No True Glory

A Frontline Account of the Battle for Fallujah

By: Bing West

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 13 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Fallujah: Iraq's most dangerous city unexpectedly emerged as the major battleground of the Iraqi insurgency. For 20 months, one American battalion after another tried to quell the violence, culminating in a bloody, full-scale assault. Victory came at a terrible price: 151 Americans and thousands of Iraqis were left dead.

The epic battle for Fallujah revealed the startling connections between policy and combat that are a part of the new reality of war.

The Marines had planned to slip into Fallujah "as soft as fog". But after four American contractors were brutally murdered, President Bush ordered an attack on the city, against the advice of the Marines. The assault sparked a political firestorm, and the Marines were forced to withdraw amid controversy and confusion, only to be ordered a second time to take a city that had become an inferno of hate and the lair of the archterrorist al-Zarqawi.

Based on months spent with the battalions in Fallujah and hundreds of interviews at every level (senior policymakers, negotiators, generals, and soldiers and Marines on the front lines) No True Glory is a testament to the bravery of the American soldier and a cautionary tale about the complex, and often costly, interconnected roles of policy, politics, and battle in the twenty-first century.

©2005 Bing West (P)2005 Books on Tape

must read

Absolutely love this book. explains all you need to know about the Invasion of Iraq.

Excellent

Regardless of how you feel about the war, and I'm no fan, you can't help but be moved by this compelling account.

Harrowing tale

Just finished No True Glory. This book deserves a place in the pantheon of great war stories that include Keegan's "Face of Battle", WWII's "Company Commander" and Black Hawk Down. There are no winners in this book, just hard working, ordinary people trying to survive a difficult situation.

Perfect Mix

This book has managed to perfectly mix the two classic methods of delivering history: telling the facts; and telling a story. West manages to lay down the critical details to understanding what, where, when and why and then intermingling real stories from the ground to show us how. This form of historical portrayal gives the reader (or listener) the ability to grasp a higher level of understanding of the situation with the high level command details and then brings you to the front lines to see how that affects the grunts. Brilliantly compiled and presented. Listened to it twice.

good story

a good listen worth getting reader a bit dull though

The True American Back Bone

This book was worth the listen. Being a fan of military tactics, reviews and film. I enjoyed immensely the portrayal's and story's brought back from the front lines. Combined with the political and global views impressed upon the job being done by the military. The book brought you right into the fight and along side the soldiers of the war. Carving out there own history and leaving behind souls of warriors. In so many aspects my heart felt it all and my mind could not let go. I had to listen, i had to know the outcome, not of the war but the battles. The men and women who so proudly give there lives for the freedoms so easily taken for granted by so many. Willing to shed there own blood so someone else can decide a future for themselves. Many times I had to hold back the tears for the fallen. I am proud to be an American and this books defines the grit which makes this country great. Sit through the tough times of the political redaric and back and forth of the factual lists and you will truly understand the frustration of American commanders and troops. No true glory is hope through hopelessness. Passion when faced with despair and unity when all hell is braking loose. Love for one another is truly what got the troops through. The book has only depend my admiration for the soldier and my respect for there sacrifices.

great book

If you want an honest and true story, sick of the media coverage and whining, then this is the book. It has an insider's view, has a great account of all events surrounding the Battle for Fallujah and analysis of the events leading to it. It makes you proud of the men who fought for us.

The Greatest Generation

The Greatest Generation! Yes, Yes, I know that the World War II generation is know by Tom Brokaw as the "Greatest Generation". I believe that it is not that they were not, but I hear it all the time is that the current group of young people are lazy, not smart, not all there. But what I find is that a major chunk is as great or greater than anyone gives them acknowledgement for. The young Marines in this book a courageous, strong, smart and ready to be our next leaders. Bias toward this generation will be changed after this book is listened to. Great Book! Semper Fi! Ohrah!

Gets your heart pounding

Listening to this excellent book just gave me the chills. After setting the stage with some admittedly slower paced background, you have the outline of the events in Fallujah from the fall of Saddam through the four phases of the battle, including the two efforts to take the city from the insurgent forces. The narrator is great, the pace is quick and you end up having a great appreciation for the sheer guts and determination it takes to bust into a cement walled house and take it room by room, fighting an enemy who not only doesn't appear to fear death, but in many cases welcomes it. This is a must to get the troops' side of the story - one that you will never get off the evening news.

Great book and story!

Great book, incredible story of Marines doing what they do best. Great insight on the issues found in the leaders of our government.