MCRD San Diego Library Professional Book Club

January's featured book from the Marine Corps Professional Reading Program is Hesitation Kills: A Female Marine Officer's Combat Experience in Iraq by Jane Blair. Library staff will lead an in-depth discussion, plus share tips on how to write high-quality reports of your professional reading.

Virtual event is hosted on MS Teams at 11:00 am on January 29, 2025. Registration is required for the virtual event.

An in-person discussion will take place on the same date at 4:30 pm at the MCRD Library. Base access is required for the in-person event.

About the Book:

This riveting memoir is the first book written by a female Marine about the war in Iraq and one of the only books written by a woman who has experienced combat firsthand. Deploying to Iraq in 2003, Jane Blair's aerial reconnaissance unit was assigned to travel ahead of and alongside combat units throughout the initial phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Throughout her deployment, Jane kept a journal of her and her fellow lieutenants' combat experiences, which she draws on to convey the immediacy of life in the military, not just for a woman but for all Marines.

Jane describes not only her experiences as a young lieutenant and as a woman but also those of her fellow Marines, whom she lauds as the true heroes of her story. Ultimately, she learns from her commanding officer, and her fellows in arms, what it truly means to be a leader, both in the military and in life. Weaving her story together with the experiences of the ordinary people of Iraq, this book offers compelling insights into the profound impact of the war on the lives of service members and civilians alike. Jane also weaves in the narrative her impressions of the Iraqis and draws the reader in to her changed perceptions and growing understanding of Muslims and Iraqis as a whole. Her unforgettable narrative bridges the gap between those who have experienced the Iraq War firsthand and those in America who could only follow its life-altering events from a distance.

Host or Publisher MCCS MCRD San Diego Library