Publisher, Tantor Media (August 2005)

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"It's a heartbreaking and perversely beautiful book that should join Catch-22 and The Things They Carried as this generation's defining literary expression of men at war." —James Frey, author of A Million Little Pieces and My Friend Leonard

"It's a major account of the Iraqi War, without pretense, without an axe to grind, and without complaint. A story about the heart of all wars - not politics, not principles, not money - your buddies. I was touched and overwhelmed." —James Crumley, author of The Last Good Kiss and The Right Madness

"Crawford does a beautiful job of conveying the modern infantryman's torn heart, and our nation's war literature is richer by one outstanding book." —Gabe Hudson, author of Dear Mr. President

"Crawford's story universalizes the accidental way in which this war has affected us all." —David Amsden, author of Important Things That Don't Matter

About the Author: John Crawford was newly married and two credits away from completing a B.A. in anthropology at Florida State University when he was sent to Iraq. He thought he was finished with his soldiering days after completing a stint with the Army's famed 101st Airborne Division, and his National Guard service was little more than an afterthought. Crawford and his National Guard unit crossed into Iraq on the first day of the invasion. Baghdad fell more quickly than anyone had planned, and while most of the soldiers involved with the invasion were sent home, Crawford's National Guard unit stayed to patrol the city for more than a year. Crawford now lives in Florida, where he is completing his degree and writing. He no longer has any affiliation with the Army.

About the Performer: An AudioFile Earphones winner and Audie Award Finalist, Patrick Lawlor is also an accomplished stage actor, director and combat choreographer. He has worked extensively Off-Broadway and regionally, as well as in Europe. Patrick has also been seen on TV and in films, both as an actor and a stuntman.