Books like Under the gun in Iraq by Robert Cole

A poignant novel exploring the aftermath of war on a single Iraq war veteran.

Lieutenant Randy Sutton's fascinating collection of stories and memories, solicited from law enforcement officers across the country, offers a broad and insightful look at the many facets of police life: courage, exhilaration, frustration, loss, and even humor, from the everyday to the career-defining moments on the job. Told by the cops that lived them, these stories show what it truly means to protect and serve. Readers will come to recognize the faces behind the badge, as they witness officers charge into the unknown on The Beat, honor and mourn friends in The Fallen, hear the War Stories spread in police locker rooms and bars, discover the unbreakable line between civilian and cop in the Line of Duty, and feel the blood-boiling adrenaline during those life-altering moments when a cop must use Deadly Force. TRUE BLUE: To Protect and Serve is a funny, exciting, haunting compilation of true stories written by active and retired police officers, most of whom have never written before, alongside published officers from all over the United States.

Into the Kill Zone exposes how American police officers are trained, use, and live with deadly force—providing firsthand accounts of shoot‑outs, decision‑making, and the psychological toll of carrying a gun.

Martha Raddatz chronicles the First Cavalry Division’s harrowing experiences during the 2004 Sadr City attack, while recounting the long wait of families eight thousand miles away. Her narrative blends valor, sorrow, and resilience.

Explores how the Boy Scouts of America’s summer encampment rituals shape adolescent boys’ social development and moral growth.