Publication Date:May 20, 2008 Shipping:Eligible for Super Saver Shipping Promotion:Save $5.00 when you spend $25.00 or more on Qualifying Items offered by Amazon.com. Enter code BMLSAVES at checkout.Terms and Conditions Availability:Usually ships in 24 hours
Product Description Experience gripping wartime stories and honest prayers by this Camp David chaplain now serving in Iraq.
When words mean less and less, but money talks more and more; when blasphemy is a best seller, and eternal war has replaced hopeful diplomacy; in times like these is prayer even possible? Patrick J. McLaughlin thinks so. McLaughlin is an active duty Navy Chaplain who has ministered to heads of state and to soldiers living and dying in the heat of Iraq.
No Atheists in Foxholes assembles Chaplain McLaughlin's experiences and prayers from e-mails, private notes, and personal conversations that take us real-time into realms of duty and spirit: from the quiet darkness of his infant son's New England bedroom on September 11, 2001, to the bomshelled medical tents and blistered Army Humvees of Anbar Province. Chaplain McLaughlin believes that prayer is not only possible, but critical. "We must all learn to pray for peace," he says, "and then become an answer to that prayer."
An award-winnerJuly 2, 2008 This is a thoughtful book on a very private and personal subject.
First-time author Patrick McLaughlin is a Lutheran pastor who has served two tours in Iraq as an active-duty Navy Chaplain assigned to both surgical shock trauma and mortuary affairs units with the Marine Corps - and prior to that, he served as President and Mrs Bush's chaplain at Camp David prior to - and during - the early stages of the war in Iraq.
As such Cmdr McLaughlin understands war, and its effect on the Marines who fight it. His book consists of fifty prayers he'd written in order to get him through some incredibly trying days - answering questions like "will I lose my foot", will I be OK" and "will I wake up again" from these young Marines must either challenge or reinforce one's faith in God, and this book opens a very private window into the war for the reader. One's political stance on the war is easily cast away when we read of his experiences outside the operating room as he writes "at these moments, the very real presence of God is felt among us."
But is there a prayer adequate when he gave blood to save a Marine, yet the surgery was unsuccessful ? Probably not, for as McLauglin writes "I stand quietly and watch as the priest prays over the body of this heroic Marine." Yet McLaughlin had another year of duty in Iraq, and those too-regular tragedies need to be pushed to the back of his mind as he readied himself for the next day.
This will be a difficult book to read for anyone who has a son, spouse, or daughter serving overseas as it describes in detail more of the war than the media will ever understand or the Marines or soldiers will share with a non-combatant. But it is highly recommended because now we know that our family members are in the good hands of Chaps McLaughlin and his fellow combat chaplains. You've written an awesome book, Chaps, thank you and Semper Fi.
Reflections of a dedicated chaplainJune 30, 2008 Reviewed by Gina Holland for RebeccasReads (6/08)
When Patrick McLaughlin became the Chaplain for Camp David, he was excited and thrilled. He thought that would be the best thing that could ever happen in his life. When September 11th happened, he was watching his infant son sleep in his bed, and all he could think about was prayer and peace. Little did he know that he would soon be going to Iraq, where danger and death would be all around him. This book contains words, emails, letters and poems from his experiences in the military. I am sure that the Chaplain put this book together for us to be able to see and to read firsthand what goes on in that part of the world. As you read this you might cry, become angry, or even be amazed at some of the things that these soldiers go through.
"No Atheists" was put together in a way that people can get an up close look at what goes on in the minds of these men and women who serve for us. We are also seeing it from the Chaplain's point-of-view as well. There is one particular story in this book that got to me. McLaughlin is there when a young Iraqi soldier, dying, is trying to be saved by the doctors there. All he can do is pray for this young man, and hope that he lives. But the young man dies anyway, despite all of the Chaplain's praying and the doctor's efforts. It's such a sad story. I know a lot of people would not feel bad for this soldier because he is working for the other side, but he is human after all. Another life lost because of this awful war. What human could not feel something for this young man? Even if he fights for the wrong side, I feel bad for him, and for every other young man that dies in war.
The meaning of this memoir is very clear. It is wonderful, but sad. Read this and look into a world of chaos, destruction, and tragedy. It shows us that even men and women who do not believe in God, find themselves praying in time of need, when they think they are about to die, or when they might be praying for a friend or a fellow soldier. I loved all the poems and words of "No Atheists in Foxholes," and look forward to more books from McLaughlin.
Foxhole FaithJune 29, 2008 Chaplain McLaughlin has shared his experience in Iraq with prayers and personal reflections that capture the human and spiritual aspects of combat. As a retired Army Chaplain, I am so grateful for this resource that other chaplains can use in their ministry to our nation's military personnel. This is an outstanding book that anyone who wants an insider's view of combat ought to read. Hooah!
A Moving, Informative Book!June 27, 2008 Chaplain McLaughlin's book is an interesting and engaging collection of stories, reflections and prayers. It brings to light many interesting stories about the war in Iraq.... many are inspirational, many are sad, many are amazing .... it will cause you to examine your own life, and hopefully make you realize the price so many others pay for our freedoms.
Experience teaches!June 20, 2008 This military chaplain and Lutheran pastor has learned to trust God's ways in the heat of war as he encounters the faith and terrible struggles of soldiers battling in Iraq. His blessings in many unique situations and the questions the turmoil raises serve to call us to examine our own reactions. Get ready to be disturbed, surprised, thankful, humbled.
