House to House

An Epic Memoir of War

By: Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, John Bruning

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

This is the personal side of battle, where emotion, courage, and strength are stretched to the limits.

In one of the most compelling combat narratives ever written, Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, an Army infantry platoon leader in Iraq, gives a teeth-rattling, first-hand account of 11 straight days of heavy house-to-house fighting during the climactic second battle of Fallujah. His actions in the firefight, which included killing five insurgents in hand-to-hand combat, earned Bellavia the Bronze Star, the Silver Star, and New York State's highest military honor, the Conspicuous Service Cross. He has been nominated for the Medal of Honor and for the Army's second-highest combat medal, the Distinguished Service Cross.

©2007 David Bellavia (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"[W]ill satisfy readers who like their testosterone undiluted...a precise, hour-by-hour account of the fighting, featuring repeated heroic feats and brave sacrifice from Americans." ( Publishers Weekly)

Soldiers, brotherhood, men

Great story. Speaker does a great job keeping me engaged in the story. Just imagine being there. Fear, anger, stress going in close quarter combat. Extremely hot, thirsty, stinking, bowels churning, fighting diarrhea and hoping to stay alive. The ultimate test of mettle.

I cried like a little boy at the end.

Such an incredible and strong story. I'm not in our armed forced, nor could I ever do what our men in uniform do ... I've always respected and honored them, but hearing stories like this, it opens my eyes to what they have to deal with. diarrhea while mid-combat? things like this you don't even consider as a civilian. we get sick, we stay home from work. you can't call in sick mid battle... so much respect. there aren't words.

An amazing book

Written by an infantryman, I cannot recommend this book more. I served twice in Iraq as an infantryman and This book’s dialog between soldiers is as if I was talking to my buddies again in the sandbox. The events portrayed in this book shows the true heroism of the American infantrymen.

Amazingly open and detailed account

The most descriptive and in-depth account of the war in Iraq I’ve read. This should be required reading for anyone who watched stateside, and for future generations who want to know what our post-9/11 soldiers encountered during their deployments. Thank you, Mr. Bellavia, for your sacrifices, and for allowing us to see, smell, and feel all the events, battles, encounters, and emotions.

Ray Porter is my favorite narrator as well. You won’t find anyone better at capturing and communicating the significance of each word, paragraph, or chapter of the story.

Fabulous Book

Normally I like to read books like this but Ray Porter does a great job with his timely intense wording that brings the book to life. This is a MUST read for anyone looking to see what Fallujah was like for these soldiers. This was never portrayed in the media, which is a disservice to these men that fought.

amazing

I really didnt want it to end. simply amazing book, cant wait to read more.

Wow, what a fantastic raw first hand recount

The story creates raw vivd images in your mind of the assault, down to detail, to smell, to pain, to rage. A practical guide to street combat. All the ugliness of war is there in the close-up view, unapologetically shoved in your face.

Story you'll never forget...

Damned emotions. Can't make a sentence. Watch Michael Wares documentary after this. Bellavia's in it, in that fight... just hell... speechless.

Detailed personal account

One of the best personal accounts of the second battle of Fallujah. The books does a great job at putting you in the boots of a combat infantryman living in the dirt and filth while clearing buildings in an insurgent filled city. Brings back memories of the camaraderie among the combat troops and blood we shed together. Highly recommend.

Captivating

This had me engaged the whole time. It was written so well I even finished it in one day. What a great story.