House to House: A Soldier's Memoir by David Bellavia (English) Paperback Book

Description: House to House by David Bellavia A nominee for the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross, Sgt. Bellavia tells the raw, compelling story of how he miraculously survived a brutal tour of duty in Fallujah, Iraq. b&w photographs. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description THE CLASSIC SOLDIERS MEMOIR FROM MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT STAFF SERGEANT DAVID BELLAVIA "A rare and gripping account of frontline combat."--LTG (Ret.) H.R. McMaster, author of Dereliction of Duty "They used to say that the real war will never get in the books. Here it does, stunningly." --Thomas E. Ricks, author of Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq and Making the Corps "To read this book is to know intimately the daily grind and danger of men at war."--Anthony Swofford, New York Times bestselling author of Jarhead One of the great heroes of the Iraq War, Staff Sergeant David Bellavia captures the brutal action and raw intensity of leading his Third Platoon, Alpha Company, into a lethally choreographed kill zone: the booby-trapped, explosive-laden houses of Fallujahs militant insurgents. Bringing to searing life the terrifying intimacy of hand-to-hand infantry combat, this stunning war memoir features an indelibly drawn cast of characters, not all of whom would make it out alive, as well as the chilling account of the singular courage that earned Bellavia the Medal of Honor: Entering one house alone, he used every weapon at his disposal in the fight of his life against Americas most implacable enemy. Bellavia has written an unforgettable story of triumph, tragedy, and the resilience of the human spirit. Author Biography Staff Sergeant David Bellavia spent six years in the US Army, including some of the most intense fighting of the Iraq War. He has been awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star for his actions in Iraq, and nominated for the Distinguished Service Cross. In 2005 he received the Conspicuous Service Cross and was inducted into the Veterans Hall of Fame. In 2019 he was awarded The Medal of Honor, the nations highest medal for valor in combat that can be awarded to members of the armed forces. He lives in western New York. John R. Bruning is a prolific military and aviation historian who is the author and collaborator of many bestselling books. Table of Contents Prologue: The Coffins of Muqdadiyah Chapter 1 In the Shit Chapter 2 Beyond Redemption Chapter 3 The Measure of a Man Chapter 4 Land Rush Chapter 5 Machines of Loving Grace Chapter 6 The First Angel Chapter 7 Battle Madness Chapter 8 Doorways Chapter 9 Dorothys Oz Gate Chapter 10 Shadows and Wraiths Chapter 11 Rooftop Alamo Chapter 12 The Stay Puft Marshmallow Cock Chapter 13 Where Feral Dogs Feed Chapter 14 Better Homes and Gardens Chapter 15 "The Power of Christ Compels You" Chapter 16 The Failed Test of Manhood Chapter 17 A Soldiers Prayer Chapter 18 Man-to-Man Chapter 19 Blood Oath Chapter 20 The Last Caress Chapter 21 A Smoke on Borrowed Time Chapter 22 Nut to Butt in Body Bags Epilogue: Broken Promises Appendix Brief Glossary of Terms Acknowledgments Review "House to House is a charged and honestly stark view down the rifle-sights of an infantryman during a crucial period in Iraq. Ballavia is our man with boots on the ground. To read this book is to know intimately the daily grind and danger of men at war." -- Anthony Swofford, author of Jarhead"House To House is a terrifically realistic account of the hardest kind of combat known to man. Staff Sergeant Bellavia puts you right there with his men as they see it. This is a must read." -- Gunnery Sgt. Jack Coughlin, USMC (Ret.), author of Shooter: The Autobiography of the Top-Ranked Marine Sniper"A hair-raising tale of men in battle. House to House is about as raw and real as it gets." -- Evan Thomas, author of Sea of Thunder"Bellavia is the legend from Iraq. He went house-to-house in Fallujah killing the terrorists -- alone! MUST reading for all grunts." -- Bing West, author of No True Glory"David Bellavia shows us the stairways and alleys of Fallujah through the sights of his M-4. Politics and strategy are impossible luxuries for the combat infantryman, but Bellavia writes about even bigger themes: courage, fear, brotherhood, and duty. This is a humbling story, brilliantly told." -- Nathaniel Fick, author of One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer"Like St. Mihiel, Normandy, Inchon, and Khe Sanh before it, Fallujah is one of the most horrific and hard-fought battles in U.S. history. SSG David Bellavias riveting, poignant, and at times even humorous firsthand account vividly emphasizes why this battle must never be forgotten. And why, because of the breathtaking courage of Bellavia and his fellow troops, it was won." -- Andrew Carroll, editor of War Letters and Behind the Lines"Staff Sgt. Bellavia brings it. This is life in the infantry, circa right now. They used to say that the real war will never get in the books. Here it does, stunningly. You may not agree with it, or like what he has to say. Read it anyway -- and then sit silently for an hour or so and contemplate what he has done on behalf of his country." -- Thomas E. Ricks, author of Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq and Making the Corps Long Description Bringing to searing life the terrifying intimacy of hand-to-hand infantry combat, "House to House" is far more than just another war story. Populated by an indelibly drawn cast of characters, it develops the intensely close relationships that form between soldiers under fire. Their friendships, tested in brutal combat, would never be quite the same. What happened to them in their bloody embrace with Americas most implacable enemy is a harrowing, unforgettable story of triumph, tragedy, and the resiliency of the human spirit."House to House" is a soldiers memoir that is destined to rank with the finest personal accounts of men at war. An instant classic in hardcover, this timeless story features a new afterword and a question and answer section with the author. Review Quote "To read this book is to know intimately the daily grind and danger of men at war." -- Anthony Swofford, author ofJarhead Description for Reading Group Guide DISCUSSION QUESTIONS1. "As infantrymen, our entire existence is a series of tests: Are you man enough? Are you tough enough...Can you pull the trigger? Can you kill? Can you survive?" How does the constant pressure -- of having to kill or risk being killed -- impose itself on the the infantrymen profiled inHouse to House?When Staff Sergeant David Bellavia writes of having to "surrender to the insanity" in the opening moments of combat, how literally does he mean it? What personality type or types does this profession seem to attract, and why?2. Discuss how the soldiers use humor in even the most dangers of situations. To what extent is their humor a means of concealing their anxiety, or compensating for the work they do in the field? How does it enable them to perform more confidently in combat? To what extent does Bellavias decision to share these humorous exchanges help to dramatize the very real and terrifying predicaments these soldiers face in wartime?3. "Sergeant Major Faulkenburg is our father figure. Hes the man I have most wanted to impress. I have wanted, andneeded,to believe he was proud of me and what Ive done with my squad." How does Bellavias reaction to the unconfirmed news of Steve Faulkenbergs death reveal his respect and love? How does this "first angel" in the battle of Fallujah motivate Bellavia and others to pursue their enemies with even greater ruthlessness? Why does the atmosphere of military combat seem to enable more emotional and personal connections between coworkers than most typical workplaces?4. Staff Sergeant Bellavias descriptions of the Marine Corps and the Iraqi Intervention Force reveal some of his and his colleagues frustrations in coordinating an attack with forces that dont approach combat situations in the same manner as the Third Brigade. How does including such information inHouse to Houseexpose aspects of military engagement that tend to get glossed over in "official" accounts of battles in the media and from the government? How does the U.S. militarys joint efforts with multinational armed forces further complicate the scope of the Iraq mission?5. "Theres a breach between Fitts and me now that didnt used to exist. It is out in the open, and weve both acknowledged it." Staff Sergeant Bellavia and his best friend, Staff Sergeant Colin Fitts, share a wicked sense of humor, a deep understanding of each others strengths and weaknesses, and an obsession with performing their jobs to the best of their abilities. How does their relationship get tested in the course ofHouse to House?Why does Fittss experience of being severely wounded in Muqdadiyah change his attitude about his job, and to what extent does it put a strain on his friendship with Bellavia?6. The military arsenal that the Third Brigade introduces into Fallujah includes an astonishing range of weaponry that would seem capable of destroying any enemy. Yet, repeatedly, Staff Sergeant Bellavia and his men get challenged by insurgents using archaic weapons. Why is the maverick style of battle used by Iraqi insurgents in Fallujah so difficult for the superior American military to overpower? At what moments of engagement are Bellavia and his squad at their most vulnerable, and how do the insurgents capitalize on that vulnerability?7. "Around us in the chow hall, two worlds collide. Infantrymen suck their dinner-soiled fingers clean while elitist journalists fastidiously wield silverware and dab the corners of their mouths with napkins." Why is Staff Sergeant Bellavia frustrated by the presence of journalists in a war zone? How would you characterize his relationship with the journalist Michael Ware, ofTimemagazine? How does Bellavias decision to become a journalist and writer after his departure from the military complicate his feelings toward journalists in combat zones?8. In Staff Sergeant Bellavias intense battle with six insurgents in a Fallujah hous Details ISBN1416546979 Author David Bellavia Short Title HOUSE TO HOUSE Language English ISBN-10 1416546979 ISBN-13 9781416546979 Media Book Format Paperback DEWEY B Year 2008 Birth 1975 Subtitle A Soldiers Memoir DOI 10.1604/9781416546979 Country of Publication United States AU Release Date 2008-03-18 NZ Release Date 2008-03-18 US Release Date 2008-03-18 UK Release Date 2008-03-18 Pages 368 Publisher Simon & Schuster Publication Date 2008-03-18 Imprint Simon & Schuster Illustrations Plates, black and white Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:13145664;

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