ourselves against roadside bombs in Iraq, while mostly failing to cultivate the most effective defense of all: an Iraqi citizen with a cell phone. We spent hundreds of billions of dollars on combat operations that might have been avoided if we'd learned from our successes in Mosul in 2003, rather than compounding the blunders of 2004."

But then we'd gotten, miraculously, our second chance. And we were making the most of it. Cell phones? Iraqis are e-mailing our guys Google Earth maps to show where the terrorists are. With the increasing support of citizens and the growing prowess of the Iraqi Army, American troops have been able not only to leverage their combat effectiveness but spend more time in cop-on-the-beat mode, building closer ties to their communities, which then translates into being more effective in working on local civil affairs issues."

--Michael W. Perry, editor of Chesterton on War and Peace: Battling the Ideas and Movements that Led to Nazism and World War II

If you want to know what is really happening in Iraq, read Michael Yon's book. The title says it all - 'Moment of Truth in Iraq'.

Truth is what Yon writes in this book - aided by photographs which genuinely deserve to be called 'searing'. One such photo has since become world famous after Yon snapped it in May 2005. Up until that point, the only photos which the American media showed were negative photos (such as Abu Ghraib, etc.) which all painted American soldiers as depraved sadists. Yon's photo, however, was a staggering rebuttal to the press slant. Nicknamed 'Farah's photo', the picture showed a desperate American Major Mark Bieger frantically clutching the blood soaked body of tiny little Farah as he raced her to medics in a desperate attempt to save her life. Moments earlier, Iraqi insurgents had deliberately detonated a car bomb amongst a group of small children of which little Farah had been a member. The reason? The insurgents had been angered by the sight of the children gathering eagerly in front of a Stryker to receive candy from the American soldiers. The sadism of the Iraqi insurgents becomes even more horrible in contrast with the heartbreaking grief of Major Bieger. Overcome with emotion, the picture showed him stopping in mid-race to hug the dying little girl in a desperate attempt to comfort her.

This photo and so many others, as well Yon's incredible descriptions of the brave soldiers those photos are about, are in his book "Moment of Truth in Iraq." Truth is what Yon went there to find out. Long before then, two painful experiences had taught him that he couldn't expect it from the media. The first horrible lesson had involved the death of an old high school friend of Yon's, ex-Navy SEAL Scott Helvenston. Helvenston was a victim of Iraqi insurgents in Fallujah who'd not only murdered him but mutilated his body, afterwards 'dancing and chanting' in triumph over the grisly remains. The media, however, had blamed Helvenston for his own death by labeling him a 'mercenary'. This vicious treatment struck an especially painful nerve with Michael Yon. Years earlier, he himself had been the same victim of lies in the press when the media labeled Yon a murderer after a fistfight in a nightclub. Though the charges were completely false and eventually dropped, Yon had endured the agony of watching lies printed about him in the media. Seeing the same thing now happen to his old friend and then to other American soldiers finally compelled Yon to come to Iraq on his own and report the truth.

This book is the result. And it is an incredible read. I began reading this book as an act of solidarity with Michael Yon's cause - but I ended the book for a different reason. It is superbly written, it is gripping. It is real. And - as the title makes clear - it is the truth.

Please read Yon's book. In more ways than one, it will be one of the best books you've ever read.

In a sea of cynical books and media coverage on the war in Iraq, which lead US service members to ask themselves "Are these guys even covering the same war that we're fighting daily!?" Michael Yon does indeed deliver a "Moment of Truth". He writes from the point of view of the infantryman and cavalry scout: the young men who enlisted specifically to put themselves into harms way and fight a cunning enemy. Unlike his contemporaries, Yon understands the meaning of honor and sacrifice, that casualties are a part of war, and that it is the American soldier's ability to overcome the horrors and fight on that wins wars. Unlike the mainstream news media who focuses on the loss of life while turning a blind eye to the success that loss of life paved the way for, Yon paints an intimate unbiased (left OR right) view of the commitment of this generation's warriors who have turned the tide in the sands and cities of Iraq. He does not candy coat the truth, or gloss over failures, he simply paints the entire picture. In the end I believe that this is hands down one of the best books written about the war in Iraq, and is a must raed for both those for and against the war as it is one of the few objective accounts of the battles being waged thousands of miles from home.

An objective view of the rebuilding of Iraq. Michael is an excellent witness of the events, both the victories and defeats.

This book makes me feel great pride in our soldiers, not only for their bravery, but for their restraint as well. They are fighting enemies who use children as shields and weapons, yet give detainees respect of human life. They are definately on the "moral high ground" as Mr. Yon says. Mr. Yon reports, does not lean left or right; points out mistakes and describes achievements. I have an even greater respect now for our soldiers than before. Next time you see a soldier at a restaurant, pick up his/her bill, and tell his/her kids what a hero he/she is.

I was blown away by the...reviews. I can't wait to read this book. It sounds just like the book I have been waiting for regarding the War in Iraq. Compelling. Inspiring. No nonsense. Unfortunately I have made a commitment, a rather large commitment, to the Kindle. So please somebody publish this book on Kindle. This book sounds terrific.

I finally finished this book (After 3 days) and all I can say is that I am completely amazed at the contrasts between what's happening on the ground, and what we see back home.
Having personally had a role in Mosul during 2003, I can relate to much of what Mr. Yon says as fact, but I came home and had to watch the war through the media, which showed sharp contrasts to what was really going on. How can the media, as a whole, get true perspective unless they're spending actual time on the ground? I'm talking about real time, not two weeks here and there. Mr. Yon gives us that perspective.
Many times I had to sit the book down, just to think about what I had just read. This included the part about the martyr, and Farah, and many other instances. Wonderufl reporting, wonderful perspective, and my hats off to Mr. Yon for providing us with the best book of 2008.

Michael Yon's book is an eye opener in what originally went wrong in Iraq and How General Petreaus has reversed the direction of the war. Michael predicts it will be over by the end of 2008. This book in non-political and the view of an independent author imbedded with the troops. A great read and great insight into the War in Iraq.

Ever since the media has practically been ignoring Iraq, I've been trying to find a source of some sort that had a neutral look on Iraq, good and bad. This book was exactly that.

Many have summed up this book greatly, but I'll add in a few bits. I would of liked for it to be a little longer as one review also said, there are a few parts that would of been nice to be explained moreso. (such as Fallujah) But it wasn't a big deal and didn't hurt the book.

Michael Yon introduces himself as well as going over a few of the many disastrous mistakes made in Iraq. When he mentions good news, parts in Iraq improving, he is also careful to say that it isn't a permanent peace.

But best of all is the many personal stories, this book is truly a must if you want to see what has really been going on in Iraq.

Well written account from one of the rare journalists who has stayed embedded with the troops during the occupation. Yon is an articulate, clear-eyed journalist who is not for sale. Buy this book if you really want to know what is going on in the war. Buy this book before you vote.

This book was everything the reviews said it was.It should be required reading for all TV anchors and related media.I have read many books on the war and it's battles.This was the most truthful and unbiased to date.

Amazing book. Hard-hitting piece of journalism from a writer beholden to no one. What I found so interesting and so hard to find anywhere else is the relationship between Iraqi's and our American troops so well described here. Yon acknowledges our mistakes and the fact that we were a hair's breath from losing this war and it becoming the biggest foreign policy mistake in our history. The turning point? Gen. David Petreaus. He's written the book on fighting this insurgency. And American values which compared to the lack of values from Al Qaeda turned the tide as far as the Iraqi people are concerned. With the co-operation of the Iraqi's, Al Qaeda is being driven out and beaten down. The respect and admiration of the Iraqi's for the American soldier is so clearly written here but not in chest-thumping, flag waving sales job but in a way we can all be proud of.

How can I write a review for such a marvelous book? What else can I say other than: This book is just great. Simple to read, peppered with facts and details and personal emotions of the parties involved in the conflict. Totally un-biased. Ex-Green Beret member Michael Yon has written a masterpiece. He has done superb job that he has managed to do so by staying in Iraq over the years. He is not linked to any news agency, tv networks, NGOs or governmental institutions. He does it because he knows no one else is doing it properly and factually. His book made me upset, angry and at times made me laugh so hard. It's brilliant and highly recommended. Any one interested in what has happened in Iraq since March of 2007 when Pres. Bush ordered the troops surge should grab this book and read it to believe what the Americans have done to improve Iraq. I Loved it and will recommend it to friends and fellow bloggers.

this book was so good I couldnt put it down and Michael talked like a person who was there and didnt take sides but wrote about what is really happening,and the importance of this information
I sent one of these books to the mother of a soldier who was killed in Iraq and who was with this unit.
Sgt. Adam Plumadore, will never be forgotten as long as there are people talking the truth to the rest of us. and not the sensationalism of the news medias
everyone should read this book.
Julieann

I am an amateur student of military history and this is by far one of the best books I have ever read. On par with "Killer Angels" it tells the story of the Iraqi war from the participants perspective. Yon has unblemished praise for our coalition soldiers, the Iraqi people and, their soldiers. This is not a rah rah tale of US supremacy. He is candidly critical of the US's early failed strategy. He is apolitical and makes it clear that despite amazingly great strides in the last year we could still fail. His praise of individual officers and NCO's is a tribute to the military. He describes in detail how individual leaders grasped the concept of counterinsurgency. These modern warriors have become friends with the tribal leaders and turned the tide of the war. There is a face on the Iraqi citizen that I have not seen from any journalist during this war. He vividly reports of numerous firefiqhts in which he was embedded. His description of a British mechanics' valor in Basra is journalism at its best. There is closing message of hope for Iraq. It is a fitting tribute to the lives of 4,000 of our finest citizens. I am ordering 5 copies for friends and a copy for one very anti-war veteran who raised me.

Michael Yon has done yeoman's work as an embedded correspondent during the war in Iraq. As is so often the case in complex endeavors, the situation in Iraq is not as black and white as the partisans on both sides of the political divide would have you believe. Mr. Yon explores the ever-changing shades of gray and reports both triumphs and tragic mistakes. This book was an eye-opener.

The American people are being systematically misled by the media, which report only the things that are likely to discourage people from supporting the completion of our mission in Iraq. Our mission is to stabilize the country so we can leave, and there will be no possibility of Iraq becoming a hotbed for exporting terrorism to our shores. Would that more reporters were honest with the people, as Michael Yon is. Yon is a reporter who has been embedded with our military for many months. He himself had military experience, and understands the situation well. Our troops trust him, and will tell him things they otherwise would not readily share. He tells the good, bad, and the ugly. He doesn't spare the criticism of our early policies, and tells exactly why they failed. He then follows our progress, and shows how General Petraeus' policy of mingling with the Iraqis stabilized Mosul very rapidly. This stability was unraveled because we pulled out too quickly. Thus, in discussing General Petraeus, he shows why he was chosen to lead the entire effort in Iraq. His narrative includes little tidbits, such as the time when the troops knew that the terrorist had not recently gotten out of bed as he claimed, because he was wearing his socks. Yon tells us that Iraqis don't wear socks to bed because they believe this will make them blind. And then he says, "I'm not making this up." This is a very human book, with lots of individual stories of heroism and other events, the kind of book you can't put down. There is a section of pictures. The cover photo, of an American solder lovingly carrying an Iraqi girl, won the hearts of many Iraqis. Why will we win? Because al Qaeda does nothing but wantonly destroy, and the people are turning against them. Yon portrays the progess to the point where we have stabilized most regions, and the Iraqi military is increasingly taking over the defense of the nation. We are winning the peace in Iraq. Yon doesn't conclude what policies we should follow in the future, but strongly suggests that we should stay the course. If you want accurate, unbiased information to balance out the misrepresentations and omissions of the media, read this book! We as Americans CANNOT formulate a policy of success unless we are informed. And, the very future of our nation is in the balance. So read this book and become informed!

I found the book touching and his coverage of the war effort to be brutally honest, not pulling punches as to why we are were we are now and who is responsible (in his opinion of course). Whether you are for the war or against it, this book tells about the good and the bad from the perspective of those in the thick of it. My hat's off to a courageous man who didn't have to be there but was, so he could provide the world with a view from those who have the most at stake.

For the first time I am clear on the real situation in Iraq. You will meet the people of Iraq, the men, women and children who are the reasons we are there. This is not a "Right vs Left", "Hawk vs Dove" book. The author is neither flag waving nor sipping the cool aid. Michael has put together a balanced and comprehensive view into the current conditions in Iraq and makes a strong arguement for the critical and moral need to finish the job. Before you vote for the next President of the United States, or any other country for that matter, please take an afternoon and read this book. If for no other reason than you will be an informed citizen and voter.

Michael Yon plays it straight based entirely on what he saw while there with the front line troops frequently over the last 3 years. His writing is clear, coherent and even exciting at times. Most of all the reader can trust him. He was all over the war zone and with his skill had access to those most knowledgeable about the war-the troops both enlisted and officers. The best book on Iraq of many that I have read.

If you want to know the true facts about the war in Iraq, read this book. Michael Yon is a free lance writer and has no connection with a newspaper or media site so he tells it the way he sees it. He is an awsome writer and actually this book was requested by one of the LTC's that I support so I was more than happy to be able to send him this book.