His account of the fighting in and around Fallujah was very informative. He description of the bravery and determination exhibited by the Marines was very memorable. Yet by ignoring the political ramifications of fighting a trumped up war created by the Bush administration and the large number of civilian casualties that have been subtained, he intentionally created a very distorted overall picture of the conflict. Also, his comparison of the fighting in Iraq with the Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War was extremely inaccurate. By blindly accepting the offical version of events, Bing did an injustice to his readers. Amazingly, he pretty much ignored the total incompetence of President Bush, Rice, Rumsfeld, and the political leaders who served there. As a Vietnam Combat veteran myself, I was very disappointed that he didn't recognize the harsh fact that one man's terrorist in another man's freedom fighter. Or rather, the glaring fact that we can't militarily win a war of occupation, unless we literally accept the fact that we are corporate occupiers and not political liberators.

I picked this up to read on a month long travel trip. I ended up reading it in one sitting! Consequently, Im very glad I had also purchased a few other titles on the same topic. I really good read, disturbing and terrifying at times with a great deal of insight, but a great read.

the title comes from a comment on The Iliad. a well written book. lots of details on the battle. also gives a broad view of the entire socio-political background. not for the faint of heart.

It will be many years yet before we get a good general history of the Iraq War - history is still playing out. Too many of the recent books on the Iraq conflict are shrill jeremiads or ideologically-biased axe-grinding (whether pro or con). So it's perhaps not surprising that battle memoirs would be the first really good pieces of literature to come out of this war.

The Battle of Fallujah was the biggest urban battle the military has conducted since the Battle of Hue City, and it presents unique challenges to a writer attempting to chronicle it. There are no large set-piece battles to focus on: the insurgents are guerilla fighters, often untrained (and therefore unpredictable), and practice small-unit hit-and-run tactics. Instead West tries to follow the "flow" of the battle as the Marines and Army move from North to South through the city of Fallujah.

Much of the combat is up close and personal (the "House from Hell" chapter is truly scarifying), often involving desperate actions by squads who have to assault one fortified house after another. It's a testament to West's skill that these battles don't become confusing to the reader (however much so they must have been to the soldiers themselves); West intersperses the larger decisions of the officers and politicians, and how these decisions affect the grunt in the field.

Bing West, a retired military man himself, understands how to convey both strategy and small-unit tactics. This is a weakness of many other battle histories, which sometimes tend too much to the officers while neglecting the grunts; or focusing too much on the kinetic tactical stuff while ignoring the bigger picture. "No True Glory" strikes a good balance, and West is superb at keeping the reader "centered" in the battle at all times.

This book will stand the test of time, I think, and may well become the definitive account of the battle of Fallujah.

This is a sad story that includes descriptive descriptions of West's experiences in war. It is well written though at times a slow read. If you enjoy war novels, particularly non-fiction war novels, then you may like this book. It reminds me a little of "With the Old Breed on Pelilu and Okinawa." If you were tolerable of the gory details of that book, then you will likely not mind this one. This book may evoke bad memories and anxiety in people who have experienced war, and will most likely insult people who are opposed to this war. This book may provide insight and closure to the family members of the people mentioned inside its pages. I think it is a testimony to the fact that war is terrible. The pictures inside are not for children or anyone who is especially sensitive to seeing human suffering.

A lot of long winded an detailed reviews are listed here. Not necessary. This book tells the truth about two things. Our civilian leadership, politicians and bureaucrats largely don't have a clue; and the Marines are as always are the most abused and the absolute finest warriors on the face of the earth. As in WWII, Korea and Southeast Asia, they suffered unnecessary casualties due to civilian incompetence and political considerations. Our politicians on both sides of the isle screwed the pooch, again.

This book in reality is a treatise on why politicians should stop interfering in the conduct of war as they are incapable of letting our military win. Just as President Johnson destroyed the very effective Combined Action Platoon concept as employed by the Marines in Viet Nam, todays crop of blowhards is trying hard to lose the war against Islamic Fascism and the battle for Iraq.

Allowing the U.S. Ambassador to influence theater and field commanders decisions is like allowing Bozo to run the Federal Reserve.

Bravo for the Marines, shame on our civilian leadership.

Haveing been there, this was a well thought out, well written account of what happened there. Unbiased, he tells the story of many American Heros and many human mistakes... Great read!

This book is extremely easy to read. There are four things the read will come away from the book knowing: the bravery of our soldiers serving their country in Iraq, that there are terrorists in Iraq, the evil nature of the terrorists, and why politicians should never, ever run a war.
It is a fantastic book that is hard to put down.

I've read a number of books on the war in Iraq and this is one of the two (along with "Thunder Run") that were truly can't-put-it-down reads. The book contains some very vivid descriptions of the house-to-house fighting, and it also includes a lot of information on the politics, diplomacy, and other maneuverings being done in the background. I think this is an important read for anyone who wants to know how policy is shaped in a wartime environment and for anyone who doesn't realize what a fierce fight the soldiers and Marines faced in Fallujah.

Just a great book, easy to read, easy to follow, and after a while you actually feel like you know the Marines personally.

excellent book that I listened to on tape. Well balanced with a clear understanding of what it is like to be on the front lines and back at CentCom trying to run the war. Listening to his Book on CD made me appreciate the bravery and skill of our armed forces. Bing West tells a story in the best tradition of Homer.

Think our media and government are just feeding us white noise that doesn't really tell us anything? Think you understand this war? Think we should get out? Read this book. It's a fantastic microcosm of the larger conflict.



You'll be much better equipped to read between the lines, or should I say hear beyond the sound bites, of the articles and briefings that we're fed.



If you have a loved one that fought and/or died in this conflict, you must read this book. I'm honored to be a fellow citizen/represented by the men whose story is told. It's not white washed though, I was at times uncomfortable. It covers the war at a very personal level, and then also steps back to give you the big picture.



Can you imagine taking RPG rounds from a position then having the restraint to not shoot the small children running across the open field in front of you to resupply the guys. Taking another couple of RPGs and again not shooting the same kid coming back with more rounds. Over and over again... even when you and your buddy are taking hot shrapnel.



Even those who don't like "war stories" should read this book.

Think our media and government are just feeding us white noise that doesn't really tell us anything? Think you understand this war? Think we should get out? Read this book. It's a fantastic microcosm of the larger conflict.

You'll be much better equipped to read between the lines, or should I say hear beyond the sound bites, of the articles and briefings that we're fed.

If you have a loved one that fought and/or died in this conflict, you must read this book. I'm honored to be a fellow citizen/represented by the men whose story is told. It's not white washed though, I was at times uncomfortable. It covers the war at a very personal level, and then also steps back to give you the big picture.

Can you imagine taking RPG rounds from a position then having the restraint to not shoot the small children running across the open field in front of you to resupply the guys. Taking another couple of RPGs and again not shooting the same kid coming back with more rounds. Over and over again... even when you and your buddy are taking hot shrapnel.

Even those who don't like "war stories" should read this book.

Mr. West does something that the American press has failed to do - give us a truthful account of the battle for Fallujah. This book will make your chest swell with pride, and open your eyes to the true nobility of our young Marines in Iraq. If you are frustrated with the empty rhetoric that we receive from our televisions and newspapers, this is a must read. West is a rarity - he has no hidden agenda. He delivers the facts in an honest and sometimes heart-wrenching fashion.

Bing West is an author to whom thinking US citizens owe a lot. West was the man who many years ago sat down and wrote "The Village", a particularly prescient and readable work which told the story of US Marine Corps Combine Action teams in Vietnam, whence he had recently returned after a tour of duty. Defense officials have dusted off the Combined Action concept in recent years, although it was never far from the heart of Marine Corps counterinsurgency operating doctrine.

Now, three decades later, the author has returned to the Iraq battlefields to tell the story of his Marines in the latest book, "No True Glory".

West writes from the heart, an old Marine who understands the Corps ethos, leadership - but most of all the grunts who do the hard, dirty work of war fighting in the incredibly difficult environment of Middle Eastern cities. He interviewed dozens of Marines and soldiers, creating a tactical collage of events that is both breathtaking in its candor and remarkable in descriptive power. For a reader who wants a genuine understanding about how the US Marine Corps fought in Fallujah, this is the book.

Bing West is one of those rare Americans who, with his son Major Owen West, have followed the sound of guns to where the Corps is actually fighting. He is to be commended for writing two comprehensive works about Marines in Iraq, each of which fills another chapter in the annals of this proud organization. I have no doubt that his later works will be held in the same high regard as "The Village" was - and is.

Douglass H. Hubbard, Jr.
Author of "Special Agent, Vietnam"

This was the first Iraq book that I read and it inspired me read more. However, I served with a few of the people interviewed to write the book and was told that Bing West is a mean old man! Ha!

Anyone who reads this book who has been trained, educated or experienced in leadership and management for successful results in their fields of endeavor will be able to recognize problems originating not out of military operations and personnel in Iraq but from structural defects in political leadership in the U.S. and failure of U.S. political leaders and high level government officials to fulfill basic leadership and management functions adequately. Leadership and management functions involves a sequential and developing process of planning and organizing for successful results and directing and controlling activities and people to execute the plan.

In some scenarios documented here by Bing West, we see only the consequences of failing to plan or plan defects and poor organization as he describes them because he is seeing only the consequences and has not connected them to their source.

Bing West documents Iraqi uprisings and revolts that spring up all over Iraq from around March and April of 2004. The battle for control of the town of Fallujah takes the center of attention out of many other battles and rebellions because it represents a defeat for the Marines due to international emotional reaction from al Jazeera's production and broadcast of one sided, false and greatly exaggerated propaganda designed to support the cause of rebels and terrorists in Fallujah. This emotional reaction to al Jazeera's propaganda even produced effects upon General John Abizaid and Tony Blair as they urged Bush not to invade Fallujah. Bush responded by postponing the in invasion indefinately as he said that he wanted other options. This was an extraordinary statement by Bush because all options are supposed to be considered at the beginning of a plan. Military force of action is always supposed to be the last option considered because it represents a point of no turning back. Other uprisings and rebellions include battles for the control of Ramadi, Iraq's hiways and roads and uprisings all over the southern part of Iraq and some other areas by Moqtada al Sadr's followers.

The sudden appearance of uprisings all over Iraq within a short period of time reveals 3 defects in top leadership planning:

1. As pointed out by Bing West, uncoordinated overlapping delegation of responsibilities and lines of authority between the Coalition Provisional Authority under direction of the Proconsul, Paul Bremer and the military under the command of General John Abizaid.

2. No contingency plan for the adverse or unexpected events. The Bush administration invested a lot of time and resources in seeking and manufacturing propaganda that justified and legitimized the invasion of Iraq. After the invasion, the propaganda sought and manufactured by the Bush administration attempted to portray a better, safer living environment as a result of the presence of American troops there. Bing West captures a little participation of the military in this production of false propaganda led by the Bush administration without identifying it as such. After the Marines turned Fallujah over to the Rebels, marines and Bush made statements to paint an image of a safer Iraq being in existence. Fox News was also broadcasting this propaganda despite reports from other journalists to the contrary. Bing West tells about wide spread escalating violence in Fallujah and the rest of Iraq. To my surprise, he asks in his book a question which I had asked myself a few times when this stuff was occurring that is, "Where is the president getting his information?" Around this time many people were kidnapped, murdered, sometimes beheaded. Some journalists told of how Iraqi police gave them false directions on how to get somewhere in order to try and trap them in a dead end. The point is that the Bush administration was painting false realities. The Bush administration was very optimistic about what they could accomplish with the invasion of Iraq. Chalabi and other discredited Iraqi exile intelligence sources fed that optimism by feeding the Bush administration with information they wanted to hear. The Bush administration persuaded themselves that what they wanted to hear was the truth. Therefore, they did not plan for adverse contingencies because they were projecting that all would go well.

3. An inadequate number of troops in Iraq to control uprisings and rebellions. Bing West writes about an awkward position when the Marines were committed and prepared to deal with the rebellion in Fallujah when Paul Bremer sent some Marines after an aid of Moqtada al Sadr. Then, rebellions started popping up everywhere. Some coalition forces were overwhelmed and forced to retreat. There were not enough U.S. forces to control the uprisings.

This was the result of an error in judgement on the part of Don Rumsfeld and Paul Wolfowitz in 2002 when congress asked Army Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki how many troops would be required to maintain control in the post invasion phase of U.S. military intervention in Iraq. General Shinseki replied "several hundred thousand troops would be needed after which Don Rumsfeld and Paul Wolfowitz publicly chastized General Shinseki for his statements because Don Rumsfeld wanted to limit the U.S. force to a far smaller number. In another book by New York Times reporter, James Risen this is identified as the reason that the U.S. troops and coalition forces were not reinforced when they needed to be for nearly two years from 2004 until November 2006 things became worse in Iraq. Bush and Don Rumsfeld responded to criticism by former and retired military and intelligence officers that if Commanders on the ground in Iraq needed more troops, they were ready to send more. But the public chastising of General Eric Shinseki by Secretary of Defense Don Rumsfeld and his assistant Paul Wolfowitz had taught them not to ask for anything more than what was already given.

Operation Vigilant Resolve is the failed siege on Fallujah. The operation to take the town was ordered by the Bush administration out of emotional reaction to the ambush, murder and desecration of corpses of 4 U.S. mercenary contractors as they attempted to drive through Fallujah.

The Marines surrounded the town and were prepared to take it on April 9th 2004 when Paul Bremer persuaded General John Abizaid to postpone the invasion because of international emotional reaction to video propaganda broadcasted by al Jazeera which falsely claimed extremely high numbers of innocent civilian casualties due to assaults by Marines. Rebels and terrorists would not allow Journalists other than al Jazeera who they invited into Fallujah. Journalists embedded with the Marines contradicted some of claims made by al Jazeera. However, since no other journalist account of what was happening inside of Fallujah was available, the Arabs and Europeans accepted al Jazeera propaganda as truth and reacted with emotional sympathy to it and to the Fallujian rebels. Even Tony Blair urged Bush to stop the assault on Fallujah. The kicker was that it had not really even started. General John Abizaid imposed a unilateral cease fire order on the the Marines as they were within range to begin an assault but were waiting orders to proceed to take the town. This was done without any agreement from the enemy that they would also cease fire. So, the Marines took hits on the town's perimeter as rebels would sneek out to shoot at them under cover of darkness and then retreat quickly back into the town. This went on for nearly a month. Don Rumsfeld urged John Abizaid to get on with taking the town. John Abizaid went over Rumsfeld's head and persuaded Bush that if the Marines took Fallujah by force the Iraqis would revolt. Bush responded by ordering that the assault be postponed. Bush said that he wanted other options instead of taking the town by force. As I have already said, this was an extraordinary statement by Bush because all options are supposed to be considered at the beginning of a plan. Military force of action is always supposed to be the last option considered because it represents a point of no turning back. This is a very emotional triggering event for readers who understand the significance of what it meant for the Marines on the perimeter of Fallujah. The Marines were now under presidential orders that contradicted each other. The first order to take Fallujah by force was posteponed indefinately by Bush and the Marines were under unilateral ceasefire order. But the order was not cancelled and there was no order for them to withdraw from Fallujah. So, they could not withdraw. To make the rest of the story short, defeat was handed to the Marines by Paul Bremer, General John Abizaid and President Bush out of emotional international reaction to the terrorist network al Jazeera's broadcasts of propaganda that could not be checked.

They reacted out of fear of a perceived potential revolt by Iraqis. This is even more extraordinary because the Iraqis had already been revolting but the Bush administration refused to recognize it and was producing propaganda of its own to the contrary that everything was going great in Iraq. They had persuaded themselves by their own propaganda and could not recognize what was already happening. The marines were already engaged and suppressing revolts in Ramadi, along the hiway know as ambush alley and against al Sadr's rebels all over Shiite territories of Iraq. Bush's first order to take the town of Fallujah was given because of initial rebellion activities against American occupation by Sunnis of Fallujah.

I could go on. But I have given you more than enough information to understand what may appear to be overwhelming chaotic activity in Iraq. The chaos did not end with the publishing of this book. The revolts descended into civil war which the Bush administration refused to recognize as civil war until November 2006. In November 2006, Former General and Secretary of State Colin Powell, former president Bill Clinton and even Secretary of Defense Don Rumsfeld finally acknowledged what the public already knew from following the news, that Iraq had been in a state of civil war that was getting worse. I was amazed to see that George W Bush still was denying the state of civil war occurring in Iraq until the new Secretary of Defense , Gates had a talk with him. It was only after that when Bush finally acknowledged publicly that Iraq was in civil war and things were not good in Iraq.

I hope that everyone with an interest in what has been going on in Iraq and the so called war on terror will read this book. If you have read this book, you might also be interested in reading other books on related subjects which I listed below. James Risen's book, "The State of War" gives those who have read this book by Bing West a political view of the war in Iraq and the war on terror that helps give a more complete picture to readers of Bing West's book. I also recommend "Imperial Hubris" by Anonymous to readers who have difficulty in interpreting events of war and historical significance of it due to lack of experience and study on it.

State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration by James Risen

Uncovered - The Whole Truth About the Iraq War by Robert Greenwald

Imperial Hubris: Why the West is Losing the War on Terror by Anonymous

Al Qaeda's Great Escape: The Military and the Media on Terror's Trail by Philip Smucker

Sleeping with the Devil: How Washington Sold Our Soul for Saudi Crude by Robert Baer

House of Bush, House of Saud: The Secret Relationship Between the World's Two Most Powerful Dynasties by Craig Unger

Illegals: The Imminent Threat Posed by Our Unsecured U.S.-Mexico Border by Jon E. Dougherty

Speaking from my own involvment this book is not accurate at all. The times and places and bravery is real but the story is very jumbled. I was actualy intervewed by Bing West and have to question if he actualy was listning. This book was written for officers by an officer.

Semper Fi

My cousin is a Marine Corp officer that has served in Al Anbar Province. I found myself continually enraged while reading the book. The only thing that matches the bravery of the Marines on the ground should be the shame of the White House. The political juggling in handling the insurgency within the city of Fallujah and the dancing the administration did for the international "community" is a disgrace. Discovering the political maneuvering behind the battle and its cost in Marine lives is what I can't get over. One doesn't call off the Marines, just goes to show how the white house was still trying to win the favor of the international "community" with this on again/off again war strategy almost two years after they took the country. Our leaders placed the Marines in a tough spot. The Marines made short order of those thugs in dirty nightshirts; our leaders empowered them both morally and materially by delaying the fight. Their delay strengthened the enemy and that strength was paid in Marine lives. I'm angry.

It was another great read from the author. He also wrote a book, "The March Up" when the 2nd Marine Division made the initial push to Baghdad. I reccomend that to all aswell.

This book gives access to what happened in Fallujah to bring on the Marines during Operation Phantom Fury in November 2004.
The only set back the book has is that it was rushed to print to soon, and stops right after the major battles have been won. I would have like to read after action dialog, and how Fallujah changed since the battle.
Also, he describes action in which one Marine was awarded the Navy Cross, the nations second highest award for bravery in battle.
A good read for those who are interested in military accounts.

My is son is now in Iraq with his Marine battalion and the account of the story is true to the fact that my son talks about when he calls home. I have alot of people borrow this book taht I don't know where it is right know.

This is an outstanding book that captures the strategic and micro-level of America's greatest battle since Hue. Besides being an excellent writer, Mr. West is true patriot and a great person.

PKO

I gained a lot of respect for the guys that took this town. The book is full of heroic stories of young men going head to head with the enemy muj and decisively beating them. The only problem were the politicians who prevented them from doing it early on. This book is primarily about Marines fighting under horrible conditions and destroying the enemy.

This book knocks down the theory that thousands of civilians were killed in the fighting. The Arab news networks made up figures as a result of their estimation, and televised it as truth. Marines were not willing to shoot children carrying guns. What happened is a bunch of criminals took over a city, killed four American bodyguards and tried to pass themselves off as innocent to the world. When the Marines came a calling, all they could think of is to blame the U.S. military. This book also rightly pictures the rebels for who they were: criminals, corrupt businessmen and imans, and foreign jihadists.

This is a great read. Marines are tough and resourceful soldiers and I gained new respect for their abilities. The book shows their noble purpose.

For anyone who wants to get a real appreciation for what our soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen are facing in Iraq I would definitely recommend this book. Mr. West writes with an immediacy that brings the action to life. It's obvious he experienced at least some of this himself and relied on primary sources thru interviews for most of the rest. It is a testament to the fickle nature of Iraqi politics that Sunnis in the same area he treats in his book as being vehemently opposed to all things American are now trying to engage the central government and the US in attempts to invigorate business there. My major criticism of this book is the author's bias with regard to US policy in Iraq at the time. It's obvious he strongly supports the administration and I feel it's compromises his objectivity. Still as a battle narrative he has crafted a compelling tale.

Exceptional detailed account of the insanity that surrounded the seige(s) of Fallujah.
The author deserves a Pulitzer for the coverage, and hopefully one can appreciate what our soldiers and Marines are going through in Iraq.
The guide the author includes in the beginning is a helpful addition, in light of the number of people involved.

As a retired Marine, I found No True Glory to be the best true war novel I have ever read. It is written in such a way that one can feel the heat of battle minute by minute, street by street. You cringe at the bad political decisions from the top down. It is the only book I have read that details battles and describes who fought in them on a name and rank
basis. It should be required reading for anyone in politics and the military.

Wonderfully written. I rate Bing West with ten stars.

I can't say enough good things about this account of the Marines & the battle for Fallujah. Author Bing West does a magnificent job of putting the reader right there, amid horror and incredible heroism. I cried at times, real tears as I tried to make my way though some passages.

While politicians, pundits, and wannabe "experts" throw ideas and opinions around, this is the real war on the ground, the end product of the Bush administration's policy. For better or for worse. "No True Glory" is a rare window into a world most of America hasn't a clue about, whether they're right or left.

Mr. West's book is not only immpossible to put down, it is exciting,gut wrenching, and at times heart breaking to read. You will run a full circle of emotions. The confusing and complex world that is Iraq is painted by Mr. West on a full canvas and easy to understand and follow. The famous expression "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions" is so evident in the overall decisions that are made at the highest of levels. The brightest light shines on the commanders who lead in the field of battle and the Marines who follow that leadership and prove that their generation takes second to none. Their comradeship to each other is inspiring. This book should be mandatory reading in every history class. I salute Mr.West,and the most compelling thing about reading it is; I finished the book tuesday night and can't stop thinking about. A Must read!!!!! Don Pritzlaff- Nanuet NY

Great info and amazing stories. Our military men are true heroes! We should learn from their bravery, conviction and valor. A good read for any of our so-called leaders in Washington DC. Especially those who have not been over to Iraq. You will get a knowledgeable account of the political and military dealings with the young democracy plus get an understanding of the middle ages menatlity of the middle east. Great book.

Having been in that battle with my fellow Marines, this was a very interesting book.

8 of us got hurt on the morning of April 5th and were pulled out and sent to various hospitals across Iraq. This book gave us the opportunity to look back and see what our platoons were doing in our absence, and to get a better understanding of exactly where we were in the city.

Bittersweet book, but good for explaining things to my loved ones.


Jennifer

The book No True Glory is a captivating account of the battle for Fallujah. It covers the murder and mutilation of the 4 Blackwater Security personnel who were ambushed, murdered, mutilated and then hung from the trestle bridge. It also discloses that Abu Musab Al Zarqawi was doing the majority of the beheadings there. Fallujah certainly was, and may still be, the most dangerous place for the military or civilians to be in or travel through. The sacrifices described by the author that our Marines and Soldiers had to make to flush out that "snake pit" are awe-inspiring. This book is as comliplimentary to our military as it is not to the political wranglings, both American and Iraqi, going on behind the scenes. I guarantee that, after reading No True Glory, you will have an incredible amount of respect for our fighting men there.

This was a very confusing time for us at home trying to read the news. Bing West explains the interaction between the politicians and military commanders. My brother was in Fallujah at this time and enjoyed finding new information.