This show will rock you to your core. I was hooked after the first episode I saw. It details the horror of war, the toll it takes on civilians & the exceptional bravery of those willing to stand for what's right. Bar none, one of the best shows on TV right now.
13 Reviews
This is real....
bowedeclan22 December 2019
Hopefully..
tranpjason31 July 2021
This is a rare and personal journey only a few can do. It's life and death, but it's still beats 9-5 for comfort and material things that provide oneself. Hopefully this will not expose these men and I wish them the best.
War from a different point of view - American volunteers in Syria and Iraq
robertmaybeth27 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I've seen just about every documentary show about American military in the middle east wars (the "Forever Wars") since they started post 9/11. This show is told from several different points of view, from American, Italian, Swedish, and Norwegian volunteers in the endless battle against "ISIS". These men believe in what they're doing - "we are men of deeds, not words" but some, through the nature of the battlefield seem to have varying degrees of belief in just how much they are helping.
Is this a show about American mercenaries like Blackwater/Xe or Executive Outcomes? No, it isn't - because as these volunteers are quick to point out, none of them are paid for what they do. Some fight or medic for the Peshmerga (the de facto Kurdish army) and others fight for the YPG (a sort of splinter group or auxiliary of the Peshmerga, also manned and commanded mainly by Kurds). Many have gone home then returned several times. Their motivations seem to vary from man to man, with perhaps the adrenaline-junkie factor being the most under-rated of all. And you just can't help but empathize with the medic Pete - an American vet of Iraq who does medic duty for the YPG. "Pete, 27, recounts how he returned to civilian life after tours of duty in the Middle East and found himself becoming an aimless alcoholic." Pete seems to be getting jaded before our eyes. All too many of his triage patients die later, including infants and children - and he wonders aloud just how much good he is really doing - and how much longer he can keep doing it until he suffers permanent burn-out.
A sympathetic, poignant and sensitive look at war through the eyes of people who could have easily avoided it - but choose to return to the battlefield anyway.
Is this a show about American mercenaries like Blackwater/Xe or Executive Outcomes? No, it isn't - because as these volunteers are quick to point out, none of them are paid for what they do. Some fight or medic for the Peshmerga (the de facto Kurdish army) and others fight for the YPG (a sort of splinter group or auxiliary of the Peshmerga, also manned and commanded mainly by Kurds). Many have gone home then returned several times. Their motivations seem to vary from man to man, with perhaps the adrenaline-junkie factor being the most under-rated of all. And you just can't help but empathize with the medic Pete - an American vet of Iraq who does medic duty for the YPG. "Pete, 27, recounts how he returned to civilian life after tours of duty in the Middle East and found himself becoming an aimless alcoholic." Pete seems to be getting jaded before our eyes. All too many of his triage patients die later, including infants and children - and he wonders aloud just how much good he is really doing - and how much longer he can keep doing it until he suffers permanent burn-out.
A sympathetic, poignant and sensitive look at war through the eyes of people who could have easily avoided it - but choose to return to the battlefield anyway.
Best television of 2018
bradallgood124 July 2018
This series is by far the best docuseries on broadcast television and is miles ahead of any other programming on HISTORY. I wish television were as relevant, exciting, emotional, heart-breaking, moving and insightful as this series. It shows what it's really like to volunteer and join the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, two countries I knew very little about. To see the effect of coalition airstrikes AS THEY HAPPEN and how they were critical in eliminating ISIS. The bravery and the principles of the young men and women who are taking the fight to ISIS is an example to follow. The consequences can be devastating when lives are lost in the fight (like Levi Shirley and many others), but they gave their lives doing what they believed in. I admire the men and women fighting evil in the world, and this show highlights a few ordinary men and women who dedicated their lives to fight evil. This show is awesome. Everything about it is engaging. I hope it can reach a wider audience internationally as well. Thank you for making this series. Hats off.
Thank you
jccoxon6 March 2020
I just finished watching this series on Amazon. I was blown away by the heroic men and women that are living up to the American ideal of defending those that are confronting evil. It showed the dedication and sacrifice to something that is bigger than the individual. Thank you for sharing this great work. We need more quality programming like this.
Both Pete and Derek are gone.
evofd20 April 2023
I wish there would have been more footage of the work the medics did. There was so much more to their story.
Hard to believe but within 9 days these two brave heroic souls who selflessly saved literally thousands of lives, created/founded Global Response Medicine from their Mosul experiences are both gone.
GRM has become a leader in conflict zone medical relief.
We needed more people like these heros.
Pete was killed in Bakmuht Ukraine And Derek passed from stage 4 lymphoma complications.
Both men were only 33 years old and accomplished more then most do in a lifetime.
RIP Pete Reed 02/02/2023 RIP Derek Coleman 02/11/2023
"Actions not words"
Hard to believe but within 9 days these two brave heroic souls who selflessly saved literally thousands of lives, created/founded Global Response Medicine from their Mosul experiences are both gone.
GRM has become a leader in conflict zone medical relief.
We needed more people like these heros.
Pete was killed in Bakmuht Ukraine And Derek passed from stage 4 lymphoma complications.
Both men were only 33 years old and accomplished more then most do in a lifetime.
RIP Pete Reed 02/02/2023 RIP Derek Coleman 02/11/2023
"Actions not words"
So good
acollins27883 August 2018
Love it
naguranchloe7 May 2020
It's so heartbreaking to see what this world is coming to and this is such a heartfelt show! Thank you to all those who have placed their lives on the line to help the world. I just wish that there will be a season 2 of this
Interesting insight
nihaowilson14 July 2020
Brave men, for sure and an interesting way to rid the earth of people who are very bad. I wonder though, how the Americans doing this work feel about the Trump administration pulling all support for the YPG? Did this have an affect on their missions?
Important Case Study on the Human Cost of War
awagner076 September 2020
Incredibly well-done mini-series: heartfelt, thought-provoking, well-shot, and well-organized. I think it should be encouraged viewing for all Americans, as it uncovers a very real humanity in the people on the ground. America fights a lot of wars and, sitting in relative safety, it's easy to forget how brutal war can be, but this show serves as a good reminder of a war going on right now.
Eh.
tylerarobinson3 December 2019
Solid documentary, but PJ thinks he's more tactically sound than he really it. It's pretty annoying. Also, some of these dudes were probably bad when they served and thought, "Oh! Here's my time to shine!" It's not hard to stick out when you're surrounded by turds over there.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
