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Shadow of the Sword: A Marine's Journey of War, Heroism, and Redemption
Awarded the Navy Cross for gallantry under fire, Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Workman is one of the Marine Corps’ best-known contemporary combat veterans. In this searing and inspiring memoir, he tells an unforgettable story of his service overseas–and of the emotional wars that continue to rage long after our fighting men come home.Raised in a tiny blue-collar town in Ohio, Jeremiah Workman was a handsome and athletic high achiever. Having excelled on the sporting field, he believed that the Marine Corps would be the perfect way to harness his physical and professional drives.In the Iraqi city of Fallujah in December 2004, Workman faced the challenge that would change his life. He and his platoon were searching for hidden caches of weapons and mopping up die-hard insurgent cells when they came upon a building in which a team of fanatical insurgents had their fellow Marines trapped. Leading repeated assaults on that building, Workman killed more than twenty of the enemy in a ferocious firefight that left three of his own men dead.But Workman’s most difficult fight lay ahead of him–in the battlefield of his mind. Burying his guilt about the deaths of his men, he returned stateside, where he was decorated for valor and then found himself assigned to the Marine base at Parris Island as a “Kill Hat”: a drill instructor with the least seniority and the most brutal responsibilities. He was instructed, only half in jest, to push his untested recruits to the brink of suicide. Haunted by the thought that he had failed his men overseas, Workman cracked, suffering a psychological breakdown in front of the men he was charged with leading and preparing for war.In Shadow of the Sword, a memoir that brilliantly captures both wartime courage and its lifelong consequences, Workman candidly reveals the ordeal of post-traumatic stress the therapy and drug treatments that deadened his mind even as they eased his pain, the overwhelming stress that pushed his marriage to the brink, and the confrontations with anger and self-blame that he had internalized for years. Having fought through the worst of his trials–and now the father of a young son–Workman has found not perfection or a panacea but a way to accommodate his traumas and to move forward toward hope, love, and reconciliation.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2009
16 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 26, 2021
I had no idea that this book would primarily be about PTSD. The action in Iraq involved one several hour combat in Fallujah, clearing out one house of enemy combatants. Looks like the Marines interrupted a major meeting and assaulted a superior enemy force. The author received the Navy Cross for this action but came home with PTSD. He did a fine job defining what happens in the brain after going through trauma. Also, the effects this trauma has on families.
January 1, 2021
By sharing his experiences both during the war and afterward, Jeremiah Workman has created a book that can help civilians gain an understanding of what life is like for soldiers after they have come home from battle. Even more importantly, it unveils what it is like to live with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and attempts to remove the stigma associated with it.
Jeremiah Workman's experiences in Iraq are, at times, hard to read about. His recollections of his time in battle (particularly one day of battle) are interspersed with his account of his day to day struggles of adapting to life once he has returned home to the United States. His family doesn't understand what he has been through, and they are completely unaware of the war scenes that are playing out constantly in his head.
His time spent in battle is horrific, and his retelling is detailed. Some of the experiences that he relates, such as seeing dead bodies in Iraqi streets, not to mention the battle scenes, are a bit graphic. In this case I think the graphic detail is completely justified though, because it helps the reader comprehend the gravity of what he went through, and why it affected him so strongly.
There is also a lot of swearing in the book, but this seems to be standard in the military memoirs that I have read. I would hazard a guess that this is because it reflects the use of profanity in the military, and also in the war (which makes sense to me because war is just about as stressful a situation as you can get).
Jeremiah Workman's memoir is an important book because it was written with the aim of helping others with PTSD. His book serves as an excellent way to create public awareness of what warriors experience when they come home, and even more importantly, will let other soldiers who are going through the same experiences know that they are not alone.
I highly recommend this military memoir to everyone. You never know when you might encounter someone in your daily life who is dealing with PTSD, and I think that this book has helped me to understand it better and hopefully to become more compassionate toward those who have PTSD.
Jeremiah Workman's experiences in Iraq are, at times, hard to read about. His recollections of his time in battle (particularly one day of battle) are interspersed with his account of his day to day struggles of adapting to life once he has returned home to the United States. His family doesn't understand what he has been through, and they are completely unaware of the war scenes that are playing out constantly in his head.
His time spent in battle is horrific, and his retelling is detailed. Some of the experiences that he relates, such as seeing dead bodies in Iraqi streets, not to mention the battle scenes, are a bit graphic. In this case I think the graphic detail is completely justified though, because it helps the reader comprehend the gravity of what he went through, and why it affected him so strongly.
There is also a lot of swearing in the book, but this seems to be standard in the military memoirs that I have read. I would hazard a guess that this is because it reflects the use of profanity in the military, and also in the war (which makes sense to me because war is just about as stressful a situation as you can get).
Jeremiah Workman's memoir is an important book because it was written with the aim of helping others with PTSD. His book serves as an excellent way to create public awareness of what warriors experience when they come home, and even more importantly, will let other soldiers who are going through the same experiences know that they are not alone.
I highly recommend this military memoir to everyone. You never know when you might encounter someone in your daily life who is dealing with PTSD, and I think that this book has helped me to understand it better and hopefully to become more compassionate toward those who have PTSD.
August 20, 2009
Jeremiah, no matter what you think, you are a true American hero. You, and all the men and women who have fought in the war on terror. You deserve your Navy Cross, and you have done a great honor to the memories of your fallen comrades Raleigh, Eric and James. Their heroism and sacrifice of December 23rd will be remembered by all who read your book. Thank you for sharing your very personal story, and the details of your battle with post traumatic stress disorder. I recommend this book to every American. We all need to understand the sacrifices our American soldiers are making for us every day in this current war.
August 19, 2022
I am so thankful to Jeremiah for sharing his story and for the warriors that fight for our freedom and protect us in the U.S.. Mrs. Jess Workman, his wife, is a true warrior because even though the love she has for her husband kept her connected to him, I can't even imagine how she got through everything he put her through... and how he got through everything the Iraq war put him through...
I don't know much about the this war, but this book helped shed some light on it without getting too deep into the ugliness. It does share details on the main encounter that contributed to Staff Sargeant Workman's PTSD, but the way that it is written read much like fiction to me so that i got through most of it. Or maybe i just couldn't handle the reality of it and had to read it like that for my own safety. I don't want to deal with what these soldiers had to go through. The veteran that has to sleep in the back of his closet with a bottle of alcohol in one hand and a gun in the other? Why is this bullshit happening in a modern civilized world???
PTSD is no joke and we need to reframe how we deal with it because there are many people who haven't gone to any war, have PTSD, and are in families driving their family members nuts and because PTSD is so negatively stigmatized, these people also are hiding in the shadows.
The government can also work on making smarter decisions so we don't lose people when we don't need to. Haha, listen to my naive, hopeful self asking nicely for world peace.
I don't know much about the this war, but this book helped shed some light on it without getting too deep into the ugliness. It does share details on the main encounter that contributed to Staff Sargeant Workman's PTSD, but the way that it is written read much like fiction to me so that i got through most of it. Or maybe i just couldn't handle the reality of it and had to read it like that for my own safety. I don't want to deal with what these soldiers had to go through. The veteran that has to sleep in the back of his closet with a bottle of alcohol in one hand and a gun in the other? Why is this bullshit happening in a modern civilized world???
PTSD is no joke and we need to reframe how we deal with it because there are many people who haven't gone to any war, have PTSD, and are in families driving their family members nuts and because PTSD is so negatively stigmatized, these people also are hiding in the shadows.
The government can also work on making smarter decisions so we don't lose people when we don't need to. Haha, listen to my naive, hopeful self asking nicely for world peace.
June 7, 2024
Shadow Of The Sword is one of the greatest books I've ever read. The book is a memoir written about Jeremiah’s life as a marine. Jeremiah has earned several awards over his career including the Navy Cross Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal , and the Combat Action Ribbon. The book follows his personal experiences in Iraq during the War on Terror. He is a veteran of the battle of Fallujah, one of the bloodiest, hard fought, battles of the war. When I was first starting the book, I thought it would be mostly a retelling of the battles he fought; however, I was surprised to learn the book was really about a different kind of battle, PTSD. During his time in Fallujah, he lost 3 of his closest friends in a single, bloody, battle. Throughout the book it takes all of his strength in order to conquer the sad memories and guilt eating him from the inside. This explains the title. Towards the end of the book, Jeremiah says that he's been fighting a shadow war; a war most people don’t think about regarding our veterans. Through hard work, determination, and helpful advice from fellow vets, Jeremiah was able to overcome his fear and guilt. He began public speaking about the real effects of PTSD, touching hearts wherever he went. His story is one of unimaginable resilience. I felt very emotional throughout the book and I definitely think anyone who wants to hear an uplifting and emotional story should read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2017
When I heard about this book I held high expectations for it because of the marine title, it was a decent book told alot of facts about ptsd and how he was over coming it but other than that the book lost me wasn't as good as I hoped.
July 2, 2025
Very raw and difficult to handle at times. I appreciate Workman writing this for others in similar situations, and for those who aren't, to try and be able to understand the effects of PTSD.
February 7, 2010
I had to stay up late to finish this book. It's the story of a bitter and horrific battle-within-a-battle during the Battle of Fallujah in Iraq in December 2004. The author, a Marine NCO at the time, earned a Navy Cross, the second highest medal for heroism in the U.S. military, in that gunfight - his leaders nominated him for the highest award, the Medal of Honor, but for whatever reason, the people at the top of the chain of command downgraded it to the Navy Cross, still a medal that is very seldom awarded, and often posthumously when it is given. Jeremiah Workman recounts in stark terms what he and his comrades experienced; throughout the book, that story is interwoven with two other narrative strands, one of his life leading up to that day and the other about his struggle with a devastating case of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the years afterward, including its impact on his emotional life, career, and marriage.
This is one of the most powerful memoirs I've read in a long time. The author shows a great deal of courage not only in telling the world about his combat experience, but in following that up by recounting his struggle with PTSD and near-disintegration. He concludes by describing the fairly extensive array of programs, help, and support now available for Marines who come home either physically disabled or haunted by trauma (one of the programs being where he now works.)
Anyone with a family member or friend serving in Iraq or Afghanistan should read this book - it will give you a better idea of what some of our men and women in uniform are doing and enduring there.
This is one of the most powerful memoirs I've read in a long time. The author shows a great deal of courage not only in telling the world about his combat experience, but in following that up by recounting his struggle with PTSD and near-disintegration. He concludes by describing the fairly extensive array of programs, help, and support now available for Marines who come home either physically disabled or haunted by trauma (one of the programs being where he now works.)
Anyone with a family member or friend serving in Iraq or Afghanistan should read this book - it will give you a better idea of what some of our men and women in uniform are doing and enduring there.
August 13, 2009
I received the advance uncorrected proof yesterday and found it difficult to put down. It is a quick exciting read. The author PTSD is exhibited in the writing style. In one sentence you are in the States but in the next you are taken back to Fallujah. Descriptions of his comrades in arms are vivid: "He wants to kill the enemy face to face. For him it is vengeance. He lost family in 9-11." This and other parts are indicative of the effectiveness of Bush/Cheney propaganda. But the work is not so much about the war on the strategic or operational level, nor on the tactical, one firefight in one small section of Fallujah. It is about 'a mind at war.' Workman briefly discusses the evolution in thought about PTSD, from shell shock, to the British LMF (Lack of Moral Fiber) to PTSD. However the book needs to be looked at in its entirety as one man's battle against PTSD. Workman takes us through several of his 'episodes' when something sets him off and when he is on drugs prescribed by psychiatrists. In the final pages he discusses the improvements in treatment of veterans as regards PTSD. This book should be added to book shelves containing works such as "Wages of War" by Richard Severo and Lewis Milford. That is, works which reveal how right Kipling was with his poem "Tommy Atkins." This book is tentatively scheduled to be in book stores 15 September 2009.
September 8, 2009
Wow. This was a truly amazing book to read.
It documents the story of a Marine, who served in Iraq in 2004, and who suffers from Post traumatic stress disorder because of the combat situations he was in.
It is truly a heartwrenching tale of the personal hell that so many of our servicemen and women face after putting their lives on the line for the USA. As many as 760,000 people who served in Iraq are in this same boat. As other people have described, the book works as a series of flashbacks, which is true to the daily life of this Marine.
The situations and language are graphic, again, true to the life of this Marine.
The bravery described in the book took my breath away. Not only the bravery of those serving in the war on terror, but the bravery of Jeremiah to write this down and share his story with people. The aftermath of his service and his experiences messed with his life, his family, those he worked with and all those around him. Admitting there is a problem that drugs and alcohol fail to fix is often seen as a weakness for such strong men - but it took strength to write this down in the hope of helping others.
Not an easy book to read in any way, but one that we all need to read.
It documents the story of a Marine, who served in Iraq in 2004, and who suffers from Post traumatic stress disorder because of the combat situations he was in.
It is truly a heartwrenching tale of the personal hell that so many of our servicemen and women face after putting their lives on the line for the USA. As many as 760,000 people who served in Iraq are in this same boat. As other people have described, the book works as a series of flashbacks, which is true to the daily life of this Marine.
The situations and language are graphic, again, true to the life of this Marine.
The bravery described in the book took my breath away. Not only the bravery of those serving in the war on terror, but the bravery of Jeremiah to write this down and share his story with people. The aftermath of his service and his experiences messed with his life, his family, those he worked with and all those around him. Admitting there is a problem that drugs and alcohol fail to fix is often seen as a weakness for such strong men - but it took strength to write this down in the hope of helping others.
Not an easy book to read in any way, but one that we all need to read.
August 14, 2009
I won this book from a first reads giveaway. This book was very well written. Normally, i find that when books jump between memories and the present I get very confused, but not with this book. It was laid out in a manner that made sense. Jeremiah took us through his journey returning to life after war and trying to find ways to deal with his PTSD. His story is heartbreaking and encouraging at the same time. Like a car wreck, I knew that his memories would be horrible and that part of me did not want to know, but I could not look away. You love him, feel his pain, and hate him through the course of this book. He, and the men and women like him that fight for our country truly are American Heroes and I am grateful for all that they do, have done and will do for us. This story is inspirational, and you cannot help but cheer when he and his wife find a way to make it work. I truly hope that his story continues to be one of success and that he will continue to inspire and help others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2009
This book had my attention from page one. It pulled me right into a marine's mind, and showed me the life changing crucible of combat. This is a heartwrenching story of Sgt. Workman's experiences in Iraq, and one battle that forever changed his life. Three of his marine brothers died in that fight and Workman was awarded the Navy Cross for heroism. Workman, however, was filled with guilt & shame because he had failed to save the lives of those three men. The battle raged on in his mind, day and night, playing itself over & over. He was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This book documents Workman's battle with PTSD, a mental illness that is common among veterans of combat. He wrote this book to help other sufferers of PTSD, and to explain it to those who have never been in combat.
August 12, 2009
The true account of Marine Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Workman's time in Northern Fallujah Iraq and the impact it made on his life afterwards. Vividly describes the stark reality of the stress of war on an individual. Brings to light the startling facts of Post Traumatic Stress disorder, how it invades ones mind changing who they are, and the internal battle to learn to cope and go on each day. Honors the memory of those lost and the stories of those who survived.
Did not care for the structure and order in which the information was given. I do recommend that anyone who has a loved one in the military read this book to gain a better understanding of what our fighting men and women are enduring and for anyone who suffers from PTSD to be able to recognize that you are not alone and that there is help that can help you pull through.
Did not care for the structure and order in which the information was given. I do recommend that anyone who has a loved one in the military read this book to gain a better understanding of what our fighting men and women are enduring and for anyone who suffers from PTSD to be able to recognize that you are not alone and that there is help that can help you pull through.
August 13, 2009
The book is about Jeremiah Workman's experience in the Marines and a firefight in Iraq that left some of his men dead. Jeremiah goes into detail of what it is like to be a Marine and the philosophy of what a good Marine is taught. The beginning of the book starts off with his experience as a drill instructor and I've had a couple of friends who were Marines and it's kind of shocking of what men and women go through. I had a really hard time reading this book, but yet it was hard to put down for I have family serving in the war currently so this book really hits a soft spot for me. This book really highlights the effect of the war on the men and women that come back from war, and the battle they fight within long after they are home.
August 18, 2009
This is a true account of Jeremiah Workman's experience after coming home from Iraq. He was diagnosed with PTSD after surviving a firefight where three of his men had been killed. He also married his high school sweetheart right out of high school, which his PTSD also affected his relationship with his his young wife, as did their age when they had gotten married. Her behavior while he was in Iraq shows how young and immature they were when they had gotten married. This book does a good job in showing how PTSD had affected his life and what happens after the parades and ceremonies to celebrate our returning soliders is over.
September 9, 2009
This book has given me new and renewed respect for the soldiers who fight for my freedom. It is the story of combat Marine Jeremiah Workman and his fight against Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after returning home from war. I thought I understood what PTSD was before reading this book but I really had no clue.
While the writing style and sometimes harsh language put me off at first, the story being told quickly latched on to me, leaving it hard to put the book down.
It is an easy and quick read and one that I think everyone should consider, especially if you know a soldier who has been in combat.
While the writing style and sometimes harsh language put me off at first, the story being told quickly latched on to me, leaving it hard to put the book down.
It is an easy and quick read and one that I think everyone should consider, especially if you know a soldier who has been in combat.
October 23, 2009
This book opened my eyes wide to effects of war and trauma on the human soul. This journey of one Marine speaks for all those that suffer from PTSD. Spoken with heartfelt honesty, SSGT Workman is not afraid to reveal all sides of himself and his dealings with the demons inside.
I am honored and humbled to have read this memoir of a truly courageous man who rose above despair to find light and meaning in his life; and to offer help to his fellow warriors.
Thank you, Jeremiah Workman. You honor yourself, your fallen brothers, and mankind with your story.
I am honored and humbled to have read this memoir of a truly courageous man who rose above despair to find light and meaning in his life; and to offer help to his fellow warriors.
Thank you, Jeremiah Workman. You honor yourself, your fallen brothers, and mankind with your story.
October 15, 2009
This is my brother-in-law's book. I definitely didn't know half of the things that he says in this book. I find it to be very riveting. I could not believe the horrors that he faced when he was in Iraq. To see the things that happened to his at home were first hand to me. I thought it was scary the things he did, but I had no idea what was racing through his head. I think the arrival of my nephew (his son) was very helping. This has to be one of my favorite book of all time and will always be on bookshelf, not just because he is my brother-in-law but because it was a fantastic book.
December 11, 2012
hello goodreads this is my first review. I think this book is very good and very easy to read. Most of all he has my respect for writing this book about the many trials he faced in Fallujah. I read this book in the summer of this year and I honestly couldnt imagine the suffering he went through just to get his men to safety a true hero and a true brother to those who he fought with. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is going into the military or to someone who wants to read a heroes true story.
August 31, 2009
Shadow of the Sword is a compelling true story of one soldier's war, first fought overseas, then even more frighteningly back at home. He pulls you into his world and his head. The demons he brought back as flashbacks by day and nightmares haunting his nights become as real to the reader as they are to him. Like so many veterans returning from war, he struggles to find his way back to himself.
This book was excellent, I applaud Workman for sharing his pain to help others.
This book was excellent, I applaud Workman for sharing his pain to help others.
September 17, 2009
I found this book to be heartbreaking and comforting all at the same time. The stories the author shares will certainly tug at your heart strings, but at the same time, the amazing bond between Marines is comforting. It's nice to know that our boys and girls have each other to lean on in times of difficulty and in times of war.
I highly recommend this book because it gives a real glimpse into the fight our servicemen and women are facing in Iraq and elsewhere.
I highly recommend this book because it gives a real glimpse into the fight our servicemen and women are facing in Iraq and elsewhere.
May 21, 2010
Amazing book. I read this in 1 day. I've always said that the men & women of our Military are my heroes & this book just proves how much they really sacrifice for our freedom. I think it's great that this Marine was able to write about his PTSD & the ordeals he has gone thru. Hopefully this will help other men & women in the same situation to see that they are not alone. God bless our Military men & women.
December 15, 2012
If you have anyone in your life that has served in the military, especially in combat this is a book you need to read. I commend Jeremiah Workman for being willing to tell his story and help remove the stigma associated with PTSD.
As the wife of a Marine who served in Iraq during the Gulf War, I know I will never truly understand what my husband experienced, but reading this book made me respect him and what he has sacrificed even more than I did before.
As the wife of a Marine who served in Iraq during the Gulf War, I know I will never truly understand what my husband experienced, but reading this book made me respect him and what he has sacrificed even more than I did before.
December 24, 2013
Dit boek brengt de terreur, spanning en gruwelen van oorlog in Fallujah én de naweeën ervan samen in een aangrijpend verhaal. Wat is post traumatische stress precies en hoe ziet het leven er uit met deze ziekte. Hoe functioneert een veteraan (Jeremiah Workman) en welke stappen brengen hem dichter bij een wereld waarin wel zingeving en vreugde kunnen bestaan. De 478 pagina's vlogen in twee dagen voorbij, aanrader!
August 30, 2009
This was a well-written book by Jeremiah Workman, a Marine who served in Iraq. He does a very good job of describing his experiences and struggles both in Iraq and back home. While some parts of this story are difficult to read, due to the graphic images he describes, I feel that this is a very necessary story to read.
August 26, 2010
This was definitely eye opening to the effects of PTSD in our military. I spent 20 years as a military wife but had somehow never seen what happens and the aftermath that is leaves. Reading this has also given me more insight to what my sister who spent a year in Afghanistan as a combat medic is suffering with too.
April 6, 2010
Jeremiah Workman narrates a life story that is at times suspenseful, at others frightening, and still at other times it's sad then hopeful. He details how his tour of duty in Fallujah later affected him, his family and his career. If you've wondered about the horrors our troops are subjected to while defending our freedom on foreign soil, this read is not to be missed. VERY satisfying.
May 5, 2016
Overall it was a compelling story. What struck me most and what I think a lot of people lose sight of is how young a lot of these soldiers are.
I received this book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
I received this book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
August 16, 2009
This is a Goodreads "First Readers winner" book!
This is a memoir from a Marine Vet who earned the Navy Cross while fighting in Iraq and his struggles with PTSD. Semper Fi! The writing makes the story accessible to all types of people.
This is a memoir from a Marine Vet who earned the Navy Cross while fighting in Iraq and his struggles with PTSD. Semper Fi! The writing makes the story accessible to all types of people.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews