A CBS News correspondent describes her recovery from critical injuries sustained in a Baghdad bombing that killed her two crew members as well as an Army officer and an interpreter, and offers her insights into reporting from a war zone.
"Kimberly Dozier, in her harrowing account of the near-fatal blast injuries she sustained from a roadside bomb while serving as an embedded reporter for CBS in Baghdad, shifts the focus onto the military health system with the balance and rich detail of a seasoned journalist. While meant to be a memoir of her personal journey, Dozier's account of her injuries and emotional challenges she faced personifies thousands of U.S. heroes wounded by improvised explosive devices, the signature weapons of the war in Iraq. ...whether you are a wounded warrior, a clinician, a patient, or a person struggling with loss, this detailed account of a unique continuum of care will grip and inspire you."
--Akhila Kosaraju, MD S. Ward Casscells "Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) "
"This story reminds us all that courage is often most evident after the battle, when the unwavering commitment of people to each other shows us what true heroes are."
--General Stanley McChrystal, ret.
."..a rare, personal view - with all the attention to detail a great reporter brings to bear."
--Dan Rather
"Writing in a crisp, clear, broad cast-news style, Dozier's account of the Memorial Day, 2006, incident is both personal and visceral, describ ing her excruciating brain and burn injuries as well as the pain surround ing the deaths of her two CBS co-workers, a U.S. Army Civil Affairs captain, and his Iraqi translator...In the last third of her book, Dozier paints a vivid picture of what it is actually like to be a war correspondent. Her description of running military checkpoints and dodging Iraqi troops in the initial race to Baghdad crackles with energy and virtually leaps from the page."
--Carol A. Saynisch, M.A. "Military Review "
This is an outstanding book and I could not put it down until I read it all the way through. As Kimberly shares her personal experiences in dealing with trauma, it gives us such insight into how trauma impacts one's life. It certainly raises our level of awareness of the many aspects of dealing with trauma and how it changes your life.
Anonymous reviewer
"Kimberly Dozier has mastered the great art of storytelling in her brilliant book about how she survived an I.E.D. attack in Iraq. She writes of her ordeal without self-pity, dissecting and reliving the trials of Job: broken bones, burns, infections, unbearable pain and occasional medical advice that made things worse. What she did to survive is remarkable; her account of it is raw and riveting. You can''t put it down."
--Lesley Stahl "60 Minutes "
Kimberly Dozier provides incredible insight...
Breathing the Fire brings the reader into the heat of Operation Iraqi Freedom - the sacrifices being made, the care being given, the intensity of the war and the level of prefessionalism on the part of every level of care from the first responding soldier on the scene to the medical tauma teams in place back home for the long term care. Kimberly brings each person who traveled this journey with her to life - from her news crew to the soldiers who saved her life to the dcotors who kept the faith in her recovery to the loving family that stood by her as she fought to heal. This book is a gift to the famililes who have suffered a loss or had a loved one injured in the war. Often there is a need to understand this horrific experience in order to find resolution, and Kimberly provides extraordinary insight into the ordeal of being in the blast range of a 500 pound bomb. Her writing style is personal and conversational, and her passion to h
"A master storyteller and one tough journalist. America is lucky to have her on the front lines of reporting."
--Tom Brokaw
"An inspiring voice for those who face the challenges of injury, recovery, and loss."
--George W. Casey, Jr., U.S. Army, former commander of multinational forces in Ira
The book is fairly gritty and unvarnished about the hospital and recovery process, so hospital staff recommend that loved ones read it to understand what a patient is going through. Military commanders say the blow-by-blow of the bombing also starts conversations between troops and loved ones about what they've seen overseas.
