Marines in the Garden of Eden: The True Story of Seven Bloody Days in Iraq

by Richard S. Lowry

Book Overview

On March 23, 2003, in the city of An Nasiriyah, Iraq, members of the 507th Maintenance Company came under attack from Iraqi forces who killed or wounded twenty-one soldiers and took six prisoners,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425215296
• ISBN13: 9780425215296
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: Dutton Caliber
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.1" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Best Book on the War in Iraq!

It is rare indeed that you will read a book about war that is so absorbing and entertaining; yet, it is as analytical and probing as any great history book can be. Richard S. Lowry has written the definitive accounting of the battles in and around An Nasiriyah. That includes what happened to Private Jessica Lynch and her fellow soldiers of the 507th Maintenance Company - their capture and misfortune and her eventual rescue from the hospital days later. In his book "Marines in the Garden of Eden," the whole story of this operation unfolds for you beginning well before the actual combat starts. He brings to life the men and women in the various units from the privates to the generals; he lets you know them as people. His writing style is unique in the best of ways. He weaves in all the little details of what was going on by several groups involved in those early days of the war. He simultaneously chronicles the actions taken by each unit so that it gives you an almost god-like view point of the war. You could never experience it like this - even if you were actually there in all the action! His depictions of the battles are crisp and full of energy and give you that eye-witness feeling. This is good reporting and good story telling. This book will be read by military historians for many long decades. It is well documented, well structured, and easy to read. It is also a great book just to kick back and read on the old sofa. This book receives the MWSA's TOP BOOK RATING of FIVE STARS! It is destined to become a classic book on the war in Iraq.

Marine Corps Spirit

Richard, thank you for finally getting our story right. I know that it has taken you a few years now to research and write this book. There have been other authors who have tried to tell our story, but have fallen short. Thank you for taking your time and not trying to be the first to make a buck off of someone else's misery. This story that you have told shows the world what U.S. Marines are about and how we will always prevail no matter how bad the situation is and what the odds are. Every Marine from Private through General knows that the people of the United States depends on them to do their jobs no matter what the cost. These Marines will sacrifice their lives to make sure their brothers survive to complete the mission so the people of the United States are safe and that the American way of life is preserved. Again, thank you Mr. Lowry for telling our story and the story of the Marine Corps spirit. The spirit is alive and strong. Every Marine that gives his life for our country makes the spirit stronger. That spirit is in every Marine past and present and getting stronger every day. That is why we will never fail. Always Faithful SSgt William Schaefer 1/2 Cco

Review of Marines in The Garden of Eden

Mr. Lowry has done an outstanding job of capturing a few days of Marine involvement in the Iraq War. The first 100 pages keep your interest and draw you into the characters; the next 100 pages make the book difficult to put down; the remainder of the book makes it impossible to put down. Lowry tells the whole story of the battle, not pulling any punches, but adequately covering the good and the not so good...mistakes and mishaps made in the confusion of war are presented along with a description of our Marines in action that will make your chest swell with pride. Find a Marine, give him a hug, or maybe just shake his hand for being there for us.

Another page...

Richard Lowry has penned another important page in the history of the Corps. As one of the many Marines that took part in the Battle of An Nasiriyah I have read every book to date about the battle. Marines in the Garden of Eden is without a doubt the most accurate account of those seven days. Many questions about the battle have been answered for me. I couldn't put it down. I had to go out and buy my wife her own copy, working on reading it for the third time. Richard, Thank you for telling our story. Semper Fidelis

Best account yet of the bloodiest battle on the March to Baghdad

Mr. Lowry has done a superb job with his account of the Battle of Nasiriya and Task Force Tarawa's fight for this previously unknown city on the Euphrates River in Iraq. Starting with the ambush of the Army's 507th Maintenance Company and the capture of eight of its soldiers, including the now-famous PFC Jessica Lynch,this is the story of a battle that had to be won in order for the 1st Marine Division to march up to Baghdad. The dialogue, use of radio transmissions, and photographs provided by many of those who were there, give a "you are there" feeling. It would have been desirable if more members of the 507th had been able or willing to share their experiences, but since they may be witnesses in any war-crimes prosecutions, that is understandable. About the only problem with the book is the lack of photos of some of the landmarks described: the Tykar Military Hospital (where Jessica was first treated), Saddam General Hospital (where she was held and rescued from), the Baath Party HQ (or what was left of it), and the air bases at Talil and Jaliabah. I would reccommend this book to anyone intereted in Modern Military History in general, and the USMC in particular. Well done, Rich.