Book Review: Ghost Riders of Baghdad by Daniel A. Sjursen

About:
Ghost Riders of Baghdad: Soldiers, Civilians, and the Myth of the Surge by Daniel A. Sjursen is a non-fiction book about the author’s experience in Iraq. Mr. Sjursen served as an officer in the US Army during, what is now known, as “the surge” which has been credited by politicians as helping turn around the war.

• 290 pages
• Publisher: ForeEdge
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1611687810

 

My rat­ing for Ghost Riders of Baghdad — 5
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Thoughts:
Ghost Riders of Baghdad: Soldiers, Civilians, and the Myth of the Surge by Daniel A. Sjursen is the author’s account of his time in Iraq. The book really gives a good impression on what it’s like to be “boots on the ground” during the occupation.

Mr. Sjursen talks about doing the job, how it’s viewed from ground level and what is being sold to the American public. Leading his men, the author saw the problems that they all faced on the battlefield as well as their own private hell they faced when returning home.

Mr. Sjursen also shares his own personal views about the war, professional soldering, the ugly business of managing an occupation and the even uglier politics of inserting yourself in the middle of a sectarian civil war. The author obviously had much love and respect for the men he led and those he served with, he writes beautifully about each and every one of the, a testament to the his character as well as theirs.

I do agree with the author’s analysis that the majority of the American people have no stake in the war, either in blood or treasure, which is why there was never major opposition to them. While the issues are complex and staggering, the men on the ground sometimes feel, and rightly so, that the American public is not with them except meaningless faux patriotism gestures.

As well as the personal story, the author does an outstanding job explaining the long and complex feud between the Sunni and Shia Muslims. Anyone who, at least, would like to understand this issue and the affect it has on the US troops who are stuck in the middle of it would benefit from reading it.

Above all, this book is unblinking and intimate, while you might not agree with everything the author has to say it is certainly a worthwhile read.

Buy Ghost Riders of Baghdad from Amazon.com*

Zohar — Man of la Book
Dis­claimer: I got this book for free.
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account