The Good Soldiers

David Finkel

Sep 2009 · Sold by Sarah Crichton Books

About this ebook

The Prequel to the Bestselling Thank You for Your Service, Now a Major Motion Picture

With The Good Soldiers, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter David Finkel has produced an eternal story — not just of the Iraq War, but of all wars, for all time.

It was the last-chance moment of the war. In January 2007, President George W. Bush announced a new strategy for Iraq. It became known as "the surge." Among those called to carry it out were the young, optimistic army infantry soldiers of the 2-16, the battalion nicknamed the Rangers. About to head to a vicious area of Baghdad, they decided the difference would be them.

Fifteen months later, the soldiers returned home — forever changed. The chronicle of their tour is gripping, devastating, and deeply illuminating for anyone with an interest in human conflict.

Ratings and reviews

One of the best books I've ever read :-) Puts a name on the soldiers who've sacrificed so much for us. They are no longer news stories and somehow remote to me. Allows for context and being able to understand, as much as an outsider can, what the U.S Soldiers were and are up against 24/7 . Terrifying odds against guerilla warfare and endless IED's, surprise attacks and third world urban neighborhoods whose majority try to kill them in return for their ardous efforts to help them.

A Must read for every civilian in the US of A. Especially the ones who have never put a uniform on and sacrificied so us civilians could enjoy freedoms in our daily life. Every high school graduate must be required to read this. 2-16 I salute you in honor of what you did and what you gave. Hoah and God Bless US of A and men and women who serve and have served this great nation. THANK YOU

The Bush bashing got old by the second page. I don't care what the authors politics are, quit ranting and get to the story. I regret paying for this book.

About the author

David Finkel is a staff writer for The Washington Post, and is also the leader of the Post's national reporting team. He won the Pulitzer Prize for explanatory reporting in 2006 for a series of stories about U.S.-funded democracy efforts in Yemen. Finkel lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wife and two daughters.