MWSA Book Review

Marines in the Garden of Eden – The Battle for An Nasiriyah

Authors:  Richard S. Lowry

Publisher:  Berkley Publishing Group

Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA

Best Book on the War in Iraq!

It is rare indeed that you will read a book about war that is so absorbing and entertaining; yet, it is as analytical and probing as any great history book can be. Richard S. Lowry has written the definitive accounting of the battles in and around An Nasiriyah. That includes what happened to Private Jessica Lynch and her fellow soldiers of the 507th Maintenance Company – their capture and misfortune and her eventual rescue from the hospital days later. In his book “Marines in the Garden of Eden,” the whole story of this operation unfolds for you beginning well before the actual combat starts.

He brings to life the men and women in the various units from the privates to the generals; he lets you know them as people. His writing style is unique in the best of ways. He weaves in all the little details of what was going on by several groups involved in those early days of the war. He simultaneously chronicles the actions taken by each unit so that it gives you an almost god-like view point of the war. You could never experience it like this – even if you were actually there in all the action! His depictions of the battles are crisp and full of energy and give you that eye-witness feeling.

This is good reporting and good story telling. This book will be read by military historians for many long decades. It is well documented, well structured, and easy to read. It is also a great book just to kick back and read on the old sofa. This book receives the MWSA’s TOP BOOK RATING of FIVE STARS! It is destined to become a classic book on the war in Iraq.

MWSA's 2006 Silver Medal Award for History

Reviewer: Joe Fabel – MWSA Review Board

The title indicates seven days of combat; however, the story covers the seconds, the minutes, the hours and the days of preparation, of combat, of successes and casualties inherent in such military operations.

Confidence in their training as well as trust in their buddies are companioned with the stress and the fear which are part of each engagement for these Marines.

The author doesn't “edit” the actions; he portrays the harsh reality of the conflicts: equipment breaks down, often the fighting comes from all sides, the enemy is determined and casualties are unavoidable.

These are actual instances of individual American Marines battling to insure that a people are provided their freedom from a vicious dictator and his henchmen.

Dozens of interviews, numerous written accounts, several phone sessions all provide eyewitness accounts from those Marines who were there when it took place.

If you wonder what takes place in a military unit in battle, this is the story to be read.

Review from Leatherneck Magazine

Reviewer: Rob Ballister – MWSA Review Board

Richard Lowry's book is a very well researched and well written combat narrative about the battle for An Nasiriyah. He follows several company, battalion, and regimental size units from their deployment in theater through the battle, describing in gripping detail not only the courage and dedication of those involved, but also the chaos, confusion, and "fog of war" that is part of any battle in any age. Lowry spends equal time covering the good and the bad that was the battle, from well-executed movements to friendly fire incidents, combat deaths to humanitarian assistance, treating each with the same level of attention to detail. I particularly like the way Lowry catches the human side of the Marines involved by noting particular quotes or actions in the heat of combat that makes the Marines come alive and puts a human face on the struggle.

Through the highs and lows, the average grunt Marine shines through, and learning about the "ordinary" heroism that carried the day makes this book one of the better combat narratives I have read.