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Still Standing: The Story of SSG John Kriesel
When SSG John Kriesel lost his legs and two buddies in a roadside bomb explosion, no one expected him to survive. He died three times on the operating table. Miracles, a lot of miracles, starting with a few grunts who refused to let him die in Iraq, ripped the young warrior from the grip of death and sent him on to four hospitals, thirty-five surgeries, and months of recovery and rehabilitation. Medical miracles put his body back together, but it was an incredible confluence of angels at every step along the way that breathed life into his shattered body. This is not just another war story. This is the story of an ordinary young man who overcame extraordinary challenges with a lot of help from others, including many strangers and he emerged stronger and more in love with his country, his wife, his children, and ultimately, his own life.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
295 pages, Paperback
First published July 15, 2010
7 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 5, 2013
Hit close to home as it was written by a wounded warrior. Was wounded before my time but was treated by many of my friends and colleagues who still fight the good fight daily. Helps me to understand why there is the drive to serve your country as well as to push yourself to rehab after horrific trauma. As always, the family support and unbelievable support from the community to rebuild this hero cannot be underscored here. SSG Kriesel paid tribute to his wife in particular, which I think is so appropriate as the caregivers are the unsung heroes of this war.
July 6, 2012
A truly inspiring story of one of our true hero's. I admire John for how he sticks up for what he believes in and how he has made a situation that some would fall into depression into a life of motivation, courage and continual service to his country. He is great to have on the baseball sidelines and is great to see the love he has for his family. This will be a Christmas gift for many in my family.
March 30, 2011
Highly recommend this for everyone to read with certain qualifications - understand that it's very graphic and no matter who you are, you will cry. Allow yourself to be in the right frame of mind to absorb this incredible story...
And I really hope he comes out with a follow-up sometime in the future!
And I really hope he comes out with a follow-up sometime in the future!
September 30, 2011
A truly inspiring story and a good reminder of what a true hero is.
February 23, 2024
My literal hero from my home town who is one of the folks that inspired me to join the army. I’ve read his book numerous times and find it so amazing every single time I read it.
December 10, 2024
Hits closer to home because John is from MN. He does a lot with KFAN and the Minnesota Vikings which is why I decided to read this. Super sad but very inspirational!!
January 4, 2013
This is a very inspiring story that made me feel that I could duke it out with any kind of life struggle - he can do it, his wife and children could do it, so can I. I'm not usually a non-fiction reader but this real life story of a war veteran makes me hate war and love the warriors. Bless them, every one!
August 5, 2014
FABULOUS! A must read. A wonderful story about a man who, despite a hellish event, still sees beauty, goodness, kindness and joy in the world. Beautifully written with the no-nonsense detailed speech of a soldier who firmly believes in the 7 Army values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage
July 29, 2011
Wow, great book about a MN soldiers story! Also mentions people and units from northwestern MN. Thanks Amber!!
July 29, 2015
A must read of a true American hero!
June 1, 2020
The very best book I could have read during this year of "life" (infertility, divorce, pandemic, career shift), reminding me that no matter what I have faced this last year, the sun still came up in the morning. "It's tough, but there is no alternative except to move on" (p273). SSG John Kriesel realized "the list of things I can do is long, but the list of those things I cannot do is very short." (p293). He reminds us to focus on what we CAN do despite our circumstances.
Kriesel's story is special to me for so many reasons.
I had the opportunity to hear him speak and meet him at the Fargo VA. He's a veteran from my own state of MN, AND he served in Iraq with many of my friends from high school and soldiers from NW MN. <3 I am so thankful that he shares his story with an open heart.
Kriesel represents epitome of resilience. He and his comrades are an inspiration! Our military shows up with courage; they answer the call with a brave face; they leave their families behind to serve, not knowing what the next moments might bring. Tears stream from my face as I read: "As strange as it sounds, it was the loss of my friends and my legs that showed me how to live my life...I see every day as a gift, truly the first day of the rest of my life, and I will make today the very best day" (p. 284). It is while reading this real life story of our American heroes that renews my spirit and passion for what I do each day as a VA nurse, so honored and humbled to care for these soldiers.
Grief is a universal experience. The lessons Kriesel teaches us about loss are timeless and fit everyone's life and story. The young men who died, their hopes and dreams unrealized, did not die in vain. They believed in the cause and the mission; and their lives will forever hold great meaning and purpose. "All my wounds have healed except the hole in my heart" (p284) as he describes the immeasurable tragic loss of best friends. Those wounds will never heal but there is always hope: "One thing I learned is that when doors of opportunity get slammed in your face...new doors are waiting for you to push them open...many new doors have been thrown open to me that never would have been there. I just need to use these opportunities to help my family and to find new ways to honor all those did not come home...future is what follows tragedy" (p276-277).
Kriesel's story is special to me for so many reasons.
I had the opportunity to hear him speak and meet him at the Fargo VA. He's a veteran from my own state of MN, AND he served in Iraq with many of my friends from high school and soldiers from NW MN. <3 I am so thankful that he shares his story with an open heart.
Kriesel represents epitome of resilience. He and his comrades are an inspiration! Our military shows up with courage; they answer the call with a brave face; they leave their families behind to serve, not knowing what the next moments might bring. Tears stream from my face as I read: "As strange as it sounds, it was the loss of my friends and my legs that showed me how to live my life...I see every day as a gift, truly the first day of the rest of my life, and I will make today the very best day" (p. 284). It is while reading this real life story of our American heroes that renews my spirit and passion for what I do each day as a VA nurse, so honored and humbled to care for these soldiers.
Grief is a universal experience. The lessons Kriesel teaches us about loss are timeless and fit everyone's life and story. The young men who died, their hopes and dreams unrealized, did not die in vain. They believed in the cause and the mission; and their lives will forever hold great meaning and purpose. "All my wounds have healed except the hole in my heart" (p284) as he describes the immeasurable tragic loss of best friends. Those wounds will never heal but there is always hope: "One thing I learned is that when doors of opportunity get slammed in your face...new doors are waiting for you to push them open...many new doors have been thrown open to me that never would have been there. I just need to use these opportunities to help my family and to find new ways to honor all those did not come home...future is what follows tragedy" (p276-277).
September 5, 2020
"I see every day as a gift, truly the first day of the rest of my life, and I will make today the very best day" (Kriesel, p. 284). With these ending words, John Kriesel brings the reader full circle to realize that his/her life is truly a gift that need not be taken for granted.
Kriesel shares his story of enlistment, basic training, and deployments to Kosovo, and Iraq - where he was injured in a roadside bomb explosion. Throughout the book, John shares his frustrations, pain, and triumphs with the reader in such a way, that the reader soon starts to feel that they were experiencing his life events with Kriesel.
Is there violence in the book? Of course, after all, this is a book that deals with one man's service in the military. There is violence in the book due to the nature of the topic, but the overall violence is not the main focus of the story, but rather John's fight to survive and his overall attitude toward life is the message that the reader will remember long after reading the book.
Kriesel shares his story of enlistment, basic training, and deployments to Kosovo, and Iraq - where he was injured in a roadside bomb explosion. Throughout the book, John shares his frustrations, pain, and triumphs with the reader in such a way, that the reader soon starts to feel that they were experiencing his life events with Kriesel.
Is there violence in the book? Of course, after all, this is a book that deals with one man's service in the military. There is violence in the book due to the nature of the topic, but the overall violence is not the main focus of the story, but rather John's fight to survive and his overall attitude toward life is the message that the reader will remember long after reading the book.
December 1, 2020
3.5/5⭐️
June 14, 2025
Incredible story of courage and resilience! Great insight into the world of one of our wounded heroes!
July 24, 2012
The book tells the remarkable story of SSG John Kriesel who lost his legs and two buddies in a roadside bomb explosion near Camp Fallujah and his recovery. A recovery that sent him to 4 hospitals, 35 surgeries and months of recovery and rehabilitation. While the story is compelling, the writing is not as compelling as other recent war books such as Laura Hillenbrand's book "Unbroken." The book was written by Jim Kosmo.
Kosmo, was decorated at the Pentagon and served as a military journalist throughout the Cuban Missile Crisis and launch of the Vietnam War. Some of Kosmo's biases color the story. A more nuanced approach of the conflict would have been more appopriate in some sections, for example, in one section, protestors are referred to as "a pulsating blanket of maggots swarming a dead carcass."
A good read, but it could have been a great read.
Kosmo, was decorated at the Pentagon and served as a military journalist throughout the Cuban Missile Crisis and launch of the Vietnam War. Some of Kosmo's biases color the story. A more nuanced approach of the conflict would have been more appopriate in some sections, for example, in one section, protestors are referred to as "a pulsating blanket of maggots swarming a dead carcass."
A good read, but it could have been a great read.
April 17, 2013
You MUST read this book. John Kriesel is an amazing man. He has overcome so much and continues to prove that you can do anything. The writing style is great and just sucks you in. Once I started reading, it was difficult to put down...Which is rare when I read a non-fiction book. Did I already say...This is a MUST read for everyone.
March 1, 2014
Great book about an incredible person. This guy has what it takes to be a real leader. Should run for governor before he is done.
September 23, 2012
A must read!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews