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Ghosts Of War: The True Story Of A 19-Year-Old GI (2009)

by Ryan Smithson(Favorite Author)

3.97 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0061664685 (ISBN13: 9780061664687)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

HarperTeen

review 1: The book was a nice perspective of someone in the military that wasn't just an infantry soldier dug into trenches recounting being shot at. While he does see his share of some action during his tour in Iraq, he is an engineer and primarily works in construction and driving a 20 ton dump truck. He recounts some of the things that are a bit of an eye opener. While we all know of the death and violence suffered in the war, we don't often think of what the people fighting are going through. At one point, he and his convoy are ordered to open fire on children should they throw rocks or approach their vehicles, but instead the children throw up their hands and beg for food from the GIs. It's a nice read and shows you what it's like to be out there and how soldiers learn to cope ... morewith some of the things they witness or have to do.
review 2: Ryan Smithson was a junior in high school when 9/11 happened in 2001. When he turned nineteen, Ryan joined the Army Reserves and was deployed as an engineer in Iraq a month later. Ryan and his platoon’s job in Iraq is not very exciting. His job was to move concrete barriers, to make mortar cover, haul lumber, make cover for infantry, clear barriers or roads and stuff like that. But, he does see a lot of action on the battlefield. This is honestly one of the best books about war I have ever read. This book gave a great description about the life of a soldier during war. It gives the perfect description of a soldiers life after the war. It talks in depth about the training that comes with being in the Army. I like how in the beginning it talks about some of his reasons for joining. “For me, the future was a complete paradox. On one hand teachers were pushing that 'know what you want to do for the rest of your life' attitude. Yet, on the other hand I wanted to stay a kid. Parents and teachers were so intimidating when they talked about the 'real world' and taxes and mortgages and bills and insurance. With freedom comes responsibility and I wasn't sure if I was ready for all that”(20). less

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