
In the Company of Soldiers
A Chronicle of Combat
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Narrated by:
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Rick Atkinson
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By:
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Rick Atkinson
Granted complete access to the commanders and troops of the 101st, Atkinson saw their war from the preparations in Kuwait through the occupation of Baghdad. As the war unfolded, he witnessed the division's struggles to overcome a murderous attack by one of its own soldiers, a disastrous Apache helicopter raid, and fierce resistance from guerrilla diehards in Najaf, Karbala, and Hilla.
At the center of Atkinson's drama stands the compelling figure of Major General David H. Petraeus, described by one comrade as "the most competitive man on the planet." Atkinson observes Petraeus as he teaches, goads, and leads his troops and subordinate commanders in several intense battles. All around Petraeus, we watch the men and women of a storied division grapple with the challenges of waging war in an unspeakably harsh environment. But even as the military wins an overwhelming victory, we also see portents of the battles that would haunt the occupation in the long months ahead.
In the Company of Soldiers is a dramatic, utterly fresh view of the modern American soldier in action from the premier military historian of his generation.
©2004 Rick Atkinson (P)2004 Simon & Schuster Inc. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
"The most intimate, vivid and well-informed account yet published of those major combat operations that President Bush declared at an end on May 1." (The New York Times Book Review)
"Excellent reportage..." (Booklist)
"Superb writing and balance make this the account to beat." (Publishers Weekly)
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You are there
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Great Story Teller
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It’s just some passages
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Only a few portions of the book, primarily the last chapter, deal with WMD and other potentially "policital" topics. Here Atkinson occasionally does insert commentary, but it generally feels like that of a historian's analysis. For the most part, it's a review of facts - for example, WMD weren't found and Iraq - Atkinson hardly "sneers" over this.
I wish it weren't abridged, and I hope he writes a Crusade-style book on the full war, but this one is still well worth a listen.
Interesting, informative and balanced
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one thing that you should know is the ability of our coalition forces, thus helping us to understand more completely this conflict.
in the company of soldier's
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The war on terror is nothing less than the battle of Western Civilization against the anarchic brutality of militant Islam and those who seek to use it as a weapon for their own secular purposes (not anymore, Saddam). Those who imagine that it is a police action ("Get Osama") best left to the UN place our nation's security in inept, perhaps even entirely hostile, hands.
A Mixed Bag
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Would you listen to In the Company of Soldiers again? Why?
No, once was enoughWhat was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?
I served in the Gulf War, and Atkins, an embedded reporter had the perspective of an Army brat, who had made a profession of military history. He was the right guy to be embedded with Gen. Patraeus and write this story about the 101st (Air Mobile) Infantry Division's drive into Iraq. If anyone wants to know what it was actually like, read this book.What does Rick Atkinson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
This guy brings a wealth of historical analysis to which frames what he is seeing. Most writers do not have that gift to add to the telling of the tale.Any additional comments?
My only negative, is that, like most people, he becomes a little too much of a hero worshiper of the Generals he observes. But, that is a normal human reaction when living in close quarters with great men under great stress, and watching them perform.Great story by a great Military Historian
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Not his best
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Second problem, this book isn't even about soldier experiences. If you enjoy hearing about logistics and the commanding officers that logisticize, then you'll love this book. 90% of the time the author is in a CP or a helicopter. There is virtually no ground time with troops.
For a good example of a Gulf War book where the author doesn't let their politics ruin the story, check out 'Naked in Baghdad'.
Back seat driving
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