Friday, January 27, 2012

From Casemate Publishers

"A special point of pride for us was Jess Goodell’s memoir, Shade It Black, which earned national acclaim. Assisted by the calm hand of her co-author, John Hearn, Jess revealed an aspect of our recent Iraq War that was unique and rarely heard, as well as the experience of being a female US Marine."

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

George Hartner's Contradictions

    We were very fortunate to have George Hartner allow us to post on this website his song War. Originally inspired by Sebastian Junger's book by the same title, George was prompted to rewrite several of the lyrics after reading our book, Shade It Black. In doing so, he captured several important aspects of Jess' story, which will tie that song to Jess forever. Everyone who has heard War has been moved by it. It is now a part of George's first official release, titled, Contradictions. I own a copy and do not tire of listening to its wonderful melodies and thought-provoking lyrics. You may read more about it here: http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8669292.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

We are a Powells.com staff pick!

 
Shade It Black: Death and After in Iraq
by Jessica Goodell
Staff Pick
I first heard Jessica Goodell's haunting voice on NPR and immediately knew I had to read her book. Goodell served in the Marines in Iraq in the Mortuary Affairs Unit and was responsible for retrieving and organizing the remains and personal effects of fallen soldiers. By far the most sensitively written war memoir I have ever read, her story stayed with me for weeks after I read the last page. Goodell covers the horrors of her particularly gruesome assignment and her attempts to reintegrate to life back home. It's rare that we are allowed a glimpse into the culture of the Marines from the perspective of a female soldier, and rarer still to learn what really happens after soldiers are killed in combat.
Recommended by Serra, Powells.com