We March at Midnight

A War Memoir

By: Ray McPadden

Narrated by: Will Damron

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

What would the war do without me?

We March at Midnight is award-winning author Ray McPadden’s chronicle of his experience as a highly decorated Ranger officer leading some of the most dangerous missions during the height of the Iraq and Afghan wars. In 2005, Ray joined the army in search of what he calls “the moment” - a chance to prove to himself and his brothers in arms that he is a true leader. His job is to establish the first outpost in the Korengal, Afghanistan’s deadliest valley, and his decisions and mistakes will have a permanent impact on the men he commands. During the 15-month tour, his unit receives numerous decorations for valor while suffering nearly 50 percent casualties, ultimately accomplishing their mission in a land considered unwinnable.

Prowess with a rifle platoon soon earns Ray a position in the world’s premiere raiding force, the 75th Ranger Regiment, an accomplishment earned by less than one percent of the officers in the US Army, and during the most combat-heavy period of the 21st century. Ray spearheads the first joint-strike force of Army Rangers and Navy SEALs, in a shadow war against the agents of a foreign government, where lightning raids by helicopter, armored vehicle, and foot are his nightly routine.

In 2009, when Ray returns to the same corner of Afghanistan where his military career began, he suddenly finds himself tasked with leading Rangers against a target he knows all too well: the home of friends from his first tour. As he leads one last raid, Ray is at war with himself. Conquering this unexpected enemy proves the greatest challenge of all.

We March at Midnight is a blood-spattered tour de force of growing up, leadership, the nature of war, and its aftermath.

©2021 Ray McPadden (P)2021 Blackstone Publishing

Raw and honest view into the GWOT Infantryman.

I've read hundreds of books on war. It was biographies like this that about Vietnam and WW2 that led me to joining the Airborne Infantry and leading an existing strikingly similar to the authors. He is one of the few that have told the story with the black humor prevalent in a world of war without spoiling the story by trying to hard....

I dont think it makes my top 5 but it is certainly in the top dozen and certainly worth the time....

Great story

Delves deep into what it was like to be a soldier during the GWOT years. It holds nothing back. Loved it!

Intoxicating

This is an amazing story that had me hanging on every word. Narration was also enjoyable.

Awesome (and sad) Listen

Perfectly blends the struggles of combat with the struggles at home.

Captures the realistic thoughts and feelings of a professional soldier and his devoted wife.

Can't recommend this book enough.

It brought back memories and feelings I thought I lost.

This book is a must listen too if you deployed in OIF or EOF and left the wire. Wrote by a true leader and warrior.

Read this book…

… that’s about all I have to say. Read this book. I don’t pretend to have had the author’s combat experiences, but as an old infantry officer, with both a Ranger tab and a special forces tab, as well as deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan…did I say this before? READ THIS BOOK!

five stars!

One of the best books I've listened to since "no easy day". I was kind of blown away when the author mentioned one of my old team leaders when I was a brand new private in the army. Also he mentioned one of my friends that was killed in Afghanistan, gave me chills. The author is a true warrior, thank you for sharing your story.

My favorite listen yet

Iv listed to and read many books on the war and this one is probably my favorite, right down to the end of the book the authors story keeps you interested and the raw honesty without sounding like bragging in the slightest makes it that much better, I enjoyed your story Ray Mcpadden and thank you for writing this book.

Hard , Difficult, Raw, No Sugarcoating Her

Extremely direct, PTSD, in your face. The stress a marriage. Difficult integrating in society. Read poorly I thought. To much back and forth with the inidrey.

You won't regret it.

Absolutely will recommend this book to anyone who might be interested. I will definitely listen to this again. Narration is on point and fits the book perfectly.