Leaders & Notable People
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Walk in My Combat Boots: True Stories from America's Bravest Warriors
Discover "the stories America needs to hear" (Admiral William H. McRaven, US Navy (Ret.)) with these moving and powerful recollections of war, told by the men and women who lived them.
Walk in my Combat Boots is a powerful collection crafted from hundreds of original interviews by James Patterson, the world's #1 bestselling writer, and First Sergeant US Army (Ret.) Matt Eversmann, part of the Ranger unit portrayed in the movie Black Hawk Down.
These are the brutally honest stories usually only shared amongst comrades in arms. Here, in the voices of the men and women who've fought overseas from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan, is a rare eye-opening look into what wearing the uniform, fighting in combat, losing friends and coming home is really like. Readers who next thank a military member for their service will finally have a true understanding of what that thanks is for.
Walk in my Combat Boots is a powerful collection crafted from hundreds of original interviews by James Patterson, the world's #1 bestselling writer, and First Sergeant US Army (Ret.) Matt Eversmann, part of the Ranger unit portrayed in the movie Black Hawk Down.
These are the brutally honest stories usually only shared amongst comrades in arms. Here, in the voices of the men and women who've fought overseas from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan, is a rare eye-opening look into what wearing the uniform, fighting in combat, losing friends and coming home is really like. Readers who next thank a military member for their service will finally have a true understanding of what that thanks is for.
Editorial Reviews
"Up close war is a tapestry of individual stories, as painfully raw, improbably funny, and completely human as the soldiers themselves. James Patterson and my former Ranger comrade Matt Eversmann, have brilliantly woven together an image that is as compelling as it is entertaining." ―Stanley A. McChrystal, General, US Army (Ret.)
"This book will take your breath away, break your heart, and leave you in awe of the hard work, raw courage, ingenuity and resilience of the men and women who wear the boots. You'll hear them say why they do it, and how they deal with triumph, tragedy and living with the legacy of their service. Every American should read it." ―President Bill Clinton
"James Patterson is one of America's great storytellers. He is a also a first-rate reporter. He and Eversmann have collected stories of brave men and women who have defended our country. Each one is a profile in courage. Read this book and you will have even greater respect for those who serve in our military." ―Chris Wallace, anchor, FOX News Sunday
"Combat is hard to make sense of. Probably because, in many ways, it makes no sense. James Patterson and Matt Eversmann's unvarnished portrayal of soldiers is right on. Each of these stories of the personal experience of combat is unique, homespun, and honest. God bless them, one and all." ―Brigadier General Peter Dawkins, US Army (Ret.)
"A vivid and authentic portrait of life in the modern military … Powerful. This edifying collection captures the highs and lows of the military experience."―Publishers Weekly
"Urgent and full of suspense. . . In this wide-ranging, consistently absorbing collection, the authors cover the entire spectrum of American military action during the last 50 years, from Vietnam to the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq . . . A gripping account of American military members' experiences before, during, and after wartime."―Kirkus, starred review
"Extraordinarily well-written . . . Walk in My Combat Boots should be mandatory reading for every American citizen. These stories demonstrate that ‘the greatest generation' is not confined to the World War II era. Those who currently wear the military uniform are worthy successors to those American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have shed their collective blood on the altar of freedom throughout our nation's history."―Army magazine
"This book will take your breath away, break your heart, and leave you in awe of the hard work, raw courage, ingenuity and resilience of the men and women who wear the boots. You'll hear them say why they do it, and how they deal with triumph, tragedy and living with the legacy of their service. Every American should read it." ―President Bill Clinton
"James Patterson is one of America's great storytellers. He is a also a first-rate reporter. He and Eversmann have collected stories of brave men and women who have defended our country. Each one is a profile in courage. Read this book and you will have even greater respect for those who serve in our military." ―Chris Wallace, anchor, FOX News Sunday
"Combat is hard to make sense of. Probably because, in many ways, it makes no sense. James Patterson and Matt Eversmann's unvarnished portrayal of soldiers is right on. Each of these stories of the personal experience of combat is unique, homespun, and honest. God bless them, one and all." ―Brigadier General Peter Dawkins, US Army (Ret.)
"A vivid and authentic portrait of life in the modern military … Powerful. This edifying collection captures the highs and lows of the military experience."―Publishers Weekly
"Urgent and full of suspense. . . In this wide-ranging, consistently absorbing collection, the authors cover the entire spectrum of American military action during the last 50 years, from Vietnam to the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq . . . A gripping account of American military members' experiences before, during, and after wartime."―Kirkus, starred review
"Extraordinarily well-written . . . Walk in My Combat Boots should be mandatory reading for every American citizen. These stories demonstrate that ‘the greatest generation' is not confined to the World War II era. Those who currently wear the military uniform are worthy successors to those American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have shed their collective blood on the altar of freedom throughout our nation's history."―Army magazine
Readers Top Reviews
Kindle Sarah Joelva
Great read, 📚 gritty, tough, but so real, because it is!
Kate M.
Patterson and Eversmann have crafted a moving and honest portrait of combat from the personal experiences of the brave men and women who have defended our country. Their stories of courage, resiliency, and grit range from the 1950s to modern international conflicts. I found it particularly powerful to read accounts that crossed so many time periods and geographic regions. An engrossing and compelling read. Highly recommend.
Steve Wightman
I have ADHD and getting me to sit through a tv program is a big deal, so I wasn’t sure about reading a book. (I generally listen to audiobooks.) This book is superb. Interviews are done with combat personnel by First Sgt Matt Eversmann, and they are brilliantly done, because as a military man, he speaks the language and knows the questions to ask. Then James Patterson took the interviews and condensed them into 5 or 6 pages. The stories are real and raw, and the reader can get a sense of what our military on deployment to war zones deal with on a daily basis. God bless each and every one of the people who were interviewed, the people they refer to in their interviews, and both Sgt Eversmann and Mr. Patterson.
gerald a. roper, Sr
Just starting this book is heart wrenching, vivid, I agree with the many reviewer's, every American should read this book. Especially those American's who run my country down, either not careing or sticking their fingers in their ears and not listening to the truth. These are brave men and women. Like so many before that ran into the frey and not from it. These are the hero's who help keep me and my country free. I salute them all, this country should also. Read this book!
Serenity...
This compilation of true stories is the result of hundreds of interviews conducted with veterans. It is a powerful and poignant collection and will make the reader think about the sacrifices that our military members make...both while serving and after they get home. There are four parts: A call to duty; On training; In country and On the home front. Each section contains numerous interviews with service members. If you have never served in the military, you will gain an insight into the trials and tribulations that these veterans have gone through...and, yes, the memories linger with them long after their time expires in uniform. For me as a USN Chief Petty Officer, Ret., the book emphasizes many things...the most evident is love of country and dedication to duty...are common themes throughout these interviews. Honor, commitment, and personal responsibility are also right at the top of the list. One thing I really appreciated as a reader was that it is always okay to seek help for those 'nagging' and horrific memories... Feeling sad, angry, or upset is a reaction to the 'in theater' missions. Please ask for help, if needed. The interviews were with both male and female veterans and cover a wide variety of aspects of their service to this great country of ours. Respect...one thing that I feel is missing lately in our society. Military members...active and retired.. still have is respect for each other. As civilians, the military comradery is always missing... but the respect is still present. When I retired, I opted not to have a department ceremony. I opted instead for a very small gathering in the conference room with close Chiefs in attendance. I remember saying that I would never have a feeling of accomplishment like I had serving my country. Nothing has ever compared to it...after nearly 30 years in civilian life, I still miss the US Navy. Well done to the authors for compiling these powerful and poignant stories...This is a must read for those who want to learn about the military life. The good and the bad, the ups and the downs, the reasons one enters the military and so much more.. And, as stated in the book.... Thank a veteran when you encounter one. It means the world to hear those words... Most highly recommended.
