Surviving combat and PTSD
355805
I am a Soldier but I never saw combat. Chris did and drew me into his first tour in Vietnam. The diary is a reminder of his experience from a war long ago; however, the photographic images remain in his mind even until today. At times, I imagined what he saw. What he felt. My only word is unimaginable.

We used to call "it" shell shock; now we call "it" PTSD ~ a reality for Chris and many others. Such a solemn reality. He watched many die. Sadly, they (Soldiers) all did. As the book drew to a close, I was relieved but educated as well.

I know Chris and I wanted to understand why he wrote this book, why he shared his diary and why he shared his story. I can only recommend this book to anyone who hasn't worn a uniform and to anyone who has. It is a reminder of sacrifices made by many.
2959867
I bought this for my son who has returned from Iraq and Afghan also with ptsd and tbi.  It helped me understand what he's going through.  He is reading it now.
870965
Take your survival advice from a fellow who has lived it. Have known a few of these SAS operatives and they are as smart and tough as they come. A great narrative on what it takes to survive when the situation goes bad. A word to the wise is sufficient.
2138571
I haven't experienced combat, nor do I wish it, ever. Like many, however, I've been in the military and consider myself honored to have shared the camarderie felt from living close with and being part of a group whose actions may determine your future. My experiences have been very meager indeed when compared to those of the U.S. soldiers on the front line in the Koregal, where Sebastian Junger, the author of "War" was embedded. "War" is an excellent read and Mr. Junger provides the reader, through his experienced observations, with rare insight of the mostly young people who keep us safe through their actions and sacrifices. The every day life of our combatants at war with insurgents in Afganistan, as told by the author, provides a better understanding of the horrors they endure, how they're able to, and the why of the difficulties of their reentering civilian life. This is a no holds barred account of life in a war zone from the perspective of those trying to survive it. A must read.
1844684
MICHELE, YOU ARE MY PTSD AUTHOR HERO.
In your memoir, you take us through the various stages from "not knowing" we have PTSD, to discovery and recovery.
You spell out all experiences in a most creative, gripping and authentic fashion which encourages other sufferers.
The book confirms that PTSD requires urgent attention for healing so one can live life joyfully.
I related to you overcoming PTSD, including "willingness" to face the Disorder with perseverance, to forgiveness and acceptance of our "real self." The tools recommended are catalysts for sufferers to see the "Light at the end of the Tunnel."
For me, having had similar challenges, I found fresh information to consider, new appreciation for letting go of the past, affirmation that my trauma served as an opportunity for the growth of my soul AND MOST OF ALL INSPIRATON TO CONTINUE SHARING MY OWN PTSD HEALING STORY, as I also am passionate about helping others.
3553149
I was a career Marine Corps officer and a company grade veteran of the war in Viet Nam.  My experience was no where as intense as the author's, but the similarity is very close.  I witnessed violent destruction of human life and labeled it a part of war to be expected, accepted when it occurred, and from there to move on.  But I experienced anxiety when I returned to Camp Pendleton, CA and had trouble eating and sleeping.  I visited sick bay and it became obvious that I was not the first patient that the Battalion Surgeon had seen with similar problems.  He gave me a prescription for Librium and after a week or two the symptoms were gone.  I pronounced myself cured.  But, in my mind, I watched a particular violent death appear as a Viet Nam news cast filmed in living but grainy color.  The image lasted only a second or two, but popped up several times a day.  I finished my Marine Corps career believing I was OK, probably because I was surrounded by veterans who had similar experiences and were in denial as I was.  About 30 years after my last tour in Viet Nam, a friend and former company commander in Viet Nam, and my wife convinced me that I needed help.  Medication and group therapy made a difference in my behavior that people noticed, particularly my wife.  I still watch the grainy newsreel, but infrequently, or when I see the body of a dead animal beside the road.

Karl Marlantes book portrays the life of combat veterans pretty much as it is, the only difference being in the intensity or severity of the on going life.  If I had been aware of the issues he writes about 40 years ago, I would have been a much better officer.  I could not put the book down.  This is a book that should be read by military officers and senior NCOs.
591060
This book thoroughly covers the wide array of topics and issues for people with PTSD. It is especially helpful  for children who grew up with ongoing neglect and emotional abuse, which is a serious problem not often covered in the literature on PTSD. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for those who grew up with trauma, abuse, and neglect.
2613509
In this book the survival that is required is not as easy as it is portrayed by tv movies.  It requires constant training and lo.g range planning regardless what others think of you.  Also of your family must be trained in the event survival is required .
163843
I happen to have this book on my bookshelf.  Good basic PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) work for the beginning and advanced practitioner.  Also, a fairly easy to read introduction to PTSD treatment for the layman.

The only downside is that it offers more conclusions than exercises for the layman, and this can lead the uninitiated to assume they know all about it now, on "authority".

Otherwise, Good Show Levine!

James Nemec LMT, CST-D

Author, TOUCH THE OCEAN, THE POWER OF OUR COLLECTIVE EMOTIONS
2590959
Most people perish,in harsh environments,because they did not understand their surroundings. Hikers gettings lost,boaters caught in bad weather,or accident victims trapped in unforeseen circumstances,could have had better chances of living if they had learned survival skills beforehand. The more knowledge one has the more avenues open-up toward survival. This book was written with all extreme environmental scenarios and conditions in mind. Crisis management is key to survival. Lost hikers could have weathered a bad situation ,if they knew how to build a proper shelter and knew which plants were edible from the poisonous types. Five different conditions are discussed. Surviving the Tropics,Desert,Cold Climates,Oceanic Sea,and Unusual Conditions. Unusual situations such as ,procedures for plane crashs,nuclear attack and the various natural disasters. There are also five appendix topics discussed,global poisonous snakes,preparing a survival kit,your ideal first-aid kit,making survival weapons,and reading orientation charts .If you're preparing for a journey,expect the unexpected. I would recommend reading this survivalist book first,and then taking a copy along on your trek. This book reminds me of an advanced boy-scout manual for the serious adventurer. One cannot always carry around a copy. So,making mental images ,from the reading, will greatly enhance your ability to exist. Escaping a traumatic episode in the outdoors,as rational as possible. This survivalist book has excellent advice for boaters,hikers,campers and outdoorsmen alike.
4222945
Mg heart aches for these soldiers and their families. My son served one year in Iraq with the transportation corps. He came home safe and sound both physically and mentally. I an a nurse and have seen often the effect of mental injury. I hope these surviving men and women find peace and know that there ate so many of us wishing them well.
369260
Great book. Well written. If you have gone through or are going through traumatic events this is a good book to read. Arrived promptly from seller.
2304927
Greatly informative and helpful for those who have gone through traumatic events and dealt with PTSD and/or trauma related disorders
1534189
It was nice to read a book that detailed the pain and suffering women in combat go through. Too many believe its only our men going through this. The characters in this book went through so much physical and emotional trauma but proved they were still true warriors.
4668979
I have worked as a speech-language pathologist for the Department of Veterans Affairs for about 35 years, and my earliest patients included young veterans of the Vietnam War.  Now, towards the end of my career, I have the privilege of working with veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I read Recondo and Mr. Chamber's other book on his war experiences, Death in the A Shau Valley (<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Death-In-the-A-Shau-Valley-L-Company-LRRPs-in-Vietnam-1969-70/dp/B000UCJ90A/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Death In the A Shau Valley: L Company LRRPs in Vietnam, 1969-70.</a>), years ago, and was profoundly affected by the people and actions described.  He writes with an authentic voice and we are fortunate to have his experiences preserved.  I recently re-read both books after reading Jonathan Shay's two recent books on Vietnam War combat veterans (<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Achilles-in-Vietnam-Combat-Trauma-and-the-Undoing-of-Character/dp/0684813211/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Achilles in Vietnam: Combat Trauma and the Undoing of Character</a>) (<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Odysseus-in-America-Combat-Trauma-and-the-Trials-of-Homecoming/dp/074321157X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Odysseus in America: Combat Trauma and the Trials of Homecoming</a>).  I bought additional copies of all four books for my staff to read to better understand -- as much as it is possible for those of us who haven't experienced combat - what our brothers and sisters have gone through and what they are going through as they reenter civilian life.  Perhaps every war is unique.  I believe every veteran is.  But Recondo give the rest of us a piece of the picture that helps us welcome the men and women of war home, no matter how long it has been since the battle ended.

Update (8 Nov 2010): I help run a book discussion group at our hospital, part of the national Literature & Medicine program, where staff read and discuss books and films to improve our empathy for Veteran patients and better understand what they, their families and their health care providers go through. Our group (made up mostly of women Veterans) loved Recondo. In particular, some liked the last couple of lines Chambers wrote about how ancient Roman soldiers returning from war would live separately, away from the city, for the first couple of years back, and how maybe that wasn't a bad idea. Our voices got quiet when we talked about that. Everyone commented on the humor and detail provided. The hour-long group actually ran over by 30 minutes - a lot of time when you consider these people just finished working 8-10 hour hospital shifts. Mr. Chamber's book is a gift to the rest of us.
4752194
I love this book. I'm always trying to find ways to have a greater sense of wellbeing -- emotionally, physically, spiritually -- especially in terms of healing PTSD. PTSD symptoms are especially related to the survival brain, so I love hearing about how the brain functions in clear layperson terms, and what makes the brain work better so that I can feel better. Although I knew some of what he says already, there is much that was new to me. It's also written in a fresh, crisp invigorating style.

Highly recommended.
648959
I deeply appreciate this manual and the included audio tracks.  If you have or suspect you have Complex PTSD, I recommend Pete Walker's book and Richard Grannon's many videos that he has made available for free on his Spartan Life Coach YouTube channel.  Walker's book contains a wealth of information, but I have found it hard to digest except in small doses.  For me, it can be quite painful to read at times.  Richard's and also Leyla's courses and videos are so helpful because they're able to share sophisticated knowledge of psychological concepts in a manner that's relatable and often humorous.  This short manual is one I know I can work with and return to even if I am so distressed that concentration seems impossible.  I really like having Walker's book as a reference and now this manual for even more help in knowing how to prevent or stop a flashback.  I know it'll take a lot of practice.  I hope Richard and Leyla will consider putting together a manual on working through grief as well.