About Face: Finding Peace Within the Battle

by Bethany Barnett, John Corcoran (Narrator), keith dowling (Narrator)

Every life has its defining moment, an experience that changes everything. For three Irish military veterans — John, Ger and Kevin — that moment continues to echo through their lives. An explosion. A vow. A chance decision. Now each must live with the fallout from his actions. There is no going back and no rewriting the past. But there is another decision to make, and there is a prayer to pray. A man can set a different course and continue his life with a fresh purpose. Anyone who has served will recognize these stories of heartache and happiness, troubles and blessings. In About Face, three extraordinary veterans share their experiences and offer us something an invitation to take the next step, encouragement to look for the next defining moment.

Audible Audio

Published December 2, 2025

Reviews

[Daryl Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading ABOUT FACE and I must say, I’m extremely impressed by the amount of drama that is packed into these pages. The stories that these three men tell about the tragic experiences they have lived through are gut wrenchingly painful to visualize. That these men who were volunteer members of peacekeeping forces in the Middle East, that left their families behind to protect other citizens living in places torn by war, well, that fact alone is enough to write a screenplay for a Clint Eastwood style movie about. These men are heros based on these facts alone.

This is a fantastically written story about men who sacrificed everything to help maintain peace in one of the worse war torn places on earth. I don’t want to retell what this author has done, but I do want to say that the way she has wove this story for her readers is a phenomenal feat. My heart has been torn open hearing about the anguish these men suffered.

Read this book for the sake of seeing your own life in the balance of comparison to men who gave everything and as a reward came close to losing everything sacred to them, yet they persevered and chose to continue living, day after day until they finally have moments of great recompense where they find powers of love and forgiveness greater than what is humanly possible to create, which gives them even more hope and reward.

I’m not a religious believer, but I’m touched by how the lives of these three men came into synchronicity and they became able to create a communal bond, a fellowship of believers where their unique identities were so mirrored by each other. The reference used to the character “Job” from the Bible is genuinely apt for how these men have suffered, endure and eventually become “saved”.

High praise to author-Barnett for weaving these stories into a tale that is quick to read, yet stabs so deeply into the psyche of human suffering and recovery, and yes, salvation. I could see this style of documentary-like storytelling becoming a series for her where she could expose readers to other tales of citizenry that go through literally hellish lives to find their ways to “God”. Trust me, if you read this book you will want to tell others about it. I feel more grateful for the life I’ve lived, and feel hopeful that there is such a God as these three have found that is available to help people heal.

[Luke Larner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had the honour and privilege of sharing the road with two of the men in this book over the last 5 years, and they've had a significant impact on my life. This is a story you just can't put down, a story of hope in the midst of extreme darkness, a story of redemption in the most unlikely circumstances.

Unlike most of the 'life story' books I've read, this one is real, does not offer false hope but tells stories which leave you to make up your own mind. Buy it. Read it. Be inspired and challenged.

Luke, Vice President, God's Squad Christian Motorcycle Club UK South

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is hope and His name is Jesus.