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As You Were: To War and Back with the Black Hawk Battalion of the Virginia National Guard
A powerful, enraging, tear-jerking reminder of how so few Americans have sacrificed so much during the so-called' war on terror'. the best kind of war book. - Alex Kershaw, author of The Bedford Boys and Escape from the Deep ""Through the voices and experiences of five very diverse members of the Virginia National Guard, As You Were gives the great majority of Americans who have not been sent to war a sense of the experiences of our citizen-soldiers and the family, employment, and health problems they face reentering American society after experiencing combat."" - David R. Segal, Drector, Center for Research on Military Organization, University of Maryland ""A sad, stirring, sometimes maddening story. Christian Davenport writes not so much about combat, but rather the home front-the struggles of the families left behind while their providers go off to war and of the solders themselves as they stagger back to a civilian world that declines to reward, or even betrays, their sacrifice."" - Fred Kaplan, ""War Stories"" columist, Slate ; author of Daydream How a Few Grand Ideas Wrecked American Powe r
272 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 29, 2017
I may be biased as another reserve forces Iraqi vet, but I highly recommend this book, especially to the average American who isn't part of the small minority who hasn't served in the armed forces.
The author was embedded with a National Guard unit that deployed to Iraq, and he follow five of the soldiers from how they joined the army, to preparation for deployment, their time in Iraq, and their time at home, including the challenges they faced re-integrating to civilian life. Although each of the soldiers profiled had very different backgrounds, they faced many of the same challenges, and I could identify with or sympathize with all of them.
It may be difficult to read because of some of the painful revelations, but that is what makes the stories so powerful and worth reading.
If I could recommend one book I've read in 2017 to my friends, it appears I saved the best for last.
The author was embedded with a National Guard unit that deployed to Iraq, and he follow five of the soldiers from how they joined the army, to preparation for deployment, their time in Iraq, and their time at home, including the challenges they faced re-integrating to civilian life. Although each of the soldiers profiled had very different backgrounds, they faced many of the same challenges, and I could identify with or sympathize with all of them.
It may be difficult to read because of some of the painful revelations, but that is what makes the stories so powerful and worth reading.
If I could recommend one book I've read in 2017 to my friends, it appears I saved the best for last.
July 29, 2011
This book made me weep and laugh out loud. Chris captured our spirits and did the 2/224th proud. I am so grateful for him giving us a voice.
April 22, 2015
"As You Were: To War and Back" is a book that follows a group of National Guard Soldiers through their deployment to Iraq. The author starts off by telling the readers the names of the people that this book is about, which consists of Mark Baush, Kate Dahlstrand, Ray and Diane Johnson, Craig Lewis, and Miranda Summers, and tells us a little about their background and why they chose to join. The author spent two years writing about these peoples lives and their hardships they went through. The author also does a good job of showing the worst case circumstances these soldiers faced, which included watching their friends die and then coming home to show how they deal with PTSD. This book also does a good job of incorporating facts and information into the story, while not being too focused on describing how the army branches work. The author does a nice job mixing this into the story and lets the reader learn some facts about this topic, while reading about certain soldiers stories. This book really hits home for me. I have a boyfriend that is a First Lieutenant in the Army so tearing up while reading this book is not only because their story has touched me, but because I put myself in their shoes and can relate to their situations. I can connect with these stories on a personal level and I just think about how horrible PTSD truly is. I think that this would also be a good read for other families and spouses that also have someone close to them in the military. I think that reading someone else's story and seeing that you aren't the only one going through life with an empty home, while he or she is away on deployment, can help you cope on a certain level. I also like that this book gives you something to really connect to if you are going through the same type of situation, while also getting to see a glimpse of what is going on over in Iraq, that you don't get to see while you are here, which I liked about this book. I also think that these soldiers who opened up their lives for this author, were so brave and strong, to even let him see them at their rock bottom. I wish soldiers were appreciated more often than what they are because they are the ones who keep us free and safe. Without them fighting for us, who knows where we would be or what the United States would look like. After reading this book, you definitely have a much more amount of respect for our soldiers and what they go through so we can have our freedom.
December 28, 2011
"As You Were" follows a handful of Virginia National Guard Soldiers through the whole arc of their deployment to Iraq. Christian Davenport does a fine job of introducing a diverse group of soldiers and letting us see why they joined up and how it changed their lives. Davenport doesn't shy away from some of the worst circumstances these soldiers faced: watching friends die, struggling with PTSD. But he doesn't overdo that aspect, either. He takes care to show each person, well-rounded and real.
The book also frequently takes a step back to show how the guard fits into the army, and how this chapter fits into the guard's history. That aspect adds some great context and shows the greater importance of these soldiers' stories.
It's a tough and touching read. My only real complaint is that it gets repetitive at times--I thought it could have used one more strong edit. But "As You Were" is absolutely worth reading--it makes personal aspects of the war that are overlooked entirely in many other books.
The book also frequently takes a step back to show how the guard fits into the army, and how this chapter fits into the guard's history. That aspect adds some great context and shows the greater importance of these soldiers' stories.
It's a tough and touching read. My only real complaint is that it gets repetitive at times--I thought it could have used one more strong edit. But "As You Were" is absolutely worth reading--it makes personal aspects of the war that are overlooked entirely in many other books.
April 11, 2010
Not a bad book, but not what I was expecting. I thought this was more about a journalist embedded with this battalion in Iraq, but it focuses more a few individuals and how the war affected them. I did come away with a greater appreciation for the National Guard and the work they do, especially in the current war.
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March 29, 2010Watch Bethanne Patrick interview Christian Davenport about his new book As You Were: To War and Back with the Blackhawk Battalion of the Virginia National Guard on The Book Studio.
September 11, 2011
I enjoyed reading this book. My wife is friends with Kate (who is in this book).I found it interesting on how the VA treated war veterans. Those guys and girls are the hero's and they can't get the help they need for all the sick and cruel stuff they witnessed and went through over in the war.
June 2, 2009
This is absolutely fantastic.
May 31, 2009
a decent book although it was too short. the writing was kind of repetitive and stayed on the surface. i just wanted more.
June 17, 2009
I loved this book. I felt that it was well written, and caused me to think about things I had never thought of before.
July 21, 2009
Compelling read, important stories I am so thankful the author decided to tell...
September 10, 2009
A must-read. Made me look differently at men and women in uniform.
July 25, 2011
Good, engaging. The author found a great set of National Guard members to follow.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews