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The Gift of Valor (Abridged): A War Story Audiobook
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(4.04) - 205 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Every day ordinary young Americans are fighting and dying in Iraq, with the same bravery, honor, and sense of duty that have distinguished American troops throughout history. One of these is Jason Dunham, a twenty-two-year-old Marine corporal from the one-stoplight town of Scio, New York, whose stunning story reporter Michael M. Phillips discovered while he was embedded with a Marine infantry battalion in the Iraqi desert. Corporal Dunham was on patrol near the Syrian borde, 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)
The Gift of Valor Listener Reviews
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" Great book sad story puts a personal touch on the war "
— Mike, 1/14/2014 -
" 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, 12/28/2013 -
" 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, 11/5/2013 -
" 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, 9/1/2013 -
" Interesting story of an American soldier who is heroic in Iraq and suffers great injuries and ultimately dies. Good journalism by Michael Phillips "
— Polly, 8/20/2013 -
" This was more of a medical book but it sheds light on the extraordinary acts of Cpl Dunham. "
— Gregg, 7/23/2013 -
" Puts the War in Iraq in a whole different perspective. "
— Reid, 7/16/2013 -
" Corporal Dunham is a true American hero. This book and A Soldier's Promise are my two favorite books. "
— Shanna, 6/7/2013 -
" 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, 11/24/2012 -
" 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, 11/20/2012 -
" Excellent look at the reality of war. The intertwined personalities shine. This book manages to be deeply touching and yet not depressing . "
— Jim, 3/21/2012 -
" 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, 12/13/2011 -
" 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, 8/1/2011 -
" 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, 7/30/2011 -
" *SW* I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!! "
— Natasha, 3/2/2011 -
" 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 John Bedford Lloyd
John Bedford Lloyd, Earphones Award–winning narrator, is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama, has appeared in many major motion pictures, including The Bourne Supremacy, Crossing Delancey, The Abyss, The Manchurian Candidate, and Philadelphia. His television credits include Suits, Pan Am, Law & Order, Spin City, and The West Wing.