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When Marines enter an abandoned house in Fallujah, Iraq, and hear a suspicious noise, they clench their weapons, edge around the corner, and prepare to open fire.
What they find during the U.S.led attack on the “most dangerous city on Earth,” however, is not an insurgent bent on revenge but a tiny puppy left behind when most of the city’s population fled before the bombing. Despite military law that forbids the keeping of pets, the Marines de-flea the pup with kerosene, de-worm him with chewing tobacco, and fill him up on Meals Ready to Eat.
Thus begins the dramatic rescue attempt of a dog named Lava—and Lava’s rescue of at least one Marine, Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman, from the emotional ravages of war.
From hardened Marines to wartime journalists to endangered Iraqi citizens, From Baghdad, With Love tells an unforgettable true story of an unlikely band of heroes who learn unexpected lessons about life, death, and war from a mangy little flea-
ridden refugee.
Anonymous
Posted November 5, 2012
awesome book even in the midst of a cruel & unwarranted war, this story of love for a dog is heartwarming.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.julie443
Posted September 5, 2011
I am usually a crime, mystery, and high action lover, so I was worried that this would be too "cute" for my liking. I quickly realized that I could not put this book down! It is suspenseful and it is the ONLY book I have ever wanted to read twice! You must read it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.auntbah
Posted January 9, 2009
Once you pick it up you won't want to put it down until you're finished.<BR/>It is even more endearing because it is a true story. You are captivated and want to help Lava.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 5, 2013
Once I picked up From Baghdad, With Love, and started reading, I could not put it down. It is hands down one of the best books I have ever read. I must admit that some parts of the book were boring, and I didn’t quite understand how they fit into the story, but once I kept reading the better it got. I love how the author Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman writes about his journey on getting Lava to the United States. But it also teaches the reader facts about the war in Iraq and what was happening where he was stationed. The book teaches a great lesson, which is that you always have to keep trying, no matter what happened before. Honestly, I started to stop believing that Lava would ever get to go to Kopelman’s home in California. There were so many failed attempts to getting Lava to the United States, but by having Jon Van Zante there to keep encouraging them they were able to get Lava safely to the United States. It killed me to read the parts when Kopelman thought about how Lava would die; I wanted to scream “I KNOW HE’S ALIVE. THE BACK OF THE BOOK SAYS THAT KOPELMAN LIVES WITH LAVA IN CALIFORNIA! JUST GET TO THE HAPPY PART ALREADY!” Finding Lava gives Kopelman and all the other Marines that help take care of the puppy hope to keep moving forward and that it will get better. I think that high schools would be most likely to read this book because they have some knowledge about what was going on in Iraq during the war. Even if they do not know much about the war, the book helps describe it. I know it has helped me understand what was going on in Iraq from the point of view from a soldier instead of the press. I don’t think younger kids should read this book because there is a strong language usage.
Anonymous
Posted February 2, 2013
The book From Baghdad With Love is an amazing and heartwarming story. Once I heard that the book was about a dog I knew I wanted to read it. I am one of the biggest dog lovers there is so this book was right up my alley. This book combines a great war memoir and a dog story all in one, making this one of my favorites. It was about a Marine named Jay Kopelman and his team found an Iraqi puppy which they would name Lava. They all grew much attached and knew they had to get him to the United States. There were many bumps in the road along the way. There were many organizations that joined the cause to get Lava to the United States, which showed the humanity of people supporting the troops, especially this Marine. I loved how everyone worked together and never gave up in the end.
Another reason why I like this book because it was real and raw and Jay Kopelman didn’t hold back with any of his descriptions. Some parts of the book explained disturbing pictures at times but, it showed me exactly what the U.S soldiers see and experience every day. It also showed LT. Kopelman’s friendship unfold from beginning to end and how Lava became such a big part in his life. I got to see Lava grow up and affect so many others lives and how he helped so many Marines forget just for a second that they were at war and could possibly never come home. I wouldn’t recommend this to littler kids because of the descriptions, but I think this is a great book for teenagers or adults. All the way through the book I never wanted to put it down. Each chapter captivates you and forces your mind to think all of the possibilities like whether Lava would make it in the end or not. I read the book in 3 days and enjoyed every bit of it. I am so happy that I got to read this truly endearing dog story.
Anonymous
Posted January 29, 2013
I really enjoyed reading this book. I applaud Col. Kopelman for all he did to bring Lava home from Iraq.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 29, 2013
What now people?! I gots de book!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 25, 2013
I was a little afraid to read this book because I am so softhearted about any animal (especially dogs) being hurt in any way. However this book was wonderful so if you are like I am and are cautious about reading it go ahead buy it and enjoy!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Lauren_Noel_Bashore
Posted November 7, 2012
My mama's boyfriend, Kenneth Licklider, owner of Vohne Liche Kennels, told me to read this and I had no clue he had such an amazing deal with this story even though his part is so little. Great story and I even met the author. Loved it. (:
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 7, 2012
This book can open so many eyes on what realy goes on in a war, and what our men and women that are in the service really have to deal with everyday that they are in the Middle East. Their mind set is not of love, which can be understandable, but there has to be an outlet for the emotions to come through. If more people realized that, there would be more help for the service men and women that come home. The one thing that kept the author going was this puppy who made him laugh, cry, and do everything possible to bring the dog home so that he could have a better life and return that love to someone who saved him, even though it was against regulations. Well done Mr. Kopelman, and thank you for your service to our country. God bless you today and always.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 23, 2012
This was an amazing story for any animal lover. From giggles of delight, to edge of your seat anxiety this book will pull you into the life as person by person gets involved with saving this pup.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted July 4, 2012
Because this book is written by the soldier, it lacks a lot of "touchy feely" detail. But through his writing he includes a lot of fact about the war and about other caught up in the war and you learn how even a war-hardened soldier can fall in love with a little fur-ball. And how everyone else helps him because of this!
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Posted April 10, 2012
Such a touching story
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 22, 2012
I definately would read more books by this author. Fantastic entertaining and kept me on the edge of my seat. Could not put the book (Nookcolor Tablet that is) down. Emotionally rewarding and very factually informative. I think this would be a movie I would pay to go see at the theatre......come on Hollywood.
Shay Radeschi/Florida
k_j_9_7
Posted January 8, 2012
The story was really touching. I didn't like the frequent use of swear words and how many sentences were ended with "right?". Other than that, it was very good.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 18, 2011
This was such a sweet, easy to read story. I always find it fascinating to read about what is going on with the war from people who are really over there. This gives you that aspect and the tender side where they rescue a puppy. What could be better??
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Posted January 20, 2011
This book was a very well written and has a great story line. This is a great book to read if you are an animal lover, or even if you just enjoy a great story!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.BeverlyMcC
Posted October 5, 2009
Wonderful book. Very touching; makes you feel good.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.From Baghdad, With Love is built around this beautiful puppy; time revolves around the puppy, as do the humans in this novel, but it is so much more for those capable of reading between the lines. That dog represented sanity in a world that was insane for Kopelman and the other men and women who saved his life.
The reader is privy to an insider's peek of the Iraq War, and at least one of the possible, albeit ridiculous reasons the former President, a very religious man, may have been so gung-ho, if they pay close attention and keep an open mind. The heinousness of crulty committed in the act of "liberation" is amazing, but always there is hope through this dog and its people. I highly recommend this novel.
Sweetpea107
Posted August 23, 2009
This book is a combo of a war, and a war of the heart. When these Marine's show their human side for this puppy, you will truely realize the bond between a human and an animal. If you're a pet owner, you will appreciate this, and if yout not, you will understand why feelings for animals are so strong and you look at them as a part of your family.
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Overview
When Marines enter an abandoned house in Fallujah, Iraq, and hear a suspicious noise, they clench their weapons, edge around the corner, and prepare to open fire.
What they find during the U.S.led attack on the “most dangerous city on Earth,” however, is not an insurgent bent on revenge but a tiny puppy left behind when most of the city’s population fled before the bombing. Despite military law that forbids the keeping of pets, the Marines ...