Walk in My Combat Boots: True Stories from America's Bravest Warriors
Published February 8th 2021 by Little, Brown and Company, Hardcover 416 pages
"These are the stories America needs to hear about the remarkable young men and women who serve." - Admiral William H. McRaven, US Navy (Ret.). The most moving and powerful war stories ever told, by the men and women who lived them.
*Walk in my Combat Boots* is a powerful collection crafted from hundreds of original interviews by James Patterson, the world’s #1 bestselling writer, and First Sergeant US Army (Ret.) Matt Eversmann, part of the Ranger unit portrayed in the movie *Black Hawk Down*.
These are the brutally honest stories usually only shared amongst comrades in arms. Here, in the voices of the men and women who’ve fought overseas from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan, is a rare eye-opening look into what wearing the uniform, fighting in combat, losing friends and coming home is *really* like. Readers who next thank a military member for their service will finally have a true understanding of what that thanks is for
User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
This is an amazing read about what it takes to serve in the United States armed forces in the modern era. The book consists of 47 self told stories from service members of all the branches of the armed forces of America, and covers the whole spectrum of modern day duties and includes all ranks, from privates to generals. Some of the stories stretch as far back as the Vietnam War where those individuals started their service and only concluded with the beginning of the War on Terror. What I liked most about this book, is that all these experiences are unique and does not only consist of the frontline special forces units that you mostly read about. The book goes from a frontline Marine rifleman to truck drivers, flight nurses, detention barracks guards and much more. I also think that women in the forces gets very good representation. As with all books of this scope, there are some stories that are better than others, but all of them in my opinion was good, and the bottom-line of all of them is that these people gave selfless service to something bigger than themselves and carry these physical and emotional scars with them and are proud of what they did, and they all deserve out respect and gratitude for trying to make the world a better place. Highly recommended and will be hard to beat as my best read for 2022.
Rating: really liked it
4.5⭐
This is an audiobook review. These stories are told in first person and I wish JP could pull some strings and add a female narrator to read the stories of female veterans.
Walk in My Combat Boots: True Stories from America's Bravest Warriors is an amazing collection of 47 of servicemembers and veterans stories. They vary in lengths from 5 minutes to over 20 minutes, from different backgrounds and era. What they share are love for country and their dedication to their duty. Thank you for sharing your experiences, and your stories.
Rating: really liked it
The authors committed the cardinal sin: they wrote a book that was a bore to read. The book is made up of numerous short vignettes from various people from all walks of life. Each person's story is unique, but what is lacking is any cohesiveness to tie everything together, to show the bigger picture. Over and over you read about some guy or gal, how serving in the military was hard, failures, triumphs, jacked situations, overcoming, people dying, limbs blown off, how it affected them, how they dealt with it, or didn't. There is even one vignette from a reporter. None of it was stuff that hasn't been heard before - except maybe the women's stories, and all of it amounted to one big nothing for this reader. I'm a veteran from an era when simply being in the military didn't qualify you for a 'thank you for your service'. In fact, even though Vietnam was over, you could still be spit upon in some cities if you went out in dress uniform. Most of us joined for many of the same reasons the folks in the book signed up. Learn a trade, my dad served, so here I am, my turn, or it was just a call to duty. When President Carter's boondoggle rescue attempt to get the hostages out of Iran happened, we thought we were going to war. We didn't. Later, after the twin towers were pulled down, we did go to war. I never saw combat - the timing just wasn't right. I consider myself lucky because I've heard stories from Vietnam vets, from Gulf War vets, seen pictures of horrific stuff. It is nothing to speak about, and most of those guys don't. Instead, they usually get that far away look in their eyes and mumble about how 'fucked up' it was and they are glad they are home. But for the ones who talk about it....read the book if you have to know. I am sure this book will be therapy for some struggling veteran dealing with PTSD, or struggling to live civilian life. It may even stop a veteran from suicide. In that sense, the stories needed to be told. But what this book is not, and why I did not like it, is what it purports to be: a book of stories that America needs to hear. What this book was for me is stories about shit happening. I already knew that. There are plenty of 5 star reviews - I'm glad for those folks. Maybe you will enjoy it as much as they did. Nevertheless, this book is one that is not going to go on my recommended reading list.
Rating: really liked it
I was really excited to read this book since I saw it advertised about a month ago. I absolutely love Matt Eversmann and loved the book he wrote with Dan Schilling (combat controller, which is my favorite military specialty, btw!) And of course everyone loves Blackhawk down. Well this book is a compilation of stories from different branches of the service and different ranks and specialties, and it is so well done, I can’t put into words how important these stories are, especially for anyone who loves military history or stories of individuals. I thank every one of these soldiers, airmen, marines and family members who were able to put these words and experiences down on paper to share with me. Amazing.
My favorite was the graves supervisor and his amazing stories from Vietnam, the Normandy beaches and desert storm. Completely chilling and beyond interesting. He should write an entire book himself.
Rating: really liked it
It’s taken me a minute to gather my thoughts on this book.
It was powerful, emotional, raw and so real.
These snippets are so important for people to understand what our military men and women have gone through. I read books like these to understand and try to get a glimpse at what my husband is suffering through. He has debilitating ptsd and after reading this my heart only breaks more for him. The sad part is I wish I could share some of these stories with him but I know they would be to painful, he still lives it everyday.
I’m not a James Patterson reader but this is not a Patterson book at all! I applaud him for working on this book and publishing these important looks into history.
I’d definitely recommend this book to everyone!
Rating: really liked it
Should be required reading for US History classesJames Patterson is one of my favorite authors and he did not disappoint. I have always had a deep respect for our veterans. Patterson brought to life some real life stories from real heroes. We should be honoring our veterans, whether they are active, enlisted full-time, guards or reserves. Thank you for serving and sharing your experiences. Thanks to the co-authors for finding the soldiers to share their stories. We forget the blood that was shed for us to have the freedoms we have in this great country.
Rating: really liked it
I have mixed emotions trying to rate this book. Many in my family have served and my current DIL’s entire family has a military background so I’m well aware that many of these stories should be told for those who aren’t familiar with some of the horrors that take place. Maybe and just maybe telling these stories will help vets dealing with the many challenges of living in civilian life. I would have enjoyed the book more if it was more than just short story after short story with no real ending to tie everything together. For me, there was no ending to this book. Would have liked to hear from the author’s on how these few were chosen to tell their story from the thousands and thousands who have servied, died for and defended our country. A Prologue, Acknowledgements, or Author’s notes at the end would have been appreciated.
Rating: really liked it
Sometimes the truth hurts These are just a few deep stories about the reality of war and its warriors . Having joined the Marine Corps in 1965 , I looked forward to doing my part to honor our country and our commitment to freedom. I spent a year in Vietnam.I’m not going to debate the pros and cons of the decision. If your only takeaway from this book is “ Living here is a privilege not a right “ you’ve learned a valuable lesson . Whether you support the Wars or not , don’t spit on or cuss at the warriors. You may end up a victim of your own stupidity...
Rating: really liked it
I can't say I liked it. Loss of limbs, minds, and American lives. I can only wonder how much input James Patterson provided or was it just oversight and direction, or -otherwise ($). There was no real ending to the book and at times made me wonder who won that war and was it worth the costs in
ALL lives and dollars. Repetitive, sad, and 3/4 through the book was almost a "not finished"
Patterson should stick to fiction.
Rating: really liked it
A collection of short vignettes from soldiers describing their experiences in combat. Many of them are harrowing. Recommended for everyone.
Rating: really liked it
A must read!
Real, honest and sometimes brutal stories from the men and women in the Armed forces.
There's heartache and uncomfortable truths but there's also humor and love.
I truly think everyone should read this. It really is an inside look into what they experience and the truth behind not only what it's like to enlist and serve but also what it's like to come home.
Rating: really liked it
There were a few interesting and inspiring stories. Most were same old same old. They should have expanded some of the stories and deleted others.
Rating: really liked it
I have a little difficulty rating/reviewing "Walk in My Combat Boots" by Patterson and Eversmann. The book consists of many short vignettes by current and former soldiers/airmen/sailors about their service experiences. Most of the stories are powerful, gut-wrenching, and some even hard to read/listen to (I listened to the audiobook). These are stories that every American and especially national leaders should have to read. They should make us think long and hard before committing our young men and women to the horrors and dangers of modern combat.
The problems I have with this book have nothing to do with the personal stories. I don't understand the organization of the book, the method of choosing these stories (among tens of thousands of others), or what the aim of the authors was. In reality, the authors really were interviewers and scribes, and it's hard to see a lot of authorship. Finally, I would have chosen voices truer to young men and women to narrate the audiobook. 3.5 to 4 stars for me.
Rating: really liked it
I am retired (in 1982) military with over 20 years of service in the Army and the Air Force. This book is basically about Iraq and Afghanistan vets and their experiences, which is a lot different than the Vietnam War because of jungle versus desert. We should have NEVER been in either war---the French couldn't win in Vietnam and the Russians couldn't win in Afghanistan. These two wars were all about the military industrial complex and money for the corporation/owners period. The United States just made more enemies around the world because of these two wars, but the military industrial complex made huge amounts of money from killing so many people. Whole countries were NOT responsible for 9/11---the culprit was ultimately found and punished, but many others continue to get away with much worse out in the open. Way too many vets/families suffer from PTSD, wounds, missing limbs, and other hardships, because of these idiotic wars!!!
Rating: really liked it
Brutally honest book of the personal stories of men and women who have been in "harms way" and seen and experienced things many people will never see or experience. As expected, it has both humor and pathos and is not recommended for the faint of heart. Mr. Patterson and 1st Sergeant Everson have given us a good cross section of what combat is actually like. During the Civil Way being in combat was called "Seeing the Elephant." This book allows the reader to "See the Elephant" through the eyes of the men and women who have been there and done that. I enjoyed reading the book and salute those who have contributed, those who have served and those who have paid the ultimate price. May God Bless all of you.
