Defend Us in Battle: The True Story of MA2 Navy SEAL Medal of Honor Recipient Michael A. Monsoor

by George Monsoor, Rose M. Rea (With)

On September 29, 2006, Michael Monsoor and three SEAL snipers watched vigilantly for enemy activity from their rooftop post in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. When a grenade thrown from insurgents bounced off Michael's chest, he could have escaped. Instead, he threw himself onto the live grenade, shielding his fellow soldiers from the immediate explosion. Michael died thirty minutes later, having made the ultimate sacrifice. As George Monsoor (Michael's father) and Rose Rea show us in Defend Us in Battle, Michael had prepared for this selfless act all his life--a life that inspires us to have a similar generosity of heart. This fast-paced, compelling biography In addition to the Medal of Honor, Michael received a Silver Star, a Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart for his years serving his country. But his greatest legacy is in the hearts of those he inspired to live, and even die, for the sake of brotherly love.

Genres: Military Fiction, History, Nonfiction, War, Biography

208 pages, Hardcover

Published November 8, 2022

Reviews

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Defend Us in Battle by George Monsoor is a fantastic tribute to those that defend ones country and to Michael Monsoor who gave his life for his brothers. The book is a fast read and very well written and a little anusual for me since it's not often I read about no longer living people. It tells a story about a man growing up and his attitude towards life an adversities and such a remarkable man he was. The book also has a few extra dimensions since I've been listening to both Jocko Willink and Leif Babin on podcasts where they tell about there time in Ramadi. The book also tells a story about the family left behind and there view on things. If you like me sometimes feel like life is crap this is a good book to read and reflect over your own problems. I for one realizes that I have a good life with lots of comforts. I must thank Netgalley and Harper Horizon for letting me read this book and of course George Monsoor for sharing his sons story. Great book.

[Nick Crisanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A father writing a biography of their deceased child must be painfully difficult, almost impossible it would seem. Yet George Monsoor manages to perform this task with elan. He gives such a heartwarming description of his son and his short life, that you might rather stop reading halfway through to spare the heartache that is to come. You get to know the kid before you get to know the soldier - the kid who only wanted to be a Navy SEAL and will always be immortalized as one.

His deployment in Afghanistan was distinguished by his unselfishness and his bravery. But those virtues do not make one invincible. The attack on the roof where Monsoor meets his demise is so sudden and tragic, though unmistakably heroic, that I had to read it a couple of times to fully process what happened. But that's just the way it is. War is hell and you can be gone in an instant. It takes a certain type of person to take on a risk like that. God bless the ones that do.

A single critique I may offer is that they should have abandoned the "surprise" that the new Zumwalt class destroyer, DDG-1001, would be named after Michael Monsoor because it was apparent if you looked at the pictures in the middle of the book and since it was almost blatantly obvious in each chapter in which the ship is discussed. There's no need for foreshadowing an event like this in a book like this, where chronology is an important element in the narration. I would have preferred those chapters to be at the end and the whole story told at once.

Nevertheless, this is a wonderful tribute to a remarkable human being. Mr. Monsoor should be very proud, of his son and of this book.

[Chuck Mankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about an excellent person. After reading the book I am convinced that Michael Monsoor was St Michael himself given another chance to battle evil on the earth. Men like Mike are the ones we should be telling our children to look up to and imitate in life. Not people who play games or sing songs.

[Lilli · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great to get perspective on the person the ship I'm on is named after.

[Bill Bitner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unless you're a bot, I challenge you to read this and not feel something. This book is about the life and sacrifice of Michael Monsoor, a Medal of Honor recipient. I had heard of Michael, and the book, when his father, George, was a guest on the Jocko Podcast. The book is amazingly well written. Trying to capture the life of someone, especially someone like Michael Monsoor is difficult, as you want to pay honor to his life. And it seemed that it was with that spirit of paying honor that the words written were each carefully chosen. What you have is a concise, but powerful, tribute to a life well lived. A few things that I paused to ponder in this:

1) Embracing one's faith.
2) Sacrifice
3) The symbolism, honor, and love seen through the DDG-Zumwalt-class ship.
4) Living life to the fullest because it can be short.

[Stephen Z. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read multiple books about Medal of Honor winners, most poignantly about Father Emil Kapaun and Father Vincent Capodanno from Korea and Vietnam respectively.

Michael Monsoor, a SEAL - a warrior monk, named for St. Michael the Archangel was also awarded the Medal of Honor and this story is as poignant and moving. Few books have made me cry but this book made me stop a few times.

There are so few people that i have read about who make me say, "If all Christians acted like that, I think everyone would be Christian." This certainly one of them. I am inspired by the heroism of this man and his crew mates and am renewing within myself the virtue of patriotism that I carry.

[Ashley Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of the life of Michael Monsoor, who gave his life on September 25th, 2006, when he was KIA. This story talks about his struggles with asthma and standing up to bullies. It is also a story of perseverance because he failed BUDS training once already and then passed and excelled. It is very touching because he stayed overseas to allow another SEAL to go home for the birth of their child. During this extension is when Michael gave his life to protect his teammates. He has received numerous accommodations, including the medal of Honor, silver Star, kids named after him, and even a ship! I really enjoyed the story. This was a 4 and 1/2 star read for me.

[Jamie Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Monsoor was a hero and it was an honor to read his story. I could have read 1,000 more pages about him and his life and sacrifice. I pray that the writing process was cathartic for his father. What a blessing to be able to speak to and interview your fallen son’s friends and teammates to keep his memory alive. I have a stack of books that I plan to one day give to my own son to read, and I have added this one to it.

[Ana Pung · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was introduced to me through the Catching Foxes podcast where the hosts interviewed Rose Rea. I immediately was drawn to this soldier's story and ordered the book the same day I heard the podcast. This was a quick, easy read telling one story of a man giving the ultimate sacrifice to protect others. I'm thankful to have read and become familiar with his life story.

[Garth Scrivner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story - amazing hero. Selfless.

[Blake Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, great story. Could hardly put it down!

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another warrior gone way too soon. While I would have heard more about Michael and his early years, this text is a true testament to a true American hero.

[Ellery Pleier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring memoir of Michael Monsoor. Loved how it went over his entire life and the journey he had. Quick and meaningful read.

[Steve Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Sad story, but a Great Warrior! I read about Michael Monsoor, Marc Lee, Ryan Jobe and Chris Kyle in Kevin Lacz’s book, The Last Punishers!

[Michael Duchaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its a quick read, but difficult in that it tugs at the heartstrings. Monsoon by all accounts was just a genuinely good dude.

[Ben Mozingo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, first off, Michael Monsoor is a mother f-ing hero of the highest caliber and his spirit will live forever as a result of the sheer bravery he displayed with his life.

The audible of this book is… not good. I really wish I would have just read it in print. The reader of the audible broke the cardinal sin and changed his voice to try to match the speakers, even going into falsetto for the women. It was brutal.

Otherwise, this simple and heartfelt tribute to an incredible individual is worth our time and attention.

[Artie O’Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book recounts the true story of a hero who gave his life for his comrades in battle, making it unique among military books. It was written by George Monsoor, Michael A. Monsoor's father, and it serves as a fitting tribute to a Medal of Honor recipient who displayed unwavering selflessness. Reading this book is a great way to pay tribute to the warriors who have risked everything to protect our freedom.