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The Soul of Wisdom

Customer Rating:

The Soul of Wisdom This book carves a sharp and prolific path through courage and combat, harm and heroism, tactics, strategy and diplomacy. The spiritual transfer of courage and morality from Americans to Iraqis is at once hopeful and inspiring. Explanations about the cross-cultural bonding and diplomatic elements of counterinsurgency are crisp and comprehensive. Luminous vision from a book of such brevity is awesome, exciting and astonishing. It shines a wide and very bright light. "Brevity is the soul of wit," but it is also the soul of wisdom.

Breath of fresh literature.........Whether true or not

Customer Rating:

Mr. Yons book is a tremendous edition to the myriad of literature about the war in Iraq. I tend to believe the facts he uses in the book becuase I was in Sadr City and Diyala province and he describes the areas, the attitude and the overall gist of these areas quite well. What Mr. Yon brings to the table is an accurate description of what it takes to fight a counter insurgency and why we were failing at it. He describes why we seem to have gotten a second chance at winning over the majority population in Iraq and what we are doing with that chance. The bottom line is he stays away from the "why" and "if" we should be in Iraq and stays with whats going on there right now. The fact is that we are in Iraq, will be there for a long time, and the way we get along with the locals and our moral compass dictates how many times we will be attacked and subsequently, how many soldiers we have to send home in a casket. A very good point Mike makes here is that Iraqis just want to go outside every day and not worry about catching a bomb or a bullet in the face. All the other issues (oil, infidels, religion, etc.) are all underscored by a basic need to be alive. Iraqis are human beings and they are motivated by strong, passionate, and yes, caring leaders. We went Iraq and most soldiers in 2003-2004 (I was one of them) believed that the way to win over the Iraqi people was with an iron fist and audacity, because that is what they knew. We just became the next baddest gang they had to deal with. We have learned to change that. Iraq has responded to us. It doesnt matter why because it doesnt look like we are getting out of there any time soon. Mr. Yon brings this fact out beautifully. I dont like this book because of a specific value or wing affiliation, but rather because he brings hope for both sides based on facts that I can confirm as true. In a time when the Iraq situation is not much more than a political issue or tool for milllions (we know IT IS much more), this book made me a little less frustrated, even if it may be short lived.

critically needed information	Customer Rating:
We gave this book to our daughter on her graduation from Army basic training. My husband and I both had careers in the Navy, and, while in active duty service, I was always aware of the huge reality gap between what gets reported in the news, and what really happens in the arena. If you REALLY want to know what is going on in Iraq, READ THIS BOOK!

As an Iraqi

Customer Rating:

I can only state that there is NO truth in this book. You have RUINED my country, and everyday the situation deteriorates further... Tell me, if your 'excursion is victorious', why does the puppet government still keep their entire families OUTSIDE Iraq? Tell me, if you were successful, why does my uncle who is attempting a very minor surgical procedure have to be wheeled out of the operation room FIVE times in one day due to lack of electricity...He didn't make it eventually. I have one thing to say. Yes, you HAVE accomplished your mission. You have DESTROYED IRAQ PERMANENTLY!

Awesome	Customer Rating:
This book gives you a fair assessment of the ground situation. In addition, it made me feel extremely proud of the selfless way our honorable warriors are conducting themselves.