Brotherhood

When West Point Rugby Went to War

De: Martin Pengelly, H.R. McMaster - Introduction by

Narrado por: Alex Mortensen

Before 9/11, the rugby team at West Point learned to bond on a sports field. This is what happened when those fifteen young men became leaders in war.

Filled with drama, tragedy, and personal transformations, this is the story of a unique brotherhood. It is a story of American rugby and a story of the U.S. Army created through intimate portraits of men shaped by West Point's motto: "Duty, Honor, Country."

Some of the players deployed to Afganistan and Iraq, some to Europe. Some became infantry, others became fliers. Some saw action, some did not. One gave his life on a street in Baghdad when his convoy was hit with an IED. Two died away from the battlefield but no less tragically.

Journalist Martin Pengelly, a former rugby player himself, was given extraordinary access to tell this story, a story of a brutal sport and even more brutal warfare.

©2023 Martin Pengelly; Introduction copyright 2023 by H. R. McMaster (P)2024 Tantor

Funny and poignant

As somebody who is an Air Force veteran, as well as an army nurse, and also a former rugby player. This was a book that hit very close to home. It’s extremely well written, and I highly recommend it.

Dissapointed

I absolutely hated the way the story was narrated and highly disappointed. I could not finish the book as a result of this

The wrenching, heartbreaking story.

The narrator. He’s distractingly terrible. He mispronounces, Rugby terms, military terms, and street names. He over-eeeeenunciates. And. Pauses. At. Odd. Places. Great book, terrible narrator. This book deserves better. The book itself is EXCEPTIONALLY great-- an amazing history of a tight-knit rugby brotherhood as they go from callow, idealistic youth to men facing the brutal realities of war. This is a nuanced portrayal of these brave young men in a world that has become more dangerous than they could have imagined. it strikes a fine balance, too: enough rugby for rugby nerds but not too much for the uninitiated, not too much military jargon for the non-military reader and no political editorializing. It focuses on the human stories of some some very exceptional brave young men. I cannot recommend this book enough, notwithstanding the narrator.

Rent Free

Martin Pengelly is an amazing storyteller! I already loved Rugby, having served alongside James Gurbisz and seeing his love and passion for the game. Seeing how it wasn't just a sport, but a part of his being and his identity made me love Rugb. I hadn't paid it too much attention since those days back in OIF/OEF waching him and the Top Flite team play between missions or on missions if there was down time... Someone alwayse had a ball.
That Hooker made a team out of us and we are still Brothers today. James and Rugby live rent free in our hearts.

The story of hero’s

Wonderful stories of the soldiers who helped make the world a better place. Captain Jim Gurbisz was a hero who was loved by his soldiers and remembered by anyone who crossed paths in his life.