Animal and Military Enthusiasts UNITE!! | From Baghdad with Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava |...

Amazing journey | From Baghdad with Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava | Jay Kopelman, Melinda Roth

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	• From Baghdad with Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava Jay Kopelman, Melinda Roth The Lyons Press, 2008 - 208 pages average customer review:based on 144 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Heartwarming story, but I feel conflicted!

Rescuing a puppy would be something I would do. I could completely and wholeheartedly relate to the author and his feelings about this tiny furball that he found amidst all the death and destruction of war. The poor little guy, hungry, alone, and wearing little puppy bravado. I'd be done within 2 seconds. Which is why I am not a Marine. (There are, in fact, other reasons but for the purposes of this review...)
The story itself is not a happy fluffy puppy tale. The author(s) bring the war into the reader's living room and we are reminded that war is unimaginably horrible. It is not sugarcoated, nor is it ignored. Even though the Marines are not bragged about and their role is not glorified, I am again reminded how amazing it is that these Americans do what they do in the name of protecting our constitution. War is terrible for everyone. From the depths of the horror emerges a tough little puppy. Thank God, something to be happy about. They say "timing is everything" and I think Lava emerged at a time when Kopelman really needed a lift. Fighting a war where there are no victories, no good guys, and very little potential for happy endings would wear down the toughest soldier and I loved reading how this puppy gave him something to strive for.
The writing is slightly amateurish, but better than I expected. The story is easy to follow, the facts are laid bare, and the tough parts are not glossed over. Some editing is likely in order, but it reads like Kopelman is telling the story over a beer in a bar. Allowing him his "voice" makes this story real.
The only problem I had was a nagging feeling that he should have been doing something else. Granted, he was probably doing plenty that he didn't write about. But I kept wondering "don't you have a job to do?" when it seemed like he spent his days writing and reading email, desperately trying to make arrangements to get Lava to the US. I couldn't help but wonder what chaos might emerge if even 10% of our armed service people decided to ignore the law and rescue lost puppies, kittens, and small children. Like all animal lovers, I can't stand the idea of animals suffering, or the idea of the fate that awaited Lava if Kopelman failed at what he was attempting. The sense of conflict prevented me from fully relaxing and appreciating the efforts of so many to save this dog.
When I read the news, and hear on NPR the fate of our returning soldiers and the emotional, physical, and mental toll the war(s) have taken on them, I am appalled. Lava helped at least one soldier minimize the damage. And as Kopelman himself says "at least I saved SOMETHING". Kopelman is a man who did not lose his humanity, in part, because of saving a small puppy. In spite of the small discomfort I felt while reading his story, its a story worth reading. The story itself rates 5 stars, the dog, another 5. The writing, not so much, but I would still recommend this as a worthwhile read.

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Animal and Military Enthusiasts UNITE!!

The heart-wrenching true story of one soldiers fight to save a puppy named Lava from certain death in wartime Iraq.

If you love animals or have even heard a shred about this story you MUST check out this book!

Amazing journey

This is truely an amazing journey of one Marine (Jay Kopelman) who saved an feral puppy he named Lava from the destruction of war. How they bonded and formed a close relationship is told in this wonderful story of survival. It's a page turned and a tear jurker as well...but it does have a happy ending thanks to Jays persistance and love for his companion, Lava.
I loved every page and will read it again and again!
thanks Jay, for saving "Lava"...and thanks Lava for saving "Jay"

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Insightful, Funny and Aw...so cute!

The book was written in a quite simple, easy to read language. It gave me more than just story of a puppy. Beside Lava, author also talked about his life as a Marine in the Iraq War, the Marines, the Iraqis, the enemies and so much more... Though the book revealed graphic content describing human slaugherhouses, beheading videos and dead marines, there're many funny lines throughout the book that made me laugh. I like the author's witty/sarcastic sense of humor. I wish there're more (color) photographs of Lava in this book.

I also bought the sequel "From Bagdad to America" but haven't had a chance to read it yet...

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A Story of Redemption

This is a story about redemption. It is a memoir of the Iraq war with a beautiful twist. Jay Kopelman is a modern day warrior who had dream of being a Marine since boyhood. His mission in Iraq is to kill and killing came easy to this desensitized warrior class. Then Kopelman met the little bundle of fur who had managed to survive the bombing of a city. As a result Kopelman learns he can cry, he learns that killing isn't everything. He becomes a new human who learns that saving something, even a puppy, is what makes life meaningful.

A grizzly read at times, always thought provoking and sometimes tender. A surprise read I highly recommend.

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A war memoir that will capture the hearts of its readers, just as one scruffy puppy sneaked his way into the hearts of hardened Marines just when they needed it most.