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The Gift of Valor: A War Story Audiobook
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(4.05) - 207 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The true story of US Marine Corporal Jason Dunham's brave act that saved fellow Marines and earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor. Corporal Dunham was on patrol near the Syrian border, on April 14, 2004, when a black-clad Iraqi leaped out of a car and grabbed him around his neck. Fighting hand-to-hand in the dirt, Dunham saw his attacker drop a grenade and made the instantaneous decision to place his own helmet over the explosive in the hope of containing the blast and protecting his men. When the smoke cleared, Dunham’s helmet was in shreds, and the corporal lay face down in his own blood. The Marines beside him were seriously wounded. Dunham was subsequently nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’ s highest award for military valor. Phillips’s minute-by-minute chronicle of the chaotic fighting that raged throughout the area and culminated in Dunham’s injury provides a grunt’s-eye view of war as it’s being fought today—fear, confusion, bravery, and suffering set against a brotherhood forged in combat. His account of Dunham’s eight-day journey home and of his parents’ heartrending reunion with their son powerfully illustrates the cold brutality of war and the fragile humanity of those who fight it. Dunham leaves an indelible mark upon all who know his story, from the doctors and nurses who treat him, to the readers of the original Wall Street Journal article that told of his singular act of valor.
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"The story of the truest American/Marine Corps hero there is. A man, yet only a boy, who gave his life so others lived.Who among us would dive on a granade to save the life of our friends? What a question to have to answer, and yet Jason Dunham did it without thinking. "
— Amy (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Affecting…Moving.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Thanks to Phillips’ clear, dispassionate prose, Dunham…is becoming a symbol of the Marines.”
— St. Louis Post-Dispatch -
“Stands head and shoulders above previous Iraq books and will quickly [become] a ‘must-read.’”
— Proceedings -
“If you have any desire to learn about the Marines, this book is well worth your time.”
— Armchair General -
“A memorable narrative tribute…This realistic, gritty portrayal of loss and its aftermath personalizes events behind daily headlines.”
— Library Journal
The Gift of Valor Listener Reviews
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" Amazing story. Such a gift of selfless love. Thank you Jason. "
— cweb , 5/27/2017 -
" This book is incredible! It as a tear jerker, but I think everyone should read it, regardless of how you feel about the military. It gives a point of view not many people can experience. "
— Zaneta, 11/9/2013 -
" Puts the War in Iraq in a whole different perspective. "
— Reid, 10/13/2013 -
" An excellent on-the-ground story about one soldier's tour in Iraq, and sadly his death. If you want an account of daily lives of soldiers, as well as detailed description of ambushes and their aftermaths, this is the book for you. "
— Moominboy, 10/3/2013 -
" This book is amazing, it was written about a friend of mine who gave his life to save that of his crew. Jason was such an awesome Marine! "
— Brandy, 9/9/2013 -
" Realistic and gritty portrayal of life on the front lines in Iraq. Jason Dunham was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his act of heroism in saving the lives of his comrades. "
— Cheryl, 9/9/2013 -
" Thank You Corp. Dunham and all of the other soldiers who paid the ultimate price not just for my freedom but for others throughout this world. Thank you to the families who have been left behind. I pray for you as well as the other soldiers who are in harms way everyday. "
— Kevin, 7/22/2013 -
" *SW* I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!! "
— Natasha, 7/17/2013 -
" A well-done first book about the heroic struggle of an American Marine corporal in battle in Iraq and then the losing one for his life. "
— Jim, 5/25/2013 -
" This was more of a medical book but it sheds light on the extraordinary acts of Cpl Dunham. "
— Gregg, 6/16/2012 -
" Corporal Dunham is a true American hero. This book and A Soldier's Promise are my two favorite books. "
— Shanna, 2/17/2012 -
" Interesting story of an American soldier who is heroic in Iraq and suffers great injuries and ultimately dies. Good journalism by Michael Phillips "
— Polly, 1/4/2012 -
" Great book sad story puts a personal touch on the war "
— Mike, 12/22/2011 -
" An excellent true story of a Marine who sacrificed himself for his fellow troops. He survived for a while and received the Medal of Honor. "
— Shaun, 12/9/2011 -
" This book was pretty good. It was a rather slow read. It's one man's story of courage in a warzone. He was younger than I am right now. "
— Lori, 9/1/2011 -
" Excellent look at the reality of war. The intertwined personalities shine. This book manages to be deeply touching and yet not depressing . "
— Jim, 8/27/2011 -
" *SW* I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!! "
— Natasha, 5/3/2011 -
" Puts the War in Iraq in a whole different perspective. "
— Reid, 1/25/2011 -
" This book is amazing, it was written about a friend of mine who gave his life to save that of his crew. Jason was such an awesome Marine! "
— Brandy, 1/4/2011 -
" An excellent on-the-ground story about one soldier's tour in Iraq, and sadly his death. If you want an account of daily lives of soldiers, as well as detailed description of ambushes and their aftermaths, this is the book for you. "
— Moominboy, 8/28/2010 -
" Realistic and gritty portrayal of life on the front lines in Iraq. Jason Dunham was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. "
— Cheryl, 3/26/2009 -
" An excellent true story of a Marine who sacrificed himself for his fellow troops. He survived for a while and received the Medal of Honor. "
— Shaun, 2/16/2009 -
" Interesting story of an American soldier who is heroic in Iraq and suffers great injuries and ultimately dies. Good journalism by Michael Phillips "
— Polly, 10/5/2008 -
" This book was pretty good. It was a rather slow read. It's one man's story of courage in a warzone. He was younger than I am right now. "
— Lori, 9/4/2008 -
" Thank You Corp. Dunham and all of the other soldiers who paid the ultimate price not just for my freedom but for others throughout this world. Thank you to the families who have been left behind. I pray for you as well as the other soldiers who are in harms way everyday. "
— Kevin, 12/20/2007 -
" Corporal Dunham is a true American hero. This book and A Soldier's Promise are my two favorite books. "
— Shanna, 8/18/2007 -
" Great book sad story puts a personal touch on the war "
— Mike, 7/16/2007
About Michael M. Phillips
Michael M. Phillips is a staff reporter for the Wall Street Journal and has done four tours in Iraq with the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines. He lives in Washington, DC, with his wife and two children.
About Michael Prichard
Michael Prichard is a Los Angeles-based actor who has played several thousand characters during his career, over one hundred of them in theater and film. He is primarily heard as an audiobook narrator, having recorded well over five hundred full-length books. His numerous awards and accolades include an Audie Award for Tears in the Darkness by Michael Norman and Elizabeth M. Norman and six AudioFile Earphones Awards. He was named a Top Ten Golden Voice by SmartMoney magazine. He holds an MFA in theater from the University of Southern California.