No True Glory

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For months, author F.J. "Bing" West lived among the Marines besieging the insurgent stronghold of Fallujah, interviewing members of the three US Army units involved before the Marines' arrival. With access to frontline personnel and senior policymakers, West provides an astonishing account of strategy discussions, tense night patrols, and rooftop fighting, revealing a story largely untold in the media. Initially, the Marines aimed to enter Fallujah "as soft as fog," but following the horrific mob killing of four American contractors in March 2004, they launched a fierce attack. West details the brutal street battles, the unexpected resistance, and the sweeping US counterattack that sparked outrage in the Arab world. He takes us behind the scenes of intense negotiations aimed at persuading Iraqis to take charge and eliminate terrorists like al-Zarqawi, who exploited the city as a sanctuary—negotiations with long-lasting implications for Iraq. The narrative centers on the everyday heroism of American soldiers and Marines grappling with the paradox of Iraqis who both desired and resisted American presence. This firsthand account captures the gritty fighting, political maneuvering, and ongoing struggle in Fallujah, serving as a microcosm of the complex and frustrating Iraqi war.