In The Living and the Dead, acclaimed journalist and Iraq War veteran Brian Mockenhaupt tells the gripping true story of three close friends—Tom, Ian, and Jimmy— at a Marine encampment in southern Afghanistan. While fighting a war many back home have forgotten, the devil dogs of Patrol Base Dakota face constant threat. Like soldiers throughout the ages, any moment could bring their deaths--or the deaths of their friends and brothers.
In a quiet moment, Sergeant Tom Whorl scribbles in a small notebook. “The worst feeling is not knowing when your last step will be. That’s what takes a toll on your brain.”
With those types of simple words and keenly observed moments, Mockenhaupt captures the gut-wrenching day-to-day, life-and-death struggles and triumphs of the men of Patrol Base Dakota. This is the reality of combat in the twenty-first-century: Walking gingerly across the Afghan countryside in a nerve-wracking hunt for cleverly hidden explosives that can easily tear a man in half. Living every day knowing that a split-second decision can haunt a man for the rest of his existence. Enduring the unendurable because you’ve signed up to do democracy’s dirty work, and because you owe it to the guys on your left and your right. Back home, your family lives in dread. They watch out the window for men in uniform with grim faces, carrying unimaginable news.
The Living and the Dead is a moving and timeless account of bravery, friendship, struggle and sacrifice in the face of unimaginable tests. An unforgettable tale of battles that continue to rage long after the final shot has been fired, written by a veteran warrior and award-winning writer.
