What do you think?
Rate this book
Letting Go: A Marine's Journey Through War and His Search for Meaning
Not only a gripping memoir about war and the Marine Corps with gut-wrenching and heartfelt scenes, but also an introspective story about life after the Marine Corps and finding your purpose in the world. Letting A Marine’s Journey Through War and His Search for Meaning takes the reader deep inside the authors head, giving them an unfiltered view of his struggles with war, and the difficulty he faced trying to adjust as a civilian to a world out of touch with his values. “I looked inside, compelled to stare, staining the image of a dead body into my memory. I did not deserve to look away. I had to know the awfulness of war; the wickedness of our species.” - Page 162 MORE FROM THE BACK COVER Letting Go is an excellent account of a Marine before, during, and after 9/11. Through the eyes of Jeff Sands, he retells his story with brutal honesty, describing what possessed him to join the Marine Corps, his experiences while serving, to include deploying to Iraq during the initial invasion, and the demons he endured while trying to readjust to civilian life. This book was begun as a diary of sorts. It was written to try and understand the chaos that exists inside one’s own head, especially after experiencing war and seeing its effects. It was flushed out over many sleepless nights, and refined over time with clarity. It’s more than just a story about war and struggle, it’s a story about what compels someone to join the Marine Corps, risking his life for something greater than himself. It’s a story about how the Marine Corps molds not only men’s bodies, but their minds. It’s a story about war, and its effects... good and bad. It's a story about heartbreak. And it’s a story about trying to adjust to a corporate world out of touch with the values of the Marine Corps; a world without a purpose. Follow Jeff as he takes you through the streets of Baghdad, giving you an unfiltered description of what he experienced and the injustice he saw. Then, watch him try to adjust as a civilian, eventually leaving behind his job, his marriage, and everything he owns, in order to pursue the ideals that were the reasons he joined the Marine Corps; ideals that were reinforced by war. See how he deals with his tortured mind, eventually teaching himself how to let go. ABOUT LETTING A MARINE’S JOURNEY THROUGH WAR AND HIS SEARCH FOR MEANING Released December 15th, 2014, this is the first book by Jeff Sands about his own life and his own experiences.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2014
49 people are currently reading
332 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey Sands
2 books1 followerJeff Sands was born in Saranac Lake, New York, and moved to the small town of Montpelier, Vermont at the age of five. After completing his bachelor's degree in political science at the University of Vermont, he joined the Marine Corps in 2000. Soon afterwards, he found himself deploying to Kuwait and invading Iraq with 7th Marine Regiment. After the Marine Corps, he entered the homebuilding industry, where he worked for 9 years and moved up the corporate ladder as Vice President of Purchasing. During that time he received his Master's Degree in Political Science, got married, and settled down in Temecula, CA. However, he wasn't satisfied with his life in the corporate world, and soon found himself leaving his wife, losing his house, and quitting his job. Letting Go: A Marine's Journey Through War and His Search for Meaning, is his first self-published book
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 20, 2015
Great Book
The writer takes us on a very exciting and insightful journey. Many valuable lessons are taught along the way culminating in the most valuable lesson of all: how should we spend our time here on planet earth. The choice arrived at in this narrative is quite intriguing and dishes out a lot of food for thought. A well written an meaningful work. I encourage the author to keep writing in whatever genre he is inclined to pursue.
The writer takes us on a very exciting and insightful journey. Many valuable lessons are taught along the way culminating in the most valuable lesson of all: how should we spend our time here on planet earth. The choice arrived at in this narrative is quite intriguing and dishes out a lot of food for thought. A well written an meaningful work. I encourage the author to keep writing in whatever genre he is inclined to pursue.
December 17, 2023
I wish I could meet the author
I wish I could meet the author. I've been an avid reader my whole life, having read thousands & thousands of books, both fiction and non-fiction and I have never said (or thought) that after finishing a book. Never. In addition to being well writtten and a great read this man's story is enlightening and thought provoking. He feels things intensely and expresses that in his writing through his personal perspective. It's clear his deployment to Iraq had a profound impact on his life yet his values were never compromised. I admire his tenacity to acheive happiness and I'm inspired to do some reflecting and hopefully become more self aware. I highly recommend reading this book to anyone looking for a little clarity regarding what's important in life. Prepare to be humbled.
I wish I could meet the author. I've been an avid reader my whole life, having read thousands & thousands of books, both fiction and non-fiction and I have never said (or thought) that after finishing a book. Never. In addition to being well writtten and a great read this man's story is enlightening and thought provoking. He feels things intensely and expresses that in his writing through his personal perspective. It's clear his deployment to Iraq had a profound impact on his life yet his values were never compromised. I admire his tenacity to acheive happiness and I'm inspired to do some reflecting and hopefully become more self aware. I highly recommend reading this book to anyone looking for a little clarity regarding what's important in life. Prepare to be humbled.
February 2, 2018
interesting
while this book was interesting, for me it would have been more enjoyable if there was more coverage of his thought process while serving in the USMC. however on the plus side this book made me think and see things in a different light, which for me is what this type of book should do.
while this book was interesting, for me it would have been more enjoyable if there was more coverage of his thought process while serving in the USMC. however on the plus side this book made me think and see things in a different light, which for me is what this type of book should do.
February 5, 2020
This is a story of living
I rated this book at 5 stars because it was written in truthful and forthright manner. No B.S. and no fluff.
I rated this book at 5 stars because it was written in truthful and forthright manner. No B.S. and no fluff.
July 24, 2023
Well written
It kept my attention from front to back! I am glad Jeff could overcome what he seen in Iraq, couldn't be easy.
It kept my attention from front to back! I am glad Jeff could overcome what he seen in Iraq, couldn't be easy.
November 28, 2025
letting go a story to change you
A compelling book to challenge your mind
It managed to put into words my questions
I realized I would need to find my own answers
A compelling book to challenge your mind
It managed to put into words my questions
I realized I would need to find my own answers
April 15, 2016
An amazing read!
As the mother of a 15 year old in MJROTC, I was interested in reading this book to learn about Jeff's journey with the Marines. I also had friends in Desert Storm and found the book interesting from that perspective. However, now having finished the book, I feel so much like Jeff and wonder why we work so hard without being truly happy in what we do. I think Jeff give us pause in reevaluating our lives, needs, desires and wanting to help the less fortunate feeds us in ways nothing else can. Jeff, I truly enjoyed your book and I do hope people will realize we can be wealthy in so many ways that don't include materialism.
As the mother of a 15 year old in MJROTC, I was interested in reading this book to learn about Jeff's journey with the Marines. I also had friends in Desert Storm and found the book interesting from that perspective. However, now having finished the book, I feel so much like Jeff and wonder why we work so hard without being truly happy in what we do. I think Jeff give us pause in reevaluating our lives, needs, desires and wanting to help the less fortunate feeds us in ways nothing else can. Jeff, I truly enjoyed your book and I do hope people will realize we can be wealthy in so many ways that don't include materialism.
May 6, 2015
A Marines story
When I chose this book I thought it would be a great story. I have read many books about the military whether it's a biography, non-fiction and fiction. This book did not hold my attention I found myself struggling to finish. Other people may enjoy it and that's good for them but for me not.
When I chose this book I thought it would be a great story. I have read many books about the military whether it's a biography, non-fiction and fiction. This book did not hold my attention I found myself struggling to finish. Other people may enjoy it and that's good for them but for me not.
April 14, 2016
Impressive
I am a Viet Nam veteran and I enjoyed Jeff's book. The way he portrays military training, the times of boredom to times of intense action, Jeff only hit the high spots, but he told his story the way life is.
Hopefully, Jeff will continue his writing career and I will certainly buy his books. Thank you for your service to our country Jeff.
I am a Viet Nam veteran and I enjoyed Jeff's book. The way he portrays military training, the times of boredom to times of intense action, Jeff only hit the high spots, but he told his story the way life is.
Hopefully, Jeff will continue his writing career and I will certainly buy his books. Thank you for your service to our country Jeff.
May 6, 2016
Realism defined
This is a great read to find out what makes Marines tick. It's great to read not only the military part but also life after combat. It's about internal struggles all of us have and the value system we have come to live under.
This is a great read to find out what makes Marines tick. It's great to read not only the military part but also life after combat. It's about internal struggles all of us have and the value system we have come to live under.
August 13, 2016
An enjoyable read - some really interesting questions related to personal ethics ...morality doing what is "right"
Right".....I wish I had his commitment to do what is "right" instead of doing what is "expected/accepted by society ....
Right".....I wish I had his commitment to do what is "right" instead of doing what is "expected/accepted by society ....
February 19, 2015
Not your usual War/Army book
Great read and also good to see an ex soldier with a lighter side of life rather than the usual American gung ho stuff
Great read and also good to see an ex soldier with a lighter side of life rather than the usual American gung ho stuff
June 15, 2016
Well done
For a first book, well done. Interesting read. A little tighter editing in spots would make a smoother read. Explored and dug into himself for content.
For a first book, well done. Interesting read. A little tighter editing in spots would make a smoother read. Explored and dug into himself for content.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews