Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Sacrifice: The Green Berets, a Fateful Ambush, and a Gold Star Widow's Fight for the Truth by Michelle Black focuses on the aftermath of 2017, when Green Beret Bryan Black lost his life in an ambush in Niger, leaving behind his wife, Michelle, and their two young sons. Faced with limited information from the military about the incident, Michelle embarked on a journey to discover the truth behind her husband's death. She found discrepancies in the accounts provided by commanding officers and the team captain, Mike Perozeni, who became the military scapegoat. Michelle later learned that Perozeni's assessments were disregarded and those further up the chain of command gave the green light despite all they knew. Michelle's faith in the investigative arm of the military was shattered and she took it upon herself to gather evidence and pursue the facts surrounding the mission that led to her husband's tragic end.

Sacrifice by Michelle Black is a deeply intimate view of Michelle's experiences and a wholly consuming emotional journey after her husband's death. As a result, it is impossible not to empathize with her, although trying to grasp what that pain feels like is incomprehensible. When Michelle finds out that there is a video of Bryan's death that was when I threw my hands up and was sure it couldn't get worse. It did. It got much, much worse. Michelle pulls no punches and gives everything she has in a transparent collaboration of what she was told versus what she is certain actually happened. Not all of it is complimentary in retrospect and even Bryan's team is quoted using language with religiously charged stereotypes which, while uncomfortable, do lend to the credibility of Michelle's raw and honest outlook. The most eye-opening chapter of the book is the one where she simply lays out the facts. In 'Disparities', Michelle compartmentalizes the inconsistencies in the military report, with direct excerpts, against what occurred. It's hard to argue with the facts, or that Michelle's story is well-written, absorbing, and affecting.

Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite

Some stories can only be understood if you see the images of the people who lived them. This is the case of the 65th Infantry Regiment, whose story is told in The Borinqueneers by Noemí Figueroa Soulet. Through the hundreds of illustrations of this magnificent bilingual book (written in English and Spanish), readers will discover everything there is to know about the only Hispanic-segregated unit in U.S. Army history starting from 1899, the year of its creation. Then, they will learn about the deeds and lives of the soldiers and officers during the two World Wars and the Korean War, in which the regiment particularly distinguished itself. The photographs are meticulously ordered and have captions to help readers learn about people, places, and events.

The Borinqueneers is a book that arouses the enthusiasm and admiration of those who look at it. Noemí Figueroa Soulet has done an excellent job collecting the photographs and arranging them into thematic sections; this is especially helpful during the long narrative of the Korean War, to which most of the book is devoted. Two chapters struck me the most from a visual point of view: the one dedicated to the Puerto Rican soldiers in the snow and, above all, the one featuring the rare color photographs taken during the Korean War. I hope that The Borinqueneers will be appreciated as much as it deserves. It is a tribute that the families of those who served in the 65th Infantry Regiment will surely love, but military history buffs will also want to add this book to their collection.

Reviewed by Frank Mutuma for Readers' Favorite

Killing is as easy as breathing when you are pushed. Don Talbot confirmed this on the day he lost his brothers-in-arms of the Echo Two squad. Silent Valor: One Man's Vietnam War by Rick Greenberg details the life of Don as a Marine in the Vietnam War. After Don arrived in Vietnam and joined the Delta team, a few things surprised him. He didn't see much combat, and he also couldn't see the endless acres of jungle that he had anticipated. Their camp was hit by rockets a few times, but Don was eager for more action, so he volunteered to join the Combined Action Program at the first opportunity. The Combined Action Program worked with the Popular Force to defend the rural villages. A few months after joining, matters became more intense with the North Vietnamese forces attacking. To find out how the major offense turned out and how Don survived, get yourself a copy of this book.

I was pleased to read the factual story of Don Talbot, which is about courage, resilience, and patriotism. I wish more recognition could have been given to these Marines, who gave so much for their country. Rick Greenberg has done a great job with Silent Valor. The narration and the steady pace kept me glued to the book from the first page. The suspense had me yearning for more. I loved the way that the author described the events and places so vividly. I also enjoyed how the emotions of the participants were captured, which made them relatable. It was touching to get into the minds of the Marines in the combat zone as they longed to get back home to their families. The author's easy-to-understand language will make the book accessible to all readers. I cannot wait to read more from this great author.

Reviewed by Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite

Benjamin Sledge, a seasoned combat veteran who served a portion of his time under the Special Operations Command, departs for Afghanistan shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11. Throughout this memoir, he vividly captures the reality of the men and women who learn to fight without remorse, love each other without restraint, and endure the high cost of returning to a country that no longer feels like home. Where Cowards Go to Die is not merely a military memoir but a profound exploration of the human condition. With raw honesty and unflinching detail, Sledge exposes the complex emotions and moral dilemmas faced by soldiers caught in the crucible of war.

Seldom have I read a memoir, autobiography, or documentary that reads like thriller fiction, complete with that all-important sense of reality... verisimilitude. Benjamin Sledge has achieved just that and impresses with vivid descriptions of war and all the brutality that entails. As an Army veteran (Vietnam Era) and during the Afghanistan/Iraq wars, and a civilian in the Department of Defense, European Headquarters G-3 Operations, I can fully attest to the accuracy and detail Sledge uses to tell his story, one that runs the gamut of emotions and situations—the good (yes, there is always some), the bad, and the ugly that defines the lives of soldiers and civilians (aggressors and defenders) in a wartime situation. Sledge describes not only the battles but the effects of those events on the surviving soldiers and their family's reactions to the wounded (physically and mentally) when they returned home and the flag-draped coffins. Where Cowards Go To Die is a fascinating, albeit horrific, dive into the world of war, a dive that is a life-changing event for everyone concerned, including the reader who most likely never has and never will personally experience it. All in all, a great read... well done!

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Growing Your Family by Pearl Gifty Alimo is a memoir/self-help guidebook to help families deal with members serving in the military. Pearl draws from her own experiences as a military wife, raising their three young children on her own while her husband is deployed overseas. Born and raised in Ghana, Pearl slowly acclimatizes herself to the culture and lifestyle of Japan after her husband is stationed there. In this book, she provides various tips for spouses with military husbands on how to design your own home environment when moving to a new location, creating routines that work best for you and your family, using your close circle of friends and family who can help to give you a break from the children while your spouse is away, and building a supportive community.

Growing Your Family is a must-read for anyone who has a family member serving in the military for their country. Author Pearl Gifty Alimo perfectly demonstrates the sacrifices made by not only servicemen and women but also their families who have to face the challenges that come with having a family member deployed overseas. She provides helpful tips through each chapter, depicting ways to overcome some of these challenges. These may range from trying to move to a new location with the family, raising your children in the absence of your spouse, finding ways to keep your spouse involved in the lives of your children, and much more. I highly recommend Growing Your Family to readers who have family members serving in the military.

Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite

The Roar of Ordinary is a coming-of-age memoir that depicts the loss of a friend and brother to war and the efforts to remember him and experience what he did in his final days in Vietnam. Though J. C. Foster survived the period of the Vietnam War that claimed the lives of millions, he's left with loss and survivor's remorse. Still, his brother's 20 years on earth and the counsel he left behind never left J.C. as he went through life, failed and succeeded in marriage, overcame physical milestones, traveled to Vietnam, and contemplated different philosophical problems. J. C. Foster's research about the Vietnam war and other American wars raises questions about the justification of war and the loss of millions of lives based on the decisions of a few in power.

This is the most emotional I've been about a book this year. I felt J. C. Foster's pain and that of the soldiers and family members who lost their friends and family to war through the pages of the book. The Roar of Ordinary taught me a lot about the Vietnam War, made my heart sink for all the lost lives and the pain left behind, took me on a colorful journey through Vietnam, and, yet, found a way to make me laugh with its humor about youth and growing up in the 20th century. J. C. Foster engages readers with a detailed and compelling narration that covers loss, family, war, culture, religion, racism, ambition, marriage, and more. Readers who love history and moving life stories will love this heartwarming, educational, thought-provoking, and elaborate memoir.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Strike Hard and Expect No Mercy follows author and former Tank Platoon Leader Galen D. Peterson's experiences while serving on behalf of the US Army in Iraq. A West Pointer who suffered a brain injury during his stay in Iraq, Lieutenant Peterson unwittingly received the Purple Heart for it. While patrolling the swaths of the Iraqi countryside in the mid to late 2000s, Peterson lost multiple fellow soldiers, some of them his close friends. However, things took a turn for the worse after President Bush ordered the "surge" in the fall of 2006. As more troops were landed in Baghdad, the insurgents moved towards Diyala. With the rise of the Jaish Al Mahdi, Peterson and his crew of MI2 Abrams found themselves fighting a brutal battle on the streets of Baghdad.

Meticulously chronicled with a keen eye for detail, Strike Hard and Expect No Mercy gives you a front-row seat to the battleground during the height of the invasion of Iraq. Author Galen D. Peterson's memoir perfectly demonstrates the courage and heroism displayed by members of the US Armed forces in wartime. Peterson captures the anxiety, dread, and tension on the eve of battle in a seamless fashion and minces no words, vividly describing the harrowing circumstances in which the soldiers often found themselves. The bouts of humor sprinkled throughout the pages bring a sense of levity to the proceedings that seem almost necessary to get through the conditions prevailing in wartime. This is a book that feels like a must-read for anyone interested in the realities of war.

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Unaccounted by Michael McDonald-Low is set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and is the true story of an American infantryman gone missing and the mission to find him forty-four years later. The author gives a first-hand account of the soldiers in the Que Se Son Valley during combat operations that took place in 1968. The author's account of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) mission makes this book a compelling read, detailing the dilemma of soldiers on a battlefield away from their country. The book is honest and the author's depiction of the experiences of these soldiers will leave a lasting impression in the minds of readers.

The book is well written and the author's words will take readers to the era of the Vietnam War and will make them feel as if they are there with the soldiers. The author's determination and dedication are impressive and the vivid descriptions of the jungle and being on the battlefield will haunt readers for a long time. The difficult circumstances faced by the soldiers, the true emotions and realities of war, the acceptance of death on the battlefield, and the effort to locate the missing infantryman decades later will keep readers glued to the book till the very end. The story is thrilling and it will make readers appreciate soldiers and the sacrifices they make for their country. It's definitely a book worth reading for all those who enjoy war stories.

Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

Adapting to the differences between life in the military and civil society can be quite daunting to a veteran of the armed forces who is transitioning to the commercial world. Mission Transition sets out to smooth that potentially stressful process. It may surprise readers to learn that less than one percent of the American population has any experience of the military, which adds to the divide. However, veterans possess a diverse set of skills covering many fields that are a major asset to the nation. The challenge is to integrate these valuable attributes into the business and public sectors with minimal disruption on either side. Veterans must leave behind them a highly disciplined and structured organization that provides training and job security. They venture into a profit-driven environment where an authoritarian management style is neither appreciated nor appropriate, with little permanence. Matthew J Louis describes the process, commencing with planning an exit from the military to acclimatization in a new working environment. Every aspect is covered in detail, including factors such as the impact on family life, potential relocation, and the need for further study. The secret is to know yourself and what you seek - then prepare in advance.

Matthew J Louis speaks from personal experience, backed by considerable research on the subject. Mission Transition also brings a wealth of sound advice from a variety of veterans, whose insightful comments are quoted in every chapter. The book includes many tables of information, checklists, and helpful hints on securing employment. The book is wide-ranging in its scope to the point that it can be used as a career guidance manual for civilians as well. In this regard, the chapters on writing a résumé, applying for work, and the job interview itself, are universal in their application and are particularly informative. The point is made that civilians do not always understand the ethos of the military, thus references to rank and similar terminology must be rephrased as part of the integration process. The corporate world is demystified and many career paths are suggested. The welcome advice on personal budgeting is an overlooked but important aspect that is also covered. The many resources such as support networks and bursary schemes available to veterans in the USA are listed. The book is rounded off with appendices, an index, and an extensive list of sources. It is a unique and well-written publication on an unusual topic, filled with practical information, and is highly recommended. Having served in the military I can relate to many of the situations.

Reviewed by Bernadette Longu for Readers' Favorite

As Rugged as the Rest: A Young Marine’s Journey to Iwo Jima by Janet Simmelink takes you on a journey through the life of a young man, Joseph Montgomery House Jr. The main characters are Joe Boy and his sisters, Louise, Leveryle, and Gale. His parents are Joseph Snr and Leonora. Assorted aunts and uncles, cousins and nieces, the odd school friend, and army buddies make an appearance throughout the book. It starts when Pearl Harbor is attacked in 1941 and Joe decides that he will serve in the Marines rather than take a deferment as he is a farmer and shares the farm with his father. When the USA enters World War Two, his parents are not keen to let him go and refuse to sign the draft documents. But then the Army lowers the age of consent - one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor - and Joe Boy signs up just before Thanksgiving of 1942. Joe finally gets his call-up papers on the 15th March 1943.

As Rugged as the Rest by Janet Simmelink has been written with humor, tenderness, and respect for all the boys and men who served in World War Two, especially those who lost their lives on the island of Iwo Jima which took a great number of lives on both sides just for an airbase. I found that I got involved with Joe Boy and his life and dreams and each person that enters and leaves his life and the influence they have on him. Through it all, Joe Boy always remains positive and upbeat. The fact that he paid the ultimate sacrifice brings a tear to your eye as you realize exactly what each of the soldiers, whether they were Marines, navy or just foot soldiers paid. Janet Simmelink has woven a beautiful tribute to these brave men and what they had to endure from Basic Training to the end. The use of the letters Joe Boy wrote to family and friends must have been a great source of inspiration as well as inspiration for the investigation into those times that had to be undertaken to bring authenticity to such a personal story. This is a book well worth reading in every sense. In all the time I have read non-fiction, this is the first time I could not put a book down and it was a page-turner from the start to the finish. I really enjoyed it. This is a book well worth reading in every sense.