Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-Year-Old GI
Written by Ryan Smithson
Narrated by Ryan Smithson
4/5
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About this audiobook
In this extraordinary and harrowing memoir, follow one GI’s tour of duty as Ryan Smithson brings readers inside a world that few understand.
This is no ordinary teenager’s story. Instead of opting for college life, Ryan Smithson joined the Army Reserve when he was seventeen. Two years later, he was deployed to Iraq as an Army engineer.
His story—and the stories of thousands of other soldiers—is nothing like what you see on CNN or read about in the New York Times. This unforgettable story about combat, friendship, fear, and a soldier’s commitment to his country peels back the curtain on the realities of war in a story all Americans should read.
Ryan Smithson
Ryan Smithson joined the Army Reserve and was deployed to Iraq as an engineer at the age of nineteen. Upon returning, he earned an AAS degree in criminal justice. Specialist Smithson doesn't know if he'll be deployed again. He currently works for the American Red Cross as a mobile unit assistant and lives with his wife in upstate New York.
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Reviews for Ghosts of War
15 ratings10 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Even for those who know little about the military, U.S. Army reservist Ryan Smithson’s account of his deployment in Iraq makes for a compelling read. Smithson was in his junior year of high school when the September 11 terrorist attacks took place. Feeling helpless but wanting to give back nonetheless, 18-year-old Smithson joins the Army reserves, not knowing if he would ever have to serve in a combat zone. When Smithson is soon deployed after enlisting, readers are given an up-close-and-personal look at one soldier’s grueling months in Iraq. The language is crude and gritty, and it is clear that Smithson is not a fan of censoring how he feels. Thankfully, the rawness of Smithson’s words and his candid thoughts on stereotypes, war, and sacrifice only make this story more convincing. Insightful for anyone, Ghosts of War may be an especially valuable read for students interested in enlisting in the military. While Smithson explains the military jargon as he goes, the acronyms can still get overwhelming to the civilian reader; however, a glossary of military terms is included. Photos also included. For ages 14-18. Recommended.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Truly an eye-popping book for a voracious military/war buff - probably the most over-dramatic description of being in the military I've ever read, full of teenage angst over every element, sort of a "Dawson's Creek" set in Iraq. The plot : a Heavy Equipment Operator (who went outside the wire and saw a tiny bit of action, like, twice? ) seems to be having grand delusions of being a infantryman in WWII, maybe the 101st Airborne or maybe in the marines landing on Peliliau. The only thing missing was a tragic love affair with a French cafe singer or a Polynesian native.OK, the author is quite young so I'll give him a break - I hope he has a good laugh when he's 50 and looks back on this "war" diary. And in the mean time I hope he writes some great novels - he certainly has the flair and vocabulary and poetic bent to make some masterful stories.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book is written about the experiences of a 19-year-old who joined the army to serve in Iraq. What makes this book even more compelling is that he is from the Albany area – living in Troy and West Sand Lake, as well as having trained with his unit in Kingston. His experiences are not the typical ones – death defying heroic adventures – but tell of a different kind of mission, the one helping to build up and change this country for the better. Great story!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ryan Smithson enlisted in the army reserve while a senior in high school and was deployed to Iraq in 2004 at the age of nineteen. He describes his experience in very personal terms in this book. A strong supporter of the war, so not all readers will have the same perspective. It would be interesting to hear from other soldiers with different perspectives.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5In the wake of 9/11, at age 19, the author spent a year in Iraq in the Army as a heavy construction equipment operator. He both hates and loves his time in Iraq in ways he sometimes is at a loss to explain. He's conflicted about what he sees: the differences between American and Iraqi culture; that war is ugly and beautiful; whether his military stint makes any difference at all. It's a bittersweet experience understood and shared only by a select few. The author also addresses his struggle with PTSD and culture shock after his tour and how writing became his therapy. There aren't any truly graphic or violent scenes but teen readers living comfortable lives will find thought-provoking new viewpoints about the wider world to ponder.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ryan Smithson's first-hand account of a new soldier serving in the Iraqi War is enlightening. This reader especially enjoyed the his earliest days in the service -- his enlistment, boot camp, and deployment. His days in Iraq were (thankfully) pretty noneventful -- not great news for drama hounds -- but he captures well the odd combination of boredom and tension of being at war where terrorism is m.o. He steers clear of politics and there's nary an objectionable word or thought so would be a good book for middle schoolers and up. Similar to Myers' Fallen Angels (Vietnam War)
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-Year-Old GI, by Ryan SmithsonNot often does a book leave me speechless, but the difficult subject and beautiful writing in "Ghosts of War" did. Ryan Smithson was 19 when he was deployed to Iraq as a member of the Army Reserves. He tells the story of his platoon and so many like it overseas, the ones who are working to rebuild the country and make it safe for other troops and citizens, the ones who interact with villagers and the poorer people of Iraq. Not the ones who are busting down doors, searching for weapons caches or other types of activities that make the news. Smithson and his fellow soldiers are the unsung heroes of the war. Smithson writes a moving memoir, that starts with his reaction to September 11, 2001, and his decision to join the Army Reserves, to his year long deployment overseas. The book ends with his return home and the difficulty in adjusting to life again, after living in a combat zone, and how he used writing as therapy for PTSD. The bulk of the book is about his year in Iraq, a year in which he saw the human side of war. Many of the most moving parts of the book are when he describes encounters with Iraqi children, who were almost pathetically grateful for something as simple as clean water. "Ghosts of War" is also a power emotional and mental journey for both the author and the reader, as Smithson ponders what freedom really means, what is faith - questions that are answered during training, missions, and reflection. I just can't say enough about this book. I've always been against the war, but it was a general feeling. Reading "Ghosts of War" made me think about the individual soldiers, people who joined the armed forces because they want to do something, they want to protect American freedom. A particularly enlightening part for me came near the end, when Smithson went to a high school with another recruiter. On the way to the high school, the other recruiter told Smithson that the kids they were about to see wouldn't really care to hear them, wouldn't listen - they'd think he was just one more brainwashed grunt. I know I felt that way when I listened to recruiters in high school; but as I said, now my opinion is very different. I will now appreciate and thank the soldiers I see. Thank you for opening my eyes."Ghosts of War" is an excellent book for adults or young adults, especially teenagers who are considering joining the armed forces. Smithson's memoir gives an accurate picture of army life, from basic training to deployment and back, that may answer questions they didn't know they had. It's also a great book to open discussion between parents and their children, about the war, about the army. I had my own father look at it, as he had been in the Reserves during Vietnam, and the book prompted many questions for me to ask him. The writing is moving and will suck you in; I didn't want to put it down once I started. Some of the experiences related left me tearing up, and some had me cracking up with laughter. Overall, a wonderful book. 5/5.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5On the 2012 Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award list, Ghosts of War is a memoir by one teenage Iraqi veteran. I appreciated his simple, direct writing style, and the way he was aware he was telling a story untold by the mass media. Although not riveting, this book is real. And it's an important book for anyone to read, especially those with family and friends who have served.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Smithson writes about his decision to join the reserves after 9/11 and his experiences in boot camp and during a one year tour of duty in Iraq. The book describes Army life and decodes the specific jargon for those without military background in an accessible way. As a part of an Equipment Battalion, his experience not what has been frequently been depicted by the press as part of the war. This will give readers helpful insight into life in the military and living conditions during war.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I definitely enjoyed the book, mostly it was interesting to read about a deployment overseas from another perspective. Some aspects brought back memories of my time going through boot camp (what seems like) eons ago. It's definitely another book I will add to my bookshelf.