Amazon.com: Customer reviews: A Bridge in Babylon: Stories of a Military Chaplain in Iraq

Top positive review

An enlightening account of the sacrifices soldiers make in service of their country

Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2021

Owen Chandler's story of his journey from church pastor and Army reservist chaplain, through deployment to Iraq, and then transitioning back to civilian life with his family is amazing. His stories evoke many different emotions. The full time Army treatment of reservists was an issue I had never considered. Deployment impact on spousal relationships, children, jobs, and mental state were all covered from different perspectives, including very sensitive issues. He didn't avoid the hard stuff. Many very personal situations were discussed in detail. Once I started reading, I hated to put the book down.

2 people found this helpful

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Ricky Collins

Do not buy this book.

Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2022

Was a bad read, and couldn’t help but spread a false narrative of an “armed insurrection”. What a joke from a military individual and not even true.

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From the United States

Terry Bagwell

A very human perspective...

Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2021

A Bridge In Babylon: Stories of a Military Chaplain in Iraq by Owen Chandler is a war story, but it’s unlike any war story I’ve ever read. Of course, the fact that I’m not a fan of war stories may have something to do with that. That being said, I found this a fascinating read. Chandler was the minister of our church in Tucson, Arizona, when he received orders that he was to deploy in his position as a reserve chaplain to the Middle East. Notification arrived just before Thanksgiving, and he was to depart Tucson in early January.
One might assume that a chaplain would write confidently about their decisions and their relationships. After all, they are led and directed by God. Chandler, however, lets us in on the fact that he is human with questions about what will happen to those he leaves behind, especially his wife and three young children. He questions his ability to meet the needs of the troops but also assures himself that he was selected for this mission and so there must be confidence in his abilities. He is frank about the lack of human touch --- even handshakes and pats on the shoulder --- in the military and ponders the reason and outcomes of such behavior. Chandler doesn’t shy away from discussing the more basic needs of human touch and discusses celibacy during deployment at two points in his book.
There is an overriding sense of commitment to those with whom he served that pervades the book and a looming questions about how the United States can better prepare for deployment and return to civilian life of our military people, especially considering the lengthy warring engagements to which our government commits our forces.
This should be read by many to understand more of life behind the headlines.

One person found this helpful

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B.C.

Not religious? You should still read this book to better understand what others have sacrificed.

Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2021

It is hard to comprehend that we now have soldiers serving in foreign lands who were not even alive when 9/11 occurred. It is also difficult to fathom that America has been at war for almost two decades.
This is an excellent read for anyone looking for a realistic and human perspective on the emotional and psychological impact of deployment. Most of us have friends, family members and colleagues who are veterans. This book gives us a small glimpse into what they have sacrificed – despite returning home.
Owen tackles the guilt many of us have for not enlisting after 9/11, as well as the conflict existing between reserves, active military, and those who have the combat patch. The book also addresses the monotony and isolation of being deployed in a war zone – the constant hurrying to wait.
While Owen’s faith is apparent, this does not read like a religious book. It is an honest account of the trials and tribulations of deployment. If you know anyone who has been deployed, or if you simply want to have a better appreciation for the sacrifices made by so many, you should read this book.

One person found this helpful

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SaraNF

Authentic Military Chaplain Story

Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2021

As a military chaplain's spouse, I have never found a book that adequately describes my family's experience... until I read this book. It's laid out more like a collection of essays than one beginning-to-end narrative, so, for the sometimes-weighty topic at hand, it is very digestible and a great summer read!

This book balances the tensions of topics such as danger, sex, loneliness, doubt, and family - with grace and vulnerability. I particularly appreciated that it doesn't take an unexamined view of the US military or conflate the United States and Christianity (something all too many military-themed books do). If you are/have been in the military (or love someone who is), you'll likely see yourself in these words. That said, this clearly isn't written TO the military community, so effort is taken to make it accessible to the civilian reader.

All in all, I highly recommend this, and whatever your experience or perspective on the military, there's likely something here you'll resonate with and learn from!

One person found this helpful

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Donna Gustafson

Captivating and hard to put down!

Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2021

Chaplain Chandler saw his role, when deployed as a reservist military chaplain to Iraq, as being "an imbedded presence of hope". His book describes the struggle in a combat zone for he and the troops to remain hopeful and faithful. Chaplain Chandler also shares his experience with the loneliness of being separated from his wife and three children, and the difficulties so many troops experienced with their loneliness and life stuck in the confines of a base surrounded by danger.
Chandler is marvelously effective in his work to build bridges between military and civilians (who may forget we're even at war), between Guard/Reserves and the active duty military who often don't value them, and other bridges.
My eyes were opened, even as a veteran, to the realities of deployment, separation, the life and work of a military chaplain, and more.
Thank you Chaplain Chandler, for helping us to see the realities of the cost of war on our troops and their families, and that they need our help to heal as well.

One person found this helpful

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Jeanne Gacke

Expert story telling of a Chaplains experience!

Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2021

As a retired active guardsman, who deployed multiple times, I was pleased to read Chaplain Chandlers personal story which kept the confidentiality of the soldiers he served. I could not have related more to the story he told. The trials and tribulations he went through are so similar to many other military members, and to me. These were the feelings and experiences I never told my family but kept “locked in my vault.” While the Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines always have a Chaplain to turn to help them with their burdens, I can only imagine this to be very different for a Chaplain. Who does a Chaplain have to turn to? Chaplain Chandlers faith and devotion to God were so evident as he told his story. A great read for all to help understand what our military, the less than 1% of our population, continues to experience! God speed Sir as you embark on your next deployment!

One person found this helpful

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C J Lev

Captivating and relatable

Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2021

This book captivated me. The raw emotion and truth is so clear and understandable. NPR has a podcast out to help us all understand war since most of us can not relate. This book will help us all relate and understand what we ask of those heading to war xones. I highly recommend it.

3 people found this helpful

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Mikes_Prime A.

A must read!!!!!!

Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2021

If you are anything like me, U often wonder what it must be like in a war torn country. This book is such a great insite thru a pastors eyes. I could have read this memoir over again, as soon as I finished the first reading. It took me from tears to laughter in minutes. You won't be disappointed in this read. This book is a must on your reading list.

3 people found this helpful

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cheryl shearer

A Walk in a Chaplain's boots

Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2021

“A Bridge in Babylon” should be a mandatory tour of duty for every US citizen. It’s a close up and personal accounting of the complexities/ costs/ strategies of perpetual war that is barely acknowledged by the country engaging it. Chaplain Chandler takes us with him through his journeys with the military “caste” systems, soldier’s loneliness and despair, seeking resilience all the while shining a light on his personal growth. Once returned from his tour he struggles to integrate his military identity with his cherished family and church life. His brutal honesty about coming to terms with his pain illustrate the enduring impact of his months in Babylon “ living life of irony and grace”.

One person found this helpful

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Patricia Leong

True to the title of the book

Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2021

Army Chaplain Owen Chandler presents a look at the reality of war from behind the T-Walls in Taji, Iraq. You definitely read about the expected fighter jets and helicopters, but the war is mostly an ever-present backdrop and the cause of a general sense of unease throughout the entire book. I read the book piece by piece because it is quite heavy at times, but also infused with humor and good stories and faithful reflections that would bring me to pick the book back up again. I didn’t know much about how the military works going in, but the book was still able to reach over to me and give a snapshot of what it is like to spend time in the “hurry up and wait” setting of a war zone.

One person found this helpful

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Cynthia R

Wonderfully written with candor, humor, and fresh insight

Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2021

Like the woman in the airport on his return, I was moved to tears reading many sections of Owen Chandler’s book.

The book is wonderfully written with candor, humor, and fresh insight into the role of an Army Chaplain. It was easy to read and the account of his deployment and return provided me with better insight into the daily emotions, tedium, friendships, loneliness, and struggles with faith of my own active duty soldier.

He is a treasure to our military men and women with whom he serves. I hope to read more from this author.

One person found this helpful

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