Reviews

Code Name: Johnny Walker: The Extraordinary Story of the Iraqi Who Risked Everything to Fight with the U.S. Navy SEALs by Jim DeFelice, Johnny Walker

soccermom's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

3.5

__karen__'s review

5.0

Whenever I've seen videos of U.S. troops interviewing local residents in Iraq or Afghanistan, they're usually aided by an interpreter. And so I've wondered... what is the interpreter's perspective? Code Name: Johnny Walker answers that question from the perspective of an Iraqi man who accompanied U.S. Seal teams as they searched for targets. His role was part negotiator, part investigator, and part diplomat. I came away from this book with a deep respect for "Johnny Walker" (the author's pseudonym), his skills, and his commitment to keeping his U.S. military colleagues and Iraqi residents safe. He's clearly a very intelligent man and based on mission details recounted in the book, his contribution to these U.S. military missions was invaluable. He also shares his perspective on the possibility of emigrating from Iraq to the U.S., which I found very interesting and touching.

Peter Ganim's narration was excellent -- this audiobook felt completely enveloping. It's one of those audiobooks where the story is paired with pitch perfect narration, and it feels more like a friend recounting an interesting story than someone simply narrating a book. I found this audiobook fascinating and recommend it.

xkay_readsx's review

5.0

So so good. I love this book especially from an Iraqi point of view on the war in his home country. Big thanks for your service Johnny.

gnull's review

5.0

I listened to the audio book form. I appreciate how much my eyes were opened to the realities and personal lives of Iraqi citizens. The author was a hero who only wanted his country to return the to peace and beauty and strength that was taken away by Saddam. I'm so glad that our government was able to see beyond its love of bureaucratic red tape to offer this man and his family safety in this country. This is an important read.

booknerd1289's review

5.0

This book is incredible. I honestly can’t write a review that would do this book justice. Johnny Walker risked everything to help Americans. I am forever grateful for what he has done. He helped save Americans and did what he could to help them come back alive. I’m so happy he and his family was able to come to the United States.

metzimm's review

4.0

It is difficult enough to write a book, and to retell someone's story in another language is a feat. One can definitely feel a language barrier throughout the book, but I feel it contributes to the authenticity of the account. Extremely personal, well told, and interesting.