Amy S. (chaiteareader) -
Helpful Score: 6
This was such a fun and quick read! I'm not very informed when it comes to military positions, names, or jargin, but it didn't matter for this book! I found it really interesting to see things through the eyes of a Marine and it made it that much more heart-warming and funny to see these "tough guys" taken captive by a cute and trusting pup. I was reminded of the terribleness of war...and also reminded of the value of the freedom of being an American. I appreciated the depth of this book. It brought me giggles, as well as misty eyes!
Christa M. (Xa) reviewed From Baghdad, With Love : A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava on + 76 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Heart-wrenching in many ways, you will never forget the story of a furry little refugee's rescue from war-torn Iraq.
Elizabeth K. (madeleine) reviewed From Baghdad, With Love : A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I'd like to preface everything with that I loved this book. I loved the story and the writing style. Now I'd like to say this is not a children's book. If you want a feel good animal biography to read with your kids, there are many other books out there that would be much more appropriate. The author is writing primarily about the Iraqi war. He's a Marine, so he's often graphic about his experiences and always to the point. He writes about a few very specific moments and doesn't censure his dialogue. If he cursed during the memory, he curses in the book.
It's worthwile to read, and older children would probably be able to handle it. I would definitely recommend reading this before you hand it to your children so you can decide wether its appropriate.
It's worthwile to read, and older children would probably be able to handle it. I would definitely recommend reading this before you hand it to your children so you can decide wether its appropriate.
Terry R. (trich) reviewed From Baghdad, With Love : A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava on + 72 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
A DOG LOVERS TALE OF HOPE AND TENDERNESS IN THE MDST OF WAR
Anne D. reviewed From Baghdad, With Love : A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava on + 17 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This book was such a good quick read. Even though you know the out come (I saw the two of them on Good morning America) you have to remind yourself they will be OK. I hope Sam is OK. You hear about the war and our soldiers all the time on the news but this really gives you a good feel and idea of what our men and women go through and see everyday in the war zone. Tugs at your heart strings and draws you in to want to support them all in more ways. More stories such as these need to be written about and told and not just the ones with warm cute fuzzy dogs but I do admit that is why I picked up this book. A few years back I sent packages through anysoldier.com. I think I will start doing that again. Now they also have anyMarine.com, any airman.com, anysailor.com and anycoastguard.com. You choose a contact from their list and support them with first off letters and love and if you like you can send snacks and goodies. They often will post a list of what they need or like. IE: shampoo, socks, underware, snacks and so on but first and foremost is your letter so don't feel like you have to spend money. They are happy just to hear from you as many of them have no family support.
Krista (berries674) -
Helpful Score: 2
I am excited to be the first to review this book!!!...First of all, my boyfriend bought this book for me. He is a Marine who served in Iraq, which makes this book even more meaningful to me. Second of all, i LOVE animals and just had to have this book. It is a truly heartwarming read, where a bunch of "trained tough" Marines go through hell and high water to nurture and save the life of a little 2-month old puppy...while remaining focused on the war...(feeding/keeping ANY animal is also highly prohibited to boot). I would recommend this book to a serviceman/woman, an animal lover or anyone just looking for a great thing to come out of a horrible war...Bad news is: Not only is this one a keeper...as a gift, i will not part with this book!
Ashley B. (daredevilgirl013) reviewed From Baghdad, With Love : A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava on + 746 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A wonderful true story about a marine who finds a dog during a raid and decides to keep and raise the dog (though regulations say that no one is allowed a pet or a mascot or even to feed stray animals). The hardships these two face as human and animal are heartbreaking and what they have to go through to keep Lava secret and hidden from top brass. It makes you realize just how much those men and women go through over there and how even feeding the stray animals can brighten their day. This is a heart wrenching story on what true love can do to a person and how animals really can affect us for the better.
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
Helpful Score: 1
A wonderful book! It is a quick read told with honesty and humor, but gives an insight into what an unstable, violent and volatile environment exists in Iraq. I wanted to stand up and cheer every party involved in the efforts to save the life of an innocent puppy against all odds. I loved it.
Jill H. (Jillibeanz72) reviewed From Baghdad, With Love : A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava on + 7 more book reviews
A must read for any dog lover.
Deborah H. reviewed From Baghdad, With Love : A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava on + 5 more book reviews
A bittersweet story of love and devotion, found in the Baghdad war zone. Lava was one lucky puppy! DH
A book about a dog that a Marine tries to get to the U.S. from Iraq. Reads a LOT like a conversation. Like someone just plopped down on the seat next to you and started talking. The beginning can be a little annoying with the typical dog owner thing going on, with the "That dog chewed up my boots/socks/pictures of my children/etc.!!" followed by 'but awwww, I can't punish the little thiiiingg"
But later in he talks less about the war and more about the trials of getting the dog through international airports and border patrols. It is a very nice triumph-through-all-troubles book.
It's not really a kid's book, however, unless you don't mind your kids reading curses and dogs eating dead bodies and men dying.
It's a good easy feel-good book, with a compelling story of the struggle to get a dog out of Iraq and into the U.S.
But later in he talks less about the war and more about the trials of getting the dog through international airports and border patrols. It is a very nice triumph-through-all-troubles book.
It's not really a kid's book, however, unless you don't mind your kids reading curses and dogs eating dead bodies and men dying.
It's a good easy feel-good book, with a compelling story of the struggle to get a dog out of Iraq and into the U.S.
Krista C. (kacey14) -
This was a great book (if tough to read because of the wrenching subject of the Iraq war) about salvaging something good from a bad situation. It also helped me better understand the conditions both US troops, and Iraqi civilians are facing day-to-day in Iraq.
This was a really good book. A must read for dog lovers out there. My only complaint was that it ended too abruptly. I would have liked to read about Lava's life after Iraq.
Bobbie M. (BobbiesZoo) reviewed From Baghdad, With Love : A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava on + 107 more book reviews
Would have liked to hear more about the pup once he made it here, but a good read none the less.
Rachel B. reviewed From Baghdad, With Love : A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava on + 25 more book reviews
Great read about saving a pup in Iraq.
Amy D. (Iowan) reviewed From Baghdad, With Love : A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava on + 173 more book reviews
Anyone that has fallen in love, the furry kind, will appreciate this true tale of a Marine that goes all soft when he meets a puppy named "lava" during his tour in Iraq. The contrast between the senseless violence of the war and the love he feels for Lava is striking and you'll be rooting for them to find a way to reunite with every page you turn.
Lisa P. (princessL) reviewed From Baghdad, With Love : A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava on + 84 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book. I ordered it with a bit of trepidation as anything related to the Iraq war tends to make me hyperventilate, but while this book included the details of the war, it was done in a way that was easily understood and completely expected. The story centered on Lava and while I knew the end of the story going in, I still couldn't put it down.
Jenna W. reviewed From Baghdad, With Love : A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava on + 6 more book reviews
this book was a very quick read. there are a few gory parts but you've got to keep telling yourself this is what happens in iraq. It was great to know that troops in iraq felt a little more at home when lava was around. a really good book. I would recommend this book to a dog lover, or someone who wants a little inside to the war in iraq and what soldiers go through.
Carol R. (hansmrs) - reviewed From Baghdad, With Love : A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava on + 132 more book reviews
A beautiful story of what marines go through & one particular marine finds a dog in the ravaged war zones & ends up keeping him. We have no idea what the suffering is like over there, but he tells it in a riviveting way I highly recommend reading this touching story..
Karen S. (MKSbooklady) reviewed From Baghdad, With Love : A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava on + 997 more book reviews
Lava is one lucky doggy. Found by a Marine, this is a story of patience, good luck, and getting through endless red tape from all sides to get this little guy to the USA. Semper Fi!
This book brought me back and forth with frustration and joy. I surely appreciated my dog a whole lot more after reading this book. I couldn't put it down, in fact I instantly passed it on to another reader so she could use it. I grew to love Lava as my own pupper!!!! Great read, areally great read!!!!
Linda K. (lhasalover) reviewed From Baghdad, With Love : A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava on + 203 more book reviews
Excellant read. Any dog lover should read the book. It is a lesson in being persistent.
Very Very good book....if this book doesan't touch you in some way the first time you read it then read it until it does.
BARBARA D. (TINKER) reviewed From Baghdad, With Love : A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava on + 354 more book reviews
FANTASTIC BOOK,I LOVED IT.
