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Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq
For F. Scott Service, a five-minute phone call one peaceful morning was all it took. Faced with the terrible dichotomy of his moral opposition to war and an innate sense of duty, little did he realize that when he was called for deployment in Iraq that his would be a tour of duty destined to change him forever.
Witnessing the violence of a country ravaged by chaos and facing the disintegration of his life back home, his sojourn in Iraq forced him to fight a new battle, a battle within himself. What had once been a noble intention became a desperate struggle to salvage what was left of his humanity, an excursion into the darkest recesses of the human mind that ultimately led him to question everything he had come to believe. Pushed to the edge, only then would he discover what lay within.
Author F. Scott Service recounts his wartime experience within an artfully lyrical epistolary composition. Transcribed from his handwritten journals, Lines in the Sand is a powerful exercise in self-exploration amid heart wrenching loss and anguish.
From the author:
Why would a Conscientious Objector make the choice to go to war?
In this unique book marking the 10-year anniversary of my return home from Iraq while being deployed with the U.S. Army, I answer that and much more through a transcription of my personal, handwritten journal I kept while stationed at Camp Anaconda.
I take you on a roller coaster ride through the realities of my Iraq War experience, from the boredom to the bombs, from losing my marriage to finding my inner spirituality and with on the spot journaling, you're in the front seat.
Mine is a story of love, betrayal, fear, courage, despair, and hope.
Witnessing the violence of a country ravaged by chaos and facing the disintegration of his life back home, his sojourn in Iraq forced him to fight a new battle, a battle within himself. What had once been a noble intention became a desperate struggle to salvage what was left of his humanity, an excursion into the darkest recesses of the human mind that ultimately led him to question everything he had come to believe. Pushed to the edge, only then would he discover what lay within.
Author F. Scott Service recounts his wartime experience within an artfully lyrical epistolary composition. Transcribed from his handwritten journals, Lines in the Sand is a powerful exercise in self-exploration amid heart wrenching loss and anguish.
From the author:
Why would a Conscientious Objector make the choice to go to war?
In this unique book marking the 10-year anniversary of my return home from Iraq while being deployed with the U.S. Army, I answer that and much more through a transcription of my personal, handwritten journal I kept while stationed at Camp Anaconda.
I take you on a roller coaster ride through the realities of my Iraq War experience, from the boredom to the bombs, from losing my marriage to finding my inner spirituality and with on the spot journaling, you're in the front seat.
Mine is a story of love, betrayal, fear, courage, despair, and hope.
442 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2015
3 people are currently reading
780 people want to read
About the author
F. Scott Service
5 books178 followersScott or as his friends call him, Scotty, lives in New England.
Having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional/Technical Communication and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, he has had experience with editing, journalism, desktop publishing, videography, and is an award-winning, full-time author.
His first memoir, Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq won in the 2022 Wishing Shelf Book Awards for Adult Nonfiction and was awarded the Pacific Book Review Star for a Memoir of Excellent Merit.
His second, Playing Soldier: A Chronicle of Spiritual Awakening won the 2021 IndieReader Discovery Award for Memoir. It also placed Finalist in the 2021 National Indie Excellence Awards for New Nonfiction, the 2021 Book Excellence Awards for Memoir, the 2021 Wishing Shelf Book Awards for Best Cover Design, the 2021 Independent Author Network Book Awards for Autobiography/Biography, the 2021 N.N. Light Book Awards for Memoir, and won the Honorable Mention Award in the 2021 Readers' Favorite Book Awards for Nonfiction/Military.
His books have also won Readers' Favorite Five-Star Awards and have been featured in Publishers Weekly magazine, as well as others.
His third book, The Book of Jack: An Asylum Tap Dance, a tribute to the lifetime he spent with his best friend who committed suicide, was completed in September 2024 and was published in December, 2025.
Being an avid explorer, he has spent time in all but two states in America and is always on the lookout for someplace new (he just never thought it would be Iraq and Kuwait as his first international travel destinations). On his list of new places are Pitcairn Island, Easter Island, Stonehenge, Leap Castle in Ireland, the Hobbit village in New Zealand, Hunyad Castle in Romania, and the Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Other interests include playing baritone ukulele, tending to his Bonsai trees, and taking long walks.
Please feel free to connect with him through his website: www.fscottservice.com.
Having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional/Technical Communication and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, he has had experience with editing, journalism, desktop publishing, videography, and is an award-winning, full-time author.
His first memoir, Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq won in the 2022 Wishing Shelf Book Awards for Adult Nonfiction and was awarded the Pacific Book Review Star for a Memoir of Excellent Merit.
His second, Playing Soldier: A Chronicle of Spiritual Awakening won the 2021 IndieReader Discovery Award for Memoir. It also placed Finalist in the 2021 National Indie Excellence Awards for New Nonfiction, the 2021 Book Excellence Awards for Memoir, the 2021 Wishing Shelf Book Awards for Best Cover Design, the 2021 Independent Author Network Book Awards for Autobiography/Biography, the 2021 N.N. Light Book Awards for Memoir, and won the Honorable Mention Award in the 2021 Readers' Favorite Book Awards for Nonfiction/Military.
His books have also won Readers' Favorite Five-Star Awards and have been featured in Publishers Weekly magazine, as well as others.
His third book, The Book of Jack: An Asylum Tap Dance, a tribute to the lifetime he spent with his best friend who committed suicide, was completed in September 2024 and was published in December, 2025.
Being an avid explorer, he has spent time in all but two states in America and is always on the lookout for someplace new (he just never thought it would be Iraq and Kuwait as his first international travel destinations). On his list of new places are Pitcairn Island, Easter Island, Stonehenge, Leap Castle in Ireland, the Hobbit village in New Zealand, Hunyad Castle in Romania, and the Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Other interests include playing baritone ukulele, tending to his Bonsai trees, and taking long walks.
Please feel free to connect with him through his website: www.fscottservice.com.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 9, 2017
Lines in the Sand. I’m not certain how I first learned about this memoir. Self-published by the author, it does not seem to have gotten broad exposure judging from Goodreads and a quick Google search. The subtitle promises to detail “an American soldier’s personal journey in Iraq.” F. Scott Service does deliver on that promise in a series of journal entries stretching from January 6, 2004 and ending on February 27, 2005. He also includes an Epilogue and an Afterword in which he discusses the course of his life after returning to the United States.
His year-long service saw the destruction of his marriage and his submersion into depression. The journal is also a vivid description of the squalor in which he and his fellow recruits were forced to live.
When read in conjunction with Andrew Bacevich’s America’s War for the Greater Middle East, the journal provides some compelling, anecdotal evidence in support of the academic’s well-grounded conclusions about America’s failings in the caldron of the Middle East.
His year-long service saw the destruction of his marriage and his submersion into depression. The journal is also a vivid description of the squalor in which he and his fellow recruits were forced to live.
When read in conjunction with Andrew Bacevich’s America’s War for the Greater Middle East, the journal provides some compelling, anecdotal evidence in support of the academic’s well-grounded conclusions about America’s failings in the caldron of the Middle East.
August 31, 2015
Received this from Netgalley. Excellent read on the various effects on our soldiers being sent into a war zone. We owe it to our veterans to read this to better understand their needs and just to be there for them. A definite must read!!!
March 16, 2021
F. Scott Service extends an open invitation to step into the mind of a soldier at war. “Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier’s Journey in Iraq” is based on the journal entries kept during the author’s service in Iraq. It offers a unique and very intimate look into the thoughts and emotions brought on by a world falling apart.
The memoir was triggered by F. Scott Service being deployed with the US Army to the Iraq war. He was stationed at Camp Anaconda, where he served as a specialist in hydraulics mechanic, mainly focusing on repairing helicopters. At camp all daily activities are strictly regimented by the greater power of the US Army. The few days off that soldiers enjoy offer very limited display of freedom. However, in parallel, he followed his calling and passion as a writer, tirelessly documenting the daily life of a soldier.
A recurring theme of the book is the concept of conscientious objector and its repercussions. Scott is faced with this questions once at the beginning of his story and once towards the end. Each time the answer would be a major turning point for future events. However, what is truly intriguing to follow is what happens in the meantime; how his experience of war consolidates his theories and belief system. During his deployment, F. Scott Service faced an internal war of his own. Relentlessly he tried to reason with the seemingly unreasonable Iraq War, hoping to attribute some meaning to complete chaos.
As the world was seemingly falling apart around him, so the life he knew was crumbling. The life he built over years with his soulmate, Rita, began showing cracks that shook the whole structure of marriage. A structure that was solid before, now was dissolving somewhere in the geographical distance between the spouses but also the ever-expanding distance between their souls. Two beings who lived in symbiosis for so long, were faced with two very different realities that they experienced alone.
Finally, “Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier’s Journey in Iraq” also sheds light on the many struggles that veterans face. The shadow of war is long and those who participated in it rarely walk out from under it. The only thing left to do is learn to live with it, to somehow integrate the experience and find light wherever it is possible.
The memoir was triggered by F. Scott Service being deployed with the US Army to the Iraq war. He was stationed at Camp Anaconda, where he served as a specialist in hydraulics mechanic, mainly focusing on repairing helicopters. At camp all daily activities are strictly regimented by the greater power of the US Army. The few days off that soldiers enjoy offer very limited display of freedom. However, in parallel, he followed his calling and passion as a writer, tirelessly documenting the daily life of a soldier.
A recurring theme of the book is the concept of conscientious objector and its repercussions. Scott is faced with this questions once at the beginning of his story and once towards the end. Each time the answer would be a major turning point for future events. However, what is truly intriguing to follow is what happens in the meantime; how his experience of war consolidates his theories and belief system. During his deployment, F. Scott Service faced an internal war of his own. Relentlessly he tried to reason with the seemingly unreasonable Iraq War, hoping to attribute some meaning to complete chaos.
As the world was seemingly falling apart around him, so the life he knew was crumbling. The life he built over years with his soulmate, Rita, began showing cracks that shook the whole structure of marriage. A structure that was solid before, now was dissolving somewhere in the geographical distance between the spouses but also the ever-expanding distance between their souls. Two beings who lived in symbiosis for so long, were faced with two very different realities that they experienced alone.
Finally, “Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier’s Journey in Iraq” also sheds light on the many struggles that veterans face. The shadow of war is long and those who participated in it rarely walk out from under it. The only thing left to do is learn to live with it, to somehow integrate the experience and find light wherever it is possible.
May 11, 2023
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq
Author: F Scott Service
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 5/5
Of the 15 readers:
15 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
15 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘subject knowledge’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘clarity of message’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
15 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“This book seems to explore the man as much as the war. I thought it was outstanding.” Male reader, aged 38
“A very honest account of the war in Iraq and the effect it had on the troops that were sent there. The author works hard to put over the desert setting and the many dangers they faced. I suspect readers interested in the Iraq war, PTSD, and how the US ‘war machine’ works, will find this interesting.” Male reader, aged 60
“A compelling insight into how a man lost everything whilst on duty in the army. Very sad in parts, although there is light at the end of the tunnel. To me this book shows how difficult it can be to want to do what’s right for your country but still object to fighting in a war.” Female reader, aged 55
“Personally, I understand this man’s feelings. It’s not just what he went through, it’s how little support he got when he returned. I would recommend every politician read this book before sending men off to fight in another war. Back in World War 1, the generals seemed to see the troops as just pawns in a game of chess. Nothing seems to change.” Male reader, aged 61
“This is not just the nuts and bolts of the Iraq war, it’s a personal journey. Compelling stuff.” Female reader, aged 31
To Sum It Up:
‘A truly honest account of a man’s war and the effects it had on his life. A BRONZE MEDAL WINNER and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq
Author: F Scott Service
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 5/5
Of the 15 readers:
15 would read another book by this author.
15 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
15 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘subject knowledge’.
Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘clarity of message’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
15 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
“This book seems to explore the man as much as the war. I thought it was outstanding.” Male reader, aged 38
“A very honest account of the war in Iraq and the effect it had on the troops that were sent there. The author works hard to put over the desert setting and the many dangers they faced. I suspect readers interested in the Iraq war, PTSD, and how the US ‘war machine’ works, will find this interesting.” Male reader, aged 60
“A compelling insight into how a man lost everything whilst on duty in the army. Very sad in parts, although there is light at the end of the tunnel. To me this book shows how difficult it can be to want to do what’s right for your country but still object to fighting in a war.” Female reader, aged 55
“Personally, I understand this man’s feelings. It’s not just what he went through, it’s how little support he got when he returned. I would recommend every politician read this book before sending men off to fight in another war. Back in World War 1, the generals seemed to see the troops as just pawns in a game of chess. Nothing seems to change.” Male reader, aged 61
“This is not just the nuts and bolts of the Iraq war, it’s a personal journey. Compelling stuff.” Female reader, aged 31
To Sum It Up:
‘A truly honest account of a man’s war and the effects it had on his life. A BRONZE MEDAL WINNER and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
October 27, 2023
A timely and extremely personal look at the War in Iraq and its impact on the common soldiers sent there. It has been about two decades since the Iraq invasion and through hindsight it's not as simple as it seemed to be then. I confess, as a reader, I initially supported the conflict as it was explained to me by the US gov't. Within a few years, it started to not make much sense and now most can clearly see the soldiers there were the only ones who deserved support.
This book reads like you are being spoken to by a close friend. You have a man's intimate feelings and experiences presented firsthand in his journals. It is jarring and angering to read.
Much of the problems faced by the soldiers stem from the US military policy in existence since Vietnam. The whole 'not at war with a country just a little part of it'. When you don't take over land and hold it, you have no front lines. Every soldier everywhere is on a front line. This is the recipe for terrible mental health issues. In World War Two, if you were taken off the line, you were in a rest area that was 'safe'. In Iraq, there was no safe area. The constant threat of death just wears on the psyche.
A personal note: I do understand how some relationships come apart under the pressure of deployment. What made me angry was how his spouse took all his money and belongings. If one wants to leave their serving member who is their spouse, fine...just don't strip away all the valuables while they are in a combat zone. That is dirty pool in my view.
This book is a must read for any veteran who served in Iraq or Afghanistan. This book is recommended for any family member of someone who served in the last two wars. A valuable read for everyone who was around during the Iraq invasion. This may give you a new perspective to see what seemed like a 'clean' war. War is killing and death and it's always going to be ugly. This book helps clearly point out that it is just ugly in many ways.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
This book reads like you are being spoken to by a close friend. You have a man's intimate feelings and experiences presented firsthand in his journals. It is jarring and angering to read.
Much of the problems faced by the soldiers stem from the US military policy in existence since Vietnam. The whole 'not at war with a country just a little part of it'. When you don't take over land and hold it, you have no front lines. Every soldier everywhere is on a front line. This is the recipe for terrible mental health issues. In World War Two, if you were taken off the line, you were in a rest area that was 'safe'. In Iraq, there was no safe area. The constant threat of death just wears on the psyche.
A personal note: I do understand how some relationships come apart under the pressure of deployment. What made me angry was how his spouse took all his money and belongings. If one wants to leave their serving member who is their spouse, fine...just don't strip away all the valuables while they are in a combat zone. That is dirty pool in my view.
This book is a must read for any veteran who served in Iraq or Afghanistan. This book is recommended for any family member of someone who served in the last two wars. A valuable read for everyone who was around during the Iraq invasion. This may give you a new perspective to see what seemed like a 'clean' war. War is killing and death and it's always going to be ugly. This book helps clearly point out that it is just ugly in many ways.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
May 30, 2017
Lines In The Sand by F. Scott Service is an honest and insightful glimpse into the harrowing experience of a war that, to many United States citizens, has been viewed from afar as illogical. Based on the journals he kept during his deployment in Iraq, the journey that Service took as a soldier— torn by the conflicted feelings of dedication to peace and to his duty to his fellow soldiers—is revealed with the details of daily life that I don’t believe have been captured before. The day-to-day frustrations, the fear that becomes part of the daily routine, the havoc that being so far away from home wreaks upon personal relationships, are all captured and shared. Far from being self-absorbed, the words that he has written inspire a desire to see him through the ordeal. He doesn’t disappoint. His words are moving and real. I couldn’t stop reading from beginning to end and hope to see more from this author.
September 20, 2015
This book shines on many levels. Rich and abundant in varied themes from descriptive and informative,to deeply emotional and profoundly philosophical,this book cleans under the couch to reach the hidden dirt on life in a war zone. The unique on -the-spot journaling,done in the midst of war,gives the reader a front and center, very real and present view through the eyes of the author at each moment. His visceral descriptive style pulses through the pages breathing life into the text. I didn't just read the pages,I lived them. Good work, Scott Service, let's hear more from you.
April 19, 2016
Unbelievably authentic, evocative, and insightful. The observations of a modern and conflicted American military experience along with the heart break of the author's personal turmoil make for quite the compelling read. The subject matter is obviously heavy but the style of writing and tone of the memoir keep it approachable. It's like having a long meaningful chat with a veteran over a couple of beers. A powerful reminder of the varied and far reaching effects of combat and the countless untold stories.
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March 17, 2016Citizen turned solider F. Scott Service waxes and wains on the obligations of a conscientious objector yet die-hard patriot. Interspersed with journal entries and moments of self-discovery, Lines in the Sand: An American Soldier's Personal Journey in Iraq captures one man's attempt to understand war and it's role in shaping his life.
*Review to be updated upon receipt and completion of book.
*Review to be updated upon receipt and completion of book.
January 13, 2016
I won this in a Goodreads Firstreads giveaway
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews