The DVD is just a really nice added bonus--as are the color photos in the middle.


NORTH GETS IT RIGHT!   February 21, 2004
 33 out of 35 found this review helpful

LtCol North gets it right in this book!

Unfortunately, unlike a soldier from Columbus, GA who wrote the review dtd 16 January. The soldier impugns the veracity of LtCol North's account of the evacuation of a dead corpsman. How do I know what really happened? I am the pilot who DID evacuate the corpsman, and I can vouch for the version in the book. The statistics of the Medical Company in question have little or no bearing on whether this happened like North says it did. The Company should be offended at the actions of one of their own members, and not at North for telling the truth.

While there are minor inaccuracies in this book, (e.g., he lists my unit as Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 when it was actually 269) they are not substantive, nor do they alter the gist of the individual stories. This is a great read - LtCol North got it right!

Major Timothy Kolb


War truth or fiction? Words from a Soldier   January 16, 2004
 24 out of 71 found this review helpful

It is so important for the stories of our military men and women to be shared to honor their efforts, sacrifice, and selfless service to this country. Many books have been published that have done just that. However, in reading this book, I am concerned that the truth is not always being told.

I know a soldier that is written about in one of the passages of this book. I wish I could say that the passage honored him and his unit for their efforts in evacuating over 740 soldiers, Iraqiys, and reporters in the first 4 months of their deployment, but it didn't. In reading pages 99 through 101 you will see a story that is so out of line that if you knew what really happened you would be stunned.

What really happened? Oliver North and two members of a MEDEVAC team (Medical Evacuation by Air Ambulance) talked about a sensitive issue. This was an issue concerning the evacuation of a Navy Corpsman who had been killed in action. In his book, North describes a scene where he was outraged and attempted to assault an Army aviator. In reality, there was no roughing up and no shouting, just a calm conversation. What was requested was just not possible at that particular time due to a sand storm and other, more urgent patients. The MEDEVAC crew actually has a picture of this meeting. North and one crewmember even shook hands before he walked away.

For him to have requested the movement of a KIA at that time shows that he has little knowledge of MEDEVAC operations. Regardless of what he says in his book, no aircraft launched that day, not even the aircraft that North was flying in.

North got involved in a military issue when it wasnyt his place, and has now created a fictitious account of an event that makes himself look like a tough guy and discredit an innocent group of soldiers who may have at one time respected him.

We will never know if all the accounts in this book are true. I really hope that most of them are, because there are about 140 soldiers from this Medical Company and others in the MEDEVAC community who are insulted and hurt by the passage written in this book. I would hate to see other soldiers feel this way after sacrificing time away from their families and possibly their own lives during this conflict.

This Medical Company did a superior job evacuating soldiers, Iraqiys and even reporters during a difficult time. North has essentially defiled these efforts and made a group of soldiers who put forth their best efforts to protect the injured seem crude and thoughtless. It's a shame.


Historically accurate!   December 28, 2003
 22 out of 24 found this review helpful

I served with the Marines in this Operation and can say from personal experience that this book is 100% dead on accurate. A great account of the war from a great American!


Get past the partisan politics and its a good book!   January 4, 2004
 22 out of 30 found this review helpful

First and foremost Oliver North has strong political convictions. Whether you agree with his politics or not, is your own personal business. But buyer beware, his politics is a part of this book.

Now, if you can look beyond his politics, again whether you agree or disagree, this is a great first hand look at the War in Iraq and a look at being an embedded reporter during this war.

Again, politics aside, this is a great primary source reading on both the war and the media coverage of the war.

North brings a lot of military experience into his reporting and that is an added plus.

The DVD that comes with the book is fantastic. However, I warn all readers that they should read the book before watching the DVD. The DVD covers much of the same material in the book, and you will find both the book and DVD more enjoyable if you read before you watch.

Again, get over, accept, ignore, North's politics and you have a great book/DVD primary source of the second war in Iraq.

This book shows how brave our military is!