In the Gray Area

A Marine Advisor Team at War

Nonfiction, History, Military
Cover of the book In the Gray Area by Seth W. B. Folsom, Naval Institute Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Seth W. B. Folsom ISBN: 9781612510118
Publisher: Naval Institute Press Publication: January 15, 2011
Imprint: Naval Institute Press Language: English
Author: Seth W. B. Folsom
ISBN: 9781612510118
Publisher: Naval Institute Press
Publication: January 15, 2011
Imprint: Naval Institute Press
Language: English
In the Gray Area builds on Seth Folsom’s earlier award-winning memoir, The Highway War, which described his 2003 command of one of the first Marine light armored reconnaissance battalion companies to march on Baghdad. In February 2008, he was deployed to Iraq again as the leader of a U.S. Marine advisor team embedded with an Iraqi army infantry battalion. In this new work, Folsom frankly addresses the realities of the Marines’ mission as he reflects on challenges they and their Iraqi counterparts faced in their struggle to gain control of al-Anbar province. He explores the bonds he formed with his men, the “Outlanders,” and the tenuous relationships forged between the American and Iraqi soldiers whose cultures were so vastly different. The author creates a compelling picture of the obstacles faced by both as they lived, ate, and fought side-by-side.

The Highway War was lauded for its insights about how a young combat leader copes with his own vulnerabilities while publicly presenting a tough persona. In the Gray Area, Folsom shows a now more mature commander thoughtfully evaluating the situation at a time when the Iraqi army is on the cusp of independence from its American partners. He further reflects on the difficulties posed by a possibly premature American departure from Iraq and questions if the advisor mission is really the key to an American exit of Iraq.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
In the Gray Area builds on Seth Folsom’s earlier award-winning memoir, The Highway War, which described his 2003 command of one of the first Marine light armored reconnaissance battalion companies to march on Baghdad. In February 2008, he was deployed to Iraq again as the leader of a U.S. Marine advisor team embedded with an Iraqi army infantry battalion. In this new work, Folsom frankly addresses the realities of the Marines’ mission as he reflects on challenges they and their Iraqi counterparts faced in their struggle to gain control of al-Anbar province. He explores the bonds he formed with his men, the “Outlanders,” and the tenuous relationships forged between the American and Iraqi soldiers whose cultures were so vastly different. The author creates a compelling picture of the obstacles faced by both as they lived, ate, and fought side-by-side.

The Highway War was lauded for its insights about how a young combat leader copes with his own vulnerabilities while publicly presenting a tough persona. In the Gray Area, Folsom shows a now more mature commander thoughtfully evaluating the situation at a time when the Iraqi army is on the cusp of independence from its American partners. He further reflects on the difficulties posed by a possibly premature American departure from Iraq and questions if the advisor mission is really the key to an American exit of Iraq.

More books from Naval Institute Press

Cover of the book Unflinching Zeal by Seth W. B. Folsom
Cover of the book Fateful Rendezvous by Seth W. B. Folsom
Cover of the book Scotland and the Sea by Seth W. B. Folsom
Cover of the book The Recipient's Son by Seth W. B. Folsom
Cover of the book Chief of Staff, Vol. 2 by Seth W. B. Folsom
Cover of the book The Ship that Held the Line by Seth W. B. Folsom
Cover of the book El Dorado Canyon by Seth W. B. Folsom
Cover of the book The Lucky Few by Seth W. B. Folsom
Cover of the book The Accidental Admiral by Seth W. B. Folsom
Cover of the book Manila And Santiago by Seth W. B. Folsom
Cover of the book Red Sun Setting by Seth W. B. Folsom
Cover of the book A Different Kind of Victory by Seth W. B. Folsom
Cover of the book Nelson's Refuge by Seth W. B. Folsom
Cover of the book To Crown the Waves by Seth W. B. Folsom
Cover of the book French Destroyers by Seth W. B. Folsom
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy