Read This Book

This one was a must-read. I recommend it to anyone with a heart. I found it on the NY Times book review and knew immediately after reading the 3-sentence blurb that I wanted to read this book.

Michael Hastings is a journalist in Iraq. Nothing fazes him and he loves the adrenaline rush of reporting the war from within the war zone itself. Everything was as he wanted it to be.

Then, on a trip back home to the US, he meets an idealist working for Air America named Andi. They hit it off and soon, Michael must return to Iraq to continue reporting the war in the grim and yet terrifying detail that envelops the reader.

They maintain contact by phone and email - a far cry from the long-traveled letters in prior wars. Soon, Andi gets an assignment in Baghdad and is there with Michael again.

Their happiness is short lived when those paid to protect and guard fail to live up to their duty. The action is quick and yet in slow-motion. The attitude is indifferent and yet heartbreaking. I must admit that I teared up more than once when reading this book and though I’ve only very recently returned it to the library, I want to read it again.

This is one of those books you’ll buy and read time and time again and tell all your friends to read it as well. It’s well-written and a masterpiece about war.  It is gritty and yet soft, intense and yet subdued, full of hate…. but full of love also.

I simply cannot wait to see what else Hastings publishes in the future. His loss was so great…. and to be able to share it in such a way… you feel like a part of his inner circle. It was a humbling experience I’d recommend to you all.

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