John Crawford was newly married and two credits away from completing a B.A. in anthropology at Florida State University when he was sent to Iraq. He thought he was finished with his soldiering days after completing a stint with the Army's famed 101st Airborne Division, and his National Guard service was little more than an afterthought. Crawford and his National Guard unit crossed into Iraq on the first day of the invasion. Baghdad fell more quickly than anyone had planned, and while most of the soldiers involved with the invasion were sent home, Crawford's National Guard unit stayed to patrol the city for more than a year. Crawford now lives in Florida, where he is completing his degree and writing. He no longer has any affiliation with the Army.
Mr Crawford has sifted through his memories with an eye towards resonant anecdotes and literary flourishes...Crawford tells tales that bring human dimensions to his situation. - The New York Times Harrowing and exquisite. - Time Magazine Tremendous...an incredibly gripping book and incredibly well-written. A wonderful read. - The Daily Show A heartbreaking and perversely beautiful book that should join Catch-22 as this generations defining literary expression of men at war. - James Frey Takes its place among the very best tales of men at war. It ring with the raw emotional energies of truth and anger and sadness. - New Orleans Times-Picayune