What do you think?
Rate this book
RedCon 1: Memoirs of a Fallujah Marine
Many books attempt to depict modern war accurately. Most of them are honorable, but in the end, they are just attempts.
Michael S. Smith’s memoir, on the other hand, is the reality of modern combat.
Gear up and settle in, but don’t get too comfortable—you’re joining a platoon of United States Marine Corps scouts as they make their way through a pre-deployment workup, a transition to the Middle East, and ultimately into Operation Al Fajr, an assault to retake Fallujah, Iraq. It will be the largest and deadliest American battle since Hue City, Vietnam. The memoir is a microscopic and unwavering look at personal interactions, struggles, nightmares, and scars of the men in the platoon, its 1st Section in particular. They grow from an untested unit into a seasoned group of combat veterans. In addition to life amid the horrors of death and destruction, Smith also delivers the hilarity lost in most accounts of war, which the men must maintain in order to keep their sanity.
You’re going to be frightened as you slug it out with the enemy, but with that come unwavering friendships forged in battle and the irrefutable honor in the defense of freedom.
- GenresWarMilitary Fiction
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 9, 2014
45 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 17, 2018
Wow....
Thank you, Sgt Smith, for writing this book. I have been completely engrossed, staying up half the night, reading at stop lights and on breaks at work. As a veteran myself, I thought I understood, but I realize now how limited my understanding was of what you and so many other combat veterans go through, and my compassion has grown tremendously. As an Army Nurse in a combat support hospital, my role was completely different than yours, and I always tried to show gratitude and respect for those warriors entrusted to my care. Now I wish I could go back and say “thank you, and welcome home!” to each of those whose paths I have crossed. Truly an amazing read.... Thank you, Sgt Smith and Scouts, and WELCOME HOME!!!!
Thank you, Sgt Smith, for writing this book. I have been completely engrossed, staying up half the night, reading at stop lights and on breaks at work. As a veteran myself, I thought I understood, but I realize now how limited my understanding was of what you and so many other combat veterans go through, and my compassion has grown tremendously. As an Army Nurse in a combat support hospital, my role was completely different than yours, and I always tried to show gratitude and respect for those warriors entrusted to my care. Now I wish I could go back and say “thank you, and welcome home!” to each of those whose paths I have crossed. Truly an amazing read.... Thank you, Sgt Smith and Scouts, and WELCOME HOME!!!!
February 3, 2021
Excellent book. Not for the squeamish or easily triggered reader or any arm chair Monday morning quarterback! This is a truly visceral account of a savage and destructive time in Iraq. I know because I was there! If you were never in Iraq or in combat you won’t understand the dark humor, the filth, the terrible sights and sounds or the constant fatigue.
After 23 years in the USMC I will tell you the bonds of faith and brotherhood described in this book are real. I will also tell you that reading about some of the pranks, the off humor crude jokes, the constant jabbing at each other and the loyalty to one another are also true. They don’t call us Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children (USMC) for nothing.
After 23 years in the USMC I will tell you the bonds of faith and brotherhood described in this book are real. I will also tell you that reading about some of the pranks, the off humor crude jokes, the constant jabbing at each other and the loyalty to one another are also true. They don’t call us Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children (USMC) for nothing.
January 7, 2018
This book is really poorly written, the author bangs on about how all POG's are useless, about how all Iraqi's are stupid, gay, have poor hygiene, then claims a second later that he understand their culture. It is the worst war book I have ever read and I read a lot of them.
Go and read Hammerhead 6 if you want to read about a US Army unit who actually understands the culture of where they are fighting, and House to House if you want to read about combat in Fallujah. Both are better written and way more interesting. I gave up on the last chapter of this book.
Go and read Hammerhead 6 if you want to read about a US Army unit who actually understands the culture of where they are fighting, and House to House if you want to read about combat in Fallujah. Both are better written and way more interesting. I gave up on the last chapter of this book.
August 8, 2024
A great read about the 2004-2005 time in Fallujah. My reason for giving it the 3 star rating have nothing to do with the sacrifices or storytelling here, besides the fact that it dehumanizes the innocent people AND Muslims in general. It is one thing to dehumanize your enemy who is murdering innocents, but the language about those who were not involved in the violence was a bit jarring, and I grew up around people who served in the same city at the same time who do not say things like he said.
September 12, 2019
Fantastic account of Enlisted Marines in a war.
Nicely written by a Sgt team leader. Not much fluff and buff in this book. Its raw and it's real. Being a Marine isn't just looking ridged and handsome in dress Blues, but survivors of a life changing chapter in your life that you'd rather forget but really don't want to or can you. Read until the very end!!!
Nicely written by a Sgt team leader. Not much fluff and buff in this book. Its raw and it's real. Being a Marine isn't just looking ridged and handsome in dress Blues, but survivors of a life changing chapter in your life that you'd rather forget but really don't want to or can you. Read until the very end!!!
April 30, 2020
The Real Fallujah
Mike gives a real time perspective of life on the front lines in the Iraqi conflict in Fallujah. The feeling of daily stress, trugery, frustration and challenge becomes real. You touch on the daily attitude of the affected, including Marines and the Iraqi people. Only to feel what is brought home in the end. Enjoyable reading.
Mike gives a real time perspective of life on the front lines in the Iraqi conflict in Fallujah. The feeling of daily stress, trugery, frustration and challenge becomes real. You touch on the daily attitude of the affected, including Marines and the Iraqi people. Only to feel what is brought home in the end. Enjoyable reading.
February 4, 2022
Great book
Started this book as a sample,on Amazon and loved it.Unfortunately, I should not read this at night,as I found it difficult to put away.The war in Iraq was a different type of war and this was a great book to read to describe that
Started this book as a sample,on Amazon and loved it.Unfortunately, I should not read this at night,as I found it difficult to put away.The war in Iraq was a different type of war and this was a great book to read to describe that
December 31, 2018
This book is awesome. I did not want to put it down. It seems like you are there. One action to another. I read the book to my husband and he loved it. Michael Smith is a good author.
December 24, 2020
Good non fiction read.
October 10, 2019
This is an outstanding account of what the daily grind for Marines/Soldiers in an urban war is like. Not only the physical but mental toll it takes on people and why tough training is required in order for them to survive it. One of my nephews fought in the Battle of Fallajuh (1/8) and I am always interested in the accounts of that famous battle and to get a flavor of what he went through. Thank God for men like Sgt. Smith and my nephew.
February 12, 2015
Marine's doing what marine's do best
Great book about America's young men fighting a war in close and personal. His descriptions are vivid in every way and the reader is then connected to the action. His account of this particular battle involves an army unit, which was attached, to their unit, and the author puts his ego aside by describing their contributions. He credits his Commander profusely, which I haven't seen in along time, and his loyalty for his men is off the scale. All told and said, these men and so many more like them, went into the unknown to clean up Fallujah. I highly recommend this book.
Great book about America's young men fighting a war in close and personal. His descriptions are vivid in every way and the reader is then connected to the action. His account of this particular battle involves an army unit, which was attached, to their unit, and the author puts his ego aside by describing their contributions. He credits his Commander profusely, which I haven't seen in along time, and his loyalty for his men is off the scale. All told and said, these men and so many more like them, went into the unknown to clean up Fallujah. I highly recommend this book.
June 23, 2015
A great personal account
A great personal account of what our troops endured in Fallujah. Made you feel as though you were in the Humvee with them. The horror of combat, the constant ribbing of the troops with each other and the professionalism of our Marines was well documented in Mr. Smith's account.
A great personal account of what our troops endured in Fallujah. Made you feel as though you were in the Humvee with them. The horror of combat, the constant ribbing of the troops with each other and the professionalism of our Marines was well documented in Mr. Smith's account.
January 15, 2015
Solid
Men like these are America's best.... Semper Fi brothers, no matter what turns out of Iraq, u did your job and did it well, this Marine is extremely proud of what u guys accomplished....
Men like these are America's best.... Semper Fi brothers, no matter what turns out of Iraq, u did your job and did it well, this Marine is extremely proud of what u guys accomplished....
October 19, 2015
This book was a good book my brother is in the book and it is good I love it
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews