From Baghdad with Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava
Where to buy From Baghdad with Like: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava books online?
- ISBN13: 9781599211824
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
Amazon.com Review
In From Baghdad, With Like: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava, Jay Kopelman tells a tale that is both tender and thought-provoking–candidly portraying the hideous conditions in wartime Iraq, while also describing his (and his fellow Marines’) growing attachment to a grubby stray puppy.
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Here Jay Kopelman answers a few questions about his aspirations as a writer, and the effect his book has had on readers.
Questions for Jay Kopelman
Amazon.com: Before you met Lava and had this experience smuggling him out of Iraq, did you ever have ambitions to write a book?
Jay Kopelman: Yes, I’d considered writing a book previously and have ongoing–but not finished–a novel. Not surprisingly, it’s a military murder mystery. And I’m still hoping to get it published. I’ve also been offered a deal by my publisher to write another book. So I guess I’m now officially an leader.
Amazon.com: How has the military responded to it agreed that you broke a number of rules during your adventure with Lava?
Jay Kopelman: I’ve really not had any real feedback from the military establishment. In fact, mostly I only get the excellent-natured ribbing from my contemporaries about how much money I’ll make or about who will play me in the movie. When the tale first broke a year and a half ago, one of the generals jokingly questioned me for an autograph, and I’ve agreed the previous commanding all-purpose for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force a signed galley. So, thus far, there’s been nothing “official” to which I’ve had to respond. We’ll see what happens now that the book is unrestricted and there’s going to be a media blitz surrounding the book. What you have to remember, though, is that I really didn’t use military assets to get Lava home. Nor did I ever endanger anyone in the military while doing so.
Amazon.com: In the book, you say that you would like it if it can bring hope to people who’ve lost loved ones in Iraq by showing them how something positive can come out of a brutal situation. Have you heard from people that your book has made them feel better?
Jay Kopelman: I’ve not yet heard from anyone who’s lost a loved one in Iraq or Afghanistan, but I have heard from a counselor who works with the returning Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, who said she finds the tale so very positive and helpful. She’s preparation to come to the book signing there. I also got an e-mail from a Marine who said that while her unit was in Iraq, they adopted a puppy and tried to bring it home, but he was ultimately place down. She says that the Marines “remember how Charlie the dog helped us. Charlie will permanently be loved. During a time when we were far from home that dog made us smile.” So, I suppose Lava’s tale does help people remember and gives them hope. I’ve also heard from people who appreciate my candor describing the conditions in Iraq.
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Wonderful tale, but the book wasn’t especially well written and contained several errors. Also, too much “filler” material. I bought the book because I read the Reader’s Digest tale…which was a more appropriate part. I was disappointed.
Reader’s Rating: 2 / 5
I had heard about Lava the dog and the many pitfalls it took to overcome to get him home and so I couldn’t wait to finally read the book. Sorry to say, this book does not live up to it’s potential. It could have been a real gem had the leader perhaps had a lot more help from a more veteran writer.
I’m surprised this book had two authors and reasonably possibly an editor and yet, it’s so choppy and poorly written and dare I say, juvenile at times and I’m not talking about the profanity sprinkled throughout the book either. I’m not tremendously offended by profanity. In this case, I didn’t feel it added or detracted from the book for me. The problem here is vocabulary. For example, there are several passages where the leader used one word or one axiom over and over and over. In one passage it’s the word “weird” when he’s trying to clarify to the reader how being in Iraq was and in another passage it’s the axiom “at least” that starts every sentence for at least a paragraph. Maybe a name can gift him a thesaurus.
Frankly, until I read the interview between Amazon and the leader, I would have just agreed the book 1 star because if the theme matter of the book wasn’t so attractive, I doubt it would ever have gotten published. In the interview above at least, he does seem to have a more diverse vocabulary than was apparent in the book.
Another thing I establish extremely hard to get past was a passage where the leader describes persons who join the Army as basically losers, the guys who couldn’t get the girl, who didn’t play sports and who just weren’t “excellent” enough was the impression I got. So unnecessary to the tale and in my opinion, absolutely NOT right.
One last thing that gave me intermission was the way he described himself getting into the faces of Iraqi’s and hollering at them, including profanity which he insisted the interpreter include when relaying it back. Maybe they needed it, I don’t know, I wasn’t there but all I could reflect of while reading that was that’s the sort of behavior that reasonably possibly could cost lives down the line. It’s sort of like you can criticize your own children but woe unto persons who are NOT a part of your family tree criticizing them. It just doesn’t glide and even the leader comes to realize this later in the book.
I don’t know if I can honestly say this book is worth reading. I gave it two stars because I like dogs and establish the theme matter appealing. The rest of the book just wasn’t up to par to me and if you are looking to read down-to-planet, I-Was-There accounts of the goings on in Iraq or poignant, heartwarming tales about dogs then there are much better books out there on persons subjects.
Reader’s Rating: 3 / 5
I gave this book away to my sis and her spouse and they told me they loved it. I will borrow it so that I can read it as well.
Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
This is a wonderful, uplifting tale! My book also arrived quickly and was in brilliant condition as promised!
Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
I thought that my oldest grandson would like this book because he likes dogs. I haven’t read the book, but kind of skimmed through it. It sounds very appealing.
Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5