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Wounded Warrior #1
The Long Road Home: One Step at a Time
On a road outside Fallujah, an RPG blows apart a Humvee and upends the life of a former football star. As a medevac chopper swoops down, the wounded Guardsman hears "Not your time, bro. Not today," and his remarkable healing journey begins.
Thousands of U.S. soldiers have suffered grievous wounds in Iraq, but only one of them is a Doonesbury character. The Long Road Home: One Step at a Time chronicles seven months of cutting-edge cartooning, during which B.D.-and readers of the strip-got an up-close schooling in a kind of personal transformation no one seeks.
Deprived not only of leg but also his ubiquitous trademark helmet, B.D. survives first-response Baghdad triage, evacuation to Landstuhl's surgeon-rich environment, and visits by innumerable morale-boosting celebs, both red and blue in hue. He's awed in turn by morphine, take-no-guff nurses, his fellow amps, and his family, including the daughter who hand-delivers succor, one aspirin at a time.
Transferred stateside to Walter Reed's Ward 57, B.D. is inspired by the wisdom of physiatrists, warmed by the dedicated ministrations of real-life fellow-amp heroes like Jim the Milkshake Man, and dazzled by high-tech prostheses that cost more than luxury cars. He's annoyed by his own bouts with self-pity, by the bedside awkwardness of friends more comfortable regarding his stump from e-mail distance, and by Zonk's unwavering commitment to supplementing his care with organic meds.
As their journey continues, B.D. and Boopsie are cared for by Fisher House, a home-next-door-to-the-hospital for families whose lives revolve around therapy. B.D. finds himself painfully engaged in building his future, one sadistically difficult physical therapy session at a time. "To Lash, Helga, and the Marquis!" toast the band of differently limbed brethren, raising their glasses to their PT masters as they prepare for reentry into the ambulatory world.
From rebuilding tissue to rebuilding social skills to rebuilding lives, B.D's inspiring, insightful, and darkly humorous story confirms that it can take a village, or at least a ward, to raise a soldier when he's gone down. "Thank you for getting blown up," offers one of B.D.'s visiting players. Replies the coach, "Just doing my job."
Thousands of U.S. soldiers have suffered grievous wounds in Iraq, but only one of them is a Doonesbury character. The Long Road Home: One Step at a Time chronicles seven months of cutting-edge cartooning, during which B.D.-and readers of the strip-got an up-close schooling in a kind of personal transformation no one seeks.
Deprived not only of leg but also his ubiquitous trademark helmet, B.D. survives first-response Baghdad triage, evacuation to Landstuhl's surgeon-rich environment, and visits by innumerable morale-boosting celebs, both red and blue in hue. He's awed in turn by morphine, take-no-guff nurses, his fellow amps, and his family, including the daughter who hand-delivers succor, one aspirin at a time.
Transferred stateside to Walter Reed's Ward 57, B.D. is inspired by the wisdom of physiatrists, warmed by the dedicated ministrations of real-life fellow-amp heroes like Jim the Milkshake Man, and dazzled by high-tech prostheses that cost more than luxury cars. He's annoyed by his own bouts with self-pity, by the bedside awkwardness of friends more comfortable regarding his stump from e-mail distance, and by Zonk's unwavering commitment to supplementing his care with organic meds.
As their journey continues, B.D. and Boopsie are cared for by Fisher House, a home-next-door-to-the-hospital for families whose lives revolve around therapy. B.D. finds himself painfully engaged in building his future, one sadistically difficult physical therapy session at a time. "To Lash, Helga, and the Marquis!" toast the band of differently limbed brethren, raising their glasses to their PT masters as they prepare for reentry into the ambulatory world.
From rebuilding tissue to rebuilding social skills to rebuilding lives, B.D's inspiring, insightful, and darkly humorous story confirms that it can take a village, or at least a ward, to raise a soldier when he's gone down. "Thank you for getting blown up," offers one of B.D.'s visiting players. Replies the coach, "Just doing my job."
93 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2005
About the author
G.B. Trudeau
160 books129 followersGarretson Beekman "Garry" Trudeau is an American cartoonist, best known for the Doonesbury comic strip. In 1970, Trudeau's creation of Doonesbury was syndicated by the newly formed Universal Press Syndicate. Today Doonesbury is syndicated to almost 1,400 newspapers worldwide and is accessible online in association with Slate Magazine at doonesbury.com. In 1975, he became the first comic strip artist to win a Pulitzer, traditionally awarded to editorial-page cartoonists. He was also a Pulitzer finalist in 1990. He was nominated for an Oscar in 1977 in the category of Animated Short Film, for A Doonesbury Special, in collaboration with John Hubley and Faith Hubley. A Doonesbury Special eventually won the Cannes Film Festival Jury Special Prize in 1978. Other awards include the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) Newspaper Comic Strip Award in 1994, and the Reuben Award in 1995. He was made a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1993. Wiley Miller, fellow comic-strip artist responsible for Non Sequitur, called Trudeau "far and away the most influential editorial cartoonist in the last 25 years." In addition to his work on Doonesbury, Trudeau has teamed with Elizabeth Swados and written plays, such as Rap Master Ronnie and Doonesbury: A Musical Comedy. In 1988, Trudeau joined forces with director Robert Altman for the HBO miniseries Tanner '88 and the Sundance Channel miniseries sequel Tanner on Tanner in 2004. In 1996, Newsweek and The Washington Post speculated that Trudeau wrote the novel Primary Colors, which was later revealed to have been written by Joe Klein. Trudeau wrote the political sitcom Alpha House, starring John Goodman and Bill Murray. The pilot was produced by Amazon Studios and aired in early 2013. Due to positive response Amazon has picked up Alpha House to develop into a full series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 3, 2023
2023 bk 108. This is not the traditional political cartoon of Gary Trudeau's and the author is not John McCain, it is pure Trudeau. This is a portion of B.D.'s story - the sad story of a soldier catastrophically wounded and his journey through recovery and healing. The loss of a limb, in his case a leg, sets a soldier on a path through various hospitals and therapy programs with the ultimate goal of reading home as either a civilian or soldier on leave. I was impressed by the amount of research that Trudeau had to do to tell this story effectively from the points of view of the healthcare workers, B.D.'s family and friends, and B.D. himself. Most touching is the point of view of his daughter. This is a short read - and an important one.
January 10, 2019
A serious topic but there's a lot of humor and snark. Short enough to read in one sitting. If you haven't read Doonesbury, this is understandable as a stand-alone story about a soldier who loses his leg. There are one or two jokes that rely upon context of the larger Doonesbury series-- notably, the character of BD was always previously shown with his helmet on.
RPG means, in this context, Rocket-propelled grenade.
RPG means, in this context, Rocket-propelled grenade.
November 3, 2013
I was a fan of Doonesbury back when the series first began and through the 70's and some of the 80's. Somehow over the years I have lost track but once in awhile I would read a strip or two in the newspaper. I heard good reviews of this trilogy about returning troops and thought this was a great place to start to re-acquaint myself with this series. I was not disappointed and look forward to reading more. A graceful way to bring into focus a difficult and tragic topic.
July 28, 2012
First Doonesbury book that's made me laugh out loud in a long time. Wonderful, silly, honest, not entirely clueless (as a disabled person, I get to say that). It didn't seem offensive to anyone - which has been a problem with Doonesbury strips time and again.
***
Just read it again. I laughed, I cried. G.B. Trudeau at his very best. Wish there were more like this.
***
Just read it again. I laughed, I cried. G.B. Trudeau at his very best. Wish there were more like this.
June 21, 2012
These are the strips about B.D. having his leg blown off in Iraq, his recovery and re-integration. I really miss Garry Trudeau’s characters. I need to spend more time with them.
Read
January 25, 2021You Either Laugh, or You Cry
When learned that 2021 is the 50th anniversary of Doonesbury, I was especially eager to read this collection and write this review. Doonesbury and I have been together for most of those 50 years, with a break only when our local paper wasn't running them. D.B. was always the troubled guy, the one who didn't seem compassionate, who always embodied the conservative point of view.
Well, that has taken a turn I could have foreseen--but didn't. Not just wounded, B.D. lost his left leg. His appearance isn't drastically changed, but his body is. And his mind. He's angry, of course, and in pain. He grieves the loss of his "normal" body, his "normal" life, his ability to control his environment. He refuses the counseling he's entitled to (well, some of the younger B.D. has to remain!).
But coming home at least gives him a demonstration of how much he is loved, especially by his daughter. And even by Zonker, who was always a foil for B.D.'s negativity.
Even if you've never been a fan of the strip, this book is informative and teaches us all what newly disabled people go through, from the stares of strangers to friends who cannot bear to look, or who hide behind platitudes to avoid the reality of B.D.'s new status.
Since I'm disabled and have to use a wheelchair whenever I go somewhere where a lot of walking is necessary, I want to say I understand -- somewhat -- what the main character is going through, and I highly recommend this collection of cartoons. Enjoy!
When learned that 2021 is the 50th anniversary of Doonesbury, I was especially eager to read this collection and write this review. Doonesbury and I have been together for most of those 50 years, with a break only when our local paper wasn't running them. D.B. was always the troubled guy, the one who didn't seem compassionate, who always embodied the conservative point of view.
Well, that has taken a turn I could have foreseen--but didn't. Not just wounded, B.D. lost his left leg. His appearance isn't drastically changed, but his body is. And his mind. He's angry, of course, and in pain. He grieves the loss of his "normal" body, his "normal" life, his ability to control his environment. He refuses the counseling he's entitled to (well, some of the younger B.D. has to remain!).
But coming home at least gives him a demonstration of how much he is loved, especially by his daughter. And even by Zonker, who was always a foil for B.D.'s negativity.
Even if you've never been a fan of the strip, this book is informative and teaches us all what newly disabled people go through, from the stares of strangers to friends who cannot bear to look, or who hide behind platitudes to avoid the reality of B.D.'s new status.
Since I'm disabled and have to use a wheelchair whenever I go somewhere where a lot of walking is necessary, I want to say I understand -- somewhat -- what the main character is going through, and I highly recommend this collection of cartoons. Enjoy!
March 20, 2025
This is a collection of cartoons relating to B.D.s recovery from an RPG attack near Fallujah. It deals with recovery issues and the loss of a limb. It also tells the story of Fisher House, a recovery house for wounded vets. It not only addresses B.D's and Boopsie's recovery, but addresses some of their friends. But Trudeau keeps it light, there is a suggestion we might find out what his initials stand for, and Zonker can keep any subject light.
This collection keeps its distance from politics and the stronger political characters don't make an appearance. The book really focusses on the recovery issues without any distracting side-stories.
This collection keeps its distance from politics and the stronger political characters don't make an appearance. The book really focusses on the recovery issues without any distracting side-stories.
September 9, 2017
Short graphic novel that adds humor to the tragedy of a war vet who lost a limb. Not much for specific details, or even a time line (as I said...short graphic novel) but each strip/page adds a layer of this soldiers life (& that of his family) that does not remain untouched. Love that the purchase of this book aids the Fisher houses that support victims families as they recover.
March 29, 2024
This is a wonderful story about Doonesbury character, B.D., who is wounded while serving in the military in Iraq. We see how he is wounded, how he loses his leg in an explosion and how he makes the long road to recovery. I learned much about how our wounded soldiers are treated and the people who bring them back to health and activity.
December 13, 2023
This is a look at a wounded warrior as B.D. returns to the states with part of his leg missing. It shows his way through recovery and how his family comes together to help him through this hard time. I love Doonesbury and this is worth the read.
November 27, 2022
War hero friendly.
Good black and white artwork in sequential form. Be loses his leg and his helmet. Based off real places where soldiers recuperate.
Good black and white artwork in sequential form. Be loses his leg and his helmet. Based off real places where soldiers recuperate.
September 12, 2023
Timely, sensitive, humorous.
January 4, 2025
While Doonsbury was part of the comic page back when we had real newspapers, the underlying theme of this collection is quite serious.
March 8, 2025
Touching, sometimes funny, yet always real.
February 27, 2026
Quite unique!
Short reads, long perspectives! Well done! Humor mixed with reality works every time! Few words but many, many well said truths.
Short reads, long perspectives! Well done! Humor mixed with reality works every time! Few words but many, many well said truths.
July 18, 2009
Our nations leaders often avoid talking about the human cost of war. G.B. Trudeau tackles this issue head on, providing an intimate look at the painful and difficult recovery of wounded war veterans with a rare, witty, biting humor.
The author introduces D.B., an ordinary soldier who gets wounded in the line of duty, and uses this fictional character to show the entire journey- from breaking the news of your injury to your family to needing to rearrange the house to make it easier for a disabled individual to navigate. The book touches on all of the big moments, like the long and painful physical rehabilitation, to the little details, like how a soldier who has lost a limb comes to terms with the initial awkwardness with which they are initially received- by friends and family as much as strangers.
The reader may initially wonder, as I did, whether humor is an appropriate vehicle with which to broach such a serious subject. By book's end, however, Trudeau will have you convinced that perhaps humor is not just appropriate; in some cases, it may just be the best tool to help make a difficult subject bearable- for the reader, for those involved, and for the public at large.
Additionally, the book includes a deeply moving forward by John McCain regarding all that we ask of our military service members and all that they are willing to give for this country. I rarely make it through an entire forward but McCain's grips you with his first sentence.
The author introduces D.B., an ordinary soldier who gets wounded in the line of duty, and uses this fictional character to show the entire journey- from breaking the news of your injury to your family to needing to rearrange the house to make it easier for a disabled individual to navigate. The book touches on all of the big moments, like the long and painful physical rehabilitation, to the little details, like how a soldier who has lost a limb comes to terms with the initial awkwardness with which they are initially received- by friends and family as much as strangers.
The reader may initially wonder, as I did, whether humor is an appropriate vehicle with which to broach such a serious subject. By book's end, however, Trudeau will have you convinced that perhaps humor is not just appropriate; in some cases, it may just be the best tool to help make a difficult subject bearable- for the reader, for those involved, and for the public at large.
Additionally, the book includes a deeply moving forward by John McCain regarding all that we ask of our military service members and all that they are willing to give for this country. I rarely make it through an entire forward but McCain's grips you with his first sentence.
November 26, 2013
Doonesbury: The Long Road Home: One Step at a Time by G.B. Trudeau is a graphic novel that illuminates the ongoing suffering of wounded warriors and their families. B.D. loses his left leg to an RPG explosion on a road near Fallujah, Iraq. The reader experiences his battle-field trauma immediately after the explosion, then his evacuation and surgeries at Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany, and then more treatment at Walter Reed Medical Center near Washington DC. Trudeau provides a gripping story along with his outstanding black-and-white illustrations. This is not a light-hearted graphic novel. It reveals the horrors of war and the bravery and determination of our military men and women. It also reveals the emotional pain that wounded soldiers and their families must endure. However, it also highlights the exceptional long-term medical and emotional care that the wounded soldiers and their families receive, including the work of Fisher House, which provides a “home away from home” next door to the medical facilities enabling families to be near their injured loved ones. This book chronicles a long and hard battle by B.D. and his family to recover and adjust to the loss of his leg. However, it also provides some relief for the reader through humor from B.D. and Zonker’s dialogues. I recommend this graphic novel to everyone. This is the first book of a three-book series, which continues with The War Within and Signature Wound.
August 17, 2007
Garry Trudeau's "Doonesbury" strip is among the most prolific and engaging comics in American history. Anything that has run as long as this feature is bound to blow hot and cold at different times. To this reality, Trudeau wisely released two volumes central to the hell of war and the pain of recovery as seen through the experiences of his original character B.D. ("The Long Road Home" and "The War Within".) These collections run the gauntlet from injury to the first steps of rehabilitation with Trudeau's usual humor and thoughtful reflection along the way. While this storyline provided a renewed interest in "Doonesbury" it also accomplished a larger objective in bringing the word "sacrifice" into a war vernacular markedly absent of any such reference. Not bad for what we were hearing in 2005-2006 and downright impressive for a comic strip pushing 40. Classic.
May 11, 2015
If you've ever read the Sunday comics in the paper, you are likely to have seen Doonesbury. If you are like me, then you probably skipped over it, or saved it until after you've read the good ones. Doonesbury tended to be political satire, a genre that has a hard time competing for kids' attentions against the likes of Garfield and The Wizard of Id.
But this mini-novel in comic form takes on an even more serious topic of wounded veterans.
Read the full review here:
https://ermareads.wordpress.com/graph...
But this mini-novel in comic form takes on an even more serious topic of wounded veterans.
Read the full review here:
https://ermareads.wordpress.com/graph...
September 22, 2007
Honestly, I was really disappointed in this book. I expected a much harsher, more biting critique of the war in Iraq from the man who brought us the dramatic political exposé "Tanner '88." It simply seemed to be a light gloss of what a veteran amputee might go through, rather than an in-depth story. Very bummed. Still, the artwork is always unique and there were a few short spots with some dark, harsh humor.
April 19, 2024
This collection follows one of Doonesbury’s main characters, B.D. He’s at Fallujah and gets hit; subsequently, he is medevaced out and becomes an amputee. This is the beginning of his journey through recovery. And it’s excellent. Trudeau navigates B.D. through fury, loss, and moments of humor with a deft touch. Highly recommended.
March 12, 2009
Pretty profound for a cartoon. With the economy, the switch from Iraq to Afghanistan and now the stem cell issue heating up- I hope that we don't forget or neglect our vets. If you buy this book the proceeds go to the Fischer House, a place for veterans and their families next to VA hospitals.
November 29, 2014
Thanks for your sacrifice
We forget the destruction of lives that war leaves in it's wake. Leave it to Gary Trudeau to remind us of the difficulties faced by our war wounded. Thank you very much.
We forget the destruction of lives that war leaves in it's wake. Leave it to Gary Trudeau to remind us of the difficulties faced by our war wounded. Thank you very much.
August 1, 2007
I borrowed this from the UHD Library.
See my note on the book:
[http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/20...]
See my note on the book:
[http://gypsylibrarian.blogspot.com/20...]
November 16, 2014
Having been a Trudeau fan for a loooong time, I really appreciated the way he handles the war and veterans. Particularly in this book.
Reread for a class assignment.
Reread for a class assignment.
December 6, 2009
A wonderful inspiring story of the rebuilding of one's life after being severely injured in Iraq. A homage to these brave men and women who sacrifice so much for the American people.
September 28, 2011
i think it was an inspiring
March 14, 2012
Deeply moving.
January 6, 2018
I first read this for an English grad class focused on analyzing stories from the standpoint of the oil economy. I loved it then. I still love it.
September 24, 2016
BD from bomb that took his leg to Zonker building a ramp and rearranging the house for his homecoming at Christmas. Foreword by John McCain.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews