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| Final Salute: A Story of Unfinished Lives | 
 enlarge | Author: Jim Sheeler
Publisher: Penguin Press HC, The
Category: Book
List Price: $25.95
Buy New: $8.95
You Save: $17.00 (66%)
New (46) Used (20) from $7.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  41 reviews
Sales Rank: 9444
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.4
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3
ISBN: 159420165X
Dewey Decimal Number: 956.704437
EAN: 9781594201653
ASIN: 159420165X
Publication Date: May 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Deeply moving May 24, 2008
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
The book describes how families of soldiers who died in Iraq cope with the death of their loved ones. It follows a handful of families over a period of about a year, starts with the account of the notification to the next of kin and moves on to the burial and the aftermath. Many of the soldiers had young children (some of the questions the kids ask their mother are heart-breaking, like - I paraphrase - "Where's dad?" "He's in heaven" "I know he's in heaven, but when is he coming back?" "He's not, buddy"), and when they did not have children, they were young men and their families were absolutely devastated. No one should have to bury one's child. The officer helping with the families with their grief is a remarkable man. The author hints at not all families receiving that kind of support, and I wish we had been told more about that, but maybe that would have changed the spirit of the book and turned some readers off.
I spent most of the book crying. (The color pictures in the middle of the book are extremely moving too.) No matter what you think about the war in Iraq, you need to remember the troops. The book is inspiring because of the obvious sense of honor among members of the military. A couple of typos at the beginning made me cringe, but the rest of the book is flawless. The format of very short chapters annoyed me somewhat - pulling me out of the flow of the story every time - and it's clear the author is a journalist, used to shorter features rather than book-length work, but that is a minor detail. The book made me feel grateful, humbled, and proud of our soldiers.
Stunning. Sobering. Beautifully written. And Heartbreaking... May 26, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This book, quite simply, should be required reading for every American citizen. Regardless of your political views, your stance on the war, or your personal beliefs, this book sheds a light on the sacrifices that American military men and women make every single day in order for us to lead our lives in safety. Read this book, read it with tissues handy, and then remember the message it brings. You will never forget the lives that are chronicled here.
Great book June 2, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
My son is a Marine and for that reason it had very special meaning to me. But I would recommend it even more so to young people and parents who do not have any loved ones in the military. It will help them to understand and appreciate the sacrifices these young men and women as well as their families have made. Most of all I would like to thank the families this book was centered around. Thank you so much allowing me to get to know your loved one. We will never forget them.
Now I Know June 9, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Never Leave a Marine behind. I couldn't put this book down. My husband is a Marine and could never explain the relationship between himself and his fellow Marines. This book will and then some. Get ready to cry, laugh, and get angry. But most of all be proud of those who we have lost and compassion for those who have been left behind. Colonel Beck is a most compassionate person, who wants these soldiers and their families to be allowed some dignity and ability to express themselves during their loss and mourning.
Heartbreaking, Life-Affirming, A Book Every American Should Read June 10, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Along with a handful of other books written about the Iraq War from a different perspective (I think of "In An Instant" and "The Long Road Home"), "Final Salute" is must reading for everyone in this country in order to better understand the cost of this most recent of American wars from a human, personal view that too often gets lost amidst all the noise and distraction of everyday life.
The writing is spare, simple and filled with emotion: not the author's, but those of the families whose sons (husbands and fathers) were killed in the line of duty and who consented to be part of this story. The photographs are just as heartbreaking in their understated way.
There is one other aspect to this story that makes it overwhelmingly compelling and touching beyond words: the commitment, love, dedication and honor of the Marines whose duty it is to inform the families and be with them throughout the long, sad days to come. I will never think of the Marine motto of "Semper Fi" without remembering the sacrifice and dedication of good, decent men like Steve Beck.
Regardless of your personal opinion of this war, this is the kind of book that is essential reading and learning from if we are ever to understand what kind of sacrifice is required whenever soldiers are put in harm's way. And if certain things (like military bureaucracy) are not portrayed in the most flattering of terms, perhaps they need to be changed instead of defended/upheld.
I am ashamed that as a country, we have not been required to shoulder our share of the burden that military families have had to assume. Reading about these brave soldiers and the families they have left behind should make us all try to do better.
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