Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him – April 10, 2012 Author: Luis Carlos Montalv?n | Language: English | ISBN:
1401310753 | Format: PDF
Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him – April 10, 2012 Description
From the Back Cover
"Wow, what a book! I think I was crying on page 3. The collision of man and dog, and the unbreakable bond they form, made my heart leap. Everyone should read this book to better understand not only the ravages of war, but the amazing capacity of the human spirit to rebound. I dare anyone to read this book and not believe in the power of love to heal."
-- Lee Woodruff, author of In an Instant (with Bob Woodruff) and Perfectly Imperfect
"A deeply moving story of service, sacrifice, and restoration. Years from now when critics assemble the canon of Iraq War literature, look for Until Tuesday to make everyone's short list.
-- Andrew J. Bacevich, author of Washington Rules: America's Path to Permanent War
"This story of an incredible service dog is both touching and warm. Some of the struggles are painful to read, because they are so real, but that only makes the triumphs more uplifting. In the course of these pages, Tuesday truly becomes a hero, as does Luis Montalván. This book feels like more than a joy; it feels necessary."
-- Vicki Myron, #1 NYT bestselling author of Dewey
"Until Tuesday explores the unique bond that can occur between dogs and people that ennobles both. This book is a moving tribute to the courage and perseverance of a man as well as the love and the devotion of a remarkable and unforgettable dog."
-- Larry Levin, New York Times bestselling author of Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love
"This is a profoundly honest book filled with vital lessons about loss, friendship, war -- and the loving bonds that can save us in our lowest moments. We are all lucky that Capt. Montalván and his dog Tuesday found each other, for in their story we see the possibilities in our own lives."
-- Jeffrey Zaslow, coauthor of The New York Times bestseller, The Last Lecture
"Luis and Tuesday are two true American heroes. This powerful story is a testament to the courage of veterans both on and off the battlefield. The incredible relationship Luis and Tuesday share is a testament to the power of friendship and service. Far too many veterans face challenges when the invisible wounds of war follow us from the frontlines to our lives back home. Luis is a critical voice for our community, reminding every single veteran that they are not alone. Luis and Tuesday have been instrumental in helping to erase the stigma of invisible wounds, and luckily this book is just the beginning of their incredible story."
-- Paul Rieckhoff, Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Author of Chasing Ghosts
"Luis and Tuesday were one of the original sources of inspiration for my very first piece of legislation. Luis' story of military service, his struggles with visible and invisible wounds of war, and the dog who helped save his life is as compelling on the page as when you hear it in person."
-- Senator Al Franken
About the Author
Luis Carlos Montalván is a 17 year veteran and retired Captain of the US Army where he earned the Combat Action Badge, two Bronze Stars, and the Purple Heart. Luis' writing is published by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, and The International Herald Tribune (among others), and NPR, CBS, AFP, BBC, C-SPAN, ANP, and Democracy Now have all featured his amazing personal tale and vocal criticism of the war. Luis lives in Brooklyn and is a student at The Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. www.luiscarlosmontalvan.com Bret Witter is the writer behind Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, which spent months on the Times Bestseller List and has sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide.
- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Hyperion (April 10, 2012)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 9781401310752
- ISBN-13: 978-1401310752
- ASIN: 1401310753
- Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
- Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Until Tuesday is much more than the feel-good story about service dogs I was expecting. Luis Carlos Montalván's book provides a brief but uncompromising look at the conduct of America's most recent military incursion into Iraq and the impact it had on soldiers who were placed in impossible positions. It also indicts businesses that discriminate against assistance dogs. None of that should put off dog lovers who want a feel-good story; Montalván's relationship with Tuesday, his golden retriever, is at the book's heart, and it is deeply moving.
The first three chapters imaginatively recreate Tuesday's training, including a look at Tuesday's life in prison while he participated in the Puppies Behind Bars program, bonding with an inmate and helping the inmate hold onto his humanity in an inhumane environment. Tuesday also put in time at Children's Village, where troubled kids learn about responsibility and success by helping to train service dogs.
The next five chapters tell Montalván's story. It mirrors writing that came out of the Vietnam War in its complaint that the nation's leaders lied to the public, neglected the troops, and did too little to help veterans.
Montalván -- a National Guard officer who had been in uniform for more than a decade -- arrived at Al-Waleed, Iraq, in 2003. While working to keep arms and insurgents from crossing into Iraq from Syria, Montalván was ambushed and barely escaped assassination. The severity of his injuries (both physical and psychological) wasn't immediately recognized -- in part because he refused the requests of medics who wanted him to go to Baghdad for x-rays.
Thank you Mr. Montalvan and to all those who have and continue to serve our country! I recently lost my husband, a decorated Viet Nam veteran to the completely unexpected act of suicide. He suffered from depression and PTSD. I arrived home from work on December 22, 2011 to discover him, causing me to completely collapse. I am now being treated for extreme anxiety and PTSD. This was never a journey I ever imagined I would be taking. Through all of this, a friend of mine mentioned to me that I should read the book Until Tuesday, he said although you do not have a military background I see the similarities in your journeys and struggles.
You see I have an emotional support service dog, Winter. Winter was a Christmas gift to me from my beloved husband, George. I had always wanted a puppy under the Christmas tree and he gave that to me six years ago. On that December night upon my arrival home as I said I collapsed and from that moment to the present Winter has not left my side. She nudges me if I am getting anxious, most times before I realize it my self, she will take my finger or the sleeve of my shirt and guide me away from the situation or she will go away from me and continue to bark until I go to her. She will also wake me from the nightmares I continue to have. Winter has made it possible for me at the present time, and is the only reason I am able to function at all. My friend recognized this and supported me however he said upon reading Until Tuesday, it made him understand just what Winter does for me. Until Tuesday is an honest look at the life struggles that Mr. Montalvan has endured and how he has continued on his journey of healing.
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