First published 2023
Fifteen rugby players from West Point's military academy forge their bonds on the field before September 11th changes everything. These young men scatter across different military paths after graduation. Some join the infantry while others become pilots. Their deployments take them to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Europe. The brutal sport that united them becomes preparation for even more brutal warfare. One player dies when an IED strikes his convoy on a Baghdad street. Two others perish away from combat zones in equally tragic circumstances. Journalist Martin Pengelly, himself a former rugby player, received unprecedented access to chronicle their journeys. The story follows how West Point's code of "Duty, Honor, Country" shapes these men through personal transformations. Some see heavy action in combat while others serve in different capacities. Their brotherhood, forged through rugby's physical demands, must endure the ultimate test of war and loss.
Genres: historical-fiction, military-fiction, contemporary, sports
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: brotherhood, found-family
Setting: West Point, Afghanistan, Iraq, Europe, Baghdad
Period: September 11th
300 pages · Hardcover · David R. Godine, Publisher
Content warnings: death, violence, war