Touching the Dragon

And Other Techniques for Surviving Life's Wars

By: James Hatch, Christian D'Andrea

Narrated by: Kaleo Griffith, James Hatch

Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

“Jimmy Hatch is a personal hero of mine.” (Anderson Cooper)

“Irresistible. . . . A wounded SEAL’s shame becomes a salvation.” (J. Ford Huffman, Military Times)

James Hatch is a former special ops Navy SEAL senior chief, master naval parachutist, and expert military dog trainer and handler. On his fateful final mission in Afghanistan, his SEAL team was sent to recover Bowe Bergdahl - the soldier who deserted his post and fell into the hands of Al-Qaida and the Taliban. The mission went south, and Hatch was left with a shattered femur from an AK-47 round and the SEAL dog who fought alongside him was dead. As a result of his horrific leg wound, his 24-year military career came to an end - and with it the only life he’d ever known.

In Touching the Dragon, we witness his long road to recovery. Getting well physically required 18 surgeries, 12 months of recovery, and learning to walk again. But getting well mentally would prove to be much tougher, as he fought through the depths of despair, alcoholism, and the pull to end his own life. What emerges is a different kind of hero’s journey, one in which Hatch shows the courage it takes to confess, confront, and overcome his own brokenness. Through the love of family, friends, and his military dogs, Hatch learned remarkable tools and found his purpose, and now he wants to share this wisdom with the rest of us because we all have wounds.

©2018 James Hatch, Christian D'Andrea (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Jimmy Hatch has managed to write a love story out of a war story. The love he has found for those he protected, those he fought with, the dogs he depended on. And finally he found a way to love himself." (Kenny Mayne, ESPN anchor; host, Kenny Mayne's Wider World of Sports)

"This book touched me like no other personal account of battle I've read. Though a special operator who saw more engagements than most, Jimmy Hatch offers no boast or bravado. Instead he describes his unique experiences - and the wars that have shaped this generation of fighting men and women - with provocative insight, calm stoicism, and thoughtful but frustrated understanding. But it is how he has taken those experiences and applied them to his post-trauma life that makes this comparable to Sajer's The Forgotten Soldier. An exceptional read." (Mark Hertling, LTG, US Army, retired)

"There are plenty of books full of daring wartime exploits, but I haven't come across any book that reveals with such honesty and openness, the 'second war' that Jimmy and other special operators must fight when they come back to a society that seems so alien to them, a society completely divorced from the purity of combat." (Anderson Cooper)

Amazing and inspirational

One of the best books I have listen too. I appreciate jimmy hatch for the humility to share his struggles with the mental side of life’s struggles

Great job "Fat Jimmy"

The other narrator is one of the best I've ever heard on audible. Way to close out the story on top... IGTMF!

Interesting story

This is an interesting true story, starting with descriptions of deployments with the viewpoint of “getting the bad guys” and enjoying being really good at it. But details were more than a little glossed over because the word “kill” was rarely used in these descriptions and instead we got all kinds of euphemisms as I suppose they use in the military. This was followed by describing his gunshot injury that pulls him out of action, and then the details of his descent into depression. Even after the chapter on “touching the dragon” by being made to revisit the injury episode in therapy, it didn’t adequately explain his ongoing shame and self loathing, for example even by the end of the book he couldn’t accept it when thanked for his service. Then near the end there’s a glancing mention of touching another dragon, of “bad things” he’s done while in the wars, and the whole thing makes much more sense, but no we don’t actually get that story either. There’s a lot to admire in this man and I’m glad to get his perspective, but it’s obvious there is more contributing to his struggle than he could share. Also didn’t write about his international diplomacy efforts which I heard on a radio interview, maybe that activity came later?

Nailed it!

What an enlightening, moving, and entertaining story. I feel like recommending this book to Simmons of people that are closest to me. I like the way he infused life lessons throughout the book, illustrated by stories and his journey. Awesome use of my time!

Rare Honesty - Raw and Well Written

James Hatch, in sharing his story, has given us a gift. He stripped away the ever present emotional body armor most veterans wear to show us the vulnerable human inside. I won't even try to give a synopsis because there is just too much. His word choice and selection of detail elevates the reader to a place of understanding. As a part of the "non-military" audience, I didn't feel lost in overbearing military jargon. Instead, it was as if the author takes the reader by the hand and teaches us to see his world from the inside out. He efficiently builds characters through the use of nicknames. Usually, this treatment runs the risk of developing flat or stagnant characters. Because of the first person narrative, as the story unfolds, the reader understands that the host of characters undergo dynamic changes together, because that is the only way it can happen. No one walked away unchanged from these events. His rhythm in the telling is spot on. He took me on a roller coaster of emotions and I found myself crying and cheering, feeling despair and then hope. He alludes to books and philosophical concepts in a way that adds to the meaning for those who are familiar with them, yet doesn't detract for those who are unfamiliar with them. This added scaffold of meaning makes the book equally accessible to a wide audience. His message is important and so needed in our culture. I'm glad that I listened to the book first because I think hearing it added to the immediacy of the story and gave power to his truth.

We are so lucky to have the stories told.

Incredible story of a come back, humble, motivation, determination to overcome.
Such dedication to service of others.

Incredible

What an amazing work and what an amazing life. You have provided so much value to the world, our country and now after listening to this you have to me individually. Thank you for your life of service. Not just the time in the Navy.

Great Book

I relly enjoyed this book. Full of great stuff. Keeps your interests. I may buy the hard copy to put on the shelf. Heard about this book on Working Dog Radio

People Need This!

This audiobook can be tough to listen to at times as James describes his self loathing ways, but that really sets the tone for his final thought! People need friends and coworkers like the Fly Fisherman, the Mechanic, James’ wife, and Mrs. Giffords. Too many people in society are surrounded by others who don’t care enough to step forward and say/do what needs to be.

James Hatch, thank you for your service, both in uniform and now out of uniform. Find the ones that need help and BE the Fly Fisherman!

Don't hesitate!

Excellent book!
I purchased after listening to Code over Country. (another book I'd recommend)

This book caused me to well up many times. The authors relationships with his dogs and the men in his unit were particularly touching. As well as his telling of the Soul damage inflicted on war fighting men at his level.

I finished listening today, and plan on listening for a second time immediately.