We Were One

"We Were One is feelingly narrated by an intrepid war historian who risked his own life to capture every raw minute of their story."--Hampton Sides, author of Blood and Thunder and Ghost Soldiers

"A magnificent tale of combat--mixing valor, grit, love, blood, and sacrifice. This book defines what it means to be a Marine grunt."--Bing West, author of The March Up and No True Glory

"We Were One is a dramatic tale of courage, hardship, and the extraordinarily difficult challenges faced by a gallant Marine unit in one of the world's deadliest places. Patrick O'Donnell brilliantly and compassionately recounts the story of our American sons called upon to fight, bleed, die, and survive in a hostile land."--Carlo D'Este, author of Patton: A Genius for War

"As an embedded journalist in an Infantry Platoon, O'Donnell paints an authentic picture of our Nation's most precious assets--the Marine Riflemen--engaged in one of their fiercest fights. We Were One is a gritty, boots-on-the-ground account that enables readers to witness the overwhelming will and courage of Marines as they move against the enemy."--J.N. Mattis, Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps, Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force

"Pat O'Donnell was with us on the ground in Fallujah--house to house. His story is historically accurate and describes the greatest personal and professional test of our lives. We Were One is destined to be a classic of urban close combat and honors the memory of all who made the ultimate sacrifice for their brother Marines. I am deeply thankful that Pat kept his oath to Lima Company."--Lt. Col. Willard A. Buhl, CO Task Force 3/1, Operation AL FAJR

"A detailed, blow-by-blow description of the brutal street fighting...These Marines fought with great courage and the details of their battle make gripping reading."

"[We Were One] clearly reflects valor and courage."

"First-rate reading...Admirably depicts the brutal realities of street-to-street, house-to-house fighting...Captures the sensory details and emotional drama of good men killing and dying for one another and their country."

"One of the best books to come out of the recent conflict in the Middle East is this blistering account of fighting the toughest of Iraq's insurgents...Riveting and frightening...In many ways this has the same intensity of experience as Mark Bowden's classic Black Hawk Down. An exhilarating and instructive read."

"A blue-collar, in-your-face, real-life depiction of marines fighting an ingenious, determined, and radical mujahideen insurgency...This book's perspective makes it stand out among others that deal with such battles. The author's decision to write about Fallujah through the eyes and experiences of those who fought it-and to draw on his own observations-brings credibility and a real sense of truth to a compelling story of bravery, courage, and commitment to something greater than oneself."

"O'Donnell depicts in graphic detail the sights and smells of urban combat and the bravery of young leathernecks, whom he describes, with some justice, as the 'next greatest generation.'"

"O'Donnell takes the reader into the private world of a Marine infantry platoon...His descriptions of the Marines clearing houses, fighting the heavily doped-up insurgents, as well as the physical, mental, and emotional toll it takes on the Marines are among the most descriptive and heart-breaking accounts to come back from the Iraqi front...For those who want to begin to understand the deadly nature of fighting in an urban environment, the determination of the enemy, as well as the inherent problems in 4th Generation Warfare-as well to begin to understand the determination and dedication to their fellow Marines of those young men who are doing the fighting-then this is the book for you."

"This is, being real, a more than harrowing tale...A graphic account...portraying in the starkest terms the infantryman's war."

"Superbly captures the human dimension of war that is missing in so many books of this genre...It is an extremely powerful and personal volume that will dramatically impact both those who have experienced combat and those who have not."

"Cover[s] the war that the mainstream media neglects: the story of countless acts of courage and sacrifice among the young soldiers and Marines who tend to remain anonymous unless they make a mistake."