[September 25, 2021] Three months ago, I began writing a short narrative about my time on the battlefield of Iraq. The book is now available in Kindle or Paperback. I kept the price low and the writing is not technical. I did this to encourage anyone who wants to know what happened early in the Iraq War to understand the challenges we faced.
You can order a copy at Amazon.
As I put pen to paper, memories of those I served with came flooding back and writing became something more. That was a good thing. It made me smile. These were memories to cherish. Yesterday, the paperback book hit the shelves. Pleased do me a favor, read it and give an honest review. I promise to read every review. A few comments I’ll highlight here.
It is my story as I saw combat in Iraq for the first time. I would go on to serve three years in that country. The danger, the smells, the heat, the people … all made my time there memorable. Iraq made me into a better person.
Iraq is an ancient land. The Bible tells us Iraq was the place where Abraham lived and David fought Goliath. Iraq cannot be ignored. Its citizens are generous and happy. Sadly, there is also a dangerous element within their culture that destroys and denigrates.
That was why we were there. Members of the 1st Cavalry Division, construction engineers, fought alongside the warfighter. And we returned home with honor.
Here are a few excerpts from the Preamble:
We hear, on occasion, of heroic deeds by everyday Soldiers who put their lives on the line for their buddies in a display of unbelievable courage. We need heroes like that, and for reasons of necessity, we do indeed love our heroes. But, there are also many more stories of ordinary foot Soldiers who, along with their teammates, accomplish unimaginable feats.
Many years later, after college and commissioning as an Officer, the Army sent me to Iraq. I arrived as an experienced Lieutenant Colonel of senior military rank. I never forget the promise I made to myself, that I would help safeguard those Soldiers, the warfighters. That is precisely what I did.
This book is about my effort as a senior Officer to go to bat for those ordinary Soldiers.
You will read about what is rarely discussed, sometimes dismissed, or hidden from those who study the Iraq War. You will see that orders from “higher headquarters” are made by ordinary human beings who don’t always have the right answer. We can peek behind the curtain, look into what decisions are made and who makes them. And we will see for ourselves that not all decisions are made by commanders, that consensus or approval can be chaotic, and the outcome of a mission is unpredictable.
Perhaps the “fog of war” will be lifted just a little for you, I hope, as I discuss what went on behind the scenes. This is what the historians will not tell you.
Read my original announcement here.
Wow, congratulations and now you can be a real life author. Cool.
Thank you, Dog Man, and welcome aboard.
Yeah, great work Gen. Satterfield,,, keep these books coming our way. Perhaps your next book could be on junior leadership. Just thinking here. 👍
Gen. Satterfield, congratulations. I waited until today to post a comment because I wanted to read a bit of your book beforehand. I downloaded the Kindle version and now am through Chapter 7. Great work! I’m happy I got it. I will also say that it is revealing how much different we can see the same war. Thanks for what you do and thanks for getting this book out, especially to overcome the false narrative promulgated by our leftist media hacks.
Yes, Army Captain, I plan to buy it too. I’m glad you had time to read some of it and are giving us the green light that the book is pretty decent.
Here is the link to the paper back version of Gen. Satterfield’s new book on the Iraq War. Enjoy! I ordered my copy as soon as I saw the announcement.
Oops, I forgot the link, here it is: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Longest-Year-Iraq-Construction/dp/1737915510/
Thank you Bryan, making it easier for us computer dummies. I’m sure I will be happy I ordered the book. Brig. Gen. Doug Satterfield has a great website and the book will not disappoint. For those who are regular readers, let us know what you think as you read it.
Hey yo thanks for da link
I’m sure that we all wish Gen. Satterfield the best and congrats on his new book. I can’t wait to order my copy and begin reading it. For those who will take the time and read more of what Gen. S has to say, you will some of the lucky ones. Read and enjoy!
“This is what the historians will not tell you.” Great comment. And, I do hope the book is success in sales but more importantly, I hope the book helps tell the real story of the war in Iraq.
Just loving it. For those who are new to this leadership blog, you will find short articles daily on how to be a better leader — meaning, how to be a better person too. If you want a satisfied life, read these pages. If you want to be happy, take drugs. The latter is fleeting, and Gen. Satterfield has said so rightly many many times. His new book I’m sure will address these same issues and do so in the setting of the war in Iraq.
Hi DPG, thanks for helping us stay grounded in reality. For Gen. Satterfield, congrats. Keep up the great work you are doing here. Keep this website alive. I read it daily.
Great news with this announcement, Gen. Satterfield. Keep up the great work you are doing to help educate and entertain us.
Intro to the book on Amazon: “Army Engineers were among the first Soldiers on the Iraq battlefield; some of the last to leave. This book tells the story of those who stood alongside our warfighters in combat. For those who want a glimpse of modern warfare and read about Soldiers in combat, this book is written in an easy-to-read form for a general audience.”
Hi Mr. Kennedy, we miss your comments on Gen. Satterfield’s leadership website. Hey, anytime you want to write an article, please do so. I’m a huggggeeee fan of yours. Also, obviously, of Gen. Satterfield too. I’m sure the book is going to be similar to what we read here and if so, great news for us all.
Congrats, Gen. Satterfield.
Gen. Satterfield, I’m not the first and certainly not the last to wish you congratulations on your new book. The full story of the War in Iraq is yet to be written. Your contribution will certainly add to that history. I’m afraid, however, that the war is already politicized to the point I’m not sure we can any longer get to the truth. I hope you book addresses this.
Gen. Satterfield, I will add by 2 cents worth here by also saying “congratulations” on publishing the book. Every since the announcement you made a few weeks ago, I’ve been telling folks to watch for it. Now the book is out, after I finish reading my news, I’ll order it thru Amazon.
Here is the link for those interested: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FSQ9BD5/
Hi RED, thanks a bunch. And for the link as well. We all are fans of yours and of Gen. Satterfield. I’m happy he has a new book out.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FSQ9BD5/
Gen. Satterfield has written a fine book on his Iraq War experiences. Go get the book now. If you are interested in what went on to support the warfighters, then this is a must-read.
No one should be surprised to hear that the Kindle version has been out for a while and I’ve been reading it now for a couple of days. Easy to read and understand. The book by our illustrious Gen. Satterfield is not technical in any sense. He makes it possible for the average person to understand what is happening in the war, and what is going on behind the scenes. Get the book!!! Read it.
Thanks Ken for the thumbs up on Gen. Satterfield’s new book. Anyone else reading it, I hope you make a comment here. Should I buy the paperback or the Kindle version? I like the hard books because I can mark them up.
Same here rj. Most of us older folks like the original papercopies. Makes it easy to carry around and flip the pages to where we want to be reading.
So very true. That is why I have a bookshelf dedicated to my favorite books. All nonfiction. CHEERS!
Paper is best. 😊
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Longest-Year-Iraq-Construction/dp/1737915510/
Get the word out on Gen. Satterfield’s new book.
Ken, thanks for filling us in on that. I was concerned this book might have been one of those where you had to be an Army guy to understand.
Another book that is certainly better – much better – than what we read about or heard on the news about the Iraq War. We were fed a bunch of lies by the media and their cousins in the Democrat Party. They are full of hate and lies. Nothing but lies comes from them. They have no honor.
Congratulations. I look forward to reading it.
Me too. I ordered my copy today.
Yeah, congrats, Gen. Satterfield on your new book. It must have been a great journey.👍
Should be a truly great book, I hope entertaining like his articles.
Yes, congrats. Let’s all wish him the best.