From the opening chapter entitled "Hero Flight" to a final "Pure Blood" the book "A Chance in Hell" takes you on a journey back into Iraq.
Back to the year 2006, a year when many U.S. citizens thought the War in Iraq was a losing proposition. Back to Ramadi, a place that received little attention compared to Fallujah.
I liked reading A Chance in Hell for the simple fact that this book was easy to read and very informative. I truly don't remember reading about Sheik Satter and his influence on the local tribes. While this is most likely not a story that has remained untold, it certainly is about events that the U.S. media didn't cover strongly back in 2006.
I found the interactions of the men on the ground and their thinking about what was happening in Ramadi an interesting contrast to
You will follow Col Sean MacFarland and his First Brigade, First Armored Division after they had deployed to Iraq in the beginning of 2006. It is about how a few men, stepped up and quietly made changes on how they carried out the war in Ramadi. Working closely with Sheik Sattar (Abdul Sattar Bezia al-Rishawi) of a lesser tribe Col MacFarland saw hope in a relationship that many said would not bear fruit.
"The idea of a peaceful Ramadi seemed far-fetched when the brigade first arrived. The city looked like Stalingrad under seige. There was no other way to describe it."
MacFarland saw something many others missed. He didn't fall back on regulations and policy guidance. He was given lattitude and he took every inch of it. When his higher command wanted to put the brakes on his initiative, he pushed back."
Michaels tells of the events that led up to the death of PFC Tribble, who had been in the country less than a week. In the opening chapter, we read about PFC Tribble and his Hero Flight. With great respect and honor for PFC Tribble, Michaels tells us of his life. We then follow Col MacFarland and his men in what I would call "the taming" of Ramadi.
I especially liked this book because it made me stop and think about the way Col MacFarland handled his troops, how they worked with the citizens of Ramadi, using the tribal loyalties to their advantage and to the advantage of the tribes. It was a win-win situation for both the tribes and the U.S. military. While Col MacFarland is with the Army, we also read about the Marines that were actively engaging al-Qaeda and how they interacted.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants more of a behind the scenes view on what happened in Ramadi back in 2006. The author doesn't have the definitive answer. Michaels was able to interview many of officers and enlisted men in Germany after the brigade returned in the spring of 2007.
Other Reviews of this book:
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