American Warfighter: Brotherhood, Survival, and Uncommon Valor in Iraq, 2003-2011

by J. Pepper Bryars

Ranked as high as #25 in Amazon's "History" Category! This book is about what went RIGHT in the Iraq The untold acts of valor by some of America’s most highly decorated combat veterans, the brotherhood they shared, and the fighting spirit that kept them alive through the war’s darkest hours.Every word is true, composed from striking and detailed firsthand accounts by elite paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st airborne divisions, a Green Beret, an Army Ranger, infantrymen, combat medics, and Marines. You’ll discover their remarkable heroism as the war’s most significant operations are vividly described, including the invasion, the Battle of Nasiriyah, the taking of Baghdad, the hunt for the infamous Deck of Cards, the fight against al-Sadr’s Mahdi Militia in Najaf, the Second Battle of Fallujah, the Battle of Ramadi, the al-Qaeda insurgency throughout the al-Anbar Province, the surge, and the long withdrawal.Gripping and intimate, American Warfighter is guaranteed to take readers on an unforgettable journey of brotherhood, survival, and courage.

Genres: Military Fiction

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 29, 2016

About the author

J. Pepper Bryars began his career writing for military newspapers while serving in the Army National Guard, and he received the Army Commendation Medal for his deployment to Hungary in support of the peace-enforcement mission in Bosnia.

Pepper then became a newspaper reporter, spent time as an aide to a congressman and governor, and served as a presidential appointee in the Defense Department. He was also a strategic communication advisor to U.S. military forces operating in Europe, Africa, and Latin America. He was twice awarded the Office of the Secretary of Defense Award for Exceptional Public Service, once for service in Baghdad and a second time for work at the Pentagon.

His weekly opinion column is published in the Birmingham News, Mobile Press-Register, Huntsville Times, the Mississippi Press, and at AL.com.

Reviews

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm certainly not a book critic. I read these types of books because they are in depth first hand accounts of specific events and are much more revealing than the 30 second soundbite we get from the mainstream media or back page story made up of a few paragraphs by a biased reporter in the newspaper/media. If you want the truth these types of books is where you will find it. That's why I read them.
Reading this book gave me the impression that the modern warfighter is extremely well equipped sometimes overly so, as well as trained and skilled in what they do. Often required to fight wars for us with politics from the highest level tying one hand behind their backs almost always placing them in harms way.

[Andrew Downing · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid summary of our military adventures in Iraq

This is a well written book that gives the reader an excellent overall understanding of our post 9/11 military action in Iraq. The personal perspectives of soldiers was especially valuable. I would have preferred longer excerpts from each soldiers experiences. A worthy read nonetheless! Thanks Veterans!

[Jim Mouzakis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good first hand stories of combat.

Liked the combat stories of our fighting men. There is also a background story of strategy and politics along with the battles mentioned at different points in the Iraq war.

[Ken Trunnell, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personal stories from Iraq

Interspersed with stories from the headlines and what was going on and government during Iraq to the Spine chilling real accounts of heroism told by the heroes that won the medals

[andrea harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a good read

It made me feel as if I was in the war fighting with them. especially when they said right before they began firing on them someone played on the loud speaker "Bodies" by Drowning Pool "let the bodies hit the floor"

[Karl Petersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read!

Interesting format. Very well written and very sympathetic to our heroes in uniform. I'm glad that I took the time to read this book.

[Joseph Karr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warfighter

Great boots on ground first hand account of American warfighters. Well written from interviews of men who fought the good fight. Highly recommended.

[Garrett87 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read! The author provides detailed information, without a political spin, about what went wrong and what went right in Iraq. But the main reason to read this book is to hear these stories told from the perspective of the person engaged in the moment. Normal men, with extraordinary courage who exemplify the American spirit. Really enjoyed this book and highly recommended for anyone.

[Vince Guerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the single best book I've read on the Iraq War. The author gives context to the action so you get more that just the heroic stories (told by the men themselves), you learn what was happening in the big picture. I also appreciated how the author showed how US withdrawal effected the rise of ISIS.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disturbing

A premier of what upper level failure means to the military at where the action is taking place, the civilians and country