by Lee Woodruff
First published 2008
Lee and Bob Woodruff appeared to live charmed lives in January 2006. Bob had just become co-anchor of ABC's World News Tonight. They had four children and successful careers. Then Bob traveled to Iraq as an embedded reporter. An improvised explosive device detonated near his tank. The blast severely injured Bob and cameraman Doug Vogt. Bob sustained a traumatic brain injury that threatened his life. This dual memoir chronicles how the couple's world shattered in seconds. Lee writes about watching her husband fight for survival while managing four children alone. Bob describes his slow recovery from brain trauma. Together they reveal how their marriage endured the crisis. The book examines their relationship before the bombing and traces their journey back to stability. Both authors write with brutal honesty about fear, frustration, and small victories. They show how humor helped them cope with medical uncertainty. The Woodruffs demonstrate that love and determination can rebuild what war destroys.
Genres: historical-fiction, memoir, biography-memoir, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, slow-burn
Setting: Iraq
Period: 2006
321 pages · Paperback · Random House Publishing Group
Content warnings: medical-trauma