Title: The Iraq I Knew… From Saddam Hussein to Weapons of Mass Destruction to Al Qaeda in Iraq
Author: Burl Randolph, Jr.
Genres: Military autobiography / Military history
In The Iraq I Knew, Burl Randolph, Jr., a retired U.S. Army colonel, recounts his experiences in Desert Shield / Desert Storm from 1990 to 1991. From the moment of finding out about the sudden deployment to living in the cruel desert environment, Randolph includes specific details of every step along the way. His autobiography recreates a time in recent history as he served in the 1st Cavalry Division and how he and his comrades faced harrowing odds to free Kuwait from Saddam Hussein’s control.
Anyone over the age of forty to forty-five should remember Desert Shield / Storm. For them, that war may very well be their first memory of the United States going to war. Despite its brevity, we cannot overlook the sacrifices our soldiers gave when fighting in it, just like any war. The author, Burl Randolph, Jr., served as a captain for the 1st Cavalry Division, so his knowledge of what the soldiers experienced firsthand is eye-opening. On the home front, civilians only know what the media reports, and even then, the average American has very little understanding of the rigors of war.
We can watch documentaries or even fictionalized movies and TV series about war, but none of those are the same as actually living through the experience. Randolph’s memoir cuts no corners and is brutally honest as he shares gritty details of his whole acquaintance with the events that unfolded between the summer of 1990 and the spring of 1991.
The amount of work that goes into preparing, including the enormity of the packing lists, is extraordinary. Not only do the soldiers need to pack very specifically and quite a lot to carry between two duffle bags and a rucksack, but they must be educated on foreign customs and how to handle prisoners of war, for example.
Randolph was quite young and newly married when he was deployed. It is inconceivable to imagine how difficult and heartbreaking it must be for soldiers to say goodbye to their families and vice versa, wondering if it might be goodbye for the last time. The weight of that burden is enormous, and even when soldiers do return home, the horrors of war remain with them. PTSD is a major concern and a reality for many veterans.
When Randolph described the treacherous living conditions in Saudi Arabia, most of us cannot understand or picture such a life. When a person’s daily life is in danger simply because of where one is living and what one must engage in, this fact reinforces our respect and honor for all who serve.
Some details, such as the practicality, or more likely impracticality due to the conditions, of showering and toileting are even shared. Insight into these necessities is interesting, yet it is also astonishing to think that constructing simple, functional buildings for such tasks is among the many items on the to-do list to prepare for deployment.
Caution should be taken by some readers regarding some of the subject matter. Graphic details may be triggering or too challenging for more sensitive readers, but Randolph’s inclusion of such parts is necessary to keep his story real.
The Iraq I Knew is a compelling, profound read on recent military history. With his firsthand experience, Randolph brings a unique perspective to many Americans on what war is really like. For lovers of military history and memoir, The Iraq I Knew is a solid addition to their library.
This Editorial Review was written by the Book Review Directory staff. To receive a similarly honest, professional review for one of your own books, click here.
