Once a Warrior

October 15, 2020
In a way, soldiers' lives are a study in paradox: warriors on the battlefield fulfilling dangerous missions, they return home to find their purpose missing. Despite their leadership skills under fire, as civilians they're spurned by the business world for lack of qualifications. And beyond this, mental-health concerns resulting from service coupled with insufficient treatment lead to a climbing suicide toll among veterans. Moved by patriotism in the early days of the War on Terror, Wood (Take Command, 2014) served in Iraq and Afghanistan for four years. But when the time came to recommit, he found his priorities had changed. Years later, feeling the common lack of purpose, he found a mission: helping the victims of Haiti's devastating 2010 earthquake. Wood and several fellow former soldiers brought supplies and provided medical aid for the earthquake's victims, and Team Rubicon was born: a disaster-response organization connecting volunteer veterans to communities in need. Wood conveys a great depth of compassion, making this a moving, emotionally satisfying read that illustrates how one person can make a difference.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)