Until Tuesday

By: Luis Carlos Montalvan

Narrated by: Luis Carlos Montalvan

Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

"We aren't just service dog and master; Tuesday and I are also best friends. Kindred souls. Brothers. Whatever you want to call it. We weren't made for each other, but we turned out to be exactly what the other needed."

A highly decorated captain in the U.S. Army, Luis Montalvan never backed down from a challenge during his two tours of duty in Iraq. After returning home from combat, however, the pressures of his physical wounds, traumatic brain injury, and crippling post-traumatic stress disorder began to take their toll. Haunted by the war and in constant physical pain, he soon found himself unable to climb a simple flight of stairs or face a bus ride to the VA hospital. He drank; he argued; ultimately, he cut himself off from those he loved. Alienated and alone, unable to sleep or bend over without pain, he began to wonder if he would ever recover.

Then Luis met Tuesday, a beautiful and sensitive golden retriever trained to assist the disabled. Tuesday had lived amongst prisoners and at a home for troubled boys, blessing many lives; he could turn on lights, open doors, and sense the onset of anxiety and flashbacks. But because of a unique training situation and sensitive nature, he found it difficult to trust in or connect with a human being until Luis.

Until Tuesday is the story of how two wounded warriors, who had given so much and suffered the consequences, found salvation in each other. It is a story about war and peace, injury and recovery, psychological wounds and spiritual restoration. But more than that, it is a story about the love between a man and dog, and how together they healed each other's souls.

©2011 Luis Carlos Montalvan (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Luis and Tuesday were one of the original sources of inspiration for my very first piece of legislation. Luis' story of military service, his struggles with visible and invisible wounds of war, and the dog who helped save his life is as compelling on the page as when you hear it in person." (Senator Al Franken)

“Montalvan’s first-person account of their journey together offers rare insight into the issues facing returning veterans and the lifesaving bond between a service dog and human. Listeners hear the despair, fear, frustration, and, ultimately, the love and hope of the pair. Montalvan doesn’t refrain from discussing his most painful and embarrassing experiences. Hearing the story in his own voice adds to its power and vibrancy.” ( AudioFile)

I love Tuesday

I have fallen in love with Tuesday. What I like about this book is that Luis isn't afraid to let you know about his and Tuesday's struggles. The contrast between his life without Tuesday and what Tuesday has brought to help heal him. You can feel the hugs and love between them. It's a real story that may make you tear up a bit.

To be all in

Tuesday and Capt. Montalvan's story, hit home in so many ways. My P.T.S.D hidden and controlled for many years after returning from two tours of duty in Vietnam, surfaced into full blown nightmares after open heart surgery later in life. I learned from the heart surgeon afterwards, it is something that happens quite often to veterans after undergoing such an event.

Capt. Montalvan's journey to function in society, with the help of his dog Tuesday confirmed my belief that you must be "All IN" in the relationship between dog and person. Those events in Tuesday's life of bonding himself to his handler's during training, only to loose that connection at some point, underscores the issue that dog's are fully aware emotionally who is committed 100% to a relationship. I too have a service dog for my PTSD, and I cannot imagine my life without him. I am "all in," and so is he. Thank you Captain for explaining so well that bond and relationship, and the importance of service dogs to veterans that suffer from the trauma of war for the rest of their lives. Most of all thank you for your service to our nation, and for the issues concerning veterans you so gallantly and intelligently speak about and support. I salute you!

Heart warming

I loved this book. Tuesday & Luis were just suited for each other. You will remember this story for a long time.

A Must Read

This book actually tells many stories. Of course, it is the story of Tuesday, the service dog, and his life journey, but it is also a book about a disabled veteran and the challenges he faces, the Iraq war and the author's experiences as a captain in the military, and the many stumbling blocks and successes both experience. It also is a celebration of fortitude, companionship and love. I highly recommend this audio book. Luis Carlos Montalvan has done a marvelous job narrating a story that he expresses was sometimes painful to pen. I couldn't wait to get in my car and drive so I could listen.

Bittersweet or sweet and sour

My overall feeling for this book is bittersweet ...or sweet and sour. The times that Luis is talking about his war experiences, his life after Iraq, and all the political portions are all pretty bitter...for him and the listener too. The times he is talking about Tuesday are all very redemptive and sweet. Both portions are interesting but the experiences with Tuesday are what really keeps you going. It is almost a vicarious experience of the PTSD Luis experiences. You feel like you want to cut your throat at some points in the book and other times you just want to cry and hug Tuesday for being such a great dog. I guess what I am trying to say is that this book will really pull you in to Captan Montalvan's world, both the good and bad. In the end it is a real roller-coaster with the ups and downs but it is definitely a worthwhile journey.

Enlightening!

This is a true story about a PTSD soldier and his return home to the US. Very enlightening story about his struggle to deal with the "real world"" again and his "savior" Tuesday. I have a new appreciation for our veterans and there struggle to cpe again. Great book=don't miss this one!

A great listen that will make you cry & laugh.

“With Iraq, I have mental pictures. The emptiness of the desert. The terrible decimation of entire city blocks. A dead American private. The charred body of an Iraqi boy. The rows of Sunni men sitting quietly in a jail cell, staring blankly ahead like souls in purgatory, waiting to be cast into hell. I remember the smile of my Iraqi friend, Maher, only a few months before his death. The smell of his apple tobacco merging, like a bad dream, with the awful stench of the town of Hitt. I am haunted by the way a man stepped into an alley, and why I almost shot him, even though I didn’t know him, and why that kind of experience, day after day, breaks you down.”

These words, written by US Army Captain Luis Montalván, describe only a small measure of his experiences in Iraq during two tours of duty from 2003 to 2005. While stationed at a remote Syrian/Iraqi border crossing called Al-Waleed in western Iraq, armed thugs attempted to assassinate him. He survived the attack, but with serious back and head injuries which continued to plague him for the remainder of his tour and will likely impact his health and well-being for the rest of his life. He suffers from PTSD as a result of his war experiences and injuries.

Until Tuesday is a story that recounts Luis’s experiences in Iraq, his feelings about the war and its implications for soldiers and returning veterans, and ultimately about his long road to recovery with Tuesday, his wonderful golden retriever service dog. He describes in detail what it was like to try and re-integrate back into mainstream life when he returned home. He talks about his physical, mental and emotional pain and suffering in a way that leaves no doubt about how much harm the war experience inflicts on our men and women soldiers. Loss of connections with family and friends, depression, anger and isolation were the result for Luis and for many other war veterans.

The fun part of the story is hearing him talk about Tuesday. He describes Tuesday’s life and his in parallel terms, Tuesday having had a rocky start during his first two years of training. You will fall in love with Tuesday and Luis as you read this book. You will cry, and then you’ll laugh. You might also get a little angry when you read about how employees of public transit, stores, and restaurants discriminate against disabled individuals and their service dogs. The book includes the stories of some of Luis’s friends, other veterans and their service dogs, as well as a few photographs.

This book sent me looking on Google Earth to find Al-Waleed, a place more desolate than you can imagine. I gave Until Tuesday 5 stars for its honesty and warmth (and, well, okay, I love golden retrievers too!) I own both the audio and Kindle versions of the book, and if Luis and Tuesday ever come to town I’ll buy the print version too for an autograph! The audiobook is narrated by Luis who, although not an actor, does a really great job. His voice has good inflection and is easy to listen to. Reading the Kindle version after listening to the audiobook allows you to pick up on nuances that you might have missed. This book is informative, uplifting and inspirational, well worth reading!

Great listen

I had half expected the usual "dog" book - filled with cute stories of the main character. Instead, the author talks a lot about his PTSD and how Tuesday came to his rescue. Just a very touching book - I got a little choked up at the end! Will be sure to see the movie.

Great Book expecially for dog lovers!

If you could sum up Until Tuesday in three words, what would they be?

heartwarming informative inspiring

What other book might you compare Until Tuesday to and why?

Ironically Tuesdays with Morrie, to me this book gives insights into the life of a disabled (TBI/PTSD) Veteran and his dog as Morrie provided insight into life and dying. It is a heart warming book but it does make you think and realize the struggles others may be experiencing.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No because it spanned years of life and while I wanted to know how it turned out I could turn it off between car rides but I didn't want anyone to call me while I was driving.

Can a person really cry 4 different ways?

I've cried my way through this amazing book twice. Sad tears for the terrible things Luis endured. Happy tears for the power in the relationship between a dog and his person. Disappointed tears for how terribly we treat the brave men and women who risk their lives so that I can sit behind a computer and review this book. And hopeful tears for one man's ability to move forward - and what that means for the rest of us struggling through it.

Luis reads his book himself. Hearing the harrowing tale in his own voice reminds us that this book retells one man's very personal struggle to survive, against all odds.