Heroes Among Us: Firsthand Accounts of Combat From America's Most Decorated Warriors in Iraq and Afghanistan

by Chuck Larson

Book Overview

True stories of courage from the frontlines. Over one million Americans have served in Iraq and Afghanistan in the past four years, but fewer than 500 from this group have earned a Silver Star, Navy... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451225848
• ISBN13: 9780451225849
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Penguin Adult Hc/Tr
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Best nonfiction book I've read lately.

I bought this book because I wanted to support the author. I believe that our young people look up to sports figures and politicians, when they can find heroes next door. As it turned out, I enjoyed the book, although I had to stop often to dry my eyes. These young American men and women are the true heroes in our lives. We owe them our freedom and all of the wonderful things that come with it.

Great Book

Wow, this book just blew me way. I was not the kind of person who loved reading and read during my spare time. However, my friend introduced me to this book, and to date this is the best war book that I have ever read. I would recommend this book to people of all ages but mostly to people who are in high school. The detail given in this book is outstanding and it really makes you reflect upon your life and ponder the freedom that we have, and how it was gotten by thousands and thousands of americans that put there lives on the line every day.

A Portrayal of America's Best

I am an 88-year-old WW-11 naval officer who served in the Atlantic and Pacific war zones. I was transfixed not only by the experiences these heroes endured, but by the mater-off-fact tone of their narratives. At the end of each story, I instinctively turned back to the cover picture of the author and studied the photo trying to momorize the features....portraits of true American heroes. I was especially impressed by the individual comments about the Iraqui people, revealing them as decent, caring individuals who we would be proud to have as neighbors. This book should be required reading for every high school boy and girl senior prior to graduation. The overall tone of the book runs counter to the torrent of negative comment directed at us by the American media. The indivuals portrayed in this book make me proud to be an American and to have served my country when virtually every living American supported our military. This book served to lessen my sadness over the limited support for present day American male and female military personal. Al Kayworth, Author Abenaki Warrior Legends of the Pond The Scalp Hunters Iceman to the Internet

Inspiring Stories of U. S. Fighting Men in Iraq and Afghanistan!

HEROES AMONG US is an inspiring collection of first-hand combat accounts by 29 Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force servicemen awarded either the Silver Star, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Cross or Medal of Honor for heroism in Afghanistan or Iraq. Over 1 1/2 million men and women have served in those beleaguered countries but fewer than 500 have been awarded the above decorations. The men in this book are some hardchargers! The two dozen award winners who contributed accounts for this book range from line doggies to Marine Recon, truck drivers to Navy Corpsmen, Air Force F-15 backseaters to Army Rangers. The group includes career soldiers and reservists. There's even a set of identical twins, both of whom served in Army Engineer battalions who were awarded Silver Stars. Sadly several awards were posthumous. Some of the battles described in this book were absolutely hellacious affairs, pitting U.S. troops against swarms of enemy soldiers and irregulars all too willing to die for Saddam Hussein and/or Allah. Yet the accounts themselves are related in a matter-of-fact tone, a reflection of each individual's professionalism in the face of ferocious combat. What comes across in these narratives is not only that spirit of professionalism but also the dedication and commitment of each individual to the mission and their buddies. For a first-hand, unvarnished look at modern combat, HEROES AMONG US can't be beat! Highly recommended.

A must read for ALL Americans

Maj. Chuck Larson is to be commended for compiling the heart-wrenching, uplifting real-life accounts of our nation's heroes. I believe it will change the way most people view the men and women that sacrifice so much for America's freedom. It's real life... this is not fiction. You will be amazed at the self-sacrifices, the heroism, the humility and the optimism. Forget what the media is telling you, read this book. This is where you find out what is REALLY happening in Iraq and Afghanistan. As I read this book, I shed tears for the warriors who wrote the stories -and also shed tears for the ignorant people that will never know what these warriors have done for America and the world. Do you want to be inspired? Do you want to be moved? Read this book.