First published 2007
Reynolds chronicles the Marines of I Marine Expeditionary Force during Operation Iraqi Freedom's opening phase. The narrative begins with post-September 11th planning and preparation in 2002, following Marines through exhaustive rehearsals and the development of battle plans that changed repeatedly. The story tracks the force's deployment to Kuwait and their march north toward Baghdad in March and April 2003. Marines face combat operations aimed at removing Saddam Hussein from power, fighting alongside Coalition forces under U.S. Central Command. The account extends through the immediate aftermath of major combat operations until November 2003, when the Marines departed Kuwait for home bases. Reynolds also covers Marine activities with British forces in southern Iraq and coordination efforts in the north, though I MEF remains central to the narrative. The book captures a pivotal moment when many believed the fighting phase had ended, unaware that deadlier insurgent warfare would soon follow.
Genres: 20th-century, military-fiction, non-fiction, 21st-century, military-history, american-history
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-fiction
Setting: Basrah, Baghdad, Iraq, Kuwait
Period: 2002, 2003, 2003-2003
202 pages · Paperback · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform