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Joker One: A Marine Platoon's Story of Courage, Leadership, and Brotherhood
After graduating from Princeton, Donovan Campbell, motivated by his unwavering patriotism and commitment, decided to join the service, realizing that becoming a Marine officer would allow him to give back to his country, engage in the world, and learn to lead. In this immediate, thrilling, and inspiring memoir, Campbell recounts a timeless and transcendent tale of brotherhood, courage, and sacrifice.
As commander of a forty-man infantry platoon called Joker One, Campbell had just months to train and transform a ragtag group of brand-new Marines into a first-rate cohesive fighting unit, men who would become his family: Sergeant Leza, the house intellectual who read Che Guevara; Sergeant Mariano Noriel, the “Filipino ball of fire” who would become Campbell’s closest confidant and friend; Lance Corporal William Feldmeir, a narcoleptic who fell asleep during battle; and a lieutenant known simply as “the Ox,” whose stubborn aggressiveness would be more curse than blessing.
Campbell and his men were assigned to Ramadi, that capital of the Sunni-dominated Anbar province that was an explosion just waiting to happen. And when it did happen–with the chilling cries of “Jihad, Jihad, Jihad!” echoing from minaret to minaret–Campbell and company were there to protect the innocent, battle the insurgents, and pick up the pieces. After seven months of day-to-day, house-to-house combat, nearly half of Campbell’s platoon had been wounded, a casualty rate that went beyond that of any Marine or Army unit since Vietnam. Yet unlike Fallujah, Ramadi never fell to the enemy.
Told by the man who led the unit of hard-pressed Marines, Joker One is a gripping tale of a leadership, loyalty, faith, and camaraderie throughout the best and worst of times.
As commander of a forty-man infantry platoon called Joker One, Campbell had just months to train and transform a ragtag group of brand-new Marines into a first-rate cohesive fighting unit, men who would become his family: Sergeant Leza, the house intellectual who read Che Guevara; Sergeant Mariano Noriel, the “Filipino ball of fire” who would become Campbell’s closest confidant and friend; Lance Corporal William Feldmeir, a narcoleptic who fell asleep during battle; and a lieutenant known simply as “the Ox,” whose stubborn aggressiveness would be more curse than blessing.
Campbell and his men were assigned to Ramadi, that capital of the Sunni-dominated Anbar province that was an explosion just waiting to happen. And when it did happen–with the chilling cries of “Jihad, Jihad, Jihad!” echoing from minaret to minaret–Campbell and company were there to protect the innocent, battle the insurgents, and pick up the pieces. After seven months of day-to-day, house-to-house combat, nearly half of Campbell’s platoon had been wounded, a casualty rate that went beyond that of any Marine or Army unit since Vietnam. Yet unlike Fallujah, Ramadi never fell to the enemy.
Told by the man who led the unit of hard-pressed Marines, Joker One is a gripping tale of a leadership, loyalty, faith, and camaraderie throughout the best and worst of times.
313 pages, Hardcover
First published March 10, 2009
235 people are currently reading
3440 people want to read
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April 22, 2012
This book was like a breath of fresh air to someone who was just a little tired of the egotistical preening prevalent in some of the books written by civilian contractors or elite soldiery in Iraq. Mr Campbell's book is intelligent and insightful, and I got the feeling he was totally honest throughout. Here is an officer who presents his men in their best light, lamenting injuries to his own men but never stooping to vilify the civilian populace of the country his Marines have, essentially, invaded. He does not mince words in discussing equipment shortages and command shortcomings, and is utterly merciless with himself when discussing what he perceives were errors he may have made in the heat of action.
The book is not all soul-searching: the action is riveting, and Campbell makes you actually give a damn about his men. He is a soldier philosopher and no doubt would have been a great officer to have served with. The book will keep your interest and the ending will leave you misty-eyed. I have one minor complaint regarding this publication; I think it would have benefitted from a few photos to give the reader a visual on some of the main players and battleground. It is a minor grievance though as the writing is very descriptive and certainly stands on its own quite nicely.
The book is not all soul-searching: the action is riveting, and Campbell makes you actually give a damn about his men. He is a soldier philosopher and no doubt would have been a great officer to have served with. The book will keep your interest and the ending will leave you misty-eyed. I have one minor complaint regarding this publication; I think it would have benefitted from a few photos to give the reader a visual on some of the main players and battleground. It is a minor grievance though as the writing is very descriptive and certainly stands on its own quite nicely.
April 25, 2012
It’s hot, it’s ugly, it’s emotional, it’s frustrating, sad, occasionally humorous…and, most of all, it’s honest. Donovan Campbell’s account, Joker One: A Marine Platoon's Story of Courage, Leadership, and Brotherhood, of his time leading his Marine platoon in Ramadi as the Iraqi insurgency heats up in 2004 is one of the better accounts of small unit action in war. What I appreciated most was his complete honesty about his performance and leadership. If he makes a mistake, he lays it out clearly. He makes decisions and tells you the consequences, not all good. Anyone who has commanded a military unit knows the NCOs make or break the commander. He gives all the credit to his young squad and fire team leaders, probably painting them a little better here than in real life, but completely understandable.
He has little time to train his new platoon and turn them into a cohesive team. Deployed earlier than planned, Campbell finds himself in Iraq in the capital of the worst province, Anbar. Fallujah is just down the road -- we know what goes on there in 2004. The Ramadi area is deceptively calm at first, he soon finds out his tour of Iraq will not be quiet for long. Firefights erupt:
His performance:
Enemy performance:
As many have, he identifies one of the most glaring errors of the post-war occupation, the lack of any way to relate to the people of Ramadi and Iraq: …maybe we needed a more nuanced understanding of the various neighborhoods and of the attitudes of the Iraqis who inhabited them. One weak point in the book is how little we find out about the people in Ramadi, they are a phantom presence. Except when they are victims of the violence—then we do find out a little. The Marines take many risks to rescue and treat Iraqis caught in the crossfire.
His brutally honest appraisal of his performance, his superiors and his subordinates is the strongest part of the book, but not the easiest reading. Serious mistakes are made and accidents happen, costing lives and limbs. He doesn’t sugar-coat any part of it. He also candidly explains his spiritual side, confessing his initial belief that if he prays hard enough, his men will survive. They don’t all survive and he comes to terms with his religious beliefs. The spiritual side (no atheists in foxholes is shown to be overly generalized) is covered without preaching and without gloss. The secularist may be uncomfortable but I found it sincere. He loves his men and will do anything to preserve them.
This is the second Ivy Leaguer I’ve come across to write about his experience in war. He joins Nate Fick (One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer) in a very exclusive club of leaders from that demographic. Strengthened by his spiritual underpinnings, Donovan Campbell shows leadership and grace under the most trying conditions imaginable. Well worth the time.
He has little time to train his new platoon and turn them into a cohesive team. Deployed earlier than planned, Campbell finds himself in Iraq in the capital of the worst province, Anbar. Fallujah is just down the road -- we know what goes on there in 2004. The Ramadi area is deceptively calm at first, he soon finds out his tour of Iraq will not be quiet for long. Firefights erupt:
His performance:
Enemy performance:
As many have, he identifies one of the most glaring errors of the post-war occupation, the lack of any way to relate to the people of Ramadi and Iraq: …maybe we needed a more nuanced understanding of the various neighborhoods and of the attitudes of the Iraqis who inhabited them. One weak point in the book is how little we find out about the people in Ramadi, they are a phantom presence. Except when they are victims of the violence—then we do find out a little. The Marines take many risks to rescue and treat Iraqis caught in the crossfire.
His brutally honest appraisal of his performance, his superiors and his subordinates is the strongest part of the book, but not the easiest reading. Serious mistakes are made and accidents happen, costing lives and limbs. He doesn’t sugar-coat any part of it. He also candidly explains his spiritual side, confessing his initial belief that if he prays hard enough, his men will survive. They don’t all survive and he comes to terms with his religious beliefs. The spiritual side (no atheists in foxholes is shown to be overly generalized) is covered without preaching and without gloss. The secularist may be uncomfortable but I found it sincere. He loves his men and will do anything to preserve them.
This is the second Ivy Leaguer I’ve come across to write about his experience in war. He joins Nate Fick (One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer) in a very exclusive club of leaders from that demographic. Strengthened by his spiritual underpinnings, Donovan Campbell shows leadership and grace under the most trying conditions imaginable. Well worth the time.
April 22, 2012
How to review a book based on someone's very real, heart wrenching, war experience. The good, the bad and the ugly, it's all in here. Donovan Campbell opens up completely and shows what a good leader is all about. I was impressed and deeply moved by his honesty and his love for his brothers in arms. This book is more than just a physical, action packed war story, it's a human story that will stay with you once you are done. You don't realize the impact until you finish the book.
May 15, 2024
When I say that I WEPT
March 13, 2024
I really liked this book. Campbell has an easy writing style that is personable and authentic. Like Sam Watkins who penned "Company Aytch" to explain his experiences during the Civil War, Donovan Campbell has written about his time in Iraq, laying out the facts as he observed them from his position on the line. The subtitle explains that it is the story of Courage, Leadership, and Brotherhood, and that is precisely so. Campbell describes his men vividly, how circumstances and need made them a unit. Joker One is a heart touching tale.
The story begins in the States with raw recruits and an unseasoned lieutenant. It ends with these men coming home, hardened by warfare, and united in some sense that we civilians at home will probably never come close to understanding. Joker One records the stepping stones and little moments that led to their growth and unification. It tells of how Campbell molded his men and how he, in turn, was changed by them. Campbell writes honestly about his feelings, how he 'screwed up', how his superiors did. How his men constantly amazed him with their ingenuity and innate abilities. In many ways this is a study of group dynamics and management as seen from within.
April 26, 2012
This book does a superb job depicting what life as a platoon leader in Iraq is like in the lead up to deployment, during the deployment itself, and just what being an officer in general means. Furthermore, the book shines brilliantly in sharing with you the lives of the Marines in Joker One platoon. Parts of the book had me laughing out loud. Certain parts literally gave me goosebumps (helicopter incident). The last chapter had me shedding a few tears. Chiefly, the love the author had for his Marines is palpable throughout. Certain books are tagged as must-reads for new platoon leaders, and in my opinion, this book deserves to be counted amongst that group. I know it will have a special place on my shelf for years to come.
June 9, 2024
A real-life Darrow and his Howler's...
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalms 23
About a quarter of the way into this book, I thought to myself, being the brave Howler that I am: "They cried reading this? How? I'm not gonna cry. This is just an overly-detailed war story." Now fast forward a little bit further in the book, and suddenly, stifling a sob, I was dead wrong.
Reading this book, called to front a lot of things I sort of forgot about as I grew into adulthood. I remembered a young boy's dream to join the military to serve his country, longing to become the legal age to enlist. When push came to shove, they said no. "You're too skinny. Eat a peanut butter sandwich. And then 20 more." And so that dream quickly shriveled up, died, and was forgotten about. Despite hearing of all the hardship, turmoil, and violence that Joker One and the marines of Ramadi went through, I couldn't help but wonder if joining up was still on the table for me. I still don't have an answer. But for all of the reasons Campbell concludes his novel with, I thought, "What if?"
It's not every day you read a story fictional or not that properly captures the essence of brotherhood and comradery that especially men feel towards one another. That loving bond, unyielding loyalty, and sense of service we feel towards one another (women too, of course), those who we call our best friends, our brothers. Now translate this brotherhood into military service, and you now have the very backbone to all military operations past and present, second only to (ideally) a sense of duty to serve the country (and for the believer, first to God). But more often than not I suspect, as seen in Joker One, the only thing that keeps men going through all the bad shit that they have to endure in service to their country, are their brothers whom they would lay down their lives for. I think that's unbelievably beautiful, and Campbell very much understood the importance of conveying that across the page, more than merely just recalling and recounting each and every combat encounter he and his troops experienced in Ramadi.
I have never felt more represented and understood than when I read this book. Despite never having served my country by joining the military, I can't help but feel as though I could understand what Campbell and his marines went through in Ramadi. I'm still not really sure what Campbell's goal with this novel was, whether it was to implore readers to remember the consequences of war, or to know what it is for one man to love another so much so they'd literally die so that the other might live, or to help those completely oblivious to war better understand what happens behind the scenes, for the freedoms they get to enjoy. One thing is certain, though: this is the sort of book that changes your perspective on things. I, for one, choose to make sure that I don't take any of the everyday luxuries I have, for granted. After reading, I realized just how short life really is and that I don't want to squander it doing meaningless things that don't contribute to anything but to my own selfishness and gluttony. And perhaps that's exactly what he was going for. Either way, color me shooketh, and a slightly changed man.
I wasn't really sure what to expect from this book, other than it came with high praises from close friends of mine. Having finished it, I daresay I might be looking at life a little differently going forward. This was more than just a war story. This was a story of human love, of sacrifice, of causes, of divided people, of the chaos of war, and of the stark reality of the loss of life. It's an ever sobering reminder that nothing in life comes without a cost. The freedoms we, Americans, and others get to enjoy don't come without the shedding of blood and violence of men and women making the ultimate sacrifice. My heart goes out to the ones in my life who have served or actively doing so, and to those who've passed. I've been extraordinarily humbled by this book, and I will not soon forget what I have learned and read about in Joker One. I can truly say that I am better for it.
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalms 23
About a quarter of the way into this book, I thought to myself, being the brave Howler that I am: "They cried reading this? How? I'm not gonna cry. This is just an overly-detailed war story." Now fast forward a little bit further in the book, and suddenly, stifling a sob, I was dead wrong.
Reading this book, called to front a lot of things I sort of forgot about as I grew into adulthood. I remembered a young boy's dream to join the military to serve his country, longing to become the legal age to enlist. When push came to shove, they said no. "You're too skinny. Eat a peanut butter sandwich. And then 20 more." And so that dream quickly shriveled up, died, and was forgotten about. Despite hearing of all the hardship, turmoil, and violence that Joker One and the marines of Ramadi went through, I couldn't help but wonder if joining up was still on the table for me. I still don't have an answer. But for all of the reasons Campbell concludes his novel with, I thought, "What if?"
It's not every day you read a story fictional or not that properly captures the essence of brotherhood and comradery that especially men feel towards one another. That loving bond, unyielding loyalty, and sense of service we feel towards one another (women too, of course), those who we call our best friends, our brothers. Now translate this brotherhood into military service, and you now have the very backbone to all military operations past and present, second only to (ideally) a sense of duty to serve the country (and for the believer, first to God). But more often than not I suspect, as seen in Joker One, the only thing that keeps men going through all the bad shit that they have to endure in service to their country, are their brothers whom they would lay down their lives for. I think that's unbelievably beautiful, and Campbell very much understood the importance of conveying that across the page, more than merely just recalling and recounting each and every combat encounter he and his troops experienced in Ramadi.
I have never felt more represented and understood than when I read this book. Despite never having served my country by joining the military, I can't help but feel as though I could understand what Campbell and his marines went through in Ramadi. I'm still not really sure what Campbell's goal with this novel was, whether it was to implore readers to remember the consequences of war, or to know what it is for one man to love another so much so they'd literally die so that the other might live, or to help those completely oblivious to war better understand what happens behind the scenes, for the freedoms they get to enjoy. One thing is certain, though: this is the sort of book that changes your perspective on things. I, for one, choose to make sure that I don't take any of the everyday luxuries I have, for granted. After reading, I realized just how short life really is and that I don't want to squander it doing meaningless things that don't contribute to anything but to my own selfishness and gluttony. And perhaps that's exactly what he was going for. Either way, color me shooketh, and a slightly changed man.
I wasn't really sure what to expect from this book, other than it came with high praises from close friends of mine. Having finished it, I daresay I might be looking at life a little differently going forward. This was more than just a war story. This was a story of human love, of sacrifice, of causes, of divided people, of the chaos of war, and of the stark reality of the loss of life. It's an ever sobering reminder that nothing in life comes without a cost. The freedoms we, Americans, and others get to enjoy don't come without the shedding of blood and violence of men and women making the ultimate sacrifice. My heart goes out to the ones in my life who have served or actively doing so, and to those who've passed. I've been extraordinarily humbled by this book, and I will not soon forget what I have learned and read about in Joker One. I can truly say that I am better for it.
April 19, 2009
I wanted to read this book because I was curious about infantry operations in Iraq from the standpoint of a soldier. Joker One was the name of a Marine infantry platoon, and the author was the lieutenant in charge. The book tells about his tour of duty in Ramadi, when things were especially hot there, as well as his stateside preparations.
The author joined the Corps right after graduation from Princeton. He writes well, but thankfully limits his subject to what he observes and what he feels, avoiding political commentary and strategic musings.
Before he wrote the book, his enlistment period had expired and he had been separated from the service. Actually, he was working on a graduate degree at the Harvard Business School when he wrote, so he was not constrained by how his comments in the book would affect his military career. He is very candid about the Corps and the officers he served under. He loves the USMC, but the book is not a sugared up version of his service time.
I found the book extremely informative and quite moving. That was damned tough duty that he and his men went through. He was close to his enlisted men, and was able to bring those young soldiers to life on his pages. As a former enlisted man, I have a soft spot in my heart for young soldiers, so I found all that aspect of the book particularly moving.
I especially recommend the book to anyone who has any interest in learning more about combat ground operations in the Iraq war.
The author joined the Corps right after graduation from Princeton. He writes well, but thankfully limits his subject to what he observes and what he feels, avoiding political commentary and strategic musings.
Before he wrote the book, his enlistment period had expired and he had been separated from the service. Actually, he was working on a graduate degree at the Harvard Business School when he wrote, so he was not constrained by how his comments in the book would affect his military career. He is very candid about the Corps and the officers he served under. He loves the USMC, but the book is not a sugared up version of his service time.
I found the book extremely informative and quite moving. That was damned tough duty that he and his men went through. He was close to his enlisted men, and was able to bring those young soldiers to life on his pages. As a former enlisted man, I have a soft spot in my heart for young soldiers, so I found all that aspect of the book particularly moving.
I especially recommend the book to anyone who has any interest in learning more about combat ground operations in the Iraq war.
April 29, 2012
The scene is the city of Ramadi like all of Iraq the enemy could be anyone and anywhere.This book really hit home with me the sacrifices made by ordinary people in serving their country. The last half of the book were the author goes into the the strain of leadership and the toll it takes when those you lead get hurt also struck a deep chord with me. What these people do day after day after day is beyond comprehension and shows what strength of character is all about.
November 18, 2016
I'm fascinated with brotherhoods. Woman don't have sisterhoods. We have knitting circles and sororities and book clubs. No one is covering my back at Bunco. No one risked their life for me at Tri Delta. A platoon, motorcycle clubs, the Masons: men will cluster together with complete strangers and develop bonds that are often stronger than blood.
Joker One is the story of a brotherhood. You can feel the responsibility Campbell feels for each of his (and they are his) marines. His narrative was well done. From training to cultural knowledge to supplies, I was amazed at how ill prepared they were for the mission. Through most of the book I wanted to travel back in time so I could give them a bloody radio. Yet they did their job without sacrificing their morals. By the end, it's the love they have for one another that moves you.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"They wanted revenge on our faceless enemies and on the fearful civilians whose hesitance had prolonged our waiting and cost us one of our best men. They wanted revenge on the stupid, broken Iraqi public services whose ambulance had taken so long to respond to the wounded little children whom some of us had watched die. And they wanted revenge on the whole miserable city of Ramadi for forcing us to make horrible choices, day in and day out, until it seemed like no matter what path we took, we lost"
"Now I think that I understand a bit more about what it means to truly love, because for my men, love was something much more than emotion. For them, love was expressed in the only currency that mattered in combat: action."
Joker One is the story of a brotherhood. You can feel the responsibility Campbell feels for each of his (and they are his) marines. His narrative was well done. From training to cultural knowledge to supplies, I was amazed at how ill prepared they were for the mission. Through most of the book I wanted to travel back in time so I could give them a bloody radio. Yet they did their job without sacrificing their morals. By the end, it's the love they have for one another that moves you.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"They wanted revenge on our faceless enemies and on the fearful civilians whose hesitance had prolonged our waiting and cost us one of our best men. They wanted revenge on the stupid, broken Iraqi public services whose ambulance had taken so long to respond to the wounded little children whom some of us had watched die. And they wanted revenge on the whole miserable city of Ramadi for forcing us to make horrible choices, day in and day out, until it seemed like no matter what path we took, we lost"
"Now I think that I understand a bit more about what it means to truly love, because for my men, love was something much more than emotion. For them, love was expressed in the only currency that mattered in combat: action."
March 12, 2009
I should disclose this was not only my first book on Iraq, but the first war memoir I have ever read. I’m not even exactly sure what made me pick it up or that I would make it through the first few chapters. As a housewife, I have as little in common with your typical marine as anyone. But this book is excellent. The consummately humble Campbell tells the story of his platoon, Joker One, from it’s inception through deployment to Iraqi city of Ramadi for a nine month peace keeping mission. The reader is presented with a straightforward and honest account of war from the men who fought it.
Campbell writes with grace and humor telling us of the platoon’s growing pains and mistakes as well as his short comings as a leader. He takes the time to walk the reader through military basics and the political setting of Ramadi making the story accessible without over politicizing or romanticizing his work. There is plenty of action, though nothing is gritty, and the book brims with poignant moments. I doubt it is possible to finish this book without renewed appreciation for the sacrifices our men make out of love for each other and our country. If you’ve ever wondered how service men keep their lives, faith and humanity—read this book.
Campbell writes with grace and humor telling us of the platoon’s growing pains and mistakes as well as his short comings as a leader. He takes the time to walk the reader through military basics and the political setting of Ramadi making the story accessible without over politicizing or romanticizing his work. There is plenty of action, though nothing is gritty, and the book brims with poignant moments. I doubt it is possible to finish this book without renewed appreciation for the sacrifices our men make out of love for each other and our country. If you’ve ever wondered how service men keep their lives, faith and humanity—read this book.
January 9, 2016
I have always been grateful for the service of our military men and women. Reading this account of a Marine platoon' s experiences in Iraq more than doubled my respect and understanding of what they sacrifice and live through to keep us free. The basis of their motivation for all they do comes from love. Love for America, love for brothers in arms, love for every innocent person they serve to protect. It was hard to imagine the things they endured to make Ramadi safer for local civilians. It really takes special qualities to leave the comforts of home and family behind to do their kind of work. Platoon leader, Donovan Campbell, shares his emotions, and those of his men, as they bond together while taking on combat missions. The loyalty these men have for each other and faith in their leader is inspiring. I am prouder than ever of our soldiers after reading this book.
Read
September 17, 2021This book was a deeply personal dive into (then) Lt. Campbell's experience during his deployment to Ramadi (Iraq) in the spring/summer of 2004.
It is a mini-story by mini-story account of how he went from being a bright-eyed junior officer to a battle-hardened lieutenant. It well showed his naïveté when he began and the spiritual and psychological tests he endured during his time there, dogged by death and trying to find a way to come to terms with what he had witnessed along the way. He described in brutal detail how little the tragedies of his line of work were allowed to impact the mission as a whole and how he was expected to perform regardless of the casualties his team sustained. In the environment in which they operated, the smallest mistakes could cost lives, leaving no room for error. He described moments of levity as well as moments of heartbreak. It was like reading a horror novel with main characters determined to make jokes in the face of their own mortality.
It's broken into 5 separate parts, named below:
1. Eager
2. New
3. Fierce
4. Grim
5. Tired
I don't know how to rate this book.
On the one hand, I always appreciate when people who have experienced traumas like Campbell has share their stories with others. I know it's not an easy thing to do. This book is also somewhat of an ode to Campbell's men, to recognize, remember, memorialize, and honor their work there. It was clear how deeply Campbell connected with and loved his men, but excepting the few pages about sacrifice and love, the book was strangely absent of emotion. It wasn't that Campbell didn't state whether he was happy or sad or worried; it's that he stated it so... bluntly, without further elaboration or reflection. He told far more than he showed. Action-wise, this book is bursting to the seams, but in terms of Campbell's internal state, it's lacking and significantly. It gives this book the feeling of being a recording rather than a story. There was also that fact that Campbell's writing style is so-so. It's very simple and a little bit clunky.
That said, I'm glad I read this. This is a sobering read about what kind of experiences have earned the relative calm of modern civilian life in the U.S. The reasons for why the U.S. entered into the Iraq War are debatable, but it's no debate that peace is earned through bloodshed. This book made no political statements, but rather focused on the brotherhood and love that brought Joker One through to the other side. I found the author to be engaging and humble, and I thank him for sharing his story.
I would recommend this to anyone who:
- Wants to know what it was like to be on the ground in Iraq during the war
- Wants to understand what it's like to be in war
- Wants to join the USMC. (This was gifted to me long ago by a USMC (then) ssgt who recruited officers.)
- Wants to read about disillusionment through war
It is a mini-story by mini-story account of how he went from being a bright-eyed junior officer to a battle-hardened lieutenant. It well showed his naïveté when he began and the spiritual and psychological tests he endured during his time there, dogged by death and trying to find a way to come to terms with what he had witnessed along the way. He described in brutal detail how little the tragedies of his line of work were allowed to impact the mission as a whole and how he was expected to perform regardless of the casualties his team sustained. In the environment in which they operated, the smallest mistakes could cost lives, leaving no room for error. He described moments of levity as well as moments of heartbreak. It was like reading a horror novel with main characters determined to make jokes in the face of their own mortality.
It's broken into 5 separate parts, named below:
1. Eager
2. New
3. Fierce
4. Grim
5. Tired
I don't know how to rate this book.
On the one hand, I always appreciate when people who have experienced traumas like Campbell has share their stories with others. I know it's not an easy thing to do. This book is also somewhat of an ode to Campbell's men, to recognize, remember, memorialize, and honor their work there. It was clear how deeply Campbell connected with and loved his men, but excepting the few pages about sacrifice and love, the book was strangely absent of emotion. It wasn't that Campbell didn't state whether he was happy or sad or worried; it's that he stated it so... bluntly, without further elaboration or reflection. He told far more than he showed. Action-wise, this book is bursting to the seams, but in terms of Campbell's internal state, it's lacking and significantly. It gives this book the feeling of being a recording rather than a story. There was also that fact that Campbell's writing style is so-so. It's very simple and a little bit clunky.
That said, I'm glad I read this. This is a sobering read about what kind of experiences have earned the relative calm of modern civilian life in the U.S. The reasons for why the U.S. entered into the Iraq War are debatable, but it's no debate that peace is earned through bloodshed. This book made no political statements, but rather focused on the brotherhood and love that brought Joker One through to the other side. I found the author to be engaging and humble, and I thank him for sharing his story.
I would recommend this to anyone who:
- Wants to know what it was like to be on the ground in Iraq during the war
- Wants to understand what it's like to be in war
- Wants to join the USMC. (This was gifted to me long ago by a USMC (then) ssgt who recruited officers.)
- Wants to read about disillusionment through war
April 27, 2012
For those who didn't know already, the war in Iraq and the War in Afghanistan are completely different beasts and in this book you get an honest taste of the urban warfare beast that is/was Iraq in 2004, Ramadi.
The book starts out, however, with Donovan Campbell back in the states. Training with his new platoon, learning his way as a new leader and mentor. It is here that I loved the book the most. I got to see the evolution of this intelligent, kind, honest officer and I am glad of that. It was an inspirational window to look into for anyone who respects and admires people with those unique leadership qualities.
Then the memoir takes you to the hot, violent streets of Ramadi in 2004 where Campbell took his baptism of fire straight on. He didn't always cope well, but he always coped as a good leader should, with resilience and love and reflection. When he broke, he broke in silence, in the presence of few.
I came out the other end of this book knowing I had been introduced to a very special individual.
An officer who accepted those in his platoon who were flawed. Timid kids, narcoleptic soldiers, misfits, he did not reject them, he instead nurtured their positives, turning them into soldiers that were as good at their job as any of their peers.
And as a leader of men, Campbell led with equal quantities of heart and mind and soul. He truly can see that it isn't the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
While I did drop a star for reasons that aren't important enough to comment on, those 4 stars are strong, verging on 5.
The book starts out, however, with Donovan Campbell back in the states. Training with his new platoon, learning his way as a new leader and mentor. It is here that I loved the book the most. I got to see the evolution of this intelligent, kind, honest officer and I am glad of that. It was an inspirational window to look into for anyone who respects and admires people with those unique leadership qualities.
Then the memoir takes you to the hot, violent streets of Ramadi in 2004 where Campbell took his baptism of fire straight on. He didn't always cope well, but he always coped as a good leader should, with resilience and love and reflection. When he broke, he broke in silence, in the presence of few.
I came out the other end of this book knowing I had been introduced to a very special individual.
An officer who accepted those in his platoon who were flawed. Timid kids, narcoleptic soldiers, misfits, he did not reject them, he instead nurtured their positives, turning them into soldiers that were as good at their job as any of their peers.
And as a leader of men, Campbell led with equal quantities of heart and mind and soul. He truly can see that it isn't the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
While I did drop a star for reasons that aren't important enough to comment on, those 4 stars are strong, verging on 5.
April 25, 2012
I find these kinds of reviews tough. Being a Canadian citizen and very close neighbors to my friends in the USA, I don't always agree with their policy's, but they are always there when you need them. I have always supported our military boys and gals, yes boys, as they are in majority not even of drinking age yet but we ask them to put their life's on the line so we can enjoy the freedom that we take for granted. So, on to this novel. I have read a number of books that involve our Canadian military personnel involved in the middle east and this is my problem with these type of novels. I would prefer that these type of books didn't exist. In which, I mean, that there was no need of our military to be situated in these type of conflicts but I digress, there will always be a need. This novel was very well written and informative about an actual conflict that happened in 2004. With characters that stay with you, and that is my problem, as some will not be coming home, this story was for me funny at times and serious. I am grateful for Mr. Campbell and all the other men and ladies who unselfishly give their lives for us.
December 12, 2014
This book was wonderful. The fact that it was based on actual accounts of the platoon's missions. The introduction to the story is perfect. Campbell explains that it is his duty to his team to tell their story and that every soldier should tell their story because it will do more damage to lock painful memories inside.
I am not a fan of war movies but this book puts you right in the action. It is very well written. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to those who like nonfiction military novels.
I am not a fan of war movies but this book puts you right in the action. It is very well written. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to those who like nonfiction military novels.
Want to read
March 6, 2009why do NPR stories make me cry all the time recently? heard this guy on fresh air. he was fascinating and articulate. not sure if i'll actually read it but i wanted to remember it.
October 7, 2011
Written by a Marine Officer leading his platoon into combat for the first time, a hardcore look at the war on the ground in Iraq, and the coming of age by the men who fought it.
February 26, 2011
I bought this book because I had been told by someone who is a rather big fan of Generation Kill, that "Joker One" was possibly even better than Nate Fick's "One Bullet Away". Since "One Bullet Away" was one of the best books I've read in the last years, there was no question that I desperately had to read "Joker One".
Too make it short: it's not better. But it's also not worse. It's simply very very different, in, well, mostly everything.
The only thing the two books have in common is that they are both written by (ex-)Marine officers ("There is no such thing as an ex-marine..."), and they both focus on the stories of their deployments to Iraq. And that's about all the have in common. The comparison is still valid, though, in my opinion, because it is the differences that made this book (more) interesting to me. I don't think I would have enjoyed it quite as much if I hadn't read and loved OBA before.
But let's talk about "Joker One". Unlike OBA, Joker One is a story almost entirely about the platoon commanded by the author, Donovan Campbell, during his deployment to Iraq in 2004. Campbell makes no secret out of this, he states quite clearly in the beginning of the book that he writes this book out of love for his men, and with love for his men. And that love is something that can be felt in every chapter, every word.
Despite this, or maybe because of this, "Joker One" never felt as real to me as the people in OBA did. Sure, Campbell tells us a few basic things about his marines (at least a few of them), but they never became "real" to me, they never developed their own personalities in my head. I kept wondering why that was while I read, and finally noticed that we see everything, the characters and the events, not only through Campbell's eyes, but through his love-tinted glasses, which set on the story a bit like a fog that never really lets you focus. Fick looks sharply at the world, critically. Campbell just looks and describes. I'm okay with this, after all, Campbell emphasizes the love for his men so often that I can't say I wasn't warned that this book might be a bit one-sided. But it certainly makes the book feel very very different from OBA. Maybe it takes some objectivity to describe people in a way that enables others to see them clearly.
Generally, there's an underlying naivité in Campbell's writing that stems mostly from his simplistic writing style. Yes, I said simplistic and I know that some people will likely object to this. But really, there's a lot of "I did", "We went", "and then we did..." that reminded me more of a school report than a book written by a soldier. I feel the need to point this out because it was so noticeable. Maybe I am spoiled by Fick's excellent writing and the fact that from the very beginning I kept comparing the books, which I really shouldn't have done. But I'm not complaining. If anything, Campbell's writing-style underlines the horror of the events he describes, because they stand in such a stark contrast to his style.
While GK was set at the very beginning of OIF, and it describes these guys (see my review) speeding through Iraq in a couple of Humvees, not really certain what their mission is (and why it is them that are doing it). "Joker One" takes places a year later, when the war is almost "over", and Campbell's platoon is based in Ramadi, stationary, with the mission to provide security for the city and to fight insurgents. That in itself, the stationary against the moving, is one of the biggest differences that also set a very different mood for the whole book. Because once you stay in one point, you begin to feel at home. And maybe that's why it had such a different impact on me to read about how the situation in Ramadi got worse with every day for Campbell and his men. Unlike in Generation Kill, there would be no moving forward the next day, no moving somewhere else where it might be less dangerous.
And worse it got for Campbell. What starts out as a what feels like a fairly quiet mission with the intent/orders to make nice with the locals, turns into a violent, every-day battle against insurgents which leaves one-third of the men wounded and many dead. Campbell describes convincingly how at some point he is certain that he won't come back alive, and that he won't come back from the next day without yet another injured soldier. All this is told in the same language, the same steady "and then this happened", and "then that person got shot" that makes it slightly surreal, though.
And so it is the knowledge that Campbell, unlike Fick, does not bring all his men home alive, more than the feelings that Campbell evokes with his actual writing, that made me feel for him, and I shudder to think what this book would have done to me if it had been written by a writer like Fick. It would probably have ruined me.
P.S.: For those of you who know who you are: there's a lot of crying in this book. And hugging. Way more hugging than one would expect. Just saying.
Too make it short: it's not better. But it's also not worse. It's simply very very different, in, well, mostly everything.
The only thing the two books have in common is that they are both written by (ex-)Marine officers ("There is no such thing as an ex-marine..."), and they both focus on the stories of their deployments to Iraq. And that's about all the have in common. The comparison is still valid, though, in my opinion, because it is the differences that made this book (more) interesting to me. I don't think I would have enjoyed it quite as much if I hadn't read and loved OBA before.
But let's talk about "Joker One". Unlike OBA, Joker One is a story almost entirely about the platoon commanded by the author, Donovan Campbell, during his deployment to Iraq in 2004. Campbell makes no secret out of this, he states quite clearly in the beginning of the book that he writes this book out of love for his men, and with love for his men. And that love is something that can be felt in every chapter, every word.
Despite this, or maybe because of this, "Joker One" never felt as real to me as the people in OBA did. Sure, Campbell tells us a few basic things about his marines (at least a few of them), but they never became "real" to me, they never developed their own personalities in my head. I kept wondering why that was while I read, and finally noticed that we see everything, the characters and the events, not only through Campbell's eyes, but through his love-tinted glasses, which set on the story a bit like a fog that never really lets you focus. Fick looks sharply at the world, critically. Campbell just looks and describes. I'm okay with this, after all, Campbell emphasizes the love for his men so often that I can't say I wasn't warned that this book might be a bit one-sided. But it certainly makes the book feel very very different from OBA. Maybe it takes some objectivity to describe people in a way that enables others to see them clearly.
Generally, there's an underlying naivité in Campbell's writing that stems mostly from his simplistic writing style. Yes, I said simplistic and I know that some people will likely object to this. But really, there's a lot of "I did", "We went", "and then we did..." that reminded me more of a school report than a book written by a soldier. I feel the need to point this out because it was so noticeable. Maybe I am spoiled by Fick's excellent writing and the fact that from the very beginning I kept comparing the books, which I really shouldn't have done. But I'm not complaining. If anything, Campbell's writing-style underlines the horror of the events he describes, because they stand in such a stark contrast to his style.
While GK was set at the very beginning of OIF, and it describes these guys (see my review) speeding through Iraq in a couple of Humvees, not really certain what their mission is (and why it is them that are doing it). "Joker One" takes places a year later, when the war is almost "over", and Campbell's platoon is based in Ramadi, stationary, with the mission to provide security for the city and to fight insurgents. That in itself, the stationary against the moving, is one of the biggest differences that also set a very different mood for the whole book. Because once you stay in one point, you begin to feel at home. And maybe that's why it had such a different impact on me to read about how the situation in Ramadi got worse with every day for Campbell and his men. Unlike in Generation Kill, there would be no moving forward the next day, no moving somewhere else where it might be less dangerous.
And worse it got for Campbell. What starts out as a what feels like a fairly quiet mission with the intent/orders to make nice with the locals, turns into a violent, every-day battle against insurgents which leaves one-third of the men wounded and many dead. Campbell describes convincingly how at some point he is certain that he won't come back alive, and that he won't come back from the next day without yet another injured soldier. All this is told in the same language, the same steady "and then this happened", and "then that person got shot" that makes it slightly surreal, though.
And so it is the knowledge that Campbell, unlike Fick, does not bring all his men home alive, more than the feelings that Campbell evokes with his actual writing, that made me feel for him, and I shudder to think what this book would have done to me if it had been written by a writer like Fick. It would probably have ruined me.
P.S.: For those of you who know who you are: there's a lot of crying in this book. And hugging. Way more hugging than one would expect. Just saying.
September 12, 2021
A beautifully written book with a story that won't let you put the book down. If you enjoy military stories, Joker One is a must read.
April 13, 2021
A true story of unconditional love.
January 8, 2019
Awesome book about a marine platoons Joker One.
July 14, 2013
I bought this book as background research for a project. I was actually the company commander of G 2/4 in years past, and my Iraq War, which included Ramadi, was as a much more senior officer, far removed from "kicking butt and taking names." I expected to breeze through the book, taking bits and pieces as I needed them. I was wrong.
Once I started reading, I was caught. I could not pull myself away. I read it through in one sitting, ignoring e-mails and skipping dinner. I was totally engrossed with the narrative.
The author's writing style was direct and to the point with no literary embellishments. To me, this made it real. There was very little concern with why we were in Iraq and the political situation, and I thought that was appropriate. The young Marines conducting the fight are fighting for their brothers, for each other. They are not motivated by politics. This was a story about the grunts, the foot soldiers. It was not about the colonels, the generals, and the planners back in DC.
What captured me with this book was the author's ability to make me care. I cared for each and every one of the Marines. I knew them. It wasn't important that I never personally met them. They were individuals, but they were also in every Marine I have known. They were probably in every soldier, sailor, and airman, too, with whom other readers have served.
My time as a rifle platoon commander was in peacetime where my concerns were about getting training time, performing mess and guard duty, and keeping my Marines out of trouble. As I read this account, I kept wondering how I would have done, how my Marines would have done, had we served in Ramadi instead of the friendly confines of Camp Lejeune. Even if the book was about the experiences of others, it was also very introspective for me.
To be fair, there were a few errors of fact and mix-ups that should have been caught by the editing team, but really, I was so caught up in the action that they didn't make as much impact as they might have in another book. Overall, the editing was adequate, especially with regards to typos and the like.
2/4, "The Magnificent Bastards" have a long and storied history, from their first operation off Mexico's shore to the Battle of Okinawa, from Dai Do in Vietnam (where 81 Marines and sailors lost the lives in that single battle), to Iraq and Afghanistan. After reading this book, I felt pride that these Marines and sailors were ably carrying on the torch.
Once I started reading, I was caught. I could not pull myself away. I read it through in one sitting, ignoring e-mails and skipping dinner. I was totally engrossed with the narrative.
The author's writing style was direct and to the point with no literary embellishments. To me, this made it real. There was very little concern with why we were in Iraq and the political situation, and I thought that was appropriate. The young Marines conducting the fight are fighting for their brothers, for each other. They are not motivated by politics. This was a story about the grunts, the foot soldiers. It was not about the colonels, the generals, and the planners back in DC.
What captured me with this book was the author's ability to make me care. I cared for each and every one of the Marines. I knew them. It wasn't important that I never personally met them. They were individuals, but they were also in every Marine I have known. They were probably in every soldier, sailor, and airman, too, with whom other readers have served.
My time as a rifle platoon commander was in peacetime where my concerns were about getting training time, performing mess and guard duty, and keeping my Marines out of trouble. As I read this account, I kept wondering how I would have done, how my Marines would have done, had we served in Ramadi instead of the friendly confines of Camp Lejeune. Even if the book was about the experiences of others, it was also very introspective for me.
To be fair, there were a few errors of fact and mix-ups that should have been caught by the editing team, but really, I was so caught up in the action that they didn't make as much impact as they might have in another book. Overall, the editing was adequate, especially with regards to typos and the like.
2/4, "The Magnificent Bastards" have a long and storied history, from their first operation off Mexico's shore to the Battle of Okinawa, from Dai Do in Vietnam (where 81 Marines and sailors lost the lives in that single battle), to Iraq and Afghanistan. After reading this book, I felt pride that these Marines and sailors were ably carrying on the torch.
February 14, 2012
In March 2004, 2nd Lieutenant Donovan Campbell and the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment (2/4) were shipped to Ramadi, Iraq for a six-month deployment. Lieutenant Campbell commanded the 1st Platoon of G (Golf) Company also known as Joker One. Joker One: A Marine Platoon’s Story of Courage, Leadership, and Brotherhood is the title of the first book by Donovan Campbell. Mr. Campbell describes his first days with Golf Company and the training he and his Marines went through prior to their deployment. [return][return]The bulk of the book details life in Ramadi for Joker One. Six months of constant patrolling, guarding and searching, with an almost daily dose of combat. In the beginning Lt. Campbell believed in the mission, as time went on and the casualties mounted his primary concern became protecting his Marines. By the end, he had come to accept that his Marines were going to be hurt every time they left their compound. [return][return]Reading this book brings several questions to mind. The most important of which is why have American soldiers and Marines been sent to die in Iraq. A quote by Mr. Campbell seems to sum up the American experience in Iraq, “…every decision that we made in this crazy country always seemed a difficult choice between bad and worse and that nothing ever turned out quite the way we hoped.” (201)[return][return]Lt. Campbell and his Marines volunteered to go to war and they suffered physical and psychological trauma because of it. They performed heroic deeds while attempting to stabilize a country that did not want them there. We sound not allow our young men to suffer such injuries for trivial causes. It should only be in cases of true national emergency or actual national defense that we ask this of them rather then to make some small point foreign policy point. [return][return]Before America’s leaders decide to send American troops to impose their particular vision of how the world should be, they should read the story of Joker One. American soldiers and Marines are not pawns on a chessboard and should not be treated as such. Donovan Campbell and his Marines are probably better then we, as Americans, deserve. [return][return]If you have any interest in the American military or small unit actions in the war in Iraq I would recommend this book. This review is based on an advance copy.
May 28, 2015
Campbell's goal, as he tells us at the beginning and end of the book, is to share the bravery and accomplishments of his Marines, whose actions and sacrifices might otherwise remain untold and over time be forgotten.
I really appreciate how candid Campbell is about the challenges of leadership; how he feels like when he makes decisions, his choices are between bad and worse; how much strength and inspiration he gets from his men. It's obvious how deep their bonds are and how devastating every injury and loss is. It's also the first time I've ever felt like I had any sense of what kind of responsibility a CO has on the ground, actually directing movement -- and also the limits of authority: units have to resign themselves to completing missions that they know will be dangerous and will alienate the local population, but their orders are coming from people who don't have a good sense of what they're actually asking (haven't spent much time in the area, aren't familiar with local customs, for example).
Campbell did a great job of introducing all of his guys; at times it was difficult to keep reading, because I was worried about what was going to happen next and if everyone was going to be okay. I feel like Campbell also tried to show the reader how it might feel to be living in a city that is occupied: throughout the narrative, he describes the needless destruction and death of Iraqi civilian property and lives, and he contrasts a desire for revenge with attempts to view the situation from other perspectives. There are several really painful vignettes; one was about random civilian dudes being rounded up for interviews, and their families can do nothing but watch as the vehicle takes a turn wrong and tips over, causing injuries and casualties (the description of the women's grief is particularly moving).
Coincidentally, I started reading this around the time that Ramadi fell to ISIS. Really tragic. This book and other books like it are so important, these are things we should never forget.
I really appreciate how candid Campbell is about the challenges of leadership; how he feels like when he makes decisions, his choices are between bad and worse; how much strength and inspiration he gets from his men. It's obvious how deep their bonds are and how devastating every injury and loss is. It's also the first time I've ever felt like I had any sense of what kind of responsibility a CO has on the ground, actually directing movement -- and also the limits of authority: units have to resign themselves to completing missions that they know will be dangerous and will alienate the local population, but their orders are coming from people who don't have a good sense of what they're actually asking (haven't spent much time in the area, aren't familiar with local customs, for example).
Campbell did a great job of introducing all of his guys; at times it was difficult to keep reading, because I was worried about what was going to happen next and if everyone was going to be okay. I feel like Campbell also tried to show the reader how it might feel to be living in a city that is occupied: throughout the narrative, he describes the needless destruction and death of Iraqi civilian property and lives, and he contrasts a desire for revenge with attempts to view the situation from other perspectives. There are several really painful vignettes; one was about random civilian dudes being rounded up for interviews, and their families can do nothing but watch as the vehicle takes a turn wrong and tips over, causing injuries and casualties (the description of the women's grief is particularly moving).
Coincidentally, I started reading this around the time that Ramadi fell to ISIS. Really tragic. This book and other books like it are so important, these are things we should never forget.
November 15, 2009
When Joker One was recommended to me y a friend, I was immediately intrested because it is about a Marine platoon's time in Iraq and is written by a Marine Lieutenant. Because my Dad was a Marine who fought in the Pacific during WWII, I have always been interested in combat and what life must have really been like for my father. By page 7 the tears were flowing. These words are the explanation I've longed for most of my life as to why my father never talked about the war:
"Our time together in Iraq seems like someone else's story, for there's nothing in American even remotely similar to what we experienced overseas, nothing that remidns us of what we've suffered and achieved together. And none of us have really been able to tell htat story, not fully, not even to our families, because each small telling takes a personal toll. No one wants to suffer the pain of trying to explain the unexplainable to those who rarely have either the time or the desire to comprehend. So, many of us have simply packed away war away and tried hard to fit into normalcy by ignoring that time of our lives."
I truly believe that none of us could possibly understand what it's like to truly be in the midst of combat and to take other's lives. Most shockig to me was Campbell's description of meeting with a lawyerwho explained exactly what the Marines could and could not shoot at! After spending grueling weeks being trained to kill, imagine being told what you were "legally" allowed to do in combat!
The profoundness of this book isn't in the writing itself, but in the raw emotion. Even after having grown up with the military, it astounds me that these men believe so strongly in God, thier country and the American ideals that they would risk their lives fighting a losing battle on foreign soil.
I believe this book is a must read! Everyone can gain a true appreciation for what these American heroes have gone through so that we can sleep safely at night.
Semper Fi
"Our time together in Iraq seems like someone else's story, for there's nothing in American even remotely similar to what we experienced overseas, nothing that remidns us of what we've suffered and achieved together. And none of us have really been able to tell htat story, not fully, not even to our families, because each small telling takes a personal toll. No one wants to suffer the pain of trying to explain the unexplainable to those who rarely have either the time or the desire to comprehend. So, many of us have simply packed away war away and tried hard to fit into normalcy by ignoring that time of our lives."
I truly believe that none of us could possibly understand what it's like to truly be in the midst of combat and to take other's lives. Most shockig to me was Campbell's description of meeting with a lawyerwho explained exactly what the Marines could and could not shoot at! After spending grueling weeks being trained to kill, imagine being told what you were "legally" allowed to do in combat!
The profoundness of this book isn't in the writing itself, but in the raw emotion. Even after having grown up with the military, it astounds me that these men believe so strongly in God, thier country and the American ideals that they would risk their lives fighting a losing battle on foreign soil.
I believe this book is a must read! Everyone can gain a true appreciation for what these American heroes have gone through so that we can sleep safely at night.
Semper Fi
November 21, 2011
A great look into the myriad trials of being a young officer, only 24, in charge of the lives of a company of college aged Marines while stationed in one of the most dangerous cities in Iraq during the height of the insurgency. Campbell describes his deployment with 2/4 Golf Company to Ramadi. It was shocking to realize just how young every one was the was fighting the war. The story, like many memoirs, has trouble following any narrative structure, but in light of the chaos of the war it almost works in its favor. Heroism doesn't come as part of a grand quest, but in small moments, and often surrounded by so much failure. There isn't a sense of having achieved anything through their missions, though 2004 Iraq must have felt like a lost cause. However their are victories and bravery in spite of the overwhelming misery of occupying a region where the population pretty much all wants you dead. I found the greatest strength of the book the scenes of humanity, that reminded me that the soldiers were a group of 18-20 year olds bearing the weight of so many ideas and expectations, but still fundamentally kids in some ways. Whether watching movies, playing pranks, or joking with each other in a machine gun perch, it gave a great deal more gravity to the book than the chaotic scenes of street battles.
August 5, 2012
There are numerous books written by senior officers after their retirement recounting battles and tours in war zones. There have not been nearly as many written by a Lieutenant serving in Iraq as a line officer. Joker One is an excellent book recounting Donovan's time with his unit, from training to their deployment to Ramadi, Iraq in 2004 right as the insurgencies were flaring up. Donovan's account of his time as a leader of Marines recounts his self doubt and uncertainty as his unit deploys and fights. He also speaks to the strength of the individuals of the unit and how they would pick him up when he was down as well as the establishing a team first spirit that made the sum greater than the parts. Self sacrifice is often overlooked today, but these Marines certainly demonstrated that sacrifice to their teammates every day. His accounts of his men getting wounded or dying and the burden that he and the team felt carries over to the reader and makes the book even more compelling. I would highly recommend this book for just about anyone, whether you want to get a better feel for the urban warfare that went on during the Iraqi war, or for a renewed appreciation of the Marine Corps or to understand what a young leader going into a war zone goes through. Good stuff.
January 1, 2014
I finished reading Joker One, a Christmas gift from our oldest son, as New Year fireworks boomed and flashed outside reminding me exactly what Donovan Campbell and his platoon were fighting and dying for in Ramadi back in 2004. If you’ve read a lot of the books coming out of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, you know that the ones written by the embedded journalists are often flashier and more “literary” than the ones written by those who actually did the fighting. Donovan Campbell’s account isn’t flashy or literary. If you’re looking for grand metaphors or awe-inspiring adjectives, you won’t find them in Joker One. And while grand metaphors are rarely constructed by those lacking intellect, we can’t assume that the inverse is true. Campbell isn’t an amazing writer but he is extremely intelligent, brutally honest, succinctly eloquent, unfailingly perceptive and courageous. Out of the many harrowing accounts of combat emerging from our most recent wars, Joker One is one of the most effective when it comes to communicating the unique hell of urban warfare and the immense burden of leading youngsters into battle. Grateful civilians like me will not find a more insightful guide to this alien world.
July 19, 2015
Campbell served in Iraq with the Marines of Joker One in Ramadi, the largest city in Al-Anbar during 2004. This is their story of patrolling, fighting, dying and living with the Iraqis. It is his story of learning about service, leadership and sacrifice.
Why I started it: I'm not sure who recommended this book to me, but I downloaded the audio from the library.
Why I finished it: Powerful, there were some sentences that I had to rewind and rewind to listen to again. Isn't amazing how some narrators and stories hit with deep insight into topics/issues that you are struggling with. It makes you stop and think, "wow, that was exactly right" or "I couldn't label it until this author completely defined it for me." Now, I'm no where close to a combat zone, physically or emotionally and yet this book resonated with me.
Why I started it: I'm not sure who recommended this book to me, but I downloaded the audio from the library.
Why I finished it: Powerful, there were some sentences that I had to rewind and rewind to listen to again. Isn't amazing how some narrators and stories hit with deep insight into topics/issues that you are struggling with. It makes you stop and think, "wow, that was exactly right" or "I couldn't label it until this author completely defined it for me." Now, I'm no where close to a combat zone, physically or emotionally and yet this book resonated with me.
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