what are some interesting books to read Home of the Brave: Somewhere in the Sand
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Excellent Collection of StoriesBy TDawnGreat collection of stories about the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead of showing us what it's like in the heat of battle, this book takes a devastatingly close look at what it's like to come home from war to a changed world. The men and women who serve in the armed forces are sometimes changed forever by what they see and do overseas, and it was at times encouraging and heartbreaking to peek into the reality of their lives. I particularly enjoyed the stories "Sacramentum" by James Duncan and "Kill Box" by Jack King. This book is highly recommended.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. great bookBy dewI have been personally and deeply affected by family members including my father who served in the United States military. This book Home of the Brave-Somewhere in the Sand, gave me an even deeper appreciation for what some of our finest men and women have encountered in their brave journeys. Honest, thought provoking and profoundly moving, I would strongly recommend this book!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Authentic to the CoreBy Kathleen M. RodgersThis collection of short fiction is jam-packed with stories about war. Whether the characters are battling it out in the chaotic streets of Iraq, on patrol in the mountains of Afghanistan, or back on the home front where family members are dealing with their own side effects of war, each story is authentic to the core.Here are some stories that stood out for me:Half Smiles by Daniel TaylorMourners of the Dead by Brooke KingSeven in the Morning by Max RubackThe Things He Saw by David AbramsAn Unlawful Order by Tracy CrowI've had the book in my possession since it was first released Memorial Day weekend, 2013. Full disclosure.... I received a copy from the publisher as I am one of the contributors, but I put the book aside for a year. At the time of publication, I was busy finishing my own book project, and truth be told, I was partly afraid to tackle the subject matter. With a son in the Army, I told myself I wasn't ready to read short stories written by real warriors who'd been there. Wasn't it easier to hide behind reading material that didn't pertain to war?But then my youngest son deployed to a war zone, and instead of burying my head in the sand, I opened up the pages of Home of the Brave: Somewhere in the Sand and I went looking for truth. Truth told through the guise of fiction. Each story in this powerful collection is well written and puts the reader smack in the middle of the moment. Some stories are only a paragraph long while others take up several pages.About the cover:I've held this book in my hands several times over the past year, but only yesterday did something click in my brain about the cover. Photographer Staff Sergeant Ruth Pagan took the cover shot late on a Christmas Day at an isolated FOB (Forward Operating Base) as a group of soldiers waited for a helicopter to deliver Christmas goodies. Maybe it took my baby son's deployment to an isolated FOB somewhere in Afghanistan to make me pay attention. For the first time, my eyes zoom in on the outline of helmets and the mountains in the hazy distance....I highly recommend this book to civilians like me who yearn to understand the individuals behind the uniforms and to anyone who has ever served in the Armed Forces.Kathleen M. Rodgers is the author of the novel Johnnie Come Lately, forthcoming from Camel Press 2/1/15.