The Fighting 69th: One Remarkable National Guard Unit's Journey from Ground Zero to Baghdad

by Sean Michael Flynn

Book Overview

How a ragtag National Guard unit found itself thrust into the War on Terror and triumphed against impossible odds On the eve of September 11, 2001, New York City?s famous National Guard regiment, the Fighting 69th Infantry, was not fit for duty. Most of its soldiers were immigrant kids with no prior military experience and no intention of serving their country any longer than it took to get a paycheck or college credit. Once a respected all-Irish...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670018430
• ISBN13: 9780670018437
• Release Date: December 2007
• Publisher: Viking Books
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Retired Reservist

I heard the author being interviewed and was interested as a retired reservist. Great story. I could relate to problems with 'old guard'. I was in NY on 9/11 and had that tie. My best to the 69th.

An American Story

This book left me speechless. I am a US Army Infantry officer and have read about 150 military books. Never have I read anything quite like this. With regard to the guy who gave it one star, I suspect he might be a racist who wasn't the least bit happy to read a book about a bunch of poor immigrant kids serving their newly-adopted homeland and exceling. (Those people do exist.)

No Blarney in this tale of the Fighting 69th

Captain Flynn tells the story of the National Guardsmen who served in the 69th Infantry in the aftermath of the 911 attacks in New York and in service in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He does not romanticize the experience or try to cover up short comings of this fabled unit but tells the story with clarity and honesty and with the voice of one whose own boots were on the ground. This book is a must read for anybody interest in the history of this unit or in the conduct of the war in Iraq. Thank you Captain Flynn

great read for guys and girls alike!

This is an easy read about a difficult subject. Didn't want to put it down from beginning to end. Interesting story for guys, and I know the girls will like it, too. Share it with your friends!

The Fighting 69th

Excellent book on a Famous Unit. The 69th's struggle from a Down & Out Unit pre 9-11 to Successful Combat Soldiers in Iraq makes for a good read. The Central Characters Journey from Ground Zero to Iraq is an Odyssey the reader will remember. Author pulls no punches about Infantry Combat in Baghdad & Taji