30 review for Beyond Duty: Life on the Frontline in Iraq

1. 

   5 out of 5

   Lisa – Feb 03, 2010

   I liked this book. If I'm going to read a book about war, I absolutely feel most comfortable reading a book by a Lieutenant or at least by an officer who was a Lieutenant at the time of the story. I've read several from the Vietnam era, and so this was a wonderful addition from the Iraq war. My favorite, so far, has been Platoon Leader by James McDonough because it was great narrative, excellent historical perspective, great observations on leadership, and was just an overall very cohesive story I liked this book. If I'm going to read a book about war, I absolutely feel most comfortable reading a book by a Lieutenant or at least by an officer who was a Lieutenant at the time of the story. I've read several from the Vietnam era, and so this was a wonderful addition from the Iraq war. My favorite, so far, has been Platoon Leader by James McDonough because it was great narrative, excellent historical perspective, great observations on leadership, and was just an overall very cohesive story. This book is a little more disturbing because of the way Lieutenant Meehan vascilates between striving for excellence in his military career and platoon leadership and feelings of guilt and self doubt. Yet it is uplifting in many ways and gives me some hope for the people of Iraq. I did find myself troubled in the end when I realized that because of the Lieutenant's injuries, he may never find the closure he needs. I wish Lieutenant Shannon Meehan the best. I hope his marriage can survive and thrive despite everything he's experienced. As a Christian, I would like him to know that there is forgiveness and that God loves him. He does not need to carry the weight of guilt he feels. There is freedom through Jesus Christ.

2. 

   5 out of 5

   Chris – Dec 18, 2012

   This book is a must read. It's not the greatest literary masterpiece and sometimes the narrative voice can become annoying, but it is still an unquestionably must-read book in my opinion. Personally, I identify with the author strongly and see myself in him. Lt Meehan is a soldier, a leader that is intent on becoming the best man he can be. But he finds out that despite his best intentions, bad things can and did happen. Bad things that he directly caused. And the reality and finality of those a This book is a must read. It's not the greatest literary masterpiece and sometimes the narrative voice can become annoying, but it is still an unquestionably must-read book in my opinion. Personally, I identify with the author strongly and see myself in him. Lt Meehan is a soldier, a leader that is intent on becoming the best man he can be. But he finds out that despite his best intentions, bad things can and did happen. Bad things that he directly caused. And the reality and finality of those actions crushes him. The war shatters his deep convictions on who he is and his life's purpose. This is a heartbreaking glimpse into war. I want to make a point to thank Lt Meehan for writing his story. I do not know how he found the courage to do so. But I do know this book will make an impact on those who read it, as it has for me.

3. 

   5 out of 5

   NICHOLAS – Jan 28, 2020

   Beyond Duty by Shannon Meehan is a very hard, but powerful story to read. As we follow the story through the eyes of Lt. Shannon Meehan we see the hard decisions made and the stress put on the shoulders of the Lieutenant as he calls for an airstrike that takes the lives of many innocent civilians. as remorse and guilt take over the mind of Lt. Shannon Meehan we see his hard journey to gain back the respect for himself as he learns the hard truth of war and that every action has a equal reaction Beyond Duty by Shannon Meehan is a very hard, but powerful story to read. As we follow the story through the eyes of Lt. Shannon Meehan we see the hard decisions made and the stress put on the shoulders of the Lieutenant as he calls for an airstrike that takes the lives of many innocent civilians. as remorse and guilt take over the mind of Lt. Shannon Meehan we see his hard journey to gain back the respect for himself as he learns the hard truth of war and that every action has a equal reaction that can cause catastrophic damage to others. I think the lesson that follow this book helps but it up in an higher spot of my favorite books I have ever read. learning that sometimes no matter how wrong the decisions you make are, sometimes the hardest decisions you have to make are the best ones for you and others around you. he knew the damage the airstrike was going to cause, but he did it in order to protect his country.

4. 

   5 out of 5

   Dr Tanzeel – Feb 03, 2020

   This book is written very professionally and in a very fluent English. The story told by a soldier fighting in Iraq and while there trying to do his job, he had some experiences which baffle him off and on. Overall the narration is good. However I wanted to read more about the daily routine of soldiers in the war, how they spend so much time together , how the life in warhouse is and how their families feel while they are in the war.

5. 

   5 out of 5

   Mary-Ellen – Jun 05, 2014

   I was glued to this book in the first few pages, but the last 50 are seriously tiresome. I just cannot seem to get to the end. I appreciate the first-person voice, and Meehan's explanation of cultural and strategic insight. The story effectively demonstrates the sort of loop/warp that a soldier can suffer when dealing with war and PTSD. But as the reader, I just can't seem to get out of it, either. I wish the editor had experienced what I am. I was glued to this book in the first few pages, but the last 50 are seriously tiresome. I just cannot seem to get to the end. I appreciate the first-person voice, and Meehan's explanation of cultural and strategic insight. The story effectively demonstrates the sort of loop/warp that a soldier can suffer when dealing with war and PTSD. But as the reader, I just can't seem to get out of it, either. I wish the editor had experienced what I am.

6. 

   4 out of 5

   Cassandra – Dec 29, 2010

   Difficult to read both in form and content. Meehan has a challenging narrative voice, a bit halting, but genuine, and powerfully coupled with the gravity of the events of war and a bald emotional journey: a narrative filled with struggle, isolation, pride and intensely personal revelations and perspective. Different from any other military narrative I've read. Worth the effort. Difficult to read both in form and content. Meehan has a challenging narrative voice, a bit halting, but genuine, and powerfully coupled with the gravity of the events of war and a bald emotional journey: a narrative filled with struggle, isolation, pride and intensely personal revelations and perspective. Different from any other military narrative I've read. Worth the effort.

7. 

   4 out of 5

   Angie – Jul 12, 2010

   I don't know if my review is at all objective because this soldier was a student of my husband's and the co-author is a friend of ours. In any case, a fascinating and deeply moving story of one soldier's experiences in Iraq and what they have meant to his life. I don't know if my review is at all objective because this soldier was a student of my husband's and the co-author is a friend of ours. In any case, a fascinating and deeply moving story of one soldier's experiences in Iraq and what they have meant to his life.

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Donna – Apr 25, 2010

   This book gives a look into what the US is doing in Iraq and why we're there so long. The author deals with ordering a strike on a house that he believed held enemies, only there were no enemies just a civilian family. This book gives a look into what the US is doing in Iraq and why we're there so long. The author deals with ordering a strike on a house that he believed held enemies, only there were no enemies just a civilian family.

9. 

   5 out of 5

   Yvonne –

10. 

    5 out of 5

    Maddie DeLuca –

11. 

    5 out of 5

    Erin –

12. 

    4 out of 5

    Katie –

13. 

    5 out of 5

    Kathy –

14. 

    4 out of 5

    Jason –

15. 

    4 out of 5

    samuel hudson –

16. 

    4 out of 5

    Jeffrey –

17. 

    4 out of 5

    Carol –

18. 

    5 out of 5

    Michael –

19. 

    4 out of 5

    Kevin Badon –

20. 

    5 out of 5

    Brenton –

21. 

    4 out of 5

    Maggie –

22. 

    4 out of 5

    Samuel Gibson –

23. 

    4 out of 5

    shipoftheseus –

24. 

    5 out of 5

    vanessa –

25. 

    5 out of 5

    Chris James –

26. 

    5 out of 5

    Hal –

27. 

    4 out of 5

    Marius –

28. 

    4 out of 5

    Peter Ogunwale –

29. 

    4 out of 5

    Greg Romane –

30. 

    5 out of 5

    Vlad Jecan –