The Knife

by Ross Ritchell

A powerful, dark, and morally provocative debut novel about a U.S. Special Forces unit operating in the Middle East, written by a former soldier—No Easy Day meets Redeployment...

It’s hot and getting hotter this summer in Afghanipakiraqistan—the preferred name for the ambiguous stretch of the world where the U.S. Special Forces operate with little outside attention. Team Leader Dutch Shaw is missing his late grandmother. She was the last link he had to civilian life, to any kind of world of innocence.

But there’s no time to mourn. After two helicopters in a sister squadron are shot down, Shaw and his team know that they’re going to be spun up and sent back in, deep into insurgent territory, where a mysterious new organization called Al Ayeelaa has been attracting high-value targets from across the region. As Shaw and his men fight their way closer to the source, mission by mission, they begin to realize that their way may have been prepared for them in advance, and not by a welcoming host.

The Knife is a debut novel of intense authenticity by a former soldier in a United States Special Operations Command direct-action team. As scenes of horseshoes and horseplay cut to dim Ambien-soaked trips in helicopters and beyond, Ritchell’s story takes us deep beneath the testosterone-laced patter into the lonelier, more ambivalent world of military life in the Middle East. The result is a fast-paced journey into darkness; a quintessential novel of the American wars of the twenty-first century.

Genres: Fiction, War, Military Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Historical Fiction

255 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2015

About the author

Ross Ritchell is a former soldier in a United States Special Operations Command direct-action team conducting classified operations in the Middle East. Upon his discharge, he enrolled at Northwestern University, where he earned an MFA. He currently lives with family and two Labrador Retrievers in the Midwest.

Reviews

[Rene Denfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those novels that should have been a hit. Ross Ritchell writes what he knows, and what he knows is the madness of war. But Ritchell goes deeper into the questions of what modern America has made of masculinity. The entire novel sings with authenticity.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling view into relationships during wartime. The emotional bond shared between Special Ops team. Intimate side of this elite group explored in both professional and personal avenues. The ramifications their position causes, the aftermath, the risk, questions of morality visited, innermost feelings presented in a raw and gritty fashion. They are their brothers keeper. Unforgettable read.

[Minty McBunny · Rating 2 out of 5]

All exposition, no plot. Not my bag.

I'm married to an ex-SpecOps guy, so I have as good a grasp as anyone who hasn't been there on what middle eastern combat was like. I feel that often these books portray it in almost a voyeuristic way, particularly the camaraderie and male friendship under pressure. I am sure writing novels like these is cathartic for ex-military members but to me the experience of reading about it doesn't feel right save in a few exceptional books. It's not glamorized exactly, but it just feels a little too idealized.

I only picked this up because it seemed to promise a plot, some tension and mystery. But over halfway through the book when almost nothing had happened but I'd learned more than I cared to about each squadron members' personality, laid out in loving detail over 120 pages, I gave up.

[George Lichman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A knife is a tool: it cuts things. Like all tools, it can be used for good and bad. Sometimes, bad things can happen when it's being used for good. The nature of a tool.
The knife that is the tool being used in The Knife, the debut novel by Ross Ritchell, is a five man special operation force in Afghanistan. They are a precision team that makes surgical strikes, cutting away at the enemy. The team is led by Shaw, on his tenth deployment, and includes Massey, Hagan, Delonna, and Cooke. They're are likable young men that, except for being drawn together by war, would probably never have become friends, never even met.
The novel is an account of the team and their work. Told in the third person, the prose is both poetic at times:
Besides someone having an interesting mustache or getting whacked in their underwear, the kills weren't worth much of a second thought. Holding a weapon? Two in the chest. Strapped with a vest? Two in the head. If he'd wait a second longer it'd be him on the floor leaving into the ground, or one of his buddies. Maybe a building full of people. It was work. Living over life, way of the knife.
and remarkably objective and unemotional at others:
They got all four of the Pups...Lion1 was upstairs in bed with is wife, an AK loaded and lying between them. He got two shots off on Ohio before Mike killed him, and then the wife picked up the rifle and Mike had to put two through her middle. It happened fast."
The cadence is slow and dark, whether telling about one of their operations, their constant training, or Hagan's sexual proclivity. It is not bogged down with explanations for the military slang and acronyms throughout the book. (A glossary at the end will help ease confusion if necessary.)

There is depth and development of characters, but it seems to come from dialogue:
"Sky's pretty," Hagan Said. He spat over the lip of the roof. "Too bad the rest of the county is such shit." It's not shit, Hog," Massey said. "Dumbass cell leaders and pricks just crap all over it and then we come over and piss on it some more and then everyone wonders why it's such a shit country. It's not...It's a place full of people that wipe their assess with the land for God, oil, or country--whatever the fuck--and wonder why it stinks so bad. The land is beautiful. We're shit." He shook his head. "I'd want to be buried in a country this beautiful."

That the story is told objectively does not mean that readers will not feel emotion, they will, very
powerful ones that are certain to include laughter, tears, love, disgust, and everything else that one might expect when spending time in a war zone with five soldiers. But the emotions will be a reaction, raw and powerful, originating from within the reader, not prescribed by the author.
Many war novels are abstract, filled with symbolism to be interpreted by every reader, by inner narratives that share the struggles of combat and reactions to it. That The Knife is so simply told is what makes it more powerful and is what sets it apart from many of the others.
If it's true that authors write what they know, then Mr. Ritchell knows more about war, death, and killing then any man should. Thank you for sharing it.

[Ross Cumming · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was doing a bit of ‘housekeeping’ on my Kindle when I came across this book that’s been sitting in my TBR pile for about 5 years and decided I just had to read it.
Shaw is a military ‘operator’ who, along with the rest of his team, is just being mustered for their latest deployment to Afghanipakistquran following the taking down of two helicopters by the al Aleelaa terror group. Following a twenty hour flight the troops arrive at their base of operations on the outskirts of the city. From there the teams carry out covert operations where they elimate known targets, seize evidence or capture suspected targets for interrogation back at their base. When not on missions the men try and keep themselves busy by pumping iron, shooting on the range, walking round the base carrying full kit and just shooting the shit. Shaw is struggling with his demons, as he has recently lost his grandmother, who raised him following the death of his parents and he is also haunted by a young girl, whose story is slowly revealed to us. He’s not the only one carrying a burden as Delonna, another of his team, has a wife and two girls plus another one on the way at home and is constantly phoning home. Massey also confides in Shaw that he has his doubts as to what they are actually doing there and if it is worth the price they are paying. I found this particularly poignant following the recent events in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of allied troops. The story tells of the teams varying missions and of the varying degree of success they have during their tour. This is also intertwined with the other side of the story where Ritchell intersperses the main thread of the story with the stories of the locals, some of whom are the targets of Shaw’s squad.
I really enjoyed this novel which is both fast paced and full of action but at the same time is both poignant and thought provoking. Ritchell obviously draws on his own experiences, as he was also a member of a ‘black ops’ team himself and the novel must be based in large on his own experiences. Also by telling the story from the locals point of view we get an insight into their thinking where all they have known is their country being occupied by invading troops, whether these be Russian or American.

[Robert Morgan Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best war novels ever--best one I've read about the IA conflict. Page-turner, poetic at times. The attention to detail, sensory and technical, is masterful. One of my students (I teach creative writing to veterans with PTSD through UCLA) turned me on to this gem. More than just a war novel.

[Raven Haired Girl]

A riveting and compelling read from the beginning.

The Knife examines the linkages of persons in a wartime setting. You are your brothers keeper as we experience in an intimate manner through a Special Operations team. An intimate portrayal of the lives, thoughts and fears of this elite group. The moral issues they wrestle with, the second guessing, regret and confidence in their actions, nightmares haunt them, memories sting. Yes, war is depicted in a brutal ugly fashion, however, the apex is the emotional bond these men share with one another, more than brotherhood, these men are family in the deepest sense. Their survival virtually in the others hands, their demise embedded in minds and hearts. A halting affecting glimpse into the heated toll required of these heroes, it is beautiful and horrifying, raw, presented with more realism than fiction. The emotion tangible, the reader will be lost in thought, the question of ‘murder’ floats in the air as both servicemen and civilian seek an answer. Memorable story in all its crude, gritty glory.

Find this and other reviews at http://ravenhairedgirl.com

[Twobchelm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A first hand experience of soldiers and the closeness they share through the many dangers they face. The writing was very descriptive and told the true story of what the men in special services endure.

[Mary Lowry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there were more than five stars! Riveting novel about special ops by former Army Ranger. I agree with the Chicago Tribune that his is a "literary masterpiece."

[Thrillers R Us · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book you'll read in 2025 (from 2015). Graphic, detailed, brutal, honest, genius. A great work.

In the same limelight that Nick Styles enjoyed in RICOCHET, Edward R. Gallagher was in the hot seat in September 2018, one year shy of 20 years in the Navy, having been charged with more or less conduct unbecoming under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Eddie 'Blade' Gallagher was, among nine other offenses, accused of knifing a terrorist minor after a firefight, proudly living up to his nickname. Eddie 'The Blade' as he is known to people who don't know him, was famously helped by the 45th President of the United States, interfering with the trial and its outcome, showing America not only what the U.S. special warrior elite goes through, perpetrates, and how it's sometimes swept under the Oval's carpet. In a world that permits the use of trained killers to remove threats to America but only sees them as LETHAL WEAPONS 'over there', THE KNIFE delivers an uncompromising looks at Special Operations Forces in the employ of Uncle Sam, at the forefront of insane firefights to combat evil-doers as well as on the bleeding edge of human existence. Real people with hopes, dreams, fears, guts and guns. Lots of guns.

Somewhere in Afghanipakiraqistan, a place where gunpowder, dirt and lead rule the air. In America as down range in the sand box, violence increases with temperatures, and in this part of the globe, the world is on fire. For the special operators who live in the shadows, it'll grow hot. Guiding them through hell is Dutch Robert Shaw, seemingly a shoutout to PREDATOR and JAWS's Quint at the same time, though he usually just goes by 'Shaw'. On his tenth deployment and the fifth for his team, Shaw enjoys the way of THE KNIFE, living rather than just life, hunting America's enemies but no hot wife waiting for him at home. Just the Glock and a bottle of Jack. You get the picture. As cryptic as THE UNIT, THE KNIFE is the darkest of dark teams, they ply their trade in anonymity and return the same way, if not in boxes. They are the sharp edge of the military, expressly used to hunt down and eliminate terrorist networks throughout the world. With their kits, rucks, and hop bags, they're ready at a moment's notice, they world on their shoulders. They're hollow-point Gods.

By no means lengthy, THE KNIFE is full of action, quirky dialogue and deep thoughts. What makes THE KNIFE so special is just WHAT LIES BENEATH, hinted at by the author, left for the reader to discover, to feel, to experience. THE KNIFE can only lead to the door. The reader will have to walk through it, venture forth, and relish the narrative. A thrilling chronicle about America's Varsity level hide and seek, THE KNIFE feels good, tight and right. Refreshingly, there's no shilling for products or overt gun-porn like other former MIL turned authors. Moreover, there's no boasting, no bravado, no lecture on patriotism, God, Corps, and country. THE KNIFE is an understatement masterclass like the warriors it depicts. Subtle, meaningful, determined, serious. This one cuts deep and won't let you go, as it hits about how PLATOON hit back in 1986. Reminiscent of first-hand accounts of life in and missions with MAC-V/SOG during the Vietnam War, THE KNIFE is raw, real and full of authenticity; unforgettable in its own way. Proving that it's possible to emerge victorious when you bring THE KNIFE to a gunfight, THE KNIFE is a must-read for anyone looking to understand those who've served in combat. Graphic, detailed, brutal, honest, genius. A great work.

[Cal P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

After I finished this book, I was left flipping back through it, turning the pages in my hands and rereading, reliving the pieces that brought me to the ending, which managed to surprise me, despite my every attempt to nail down the ultimate conclusion. There are so many little great moments, slivers that showcase poignant juxtapositions of brutality and humanity, indifference and brotherhood, humor and heartbreak. Together, they tell a story that is both hauntingly distant and intensely personal.

The comparison has been made before, but it was strikingly similar to "The Things They Carried," which remains one of my favorite novels. The prose is simple and effective, illustrating the bleakness and beauty of their surroundings, cutting to the core of every interaction with minimalistic but incredibly believable dialogue. Each of the five characters on the team is distinct and well developed. I can't understand how some people believe there's poor character development. They all have their little idiosyncrasies, odd bits that contrast with their profession and ultimately make them more endearing. Even the least-heard-from character, Cooke, has a few stand-out moments that aptly color an entire personality in a collective few paragraphs.

The pace moves swiftly, and though some action is skipped over and told in retrospect, I think it helps the novel overall. It isn't about who shoots whom, or which buildings explode and which don't. It's about what happens between the violence, the anticipation and the comedown, the moral quandaries they face together, the 5:00 AM musings as their boots strike the tarmac and the friendly trash talk as they stay sharp on the range.

The book shines in its detail and its authenticity. There are a lot of undefined abbreviations, but the glossary in the book clarifies them all, and the lack of on-page explanation actually improves the readability of the text. Early on, there would be 5-6 explanations on a single page, which would bring the pace to a grinding halt were every term poured over. The early bits are fascinating, finding out how teams operate, delving into a world of grease, chaw, and lead headfirst as you're immersed in their day-to-day lives, from the harsh to the mundane to the disgustingly hilarious (thanks, Hagan).

Everything is understated here. Nothing is oversold, and some of the most intense parts feel detached and mechanical, only for the emotion to surface in the aftermath. It's a hard balance to strike, but it was absolutely nailed. Everything means something. It's one of the best books I've read in years. And at the end of it all, you're left with a hollow feeling that defies words and leaves you sitting in silence, thumbing back through the pages.

[Bonnie_Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beginning of this book is very “she breasted boobily to the stairs, her baps knocking everywhere.” I mean, what was this:

He hadn’t noticed her sweater-strangled breasts hovering mere inches from his face.

“Sir, a refill?” she repeated.

He turned toward the sound, quick and abrupt. He nearly nosed her breasts. The longer strands of his beard pricked the loose wool of her top.

There is not much plot. Plenty of descriptions about tits, about getting ready for deployment, going on deployment, tobacco, a fascinating little bit on birth shit, a lot of descriptions about body hair glinting in the sun, more about tits… I guess that is kind of the point though, the lack of a plot. It is about a group of guys going on deployment - that’s it. The personalities of every single guy is expanded upon but to be perfectly honest, sometimes I got the identities of them blurred together. I didn’t feel like there was a lot of connecting “tissue” between the different plot points so I was a bit lost by the end of the book. Lot of plot threads that are not tied up, and I cannot tell if that was on purpose or not.

However, the sense of comradeship is done really well. By the time I finished the book I got the sense of brotherhood that comes from going on deployment.

The book seems to be about sensations. Ross waxes on about smells, scents, touch, taste, seeing, looking, feeling… interesting details, if nothing else.

I have read reviews from other veterans praising the novel. This feels like a book written by a veteran for other veterans. There are definitely details woven through that I simply cannot pick up on. Not really a critique, more of an observation. Hopefully this writer keeps creating more and keeps developing his skills.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably would be only a 50-page book if all of the references to genitals and going potty in a war zone were removed. So right away this is not for everybody. However, the crassness of the toilet humor juxtaposed with the novel's many beautiful metaphors and similes mirrors the ugliness inherent in fighting a war in a country whose physical beauty is being spoiled by conflict. There is profundity in the escapist joy of the men at their fraternity-level pranks as well as in some of their quiet, self-reflective moments. I think of this book as similar to a tough-guy brother who says something more honest, more vulnerable than he meant to during a night stargazing with you then swiftly resurrects his personal walls by punching you in the arm and calling you names. Ultimately, I delighted in being let in by the rough men who of US Special Operations who populated this slim novel.

[andrew orillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Clancy meets Ernest Hemmingway. This was a really good book that said a lot by saying very little.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed at the level of “animal” it made out the soldiers. Some was funny some was disturbing. The book otherwise was OK

[Matt Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sombering view into the life of the elite special forces units. Even though this is fiction, you can tell that the author wrote on what he knew and feelings he had.

[Mary Greiner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couldn’t finish it. Too buddy-story.

[Amie's Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE KNIFE
By: Ross Ritchell

Genre: Fiction, Military Fiction, Action Thriller

Length: 272 pages

Published by: Blue Rider Press, a division of Penguin Group USA

Publication Date: February 2015

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


* I received a free paperback ARC of this book through the Goodreads Giveaway program.

Dutch Shaw had been raised by his grandparents since toddlerhood. Shaw's grandfather has been gone for eight years but he still had his grandmother. Unfortunately his last living relative, his beloved grandmother has recently died. She was his sole link to the civilian world; a world not defined by war.

Shaw is the leader of a team of U.S. Special Ops forces. They are deployed to what they refer to as "Afghanipakiraqistan." A U.S. squadron has just lost two helicopters full of soldiers so Shaw's team has been sent to replace them.

A new terror threat has emerged. A group calling themselves al-Ayeelaa have been attacking U.S. forces with alarming regularity and with devastating consequences. It is up to Shaw's team to hunt them down and eliminate this very deadly group of insurgents.

The author of this book, "Ross Ritchell, is a former soldier in a United States Special Operations Command direct action team conducting classified operations in the Middle East." Because of his unique and very real war experience his writing comes across as terrifyingly realistic and incredibly vivid. This former soldier may have had a gift for war, but as readers will inevitably discover, he also has a gift for storytelling.

In typical modern day war thrillers authors tend to focus on one man who single-handedly is able to save the world. In 'The Knife' the author instead focuses on the team. This is much more realistic. Modern day military operations are complex and involve many different people all working together towards a single objective.

This book clearly illustrates how it is that men who have little or nothing in common and who come from different cities and states can become closer than brothers. The bonds these men form are unique and are forged from shared experiences, patriotism and shared objectives that the men would be unable and unwilling to share with their civilian counterparts.

This book brings to life the reality that Special Ops forces have faced in their war on terror. These Special Operations soldiers are considered THE KNIFE of the U.S. Military.

THE KNIFE is a MUST READ for everyone. Not only is it an interesting and thrilling military tale, it is an intriguing look into human nature, both the dark side and the lighter side.

There are incidents that occur in the book that have the distinct ring of authenticity. Incidents that may be portrayed in the media one way are described from the soldier's viewpoint. This may very well change the perspective of how the reader views and reacts to future media reports.

The glossary included at the back of the book will prove interesting and informative for readers who may not necessarily speak "military".

The fact that this is Ross Ritchell's debut novel is surprising due to the novel's depth and it's vivid and realistic characters. Readers will find themselves both riveted and invested in Shaw and his team. Readers will root for them even though they are flawed and all too human. The ability to portray characters as flawed yet still have them come across as unique and compelling takes a talented author. Ross Ritchell has done just that.

Readers may find that some of the scenes in this book disturb them. If this were a television show or a movie it would come with the label "Viewer Discretion Advised." But these scenes are important and will force the reader to question what they thought they knew about the war on terror. They may even change the reader's perspective. THE KNIFE allows the reader to see military operations from the point of view of the soldiers with their boots on the ground.

I give this book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars and I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

To learn more about this author visit: https://www.facebook.com/BlueRiderPre... or https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...


For more book reviews visit my blog at http://amiesbookreviews.wordpress.com

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

catchup

[Matthew Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beginning with one of the most critical aspects of any book - the writing here simply is not very good. Ritchell is not particularly creative with either language or descriptions, and this average (at best) writing always keeps the reader a step back from the story, making it more difficult to ‘temporarily suspend disbelief’ and live the story with the characters. The construction of the book also lacks - the first chapter was 100 pages, which then leads into a 10 page second chapter. An awkwardly put together book. There were also errors in spelling and editing, at least in the ARC.

As far as the story goes, it (along with the style) felt forced and unnatural. To me, as reader and critic and skeptic, it felt far too much like a mediocre attempt to capitalize on the current popularity of Middle East fighting/war stories. With the background of the author (former Ranger with an MFA in creative writing), some of the glaring issues with the story were surprising to me - for instance, the terrorist group featured in the story won’t claim responsibility for any of their attacks, which, for the specific type of group detailed, is simply not realistic. These types of lapses (one of my single biggest frustrations was the terribly inconsistent use of military vernacular - language isn’t consistent in the book, and not even consistent for individual characters) makes the book that much harder to enjoy.

The characters are flat and uninteresting. For a ‘war’ story to work, the reader has to care about the people, otherwise the potential buildup of anticipation and emotion falls flat. We learn about the men in this team, but we never get to know them.

With all of that said, looking just at the plot of what happens, that part of the book was interesting (believe it or not). The end was the best part of the book by far. The Knife ended like all war books should end, from the final events to the character’s thoughts about their lives and role in the world. The final acknowledgements are also worth the moment it takes to read the single page.

All in all, I felt like this book was not well done, and it didn’t work for me on any level.

1.5 star

http://www.matthewejackson.com/book-r...

[Eric Kruger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reads very much like a first novel, but it's fast-paced and compelling. At its best, it reminds a little bit of McCarthy's "Blood Meridian"-- oddly haunting visual description and a very 'hands-off' approach to providing insight into the thoughts and motivations of its characters. Ritchell's spec ops team members are far more likable than Glanton's gang, sometimes to the detriment of the story (Ritchell gets clumsy sometimes in wanting you to like his guys). I can see why people complain about the "grittiness" of this book; quite a bit of time is dedicated to the locker room camaraderie of the characters and all of the cursing and gross-out humor that goes along with it.
But all of that is easy to forgive. On the one hand, I get the sense that these men bear a very strong resemblance to men Ritchell knew (and probably mourned) during his own Special Operations experience. The title of the book is shown to be a metaphor for what these teams are-- a human weapon drawn out to strike quickly. They are necessary, but never in a position to question the morality, strategy, or even sense of their missions. Their unique position: to be nothing but a weapon, but also to be human, is drawn starkly and unapologetically. I wonder about Ritchell as writer. I thought of Harper Lee when I was finished with this one. Lee never wrote again after "To Kill a Mockingbird." She really wasn't a great writer so much as she had a story to tell, and it resonated with a lot of people. I know Ritchell is writing again, but I wonder if he told his story with this one. Either way, I'm very glad I read it.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, be warned that this new (2015) book is not for the faint-hearted. It is a raw, gritty story about American Special Operators on duty in Afghanistan. The story is fictional, but it is drawn from the experiences of the author when serving in the 75th Ranger Regiment, a United States Special Operations Command direct-action team. He conducted classified operations in the Middle East after his deployment there.

The dialog in the book is explicit and often coarse, but the characters who are described are realistic, including the enemy. In the story, two Special Operations squadrons are deployed to Afghanistan after a sister squadron is decimated by two of their helicopters being shot down. Dutch Shaw is a team leader in one of the squadrons, and this novel is the story of his team and his squadron as they operate in Afghanistan. Despite being a work of fiction, the story is extremely realistic, as one would expect from an author with real experience.

If you are interested in knowing how the American war against terrorism is being conducted, read this book. If you want to know some of the costs of waging this war, read this book. If you want to see a picture of our enemies, read this book. If you want to know why the PTSD rate among returning US service men and women is so high, read this book. If you like happy endings, don’t read this book.

[Sleepseeker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a long book and it took me longer to read it than most books that are the same size. The good parts about it is that it does show a realism to the war that is happening today and it depicts some real people that are in the armed forces. It is not a novel where there are good guys and they always win. It is just realism and showing the harshness of war and what they do.

What I didn't like about the book is the writing style and I think that made it hard for me to read. I've been sitting here trying to figure out what to write onto this review about what I didn't like about it but I just can't think of the words. Maybe as I stew on it for a day or two I can come back with a clear thought.

One thing that bugged me but I didn't include it into my rating score is that the book was 244 pages and it had 7 chapters. I think that they could of included a few more chapters in the book. It had some . . . on the pages for new scenes that they could of started a new chapter. It took 100 pages for chapter 1 to turn into chapter 2.

Overall it would be a good book to read about realism of war and it really isn't a long book and could be finished fairly quick.

I won this book on goodreads giveaway for an honest review.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you read Ross Ritchell’s The Knife, a story of a company of Special Forces men in the Middle East, there is no doubt this novel is written from personal experience. And no question when following the lives and missions of Special Ops soldiers Shaw, Cooke, Hagan, Massey, and Dalonna that they’re harrowing, lacking in any kind of everyday comfort, and force these men to leave behind their ordinary existences in the States and form new ones in order to survive and perform their duties in the new jobs they’ve been handed. The Knife does an admirable job of offering these images to the reader, but I think the book would have been better served either as a short story, focusing on one mission or a novella, again focusing on one or two missions and providing more depth. What we have in this book is mission after mission, blurring from one to another, because Ritchell does not give us any real emotion or detail behind them. I would guess (but have no way of knowing) to the man, the missions do intend to blur, but to the reader, less is more.

[Angie Reisetter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this from the First to Read program.

The Knife painted me into a world of a black ops unit in Afghanistan. It made the rhythm of that life real, with the sudden signals to move, the lack of information, the mind-numbing waits and the lack of sleep. I have no knowledge to decide whether it's true to life or not, but it's powerful and enveloping.

It's also dark. You can feel the imperfection of it all the way through, like a horrible calamity is always just on the next page. Something will go horribly wrong. Mistakes will be made. Mistakes were already made. Perhaps these men aren't who they want to be. Maybe these decisions they face are inhuman. Maybe the only way to live this way is not to think about it. But the main character, Shaw, does think about it -- there are long wait periods and it seems unavoidable.

It's a really effective and powerful read. It's also gritty, dark, uncomfortable, and vulgar.

[Len Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful narrative about modern warfare from the perspective of those proverbially boots on the ground.

The men in “The Knife” are highly trained and impressively equipped warriors. They are also brothers and fathers and husbands and sons. They try to do their job, protect each other and stay alive.

They want to do the right thing, but that’s not always easy to figure out. Simple moral issues like whether or not to shoot an unarmed boy aren’t so simple when the wrong call can get everyone killed.

Ritchell does an excellent job of letting the action speak for itself. He doesn’t spoon feed the story and there is no authorial voice telling us what we should feel or believe.

Without melodrama or political posturing, “The Knife” depicts the ugliness of war. Whatever we might believe about the rightness or wrongness of this war or any war, it is a perspective that shouldn’t be ignored.

[David Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Knife A Novel, by Ross Ritchell, is my one hundred thirty-fourth book that I have received and read from Goodreads. This is a book that gives you first hand experience of special operations team soldiers, and the closeness they share throughout the many dangerous assignments they face. This is written by a man that faced those same dangers. The author was in special operations in the middle east. I think the authors story was very descriptive and told the true story of what men have to endure to get into and stay in special operations service. This is a really great book for the military minded person, or someone who might think they would like to get into the military special operations. If you like to read about the war against terrorism, and how it is conducted, I believe that you would enjoy this book...

[Matt Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an entirely different animal than the standard run of the mil special forces serial novels that Fury, Taylor and Mann churn out. Do not get me wrong I love their work but Ritchell has produced something special with "The Knife". It may offer the most compelling fictional look into the world of tier one operations in the Afghan war. It focus on the story of the team of sf operators the exact unit is never mentioned but you can draw your own conclusions and their bonds together. Their lives at home and their thoughts. It is not a book about a lone operator saving the world. The book is entirely grounded in it's scope and that is a beautiful thing.


I truly hope someone in Hollywood is reading this book.

[Claire Barfell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book every American should read. It graphically depicts what our soldiers have to endure fighting in the Middle East. Since the author was a Special Ops soldier himself I know that this is very factual even though it is a fiction novel. I felt that I really knew the characters and I was very moved by the events in the story. I have never read a book like this and it really makes you realize the cost of war much more than just reading a newspaper article. Ross Ritchell is a very good author. This novel was really fast-moving, interesting, and emotional. I highly recommend this book.

[Michael Brockley · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE KNIFE by Ross Ritchell is yet another stunning novel about the American experience of fighting insurgencies in the Middle East. An ominous atmosphere builds as a team of highly skilled operatives undertake mission after mission in which teamwork and instantaneous judgement are essential to the squad's success. Ritchell stows a wad of chewing tobacco into the reader's mouth and covers one's face with a beard as he guides the reader through the black humor and courage American troops bring to the bonds these soldiers fuse and the manner in which that bond sustains and sometimes inevitably fails them.