Description: "Opening up for the first time about his combat experience, Congressman Ruben Gallego (D, AZ) delivers a moving and unforgettable memoir of the eternal bonds forged between the Marines of Lima Company, the hardest-hit unit of the Iraq War"--
Brief description:
Ruben Gallego (D, AZ) serves in the United States Senate. He previously represented the 7th District of Arizona in the U.S. House of Representatives for ten years. A son of Hispanic immigrants, Senator Gallego was the first in his family to attend college, graduating from Harvard University with a degree in international relations. While an undergrad, Gallego enlisted as an infantryman in the Marine Corps Reserve. Corporal Gallego deployed to Iraq in 2005, where he and the other members of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, saw some of the fiercest fighting of the war. Gallego lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife and children.
Review Quotes:
"An outstanding entry in the field of military memoir, Gallego's colloquial narrative stays on target throughout his many grim experiences with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines in the Iraq War. ... Ruben Gallego offers a spellbinding account of his 'spur of the moment' decision to enlist and his devastating experiences at the height of the Iraq War." - Shelf Awareness
"A deeply felt, swift-moving account of war and its complex aftermath." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"A powerful, grunt's-eye view of modern combat and the struggle to readjust to life back home. ... This searing autobiography leaves a mark." - Publishers Weekly
"A striking account of the men and women who defend our great nation. A great gift for anyone who values their dedication and sacrifice." - Scott Kelly
"A forthright memoir about a man who fought enemies, both external and internal. The journey of the soldier doesn't end when they are discharged, as Gallego shows, the adjustment is constant. The scars of war permeate even the toughest of soldiers and Gallego's memoir proves that with empathy and sympathy." - San Francisco Book Review
"Gallego enlisted in the Marine Corps and later served as an infantryman in Iraq, where he saw extensive combat as part of a company that went on to suffer some of the highest casualties of any Marine company during the conflict. ... Gallego's memoir of his war experience, They Called Us Lucky, is an emotional and at times angry book that emphasizes the tenacity of combat trauma in his own life and in the lives of his fellow-soldiers." - Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker