Into the Darkness: A Journey of Love, War, and Emotional Freedom

by Dave Fielding

Into the Darkness is unlike any book you’ve ever listened to. Dave Fielding’s gritty, no-holds-barred memoir is not just a tale of covert operations and daring takedowns of the planet's most notorious terrorists in the hostile terrains of Iraq and Syria. It's a raw, unflinching look at the man behind the mission, whose personal life crumbled even as he fought against the darkness both without and within. Fielding's story is a harrowing journey through the underbelly of mental anguish, where the specter of suicide loomed large, and the battle was not just in surviving the external threats but confronting the demons that whispered from the shadows of his mind.

This book is a testament to the battles fought in silence, the ones that rage fiercer than any faced on the battlefield. The path to redemption you’ll experience in this book is a daily struggle for healing, a fight to find compassion within and the courage to sit with oneself amidst the storm. This book doesn't just tell a story—it implores you to face your own darkness and emerge victorious, one day at a time.

Audible Audio

Published July 9, 2024

Reviews

[Preston · Rating 1 out of 5]

When you first look at this book and read the description, you think that it’s going to be just an astonishing military tale about just bore and masculinity, but boy, was I wrong; the majority of this book is just Dave complaining about his divorce and then meeting a new girl and then just complaining about her the entire time I thought once you got past his sob stories with his “past traumas” That it would pick up and actually get into some nitty gritty, raw war stuff. Still, once he goes on his so-called deployment, he doesn’t really do anything except complain about his girlfriend whenever she calls. You don’t really hear about any of the so-called “missions.” There were no battles or crazy firefights; honestly, it was the most anticlimactic “war” book I have ever read.

[Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

You'd think being SF would be enough, but I guess that's not the case with Mr. Fielding. American 007? You can embellish your career enough that you're stealing valor, or be ridiculous enough with your embellishments that it cheapens the accomplishments actual silent professionals have made during their careers. One single four month deployment and the man is some kind of badass spy awash in the torment of battle, goes on the trash soldiers who'd have Dave Fielding as a mere footnote in a memoir of their careers. Likely a footnote pertaining to a problem child who represents those 2% who take up 90% of their leaders' time with their nonsense. This book is largely unbelievable because it's simply not believable.

[Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, the book itself was pretty good. I think it had an amazing message for readers and there is stuff to learn from this book. I have zero military background but work in the medical field and we constantly see veterans with PTSD or depression. I think this book sheds light on the reality of being in the military, isolated from your loved ones. I would say this book drew me in, but towards the end, it felt a little rushed to get to the ending. This next part is on me, but it was not really what I was expecting this book to be about. Turned out to be more of a romance book, whereas I was looking for more of an action/biography of being overseas. All in all, I did enjoy it and do suggest it to anyone wanting to sympathize with veterans.

[Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick easy read.

"Into the Darkness" is a memoir that goes beyond the typical war narrative. Through unfiltered raw emotion and sincerity, the author intertwines stories of love and heartbreak with the intensity of combat experiences in Iraq and Syria, providing a glimpse into the individual at the core of the mission. In the midst of mental turmoil and the danger of suicide, the author not only faces external challenges but also tackles the inner demons that plague him. This story is a testament to resilience and the profound path towards healing.

[Yvette Velasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw & Gritty

Loved the Way Fielding puts his whole story on the line & advocates for veterans. The story is captivating & very well written Well done.