For Love of Country: What Our Veterans Can Teach Us About Citizenship, Heroism, and Sacrifice

For Love of Country examines the experiences of post-9/11 American veterans through a collection of profiles and narratives. The book, co-authored with Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, presents stories of service members who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The narratives follow veterans during their military service and their subsequent return to civilian life. Through interviews and research, Chandrasekaran documents their challenges, accomplishments, and continued contributions to their communities after leaving the armed forces. The book highlights the disconnect between military and civilian populations in modern America, while exploring themes of duty, sacrifice, and national service. Its accounts of veteran reintegration and purpose-driven citizenship offer perspectives on bridging the military-civilian divide and strengthening the social fabric of communities.

Readers appreciate the book's focus on specific veteran stories rather than broad military history. Many note it helps civilians better understand veterans' experiences and challenges. The inclusion of both combat and post-service narratives resonates with readers. Positive reviews mention: - Clear, straightforward writing style - Balance of personal stories with larger context - Concrete suggestions for supporting veterans - Focus on positive contributions rather than trauma Common criticisms: - Too brief/surface-level treatment of complex issues - Limited scope with only a few featured stories - Some readers found the tone overly patriotic Ratings: Amazon: 4.5/5 (167 reviews) Goodreads: 3.8/5 (603 ratings) One veteran reviewer wrote: "Finally a book that shows what we can do, not just what we've been through." A civilian reader noted: "Changed how I interact with veterans in my community, but wished for more depth on policy issues."

Thank You for Your Service by David Finkel This book follows the lives of soldiers after their return from Iraq, documenting their struggles with PTSD, reintegration, and the impact on their families.

Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger The book examines how veterans' experiences of war reveal fundamental truths about belonging, community, and the human need for connection.

Once a Warrior: How One Veteran Found a New Mission Closer to Home by Jake Wood A Marine veteran's account of founding Team Rubicon shows how military skills and values transfer to civilian disaster response and community service.

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien This collection of interconnected stories presents the physical and emotional burdens carried by soldiers during and after the Vietnam War.

No Greater Love: The Story of an American Hero by Robert J. Miller and Michael Spears The Medal of Honor recipient's story illustrates military sacrifice through accounts from fellow soldiers and family members who witnessed his service and leadership.

🌟 The book was co-authored by Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, who has been a strong advocate for veteran employment and launched initiatives to hire thousands of veterans and military spouses at Starbucks. 🎖️ Rajiv Chandrasekaran spent significant time as The Washington Post's Baghdad bureau chief and wrote extensively about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan before collaborating on this project. 📚 All proceeds from the book's sales were donated to veteran service organizations, including Onward Veterans and the Schultz Family Foundation's veteran support programs. ⭐ The book features the story of Kellie McCoy, who became one of the first female combat engineers to receive a Bronze Star with Valor for her service in Iraq. 🎯 The interviews and research for the book revealed that post-9/11 veterans make up only 1% of the American population, creating what many call a "civilian-military divide" in understanding and experience.