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    War Dogs: Tales of Canine Heroism, History, and Love
    War Dogs: Tales of Canine Heroism, History, and Love
    War Dogs: Tales of Canine Heroism, History, and Love
    Audiobook8 hours

    War Dogs: Tales of Canine Heroism, History, and Love

    Written by Rebecca Frankel

    Narrated by Tanya Eby

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    About this audiobook

    In War Dogs, Rebecca Frankel offers a riveting mix of on-the-ground reporting, her own hands-on experiences in the military working dog world, and a look at the science of dogs' special abilities-from their amazing noses and powerful jaws to their enormous sensitivity to the emotions of their human companions. The history of dogs in the U.S. military is long and rich, from the spirit-lifting mascots of the Civil War to the dogs who lead patrols hunting for IEDs today.

    Frankel interviewed not only handlers who deployed with dogs in wars from Vietnam to Iraq but also top military commanders, K-9 program managers, combat-trained therapists who brought dogs into war zones as part of a preemptive measure to stave off PTSD, and veterinary technicians stationed in Bagram. She makes a passionate case for maintaining a robust war-dog force. In a post-9/11 world rife with terrorist threats, nothing is more effective than a bomb-sniffing dog and his handler. With a compelling cast of humans and animals, this moving book is a must-listen for all dog lovers-military and otherwise.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateDec 31, 2014
    ISBN9781494578497
    Author

    Rebecca Frankel

    Rebecca Frankel is the author of New York Times bestselling book, War Dogs: Tales of Canine Heroism, History, and Love. She is former executive editor at Foreign Policy magazine. Her work has appeared in Smithsonian Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and National Geographic, among others. A Connecticut native, she lives in Washington, DC.

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    Reviews for War Dogs

    4/5

    59 ratings23 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Wonderful book!
    • 5/5
      War Dogs is a compilation of many stories of dogs, who fought in battle, saved the sanity of soldiers both mentally and physically, and loved their companion. Dogs hold a special part of my heart, as they love unconditionally and bring joy to my life daily. This book offers story after story of love, protection, and sacrifice of themselves. I love the quote within the pages, “If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went” Will Rogers. The section focuses on those furry companions who gave their life to protect their person. One part focuses on the love between a war dog and a person. The author notes that research has been done over and over again on the benefits of having a dog on a human, such as a stress reducer by allowing our bodies to release serotonin, which brings happiness. The stories in this part of the book offer clear examples of dogs who benefit from the love of their human in similar ways. I highly recommend this read and will book talk it in our middle school library on Monday, along with Buried Alive. Students may check either out then! #lfleads #LFMS #hottingerhighlights #middleschoolela #middleschool #dogbooks #americaswardogs
    • 4/5
      3.5 StarsA journey through the writer's experiences with Working Military Dogs and their handlers, mostly through a training course. There's some short interlacing stories of these pairs (although I wish there were more), some during conflicts, some after, with a focus on the usefulness and skill of the dogs and the positive outcomes the animals have on people. Also, a discussion on the effects of PTSD on both. Very good read, especially if you know what you are getting. I initially thought the book would have more individual stories in greater detail, but it's still a story that needs to be told.GoodReads FirstReads Givewaway
    • 5/5
      War Dogs: Tales of Canine Heroism, History, and Love by Rebecca Frankel is a fantastic novel of love and war and dogs and heroes. The author discusses how dogs have been a help in wars since early wars all the way to the present. She interviews many handlers and has many pictures and stories. I am a big animal and dog lover and I found this a touching and wonderful book. The love and bond between the handler and dogs, the heroism, the special senses of the dogs, and the senses to the emotions of their humans is amazing and heartwarming. For all dog lovers, history buffs, and for those that want to get something for someone that "has everything", this is the book for you. I won this book on Goodreads and I am so glad I did, this is a real joy for me. Thanks. It is so well written and tells us the other heroes of war. Thanks.
    • 2/5
      I was disappointed in this book. I thought the author focused more on their experiences than those of the dogs. I love dogs and wanted to read more about them and their adventures, not about the people except for the actual relationships between the dog and their handler.
    • 3/5
      I'm a sucker for dog books ... but at the same time I always dread reading them, because they'll inevitably leave me misty-eyed at the end. "War Dogs" didn't quite do that to me, but it definitely left me intrigued, and more than a little saddened. A mix of first-person stories and historical background, the book explores a topic that hasn't been given a lot of attention in most dog books -- the use of dogs in the military. It's a worthwhile read, though a slightly disjointed one.For me, the most memorable takeaway from the book was the strong disconnect it portrays -- the love of individual dog-handlers, versus the heartlessness of the American military establishment. I suppose that heartlessness will always remain, but hopefully our culture will continue advance to the point where dogs are caught up in that aggressive, bureaucratic crossfire a little less often.
    • 3/5
      [War Dogs] was an interesting and informative book about Military Working Dogs and their handlers. The author discusses the dogs, their selection criteria and the training received by both dogs and handlers. There was also some discussion about the bond between the two. Is it love, affection, obedience or trust? Whatever the nature of the bond, it results in the policy that where the dog goes, the handler goes; and, where the handler goes, the dog goes.This book will be enjoyed and appreciated by all dog lovers.
    • 4/5
      In wars throughout the centuries dogs have served in a variety of ways; from sniffing out IED’s, to carrying messages, to bringing comfort to weary soldiers: dogs have proved their usefulness. In War Dogs Rebecca Frankel gives us a brief history and compelling insight into dogs on the battleground. By reading her book I got to know these amazing courageous dogs and their handlers. She has given a captivating first hand account of the training they go through to prepare for their assignments in the war zones of the Middle East. I would love to see many people read War Dogs and give recognition to these heroes. It would make a great gift for service men and woman, history buffs, and anyone who loves dogs.
    • 4/5
      War dogs go through intense training between handler and dog on bases built especially for them in the U.S. There is a brief history of the use of dogs in war but there were never any official records kept. With each new conflict in the world training must start up with the needs of each one. Dogs are trained to attack, track, search out IEDs or to do therapy. The book details the author's experiences of the training and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Individual stories reflect the bond between the handler and the dog and the respect of any unit they are given an assignment with. War dogs save lives. War dogs are soldiers.
    • 4/5
      This book dives into the relationship of man and dog. It shows how dogs have been used for hundreds of years to help in times of war. It tells the history of the war dog and illustrates through personal stories of handlers and trainers. I learned so much I never knew about them and much I never even thought of. There are parts that seem out of sequence but, they are few. The author tries to tie things together with stories that illustrate and sometimes it gets a little off track. The author wrote about how dogs will cover their handler if they are wounded in combat and that this is not a trained thing, but something that dogs just do. It reminded me of a time my husband and I were trying to see what my Great Pyrenees would do if she thought I were in danger and she did just that. She pushed me down and covered me. While I laughed myself silly, she thought I was in danger and did an instinctual thing. This book was very insightful and emotional. I will forever be grateful to the men, women and canines that protect our nation. I will also never look at them the same again.I received a copy of this book for the purpose of review.
    • 4/5
      From ancient battles to the recent conflicts in the Middle East, the author takes us through an informative, interesting, and often touching history of how dogs have served with and for mankind. This is not a typical narration, as it is not laid out in a straight chronological order, but skips back and forth in time and places, over the last century or so. I especially appreciated the look at how these war-time partners (and their humans) are trained for dangerous duty in times of combat.
    • 5/5
      This book was an amazing read! This book has opened my eyes to the importance of dogs in the military and how detrimental to the military it would be if the dog programs went away like they have so many times before.
    • 4/5
      This is a well researched but highly readable overview of today's U. S. war dogs and their handlers. Using evocative prose, Frankel gives readers an up close look at the living, training and battle situations these teams encounter in modern warfare. At times the book seems rather disjointed. It's general formula seems to be to discuss a topic or idea, then to provide a real life story as an illustration. Sometimes the sequence seems to make sense, other times not so much. After the release of the American Sniper movie, there has been much discussion in the public forum about portraying combat and it's toll realistically. War Dogs provides a good overview for discussion about the role of dogs in war. We learn about training techniques, emotional attachment, history, therapy, retirement and more for these four-legged warriors and their partners.
    • 5/5
      Wow! What an emotional read. This book is loaded with great stories and information about warrior dogs. As a civilian, I honestly believe that I will NEVER understand the magnitude of sacrifice those men, women, and DOGS give during their time in the service. AND far after being out of the military as well! TRUE heroes. I found this book very eye opening. Everyone hears about PTSD, but I, for one, had never heard of CPTSD. The more I read about war dogs, the more I appreciated the service they give to all of us. A wonderful book! One that I AM VERY THANKFUL TO HAVE WON THROUGH AN ARC GIVEAWAY FROM LIBRARYTHING! A solid 4.5 stars from me!
    • 4/5
      A very moving and informative book about the role of dogs at war in all of the branches of service. As an lover of dogs (currently with 4 Labs, three of which are certified Therapy Dogs) and having a deep appreciation for them and those that work with them - this book was great. I was especially pleased that the author went into detail about all of the roles dogs perform while working in such a stressful environment - guide dogs, bomb (IED) dogs, therapy dogs, spotter dogs, and maybe just as important - friends and companions. Well Done !!
    • 4/5
      I liked this book because I am dog lover but I thought the book was a bit fractured in its writing style.
    • 4/5
      I was excited yet afraid to read this book. I sob when dogs are harmed in books or movies, let alone real life. This book touched on sadness and I did get a teary a few times, but it was mostly about the wonderful link with dogs and their handlers in times of war. Highly recommended reading!
    • 4/5
      This book is an exceptionally well researched narrative of the history of Military Working Dogs and their importance in the saving of thousands of service personnel lives in war zones. Dogs are known for their courage, loyalty and devotion as exemplified by the tales of the handlers and their canine working companions. Their stories are awe inspiring and many times heartbreaking. Whether trained as trackers or scouts, there is evidence that war and combat also affect dogs. The government now monitors their exit from the military, and many handlers and rescue groups are stepping up to adopt these brave souls and to memorialize their sacrifices. These canine heroes deserve our every consideration, and we appreciate the author bringing their stories to light.
    • 4/5
      I was excited to be offered the chance to read and review this book. Due to my love of military themed books and dogs. The author really gives a nice in depth look into the relationship between the dogs and their handlers. Which I really liked this about this book. The psychological aspect of the handler and the dog's relationship. Honesty, as I was reading this book it was not just the military dogs that I could see having a close relationship but my own two dogs as well. I have always shared a very close and personal relationship with all the dogs that I have owned through out the years. My dogs are not just dogs but really are part of my family and they are my children. I believe that I can talk to dogs and they do understand me. So again I get where the people featured in this book are coming from when they share their stories. Dogs are amazing. There were a few times where I did get very emotionally attached to the stories as if I had known these dogs all my life. Some readers did not like the history that the author brought to this book. They thought it was too much. I thought it was just fine. A nice balance between the history of dogs, military, and the nature with dogs and humans. Although I do admit that I would have liked to have read a little more about the dogs in action. Overall, I really did have a pleasurable time reading this book.
    • 4/5
      Another great book on the four legged soldiers who defend this country. They only know they are getting a reward for doing a task, but the determination to receive that reward has saved hundreds if not thousands of soldiers. Do dogs love? Who knows but they definitely have emotions that humans can sense. The military treat them as tools, the soldiers treat them as brothers, so there is tension for the dog and soldier.
    • 5/5
      Rebecca Frankel really exceeded my expectations. The books I've read previously concentrated on what makes a good military/police working dog, how they are different from family pets, how to train them for the job they do, etc, with a few anecdotes thrown in. For my taste "War Dogs" is the perfect blend - heavier on the personal side and less on the technical. She goes back in history to describe the beginning (as far as we know) of the human/dog partnership, through their presence in the Roman Empire, even describing Benjamin Franklin's campaign to include trained dogs in the Revolutionary War...who knew?The personal stories are very engaging. I really felt the emotional bond the handlers have with their partners. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs and/or the courageous men and women whose instinct is to protect the rest of us by running TO the fight instead of away from it. They all have my admiration and appreciation.I received a free pre-publication copy of this book from LibraryThing.
    • 3/5
      I love dogs, but I don't love war. I don't understand putting the two of them together. I'm sure it's a great book. After all, it has 4 stars, but, for me, it had too much war and not enough dog.I must be too much of a pacifist. I give it three stars because it's well written, I just had my psychological problems with it.
    • 4/5
      I'd have to say that this is probably one of the most thorough books I've ever read on the Military Working Dog community, and I've read quite a few. Most of them focus on the relationship between the dog and the handler through anecdotes, which, while telling a story that packs an emotional punch and fully illustrates the complex relationship between human and canine, fails to address the more intellectual aspects of the program and it's history.Frankel's book perhaps stirs the heart strings a bit less than others of the genre, but is by no means lacking in that area; what it lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for in quality. Even more importantly, this may be the smartest book ever written on the Military Working Dog community. It combines the intellectual perspective and the emotional perspective, which gives it a depth I hadn't expected.I fall squarely in the camp that believes that dogs do what they do for us out of love. I believe that they have a capacity for love and loyalty that far surpasses that of most humans, and that if you offer them just a small fraction of the love they give to you, they will unflinchingly sacrifice their lives to protect you and care for you and try to please you. While I remain fully aware of the fact that the dog's life holds less value to me than my husband or my child (and that is the way it should be), I am also fully aware of the fact that I would sacrifice my life for my dog. I believe that those who define the relationship between man and dog solely as that of pack leader to pack are missing the point, to their own misfortune. It is true that a human must be confident and strong, and lead the dog, but the relationship is symbiotic to a degree that such a view cannot fully comprehend.Frankel explores this facet of the relationship between man and dog in depth. In fact, the book, for all its brevity, is a surprisingly thorough discussion of the history of the use of service dogs, their capabilities, and prevailing scientific thought in regards to both. Add in the first-person stories of trainers and handlers, and of Frankel herself, and you've got a fascinating account that is sure to appeal not only to one who is interested in the role dogs play in service to our country, but to anyone at all who loves dogs.