Leaving the Wire: An Infantryman's Iraq

by David P. Ervin

This book paints an intense, graphic portrait of the emotional and physical realities of the counter-insurgency campaign in Iraq. Gain insight into the murky characteristics that defined the war from a grunt who lived through it; the drudgery, filth, confusion, fear, and frustration. If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to be there, this book is for you.

Genres: Military Fiction, War

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 10, 2013

About the author

David Ervin is a graduate of West Virginia University with a degree in early American History and is the author of ,"Leaving the Wire: An Infantryman's Iraq," in October 2013, a memoir detailing his experiences in Iraq. He volunteers for Military Experience and the Arts and the Prickett's Fort Memorial Foundation

Reviews

[Bill Elston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good insight to daily life.

This book created a good picture of the daily life of an infantry soldier. The daily grind, little sleep, constantly under duress. A very good read for anyone interested in seeing combat and it's toll on the young men and women we send in harm's way.

[Kirsten Jany · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've all seen the pictures, but that doesn't come close to us understanding what Iraq is like for those serving. This detailed account from Sgt. Ervin, who served in Iraq for a year, brings you a good step closer. With amazing precision he describes the sights, sounds and smells with such accuracy that the reader feels fully immersed. The details are truly astounding, and at first I thought he must have kept a journal. Then I learned he simply recounted the memories that never leave him or his comrades, which makes for an even more haunting read. As an outsider, you don't need any military experience to follow his account, as he does a very thorough job explaining procedures, ranks, and equipment. I tremendously appreciated him not putting any political slant on the war, but simply sticking with his account from an infantryman's perspective. Nothing is glamorized, and there is no hidden agenda trying to influence the reader in any political direction. What you do walk away with is a small glimpse into the hardships, fears and losses felt by those serving. A tremendous book that felt like an absolute privilege to read. Regardless of your personal opinion on this controversial war, do yourself a favor and pick up this book!

[Yvonne Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose Leaving the Wire: An Infantryman's Iraq in hopes of gaining insight for my own writing. I have no military background, and though I write speculative fiction, I like to base my characters and situations on something solid that readers can relate to.

But forget about that: this book is no fantasy. It's the sort of real stuff we all need to be aware of in order to understand what's happening in the world we live in. I congratulate David Ervin for his courage in writing this -- and especially for telling the simple facts without putting any slant or spin on it. The author's honesty here is as refreshing as the facts are disturbing. Every American should read this book.

[Chris Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a grunts view of the war - and it is amazingly good. While laced with introspection it does not place judgment on the war. The action occurs in the authors mind as he faces irrational fears, mourns the dead, feels guilt about his absence from combat during leave, is more concerned about being reprimanded for an accident than he is about the condition of his resulting injuries, and honors his commitment to protect detainees above his fear of retribution from an "elite" scumbag. The details are intricate, from the smell of the third world to the grime that infantrymen accept as second nature.

I could hear the authors voice in my head as I read. It was a personal conversation.

[richard g roach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inside the war with men who experienced it.

I found this book to be an excellent read. He is honest about his inner doubts and fears. I suspect though that he was much braver than than he acknowledges. War is hell is a common refrain from all the wars man has engaged thru out history, said because it is. The writer lets us into his life and the experiences of himself and his fellow soldiers in an intimate way.

The men and women that went through this war deserve our respect and deep thanks, they faced the heat, dirt and sand and the dangers of car bombs, IED's ambushes with courage and resolve.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leaving the Wire is a book with a specific purpose: to document a deployment through the eyes of an infantryman on the ground. It does this well, and nothing beyond that. Do not look to this book for broad truths about the nature of war or a polemic treatise on the politics of the Iraq War, you will not find it there. What you will find is the minutia of life as a soldier, the smells, tastes, views, sensations, and emotions that the situation engenders.

It it self published, so it's long on authenticity if it falls short on craft. If you want to get a peek into this world, then this is a good read.

[Erica Szegda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nicely written.

I know that a civilian can never understand what our combat veterans went through just by reading a book, but it does help a little. As I read this book, I shared some of the feelings the author was trying to convey. I'm sure the intensity was much greater for him, but it did help me none the less.

I commend you David for being able to write about this chapter of your life. Thank you for that and for your service to our country!!

[Steven Wantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, for me, was a stark reminder of the unfortunate and incomprehensible events that took place in 2005 during our time in Iraq together. In some cases, the memories are fond, but in most cases, not so much. This books recounts those memories very well. I would highly recommend this book to anyone attempting to understand the mind of a combat veteran.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former soldier I felt that the strength of this book is in its details. This is not the recollection of an officer flying over the action in a helicopter or a journalist observing the situation in relative safety. I likened it to the WW2 classic "The Forgotten Soldier".

[John-Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply written, but a powerful - and honest - recollection of a tour of duty as a mechanized infantryman.

[Aubrey Dasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leaving the Wire is a grunt’s view of combat on the ground in Iraq. It’s a view from the inside out with many details only a soldier who was there would know. There is no flag-waving, big picture, or hearts and minds bull. A must read if you want even a clue of what it was like.

I used Leaving the Wire as reference and inspiration for two chapters of my novel, Creed of Vengeance.

Tango Mike, David

[Keils · Rating 5 out of 5]

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You recognize a survivor when you see one. You recognize a fighter when you see one. You are stronger than you know.