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Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-Year-Old GI
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$ 13.59
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| Retail Value |
$ 16.99 |
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$ 3.40 (20%) |
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| Item Number |
2481894 |
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Item Description...
Overview
Recounts the author's experiences as an Army engineer in the Iraq War.
Publishers Description
Ryan Smithson joined the Army Reserve when he was seventeen. Two years later, he was deployed to Iraq as an Army engineer. In this extraordinary and harrowing memoir, readers march along one GI's tour of duty. It will change the way you feel about what it means to be an American. |
Item Specifications...
Pages 321
Dimensions: Length: 1.25" Width: 5.75" Height: 8.5"
Weight: 0.9 lbs.
Binding Hardcover
Release Date May 1, 2009
ISBN 0061664685
EAN 9780061664687
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Availability 2 units.
Availability accurate as of May 30, 2012 05:47.
Usually ships within one to two business days from Roseburg, OR.
Orders shipping to an address other than a confirmed Credit Card / Paypal Billing address may incur and additional processing delay.
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Reviews - What do our customers think?
 | One of the best books I have read Jan 31, 2010 |
| First of all, I suggest this book to anybody who is currently serving in the National Guard or Reserves, you'll really be able to relate to it. Even if you're Active Duty, and especially if you've been deployed. I couldn't put the book down. I could relate in almost every way possible when Ryan went through the phases of Basic Training, it brought back good memories and made me laugh. It was difficult reading the parts about where he wrote home, I just think of all the other soldiers overseas right now. I also could relate to the book because Smithson is from a town near where I live, so all of the places he named, I knew where they were, so it gave me a really good picture. I finished the book in two days, and I suggest this book to anybody. I don't think it used profanity too much, this is the military, that was Iraq, it paints a good picture of his exact feelings and makes you feel like you're there in the moment. I give this book 5 stars, and I will read it again. | | | | Ghosts of War Dec 21, 2009 |
Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-Year-Old GI, by Ryan Smithson
Not often does a book leave me speechless, but the difficult subject and beautiful writing in "Ghosts of War" did. Ryan Smithson was 19 when he was deployed to Iraq as a member of the Army Reserves. He tells the story of his platoon and so many like it overseas, the ones who are working to rebuild the country and make it safe for other troops and citizens, the ones who interact with villagers and the poorer people of Iraq. Not the ones who are busting down doors, searching for weapons caches or other types of activities that make the news. Smithson and his fellow soldiers are the unsung heroes of the war.
Smithson writes a moving memoir, that starts with his reaction to September 11, 2001, and his decision to join the Army Reserves, to his year long deployment overseas. The book ends with his return home and the difficulty in adjusting to life again, after living in a combat zone, and how he used writing as therapy for PTSD. The bulk of the book is about his year in Iraq, a year in which he saw the human side of war. Many of the most moving parts of the book are when he describes encounters with Iraqi children, who were almost pathetically grateful for something as simple as clean water. "Ghosts of War" is also a power emotional and mental journey for both the author and the reader, as Smithson ponders what freedom really means, what is faith - questions that are answered during training, missions, and reflection.
I just can't say enough about this book. I've always been against the war, but it was a general feeling. Reading "Ghosts of War" made me think about the individual soldiers, people who joined the armed forces because they want to do something, they want to protect American freedom. A particularly enlightening part for me came near the end, when Smithson went to a high school with another recruiter. On the way to the high school, the other recruiter told Smithson that the kids they were about to see wouldn't really care to hear them, wouldn't listen - they'd think he was just one more brainwashed grunt. I know I felt that way when I listened to recruiters in high school; but as I said, now my opinion is very different. I will now appreciate and thank the soldiers I see. Thank you for opening my eyes.
"Ghosts of War" is an excellent book for adults or young adults, especially teenagers who are considering joining the armed forces. Smithson's memoir gives an accurate picture of army life, from basic training to deployment and back, that may answer questions they didn't know they had. It's also a great book to open discussion between parents and their children, about the war, about the army. I had my own father look at it, as he had been in the Reserves during Vietnam, and the book prompted many questions for me to ask him.
The writing is moving and will suck you in; I didn't want to put it down once I started. Some of the experiences related left me tearing up, and some had me cracking up with laughter. Overall, a wonderful book.
5/5. | | |  | The Ghosts of War Dec 18, 2009 |
"That's what death does. It defines life. What would life be without death?" These are the truthful words of Ryan Smithson, a 19 year old GI engineer during the Iraqi war. "What would crying do? We have to rise above death. We have to laugh in its face." These motivating words keep Ryan going throughout this heart-wrenching book, The Ghosts of War.
The Ghosts of War is written by the main character, Ryan Smithson. Just out of high school, Ryan decides to join the army as a GI engineer after witnessing 9/11 thinking that if he didn't do anything nobody would. Ryan does a superb job describing the effects of war on someone. The bonding of soldiers, the terror of watching people die, and the depression of losing someone you love. Ryan leaves behind his friends, family, and wife behind in order to fight someone else's war.
The Ghosts of War is a well composed non fiction book built for the strong hearted. Unlike most war books, The Ghosts of War isn't as profane as others. Unfortunately, this book should only be read by middle school students and older because of mild violence and some profanity.
If you've ever read or seen Black Hawk Down you can get a visual on what The Ghosts of War is like. They both do a very good job describing the horrifying effects of war. How real life and death are. How when it comes to war, the only thing that matters is the soldier standing next to you. Both books are well composed and I recommend them both.
The Ghosts of War is well written because Ryan did a good job structuring his book and keeping his sentences fluent to keep your attention throughout the book. He also does a good job with describing his experience in the army without using unneeded profanity. I really enjoyed this book because it is action-packed and funny at times but starts out slow which is bad.
All in all, The Ghosts of War is a very good book and I am glad to have read it. I recommend it to those who want to learn about the Iraqi war and those who are looking for a good book.
| | | | Great Book Nov 9, 2009 |
I read this book to see if it would be a good thing for my daughter to read so she could learn a little more about the war. I really thought the author did a great job in the way he dumbed it down for the readers that don't have military backgrounds. This is a good read and I encourage anyone and everyone to read this book.
| | | | I finally have a better understanding of what my husband went through Oct 15, 2009 |
My husband came up to me one day and told me that his buddy Smithson that he went to Iraq with was writing a book about their time there and that he was going to be in it. He was like a little kid at Christmas. My husband bought it the day before it was released. When he finished reading it he told me he wanted me to read it. So I did. He never told me details about anything that happened while he was over there. There were things in the book I never knew happened. And, even though it scares me to think about what he went through, reading it made me realize the good he was doing. Ghosts of War is one of the most beautiful books I've ever read. I highly recommend it. Please read it. It'll touch your heart.
Sincerely,
Sandi Zerega | | | Write your own review about Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-Year-Old GI
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