The Iraq I Knew... From Saddam Hussein to WMD to AQI eBook - Book I: Into the Storm 1
Formats: E-Book, Paperback, Hardback
Ages: 18+
Recipient of the 2025 International Book Awards Award Finalist, Nonfiction - Adventure Readers' Favorite Annual International Book Contest.
“Although I left the fight in Iraq, the fight had not left me.”
Colonel Burl Randolph, Jr., always felt that way after returning home from each combat deployment to Iraq, and it took him months to return to ‘normal.’
In the series The Iraq I Knew…: From Saddam Hussein to Weapons of Mass Destruction to Al Qaeda in Iraq, he chronicles his journeys on each combat operation using remarkably intense and vivid stories.
In Book I: Into the Storm, newly promoted Captain Randolph described his emotional experiences from the alert notification to the grueling deployment to Operation Desert Shield. The harsh deserts of Saudi Arabia had vicious windstorms, no rain, and substandard living conditions. They used “burn barrels” and “pee tubes” as bathrooms, contributing to some of the exposure to toxic elements.
Randolph recounted Operation Desert Storm in explicit detail about their dangerous and vital missions to help liberate Kuwait from Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi Army. Victory occurred through the costs of spilled blood, broken bodies, and the tormented minds of Soldiers.
BUY, READ, AND USE THIS BOOK TO INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF MODERN MILITARY HISTORY AND THE SACRIFICES REQUIRED TO KEEP US SAFE.
Reviews
"The Iraq I Knew is especially and highly recommended for general-interest libraries, as well as military-oriented collections. Discussion groups, whether consisting of vets or civilians, will find it holds many insights and much material for debate and discussion. With its potential to prove eye-opening and educational to military people, their families, and civilians alike, The Iraq I Knew transcends any identification as a military autobiography, a story of PTSD, or an exploration of Iraq's many faces alone." Diane Donovan, Editor - Donovan's Literary Services
"The Iraq I Knew is a compelling, profound read on recent military history. With his firsthand experience, Randolph brings a unique perspective to many Americans on what war is really like. For lovers of military history and memoir, The Iraq I Knew is a solid addition to their library." "We can watch documentaries or even fictionalized movies and TV series about war, but none of those are the same as actually living through the experience. Randolph's memoir cuts no corners and is brutally honest as he shares gritty details of his whole acquaintance with the events that unfolded between the summer of 1990 and the spring of 1991." - The Book Review Directory
"Overall, The Iraq I Knew is a powerful, firsthand account that underscores the complexity and dedication involved in military service. I'd certainly recommend it for fans of wartime memoirs. Author Colonel Burl Randolph Jr. offers a compelling insight into the life of a US Army Field Artillery Captain and a truly engaging, raw portrayal of what it's like to experience extreme hardships in the name of duty. The book not only deepened my understanding of contemporary military history but also fostered a greater appreciation for the personal sacrifices made by military personnel." - K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite
