Rating: 
Summary: Disgraced "author" sell-outs remaining integrity
Review: Rick Bragg had a very good reputation as a storyteller and author. However his sad, disgraceful work on the New York Times (or lack thereof) that led to his leaving the paper, makes this book a sad reminder of what people can achieve in this country even when using interns and researchers to do their own work. Bragg has succesfully written a book, doing nothing more exciting than cashing in for probably a high paycheck to write a book that could have been doner by any of his interns (and may have been!). This is the kind of book you find that are written about celebrities everyday, the so-called autobiography. Thinly veiled as a touching tribute, Bragg really has lost all credibility here-- the sadness here is not the book, which is ok, but the fact that an author like this would tackle a book such as the Lynch story, and sadly trying to recapture fans by tapping into "American patriotism."Steer clear of this- besides, who would trust a book that likely use interns to do the interviews while the author kicks back?
Rating: 
Summary: Not the story the press & politicians tried to sell.
Review: Rick Bragg has done what I thought was impossible. He wrote the true story of Jessica and her family with sensitivity, insight and respect. The book reads quickly and like poetry. I was hesitant to read this book, because I thought I would never be able to believe any story I heard about these events. But as a fan of Rick Bragg I was eventually drawn to this book, and I am grateful that I was. It's a book about Jessica, about her family and friends, and about our country, and who our military is. I highly recommend reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: A very good investment!
Review: I just finished reading Jessica Lynch's book, and I enjoyed reading about her side of the story and about her family. The book has 200+ pages, and I finished it in three days. It was just too good to put down! If you're really into politics, then this probably isn't for you. If you want to read about an intriguing young woman's life, how she was miraculously rescued (if she had been rescued even a few days later, she would have died), and how she's adjusting to her current life, I think you will find this book a worthwhile investment. Jessica Lynch has been through alot in her short life, and I don't believe any of us have a right to be critical of her. She is a very courageous young woman. It takes a strong person to survive on such little hope, but by the grace of God and with many prayers lifting her up, she did, and she deserves our respect, not our critism.
Rating:
Summary: Fair and Balanced
Review: With all the spin, I trust Rick Bragg's story. No, she's not a hero (her special op rescuers are), but Jessica put a pretty face (no fault of her own) on the story and we paid attention.
Rating: 
Summary: Shoshana Johnson, remember her? aka (Have You Forgotten?)
Review: HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN? She is the 31 year old African American single mother, that was shot through both legs and held prisoner for 22 days in Iraq. Any of you clowns remember her? Probably not, becuase there aren't several books out about her story, a made for TV movie, many many websites dedicated to her ordeal, songs written about her, cruise ships dedicated in her name (yeah check the news wires today for that one). And lets not forget all the TV appearances and news stories. A google search brings up the following results:
Jessica Lynch - 640,000 results
Shoshana Johnson - 23,400 results Hey why wouldnt her story be as big? Is it because she isnt a cute white girl from some hick town? Guess an African American single mom who doesn't look like a barbie doll doesn't make for good copy. You know, those single African American moms, are usually Democrats anyway. God Bless Your America....keep waving those flags...and singing your songs....and praising the white 'heroes'.
Rating:
Summary: Fine Portrait of Jessica and her people
Review: This book, beautifully and concisely written, answered every question I had about Jessica Lynch, describing in compassionate yet objective terms her background, her family, the values she shared with her siblings and her community, her motives for joining the armed services and how she came to be a national figure. It is an anti-war book without ever trying to be that because it brings the reader painfully close to all men and women deployed in Iraq, to their ideals and their inevitable limitations and vulnerability, and above all to the simple patriotism without which America can not maintain its military power. In other words, it brings the message home that we are sending young people to suffer and die in our wars, and the men and women we elect to make military decisions must be scrutinized continually. This book is written for now and for the future. The author captures not just the immediate paradox of Jessica Lynch, who became a symbol of our military might, but the rural world from which she came, the world which supplies so many of our soldiers. There is a great deal more that can be said about this book and about its story. But essentially I say "Read this book." You'll learn from it, not only about Jessica but about all of us. As for Jessica herself, she is heroic because she survived what others might not have survived, and she was willing to talk about it fully and honestly. Anne Rice, New Orleans, La.
Rating: 
Summary: She Is A Soldier - So Just Say Thank You
Review: I Am A Soldier Too is the story of ex-P.O.W. Jessica Lynch. It is told in a hardcover book written by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Rick Bragg. Bragg is also the author of two best-selling books, Ava's Man and All Over but the Shoutin'. The title of the book was chosen because those were the words she had spoken to the soldiers rescuing her.
American soldier, Jessica Lynch, was captured and taken as a prisoner of war in Iraq. After being beaten, broken in pieces, raped, and living for days with the fear of what tortures might come next, she was rescued. Townspeople built her a house, the military gave her a purple heart, her countrymen called her a Hero, and the media made her an Icon. The soldier asked for none of that. She had only asked to be saved. The American people needed to feel hope during a time of War, in which they were beginning to feel lost. They used her to fulfill that hope. As she lay in a hospital bed seriously injured, myths began to form. When it came to light that the media or military may have exaggerated certain events, it was Jessica Lynch they began to criticize for it. After partially recuperating, she took it upon herself to bring out the truth, only to be criticized again for not speaking out sooner. The story of Jessica Lynch is being told, for the most part, to set the record straight on the events of her capture and rescue. More directly, it is being told to lift the impression that this ex-P.O.W. should be blamed for inaccurate reports of those events. After reading this book, any intelligent person without a heart of stone should come to the realization that this soldier did absolutely nothing wrong. She deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. That is the very least we can do for the soldiers of our country.
In the book, Bragg gives a very detailed description of the life back home, which Jessica Lynch left to become a soldier. He provides the same detailed description of her family, as well as her hometown and people who live there. The events of her life as a soldier and time as a P.O.W. are told, as she remembers them. Jessica claims that she is NOT a Hero. She credits her fellow soldiers who lost their lives beside her, as well as the brave soldiers who rescued her, as being the true Heroes.
I'm sure Bragg enjoyed writing about Jessica's hometown of Palestine, West Virginia. However, he spent too much time on his descriptions of it. The details were dragging on, causing me to lose interest. The author also seemed to jump around a bit toward the beginning; and there were some run-on sentences that were difficult to follow. Once the book got back to the story it was meant to tell, I could not put it down. It was very captivating and I was moved to tears more than once.
In chapter seven, Bragg portrayed Capt. Troy Kent King as incompetent, careless, and ultimately responsible for Jessica's ordeal. In the same chapter, it was also implied that Marines knowingly led the soldiers of the 507th to their deaths by allowing the convoy to continue on route toward Nasiriyah. This seems one-sided and I didn't find any evidence in the book that supports the implications. The book does, however, clear up confusions regarding P.O.W. Jessica Lynch. To this soldier's detriment, her M-16 jammed. With no fault to her, it was rendered useless by the sand. Everyone around her was dying and she had no means of defending herself. I can only imagine the fear she must have felt, as that moment swallowed her up. I don't want to imagine what she must have gone through during the three hours after her capture. Following her rescue, the soldier was blamed for not immediately rectifying misconceptions of others. Her efforts to put forth accurate information caused her to be accused of claiming fame. This soldier can't seem to win for losing.
In my opinion, this book gives an honest account of Jessica Lynch's life as a soldier. It provides a good understanding that the aftermath of conflict and debate toward this soldier, following her rescue, is not justified. Should she be considered a Hero? There are those of us who go above and beyond what is expected in the course of our duty. Those who make a decision to put their own lives on the line in an effort to save the life of someone else. They do it regardless of the peril they may face in the process. Such persons stand out among the rest of us. And should be recognized with an outstanding form of respect and reward. Did Jessica Lynch act as such? No. Should she be considered any more a Hero for the injuries she sustained or the unknown torture she endured? No. Any soldier in the entire Armed Forces could have been made to suffer the same horrible circumstances. It is a risk for all soldiers. However, what is being forgotten is that she did, in fact, put her life on the line for us. She agreed to go in our place, so that we may remain safely in our homes with the warmth of our families around us. She is our Hero; they all are. Let's not let them forget that.
This book will also be useful to the young people of our country. It will provide them with an awakening of what may lie ahead in deciding to join the military. The risks should not be taken lightly. Being in the Armed Forces should never be viewed as merely an escape or stepping-stone to something else. It should be a way of life preferred.
Thank you Jessica. I wish you a speedy recovery.
Rating: 
Summary: Interested in Iraq? There are better books...
Review: I have nothing against Jessica. She seems rather naive but nice. Rick Bragg didn't handle the material very well, ruining what could have been a better story. I'm surprised at Jessica's choice of an author. I am a soldier that served in Iraq for the past year and I would think most Americans would want to learn about IRAQ rather than Jessica and with that in mind, I highly recommend two other books: "Because Each Life is Precious" and "Mayada, Daughter of Iraq." Both books are spell-binding and Mohammed Odeh and Mayada Al-Askari are REAL heroes, people worth reading about. Mohammed basically saved Jessica's life. Mayada Al-Askari saved a lot of Iraqi lives due to her influence with the higher-ups in Iraq. Like I said, REAL HEROES and you learn about Iraq in the same read. Both books are good gifts for soldiers.
Rating:
Summary: NO HERO HERE!
Review: To clear up: I have not read the book and have no intentions of ever reading it. I did not watch he movie and never had any intentions of ever watching it. My buddy who is a Sergeant in the Delaware Air National Guard also agrees with my title: she is no hero.
Granted she served her country, was doing what she signed up to do, got caught in a devestating situation and did what any of us would have done: prayed that they would never die.
She was rescued by the real heros (troops who went in). All they did was rescue a kid who was bored with being a civilian.
I agree with a lot of reviewers (I have had this feeling since day one) that she was not forced to do the book or the movie. A lot of people blame the PR. Think about this: who agreed to let this all happen? Who signed the papers to do this? Not the PR companies. They came to her and offered to do a book and a movie. She could have said NO! But she felt that she needed to be in the limelight. WRONG! The real heros are still over there who are dying for a cause and for the people who don't want us there. I say let's pull out.
My heart still goes out to all the troops still over there, dying (no thanks to our blowhard president). I am glad she is home but I am sick and tired of seeing her face when she does not deserve to be on the cover of any magazine or t.v. or anything else.
The only she was was a soldier who went over, was ambushed, rescued and came home. But she was also the one who allowed her spotlight to shine on her. No one forced her.
NO HERO HERE!
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational Jessica
Review: Jessica Lynch became an international figure while she was missing, she was already an Icon before the Rescue and the infamous Washington Post story (undoubtedly planted by Feminists and their cohort Dana Priest).
Thus Jessica Lynch was NOT a creation of the Pentagon, she was already in the public's imagination. What has happened is that the Right, the Left, the feminists, the anti-feminists, the multiculturalists and a myriad of other greedy agenda groups have all cynically sought to exploit her. A plague on all of them.
In those missing 3 Hours, Jessi endured something which is too horrible to fully contemplate. There is no doubt she was raped and tortured; the massive secrecy surrounding her after her rescue is evidence of this (at Walter Reed, she had to do physiotherapy alone, and was isolated from other soldiers with armed guards around her, and medical staff were told not to utter a word to anyone).
Unlike Melissa Coleman, Jessi has had the guts to reveal what happened to her, and has stood up to the Feminists.
When she first speaks to her father she says "Daddy, they broke my arm", which suggests that those horrible memories are lurking.
Though of course Feminists and the politically correct will dismiss this with their usual callousness.
Jessica Lynch is a noble, honest girl, whose dignity shines above the cretins who bash her or seek to exploit her.
She has served her country twice...first by being there, then by being honest. We need more people like her.
BTW: Why is it alright for Shwarzkopf, Hackworth, McNabb, Clark and others to write books, but not Jessica? At least she is modest and doesn't big herself up, which all the above have done.
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