From Baghdad, With Love

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This is a memoir by a Marine, then-Major Jay Kopelman, of how his unit adopted an abandoned puppy they came across in the middle of the battle of Falujah, one of the worst in term This is a beautiful story about people in bleak and soul-poisoning situations trying to find something life-affirming that will help them hold up and keep going.

This is a memoir by a Marine, then-Major Jay Kopelman, of how his unit adopted an abandoned puppy they came across in the middle of the battle of Falujah, one of the worst in terms of brutal house-by-house and room-by-room fighting through a whole city since Hue during Tet and Stalingrad in World War II. They took the puppy in because having him around made them feel good, and named him Lava because their unit's nickname was 'Lava Dogs. He did, though, up to and including coordinating a complex plan to smuggle Lava back the States and adopt him there when he came back himself.

It's well written, often hilarious, but not eliding over the horror and brutality of the Iraq war. As a still-serving senior officer, now-Lieutenant Colonel Kopelman is surprisingly frank and cynical about the politics behind the war, the non-existent WMDs, and the corruption and incompetence of the Coalition Provisional Authority and often the Iraqi military his unit was trying to train.

It also captures beautifully the subculture of the Marine Corps with all its irreverence, bluntness, gallows humor, and frequently surreal nature. When I finished reading it, I was crying. My wife asked why. I told her it was partly because I love animals and this one reminded me of a dog I loved and lost to cancer many years ago now, and partly because it brought home to me how much I still miss the Marine Corps I retired 16 years ago and have had a full and rewarding life since, but it will always be where I grew up and a second family to me.

If you like animals, military people, moving memoirs, weird humor, or all of the above, read this book. Like the everyone around Lava I found myself sucked into him. I get how the puppy won over the hard Marine, how the dog helped everyone keep a little sane and a sense of home when doing a horrible job.

I was glad to see this one have a happy ending. Jan 14, Carol Storm rated it really liked it. Powerful story of Marines in combat and the dog they rescue from certain death. Oct 17, Dara S. It was a heartwarming dog story, written by a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marines.

FROM BAGHDAD, WITH LOVE by Jay Kopelman , Melinda Roth | Kirkus Reviews

Since this takes place in Iraq during the war, it is not all sweetness. Sep 08, Connie Faull rated it really liked it. I give this book 4 stars. But what the Penta I give this book 4 stars. The story is funny at times, like when Lt. Kopelman describes the way the Marine platoon reacts to Lava: Are you our brave little toughee? Jul 11, Rachel rated it it was amazing Shelves: I read the first half of this a month ago and then, what with one thing and another, couldn't seem to get back to it. I was thinking this meant that it wasn't terribly compelling, but earlier today when I was sitting in a waiting room with nothing to do finally finish reading it, I had to try not to cry in great big heaving sobs, even though it would have given all the people who forgot to bring a book something to look at.

Jay Kopelman was a Marine colonel on active duty in Iraq in when his I read the first half of this a month ago and then, what with one thing and another, couldn't seem to get back to it. Jay Kopelman was a Marine colonel on active duty in Iraq in when his battalion, known as the Lava Dogs, were looking for insurgents in an abandoned house in Fallujah, and instead found a mangy little puppy that they took back to their compound. They named him Lava, fed him a combination of MREs and bits of beef jerky, and dewormed him with chewing tobacco.

The dog gravitated toward Kopelman, who quickly assumed ownership of him, despite military regulations banning pets and in some cases requiring that stray animals be killed. Over the next six months, Kopelman, with the help of his fellow Marines and various civilians, both American and Iraqi, battled military red tape, Iraqi law, and the constant danger that accompanies just trying to move from place to place in a war zone to get Lava out of Iraq and into the United States, where Kopelman would soon be stationed.

The details of trying to arrange for Lava's evacuation are interspersed with and inseparable from the day-to-day realities of war, which are frustrating and harrowing in equal measure. Although the story was covered extensively in the media as a happy and heartwarming story of A Boy and His Dog, the real story was darker: Or maybe they didn't make it through and he's now lost on the streets of Baghdad wondering where everybody went. I pray that if Lava doesn't make it through, he'll find a body somewhere in Baghdad to keep him alive for just one more day.

Which brings me to the last part of my confession: I want Lava to stay alive. No matter how bad things get, it's still better to be alive. I want to know he's breathing and leaping after dust balls and chasing imaginary enemies in his sleep. I want him to be alive, because then there's still hope that he'll make it here to California and get to be an American dog who runs on the beach and chases the mailman instead of strangers with guns.

I carried a rucksack full of coupons redeemable towards absolution. Now, after meeting Lava and letting fear in, I feel distantly related to a serial killer. The tone of the writing is conversational and there's a lot of profanity, so this isn't a book you're going to want to read to your kids just because it has a nice doggie on the cover. This is a fast read, but sometimes a gruesome one, and I won't spoil the ending even though I think it's on the book jacket, so not really a spoiler , but I will say that Lava doesn't come to a bad end.

Really, it's just an odd little story that shows people at their best and at their worst; all in all, an excellent book.

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View all 3 comments. Dec 01, Laura rated it really liked it. This book was incredibly heart wrenching, hopeful, and disturbing.

What the military has done to our soldiers to prevent them from feeling compassion for even animals is disgusting. I understand the need to keep soldiers able to kill other people for the sake of a country's safety and security, but to actively kill animals that some servicepeople have grown attached to is just beyond awful. Even though this story has a happy ending for Lava the puppy found in Fallujah, Iraq, the author, a Lt.

From Baghdad, with Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava

Marine describes in detail the heartbreaking consequences of other pets military personnel have tried to save. This is a worthwhile read and gives you hope that there are some good people out there but avoid it if you think this is an entirely happy-go-lucky story. It worked out for one dog, for which I am so happy, but all I can think about is all the other animals and people stuck in horrible places that have no option or escape. I have listened to NPR for years and it was nice to know that they are, once again, a cut above the other networks.

Feb 02, Rebecca rated it really liked it Shelves: I absolutly melted at the cover and wasn't disappointed by the story. It's about a US Marine who's company finds a dog in an abandoned house in the middle of a war zone Iraq starting in What attracted me was not necessarily the story of man and dog but of living in the war itself - it was told in the most beautiful way and gives human meaning behind the pictures we see and articles we read around areas of war, you could feel emotion and the atmosphere. The simple comment of why not save a I absolutly melted at the cover and wasn't disappointed by the story.

The simple comment of why not save a child over an animal highlights the overall naitivity of society and his respone of at least i saved something, depressing and hopeful at the same time.

Its a short read but I definately have taken away some new perspectives and has given me plently to think about. Jun 19, Marissa rated it it was amazing. So often, the stories we hear from the War on Terror are centrally about heartache and sadness, and the frailty of human kindness and courage. This one is a small and steady light, pouring through all that darkness.

Little Lava's story is impossible not to love. It works down into the squishy parts of your heart, and you can't help but feel like you understand Jay Kopelman's desire to save Lava, even though you really don't. You have no idea what he and the thousands of other armed servicemen an So often, the stories we hear from the War on Terror are centrally about heartache and sadness, and the frailty of human kindness and courage. You have no idea what he and the thousands of other armed servicemen and women go through daily. But I am so thankful that he chose to write his story, with so much candor and surprising loquaciousness.

Jun 27, Jordan Larsen rated it it was amazing Shelves: An inspiring story of love, bravery and friendship in one Marine's gripping and heartfelt memoir "From Baghdad With Love: In the middle of all this insanity is a little puppy who serves as a four-legged refugee in the world's most d An inspiring story of love, bravery and friendship in one Marine's gripping and heartfelt memoir "From Baghdad With Love: In the middle of all this insanity is a little puppy who serves as a four-legged refugee in the world's most dangerous place.

Marine goes out on patrol with his brothers-in-arms one day, he comes across a little puppy who he and his teammates adopt as their child. Named Lava because of the team's origins in Hawaii, the little puppy takes to the Marines in a very profound way. Spending time with injured comrades and befriending a news reporter who works a plan to get Lava sent out of Iraq and flown to the safety of America.

This touching story should be a movie! Well worth the time to read! Jun 21, Cassy rated it liked it Recommends it for: Dog lovers, Americans who are curious about the situation in Iraq. I should not have read this book right now! I am currently in delicate negotiations with my husband about getting a puppy.

And this book only heightens my I-want-a-dog-now fervor. See, dear husband — dogs are great! Even in the middle of war-torn Iraq, a U. Marine grew attached to a rambunctious puppy named Lava and undertook the arduous process of getting Lava to the U. If Kopelman can fall in love with a dog in those dire circumstances, you too can fall in love with a new puppy in Oh man. If Kopelman can fall in love with a dog in those dire circumstances, you too can fall in love with a new puppy in our peaceful townhouse! The book is very touching and easy to read.

I do have some critiques: The writing style is too colloquial and choppy for my taste. The changes in point-of-view away from Kopelman are ineffective. And I get the impression that Kopelman fits the military guy stereotype of being emotionally removed.

I can just imagine his co-author sitting across the table from him, shaking her head at his practical step-by-step summary and pleading with him to talk about his feelings. He does expose himself. Yet, overall, I am happy to have read this one. Although, sometimes the book veers a tad too far from the focus on Lava with these detours. Then it operates more as journalistic overview of the conflict in Iraq than a tight memoir. But I am willing to forgive this, because I see the necessity of setting the backdrop of danger at every corner and serving as a good ambassador for the U. I think all soldiers must have at least one pet in their compounds, because animals are excellent stress relievers.

You'll need a box of kleenex when you'll read this book Kopelman and Lava Dog Unit for save this precious life! This book does a good job of telling a personal story of a soldier coping with the dehumanizing and demoralizing impacts of serving in a war zone. The author is unflinchingly honest about his internal conflicts, hopes, and fears. The character of Lava, the abandoned Iraqi puppy, comes alive. The reader cannot help but root for the puppy and the efforts of his Marine buddies and a widening circle of people who try to assist in the rescue effort.

I always appreciate a happy ending, and knowing that this book had one, didn't lessen the suspense of the story for me one bit. I can recommend this book on several levels. It is not great literature but who cares?

A Marine, The War, And A Dog Named Lava

A great dog loves man story and one that told me more about the war than I have heard on TV. Ah, politics and power. Through all of that a puppy and a Marine more than one actually find each other with magic results. Of course, rescuing a dog in Baghdad is a little complicated.

This book made it all so real -- the horror of war, the courage of people who just want to do the right thing, and the spirit of mankind and critterkind. I see title after title of books about warriors and the dogs of the Middle East -- aren't we all searching for a little humanity, grace, and love? This book is the story of a marine fighting in Fallujah who adopts a stray dog. The two are an unlikely pair but we can all understand the connection between a person and his much loved pet.

It is a connection that is impossible to break. Parts of this book are hard to read, especially some of the insights into the real situation in Iraq during the early 's. But it was a great story and the dog lives in the end! This was the first book I read covering military men over in Iraq and how puppies worm their way into their hearts unknowingly.

Pets are not allowed by the military and the Iraq's do not like dogs so this man had a lot of thinking to do so the dog would not be harmed. It was great reading, I learned a lot about the way of life for a military man in the midst of war, in the heat, and no one close to him.

Many tears were shed during the read but it was all worth it. I now have somewhat of a feeling of what these people go through over there and how "man's best friend" comes through for them. It was a great book. This book was purchased from Amazon. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations. View or edit your browsing history.

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Don't have a Kindle? The Lyons Press 3 June Language: Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a product review. There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. One person found this helpful. Most helpful customer reviews on Amazon. This is a beautiful and real story about a Marine Unit in Fallujah that rescued a stray dog, and the story of a dog that save his soldiers humanity in a war zone.

I think all soldiers must have at least one pet in their compounds, because animals are excellent stress relievers. You'll need a box of kleenex when you'll read this book Kopelman and Lava Dog Unit for save this precious life! This book does a good job of telling a personal story of a soldier coping with the dehumanizing and demoralizing impacts of serving in a war zone. The author is unflinchingly honest about his internal conflicts, hopes, and fears.

The character of Lava, the abandoned Iraqi puppy, comes alive. The reader cannot help but root for the puppy and the efforts of his Marine buddies and a widening circle of people who try to assist in the rescue effort. I always appreciate a happy ending, and knowing that this book had one, didn't lessen the suspense of the story for me one bit.

I can recommend this book on several levels. It is not great literature but who cares? A great dog loves man story and one that told me more about the war than I have heard on TV. Ah, politics and power. Through all of that a puppy and a Marine more than one actually find each other with magic results. Of course, rescuing a dog in Baghdad is a little complicated. This book made it all so real -- the horror of war, the courage of people who just want to do the right thing, and the spirit of mankind and critterkind. I see title after title of books about warriors and the dogs of the Middle East -- aren't we all searching for a little humanity, grace, and love?

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