A gripping account of a brutal 48-hour firefight that took place in Sadr City, Iraq, in 2004. ABC White House correspondent Raddatz conveys in harrowing detail the effects of war not only on the soldiers but also on the families waiting back at home in Fort Hood, Texas. This intimate portrayal of the close-knit community of families showcases their horror, terror, bravery, and fortitude, distinguishing it from other war stories I've read. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the true cost of war. ( )

On April 4, 2004 just as one command was to hand off to another at Camp War Eagle in Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq what was supposed to be a peaceful reconstruction mission by the US Army turned into war. This was the day the insurgents led by Muqtada al-Sadr attacked an escorted convoy of Iraqi sewage trucks and pinned down a platoon.

The Long Road Home is the story of that attack and the lives it affected; families, comrades, and support staff. It's a snapshot of one incident, one day when the lives of people would be changed forever. At the end of the battle on Black Sunday, 8 men would be dead and nearly 70 others would be injured.

Martha Raddatz tells the story in a way that is intense, graphic, and descriptive of the battles, the emotions and reactions. Although she did massive amounts of research and interviews, the book reads as though she had been embedded with the soldiers and witnessed the horror.

It breaks my heart to know what sacrifices US armed service people make to serve their country and try to make its citizens just a bit safer. Raddatz's descriptions will not be easily forgotten.

High recommended for anyone interested in knowing what happened in Iraq from a US perspective. Not recommended for anyone disturbed by descriptive, gory descriptions of injuries and death. ( )

This book meant a lot to me. It chronicles my husbands time in Iraq. Raddatz does an adequate job of bringing the battlefield to life from a soldiers perspective.I am an avid non fiction reader, and at first it was hard to read material that openly discussed the events my husband experienced. He doesn't talk about his time in Iraq, so I am grateful for journalists like Raddatz who managed to tell the untold stories.

Raddatz visited Fort Hood, TX in 2007 and did a book signing.I bought 3 copies, one for each of my parents, and one for myself.I have nothing but respect for her and her work. ( )

This brought a personal touch to the Iraq war. It's amazing what our soldiers go through and what they sacrifice. I highly recommend this book to anyone ( )