Fallujah Memoirs: A Grunt's Eye View of the Second Battle of Fallujah

by Alexander Saxby

The Second Battle of Fallujah was a watershed moment in the Iraq War. US Marines recaptured the city in some of the heaviest fighting since Hue City. Put yourself in the midst of the action with the Marines during the most significant and bloodiest battle of the war! This first hand account gives readers a front row seat to modern urban combat with Bravo Company of the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines. Picking up Fallujah Diary, readers will find out exactly what it takes to fight house to house in the deserts of Iraq. This is not a story written from the perspective of generals, commanders, or academics. This is written by a grunt with a grunt's eye view. Join Lance Corporal Alex Saxby and the rest of 3rd Platoon as they prepare to deploy, then follow them through Al Anbar Providence and ultimately the Second Battle of Fallujah. This book is an in-depth, first person view of the heaviest urban fighting the Marine Corps has fought since the Vietnam War.

Genres: Military Fiction

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2021

Reviews

[Michael Flickinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was especially meaningful to me, as I have had the privilege of not only serving with the author, but working the desk right next to his. Alex Saxby continues serving, leading, and contributing greatly on behalf of the United States and the cause of liberty beyond our borders.

This book provides valuable insight into military operations in urban terrain, both for the men and women who may be kicking down doors and pulling/squeezing triggers, as well as those entrusted to lead them at higher levels. I look forward to reading more books by Alex Saxby.

[Rob Mathison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated this book very much.

I appreciated that the author makes a point to qualify his book by telling us that this is based strictly on his experiences, and then does a good job of telling a readable story about how he arrived in Fallujah and then what his experiences were there. It's an interesting and touching telling of this battle, which I remember seeing in the papers and wanted to know more about since I am appreciative of our soldiers who enlisted to serve America after 9/11 (I don't agree or like that Cheney/Bush embroiled us in Iraq, but that doesn't make me appreciate our soldiers any less). The author does an excellent job of making this a human/emotional/interesting story while showing remarkable emotional restraint as he retells what-must-be-painful memories for him.

NOTE: Honestly, every person in his platoon sounds worthy of the highest medals.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a solid first-person account of a small part of the second battle of Fallujah. The book itself is probably a 4.5, but the audiobook was worse than it could have been because it used Virtual Voice, and Virtual Voice does horribly with acronyms and other military terms (e.g. a time read as "one thousand three hundred thirty").

It's interesting that this relatively junior Marine at the beginning of the war has since gone on to a long career in the Marines, Army, etc.-- and this book was written about a brief period at the beginning of his life.

(I was flying on a helicopter to Al Asad right before this happened; one of the other passengers was a Marine Colonel. I noticed he had a rifle, rather than just a pistol, which seemed like a sign of how different the Marines are from the Army...)

[jakekellsaol.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

War sucks. It is not glamorous, fun, or glorious. It really, really sucks. Human nature will always dictate more wars. It is part of us. Children dream of war and hope the present war does not end before they can take part. War defines us all. It should not be, but it is part of us. War is ingrained in our genetics. It will only stop when we have destroyed ourselves. God make it stop !

[Farquar McSpadden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fallujah Memoirs is a good, quick read that tells about the experiences of a young man going into war. The Iraq War and Fallujah, in particular, were brutal. I wouldn't have minded a bit more reflection from the author--not soul-searching, but more like how he's feeling. What's it like to be whisked from a small town in NY to a completely surreal place? Even so, I do appreciate what Saxby offers in the book.

[Andrew Downing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for your service and story. It’s vital people learn

A well crafted story and work. An excellent history lesson absolutely vital to our national consciousness. Small tidbits of main stream media can never capture the true essence of the conflict that a personal memoir reveals. Read it. Learn. Gain respect for the sacrifices our fellow country men have endured.

[Johanna Knopf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book on a recommendation from a friend. It is short, to the point, and is exactly as it states: the Battle of Fallujah from the authors eyes. He doesn't spare rhe reader the grim realities, and is matter-of-fact in his style.

[Bill Elston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good first hand story about this battle. Interesting story, well worth the time to read this book.What a waste of men/women and money. The US has not yet learned the lessons of Vietnam. Thank you for your service, glad you made it home.

[Dr. Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Puts you right in the action. Bless this then young man for his courage and insights. Scary as hell but real. If you like military first hand accounts, this book is for you. It's one of the best I've read.

[jeff gilliland · Rating 5 out of 5]

not all yahoo I am a bad ass

Good stuff, heart felt feelings. The house fight was very well told. The remf’s have not changed in 50 years, sad to say!

[andrea harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

Made it seem as if you was there with them. I read the book in 4 days. It really good

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good quick read

The writer puts you in the action, often makes you feel the grit of war and the loss of your comrades. Worth the time to read.

[Elting C. Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Impressive straight to the point warfare in the words of one who lived it. Thank you for all you do.

[Jj Mcfly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fallujah Memoirs

Good read. Very engaging and hard to put down once I started reading. Learned a lot about second battle of Fallujah. God bless the USMC!

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.

[The Nomadic Book Reviewer · Rating 2 out of 5]

**

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t let the fact that this book is self-published deter you. I’ve read lots of war memoirs and this was brutal, honest, and concise. Focuses exclusively on the author’s combat experience. Tough to read but necessary.

[Carolyn Strength · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Alexander Saxby, for sharing your experiences.

Several years ago I started reading books written by our soldiers about their experiences during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I wanted to try to understand what our men and women were going through. By now I have read probably around one hundred books. I have learned so much and continue to learn each time I open a new book. Alexander's story did exactly what he said it would do. It gave me the Grant's eye view. And it was also a beautiful tribute to those he served with. So, thanks again, Alexander. I appreciate all that you and your fellow soldiers have done.

[James Sesnak · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is reads more like an official after action military report than a narrative about the main characters. The author occasionally touches on the human emotion but it is fleeting. Informative but heavy in "after action" detail