Blood Makes the Grass Grow: A Norwegian Volunteer's War Against the Islamic State

by Mike Peshmerganor

The incredible true story of a young Norwegian who put his life on the line to fight the world's most brutal terrorist organization. August 2014: ISIS continues its reign of terror, conquering new areas in Iraq and Syria, leaving tens of thousands of dead and millions displaced in their homelands. International news shows gruesome images of massacres and ethnic cleansing. A horrified Norwegian soldier at Camp Rena, shocked by Norway’s unwillingness to commit troops to eradicate the terrorists, decides to take matters into his own hands and travels to the Kurdish front line in Iraq.

In this gripping memoir, Mike Peshmerganor recounts how his Kurdish heritage, liberal Norwegian upbringing and military training shaped his worldview and drew him into the fight against militant Islamism. Armed only with gear he purchased himself and the name of a Kurdish contact, Mike is thrust into a military culture completely foreign to Westerners; where soldiers work without pay, adequate food and even ammunition, and their revered leader is a former hitman. Here are dramatic firefights against the world’s most feared terrorist organization, and insight into the mindset of a true warrior. Mike Peshmerganor is a pseudonym. He escaped from Kurdistan as an infant with his family, grew up in Eastern Norway and served in Norway’s elite Telemark Battalion. "I couldn’t think of a single better reason for the government to send troops abroad than to stop an ongoing genocide. And what about all the foreign fighters from Europe who fought for ISIS? Didn’t we have a responsibility to stop our own citizens from actively perpetrating war crimes and other atrocities in Iraq? Who will prevent them from returning home and carrying out terrorist attacks here, in
our own cities? I realized it was futile to wait for Norway to engage directly in the fight against ISIS. I had to do it on my own."

Genres: Middle East, War, Nonfiction

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2018

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author was a Norwegian volunteer with anti-IS Kurdish forces in Iraq a couple years ago. His instagram was amazing; the book is good, and accurately describes his experiences, but was kind of boring and could have used editing. Essentially a lot of his experiences were bureaucracy, waiting around, and otherwise boring, which is accurate, but there were lots of other details in Instagram which made it more compelling as a story. Still, pretty amazing to read about this from his perspective.

[Dennis Meier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written. Honest. Give you a good insight in modern norwegian (western) military and the feelings and intension of a norwegian of kurdish heritage to find in norhtern iraq against isis. described as experienced. if you look through the photos at the auhtors instagram page, you will get the pictures of the stories in this book.

would read it again!

[Andrew J Yaros · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real life

Great storytelling. This is history as it is happening and is a story that needs to be shared with the masses.

[Paul Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I wish everyone in the world could take at least some of their life and devote it to something they believe in as passionately as Mike

[Shannon Callahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

One goal

This isn’t the best or worst book but it is nothing but 100% authenticity. The modern warfare is full of bureaucracy, tribalism, cultural clashes, and boredom/sameness. This showed it all! I understood the progress on the reality of war. Even if I never been a soldier myself. It isn’t all about mayhem and hero like sci-fi books. Just a reality...I followed his Instagram while back. He did something that many of us doesn’t...mad respect for him.

[James Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to read about the hardship of the fight against ISIS then you need to pick this up!

After following Mike’s story on Instagram over the last few years I couldn’t wait to read this book as soon as I heard it was on the way.

Seeing what he and many other selfless warriors had put themselves through to fight for what is right is a real eye opener, and dam I’ve not been disappointed! After finishing this book in a day I can honestly say it’s an eye opener.

Mike your a living hero and thank you for sharing your experience with us all.

[Timothy R Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

This book really opened new perspectives for me and led me to realize the many hardships that accompany soldiers even after war. I've followed on instagram and yet this book provided the best viewpoint. I'm often reading books for school, but I have to say the most interesting book since the Odyssey.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning story of the war against ISIS that only an whiteness account could give. The thing I really appreciated, we the fact that the author didn't shy away from his own shortcomings, the grisly details, or controversial commentary. This books benefited greatly from not being punished by a mainstream publisher. Overall it's raw, jaw-dropping, and captivating. 5 stars for sure.

[Anton Kotenko · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the most accurate accounts of what really the war is: countless days spent waiting for the action under constant artillery fire. Hard work, mud, sleep deprivation, boredom. And the life danger on daily basis.

The book needs editing so much: plenty of grammar mistakes, sketchy story and very plain language.

[Nicolas · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone living in south america, with no military experience, reading about a Norwegian with Kurdish heritage going voluntarly to fight terrorists in Iraq expanded my mind to a whole new level.

This is a great read for all of you who enjoy stories of war full of bravery, sense of duty, loyalty and commitment to a cause.

[Cassandra Moores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story of frontline combat against ISIS

Well-described picture of the struggle against ISIS from the viewpoint of one who trained, prepared, and selflessly traveled to join the fight. Gives great insight into the peshmerga, the Kurds, the Iraqi military, and the other various peoples of northwest Iraq.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different viewpoint

The terror of the Middle East conflict in graffic detail. I loved in several Middle East countries and been in most of the rest, those religious wars have gone on for centuries and I see no end.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read on one man's experience standing up for what he believed was the right things to do. From his time in the Norwegian military to heading over to fight ISIS, Mike give his take on the world and his decisions in a plain spoken and open way.

[Alejandro González · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mi nota serían 5 estrellas si no fuese porque al final al igual que el autor te quedas con las ganas de que le hubiesen dejado llegar a más. Un reflejo de la barbarie de los terroristas y de la inacción y a veces connivencia de occidente y sus "demicracias" en estos asuntos

[Chase Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Really enjoyed a first hand perspective of the conflict. Especially with the angle of escaping the region just to return to fight.

[Valter Queirós · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story!

[Raul Gutierrez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real interesting look at the the war from someone who was not told to go but went of their own accord to fight against a ruthless foe.

[Mantas Radžiūnas · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're in the military and you dreamt about it your whole life, if you have a warriors spirit, then this book will speak to your heart. I was never a fan of autobiography'ish books, but this one was something I enjoyed like a really realistic war movie. It just shows you what it's like being at front, living with people, that would without hesitation sacrifice their life for you.