We Were One: Shoulder to Shoulder with the Marines Who Took Fallujah

This book tells an incredible story, and tells it well. The horrors these men faced were real, yet didn’t stop them from accomplishing their mission with guts, courage and determination - the Marine Corps way. I hope those who survived are doing well and holding their heads high with pride. Simper Fi.Fantastic book, I’d easily put it in the top 5 out of the hundred-plus similar books I’ve read about Iraq/Afghanistan. Highly recommend this one.

I just read the book. I went back to post a review and was actually pissed off to read that one of the men died after the publishing of the book. I was "rooting" for him and all of these men the whole time. The book does have some typos in it. I teach HS and catch them rather quickly. However, who cares? The story is what is important. The author stated that he was nearly broke when he had it published so he probably had to skip hiring the best of proof readers. My wife likes to read out loud to me from news papers everyday. Something that she likes will inspire her to read out loud. I usually act interested even if it is a cake recipe. I rarely talk about serving in the Marine infantry. The sad things that you experience. I just tell people about the funny times. The pranks and off duty antics. I served from 81-85. I like reading factual books about battle--especially first hand accounts. My wife was rushing around the house this morning and seemed bored when I started to read a passage to her from the book. I just felt the need to let some "civilians" know what sacrifice is. She interrupted me with an ad from the paper about a bed for sale. That is usually a sign that my "military related story" bores her. I acted like she was still listening. I kept reading the part where they all get to call home on the Iridium phone. She asked me not to tell her if any of them died after that. I told her that some did. She got tears in her eyes and asked me not to tell her that it was the Marine telling his son to be respectful to the principal. I guess that women feel connected when children are involved. She then wiped her eyes and asked me why I do this to her while she started laughing at herself for crying. My 18 year old daughter then read on from there until the part with the Marine loved by all (no spoilers here). She then put the book down and asked me what the hell I was reading. With a look of disgust on her face, he asked me why I would read something like that. I told her that it is to honor the people that allow her to walk around oblivious to what goes on around this world. She asked me if I ever saw things like that. I told her that I carried some people that looked like that. That I knew what the author felt at that very moment. How heavy people are. She then asked me if I saw her Ipod. I said "No' as I slid it under a piece of news paper. She departed without it thinking that the world was coming to an end. I give Pat O"Donnell all the credit in the world for showing the courage to stay in the battle and tell this story. I thank the Lord that although I am a member of the VFW, that I never had to participate in fighting this savage. I am actually sitting here with a bad case of poison ivy and this book made me remember to stop complaining about the small stuff. How I would have had a pacifier thrown at me by a fellow grunt for crying about something like a rash. We used to keep a few around in our helmet bands for that occasion. My wife probably thinks that the itching went away. Five stars for this book. His writing style pretty much allows one to correctly assume who will be killed in combat, but it does no harm to the reader. Who cares about the typos? Buy the book along with any other related books. No True Glory is great. Generation Kill seemed like it was written by a civilian. It was entertaining to read though. I don't remember seeing Marines portrayed as so juvenile since the Movie Heartbreak Ridge. Especially Recon. Now it is an HBO series and my wife asked me if I acted like that. I responded with, "Who? Me? Like that to a Gunny? Nobody ever spoke like that to the Gunny." One Bullet Away is good. Ilario Pantano's book Warrior is superb. He is an amazing Marine. As sharp as they come in life. Robert's Ridge is excellent as well. I am now going to read House to House. The Army side of the Fallujah battle. Sorry for mentioning other books in this review but thought that they needed mention.Mike S[...]

It's hard to imagine the magnitude and hard fighting that these Marines experienced and went through, but Patrick O'Donnell does his best to help you understand.So many heroes and so little time to get it right, but the author does yeoman's work to bring the story of a courageous Band of Brothers together in the mazes and labyrinths of Fallujah. The battle's high cost is reflected in these pages. I'm even more saddened to know of Sean Stokes's death in Iraq in July, 2007 after he returned for a third combat tour when he didn't have to. His posthumous Silver Star only scratches the surface of how much this brave young Marine gave to his nation.I've always had great respect for the Marine Corps and their legacy throughout American history. Although I chose a different branch of service, several of my closest friends are Marines, and I'll always be grateful for their contributions to the fight over here in Iraq. I'll never forget the camaraderie and friendship of Marine Majors Martinez, Neidigh, Roberts and Hill, all of whom I got to know in the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses at Fort Knox in the 1990s. In the pages of this book, I see the same professionalism and fighting spirit that I saw firsthand from my Marine Corps tanker brethren.This is a good book- well worth reading. In my opinion, not quite as powerful as David Bellavia's "House to House", nor as sweeping as Bing West's "No True Glory", but close and a worthy addition to any military historian's library. Read the trio of books and you'll only begin to see the epic battle from the various warriors who fought it, but "Fallujah With Honor" is a superb tactical snapshot of one platoon's close-quarters fight, and the disproportionate price they paid for our Freedom.Semper Fidelis, Marines. You honor us all with your actions.Baghdad02-08-2008

Great Book!

Ordered this for my bf who is in the usmc and he loved this book and so did his friends!

If you want to learn more about the Second Battle of Fallujah, then We Were One is an indispensable page turner. I have read many books about the Second Battle of Fallujah and this is one of the most insightful accounts up-close with the Marines of 3/1 Lima Company.

Very good.

Dies ist das dritte Buch über den Irak-Krieg, das ich gelesen habe - und das beste. Patrick O'Donnell hat es geschrieben, um zu beweisen das diese Generation junger Männer die nächste "Greatest Generation" ist und das ist ihm gelungen. Wenn man im Radio oder Fernsehen hört, das der Krieg bisher mehr als 2300 Marines das Leben gekostet hat, denkt man "wie schrecklich", fühlt sich aber nicht betroffen. Hier lernt man die jungen Männer kennen, ihre Lebenssituation, ihre Hoffnungen und Ängste - und wie sie sie überwinden um zu tun, was getan werden muss. Und man ist geschockt, wenn sie in Hinterhalte geraten und erfährt, was es heißt, weiterzukämpfen, wenn der beste Freund neben einem gerade erschossen worden ist. Jeder einzelne dieser erst 18 bis etwa 25 Jahre alten Männer geht durch eine persönliche Hölle. Mit dem Wort "Held" sollte man vorsichtig sein, aber hier erlebt man mit, wie aus Soldaten Helden werden, die im Zweifelsfall lieber ihr eigenes Leben geben, als die Kameraden fallen zu sehen.

the book came quick. The story line was what I expected. A personal view of the actual war facts.

I have been reading a few novels of American soldiers experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq,this is a worthy tale, told by a reported embedded with the unit, their bravery and sacrifice is evident, as are the frustrationsthey felt with the rules of engagement and how these were exploited by their foes..recommended reading.