Product Description
A war memoir that will capture the hearts of its readers, just as one scruffy puppy sneaked his way into the hearts of hardened Marines just when they needed it most.

Amazon.com Review
In From Baghdad, With Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava, Jay Kopelman tells a story that is both tender and thought-provoking--candidly portraying the ugly conditions in wartime Iraq, while also describing his (and his fellow Marines') growing attachment to a scruffy stray puppy. Here Jay Kopelman answers a few questions about his aspirations as a writer, and the effect his book has had on readers. Questions for Jay Kopelman Amazon.com: Before you met Lava and had this experience smuggling him out of Iraq, did you ever have ambitions to write a book? Jay Kopelman: Yes, I'd considered writing a book previously and have started--but not finished--a novel. Not surprisingly, it's a military murder mystery. And I'm still hoping to get it published. I've also been offered a deal by my publisher to write another book. So I guess I'm now officially an author. Amazon.com: How has the military responded to it given that you broke a number of rules during your adventure with Lava? Jay Kopelman: I've actually not had any real feedback from the military establishment. In fact, mostly I only get the good-natured ribbing from my contemporaries about how much money I'll make or about who will play me in the movie. When the story first broke a year and a half ago, one of the generals jokingly asked me for an autograph, and I've given the previous commanding general for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force a signed galley. So, thus far, there’s been nothing "official" to which I've had to respond. We'll see what happens now that the book is released and there's going to be a media blitz surrounding the book. What you have to remember, though, is that I really didn't use military assets to get Lava home. Nor did I ever endanger anyone in the military while doing so.Amazon.com: In the book, you say that you would like it if it can bring hope to people who've lost loved ones in Iraq by showing them how something positive can come out of a brutal situation. Have you heard from people that your book has made them feel better? Jay Kopelman: I've not yet heard from anyone who’s lost a loved one in Iraq or Afghanistan, but I have heard from a counselor who works with the returning Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, who said she finds the story so very positive and helpful. She's planning to come to the book signing there. I also got an e-mail from a Marine who said that while her unit was in Iraq, they adopted a puppy and tried to bring it home, but he was ultimately put down. She says that the Marines "remember how Charlie the dog helped us. Charlie will always be loved. During a time when we were far from home that dog made us smile." So, I suppose Lava's story does help people remember and gives them hope. I’ve also heard from people who appreciate my candor describing the conditions in Iraq. td> td>

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 135 reviews)

From Baghdad with Love by J. Daniels

5 Stars
October 16, 2009
This book shows a true picture of the US soldier and the war in Iraq. The gut wrenching horrors of the terrorist oppression of the Iraqi citizens and the noble fight to prevent them from killing thousands of innocent people. The struggles the US soldiers have staying alive and the warm heart of our soldiers and their need for love in the midst of a bloody jihad. Lava fulfills their need to give love during this horrible time. One soldier takes a stand to defend the life of a dog that helped his squad wind down from the horrors of the day. In the end, upon the soldiers return home, he is confronted with the ignorance of the US media and their inability to understand the importance of not only Lava's life, but the protection of the innocent Iraqi's that are being murdered by the jihadist terrorist. My son, a US soldier, recommended this book to me. I loved it. I have recommended it to others. It will make you laugh, cry, shudder and think. Amazing work by a US soldier and a 191 page book.

Amazing Read ~ Recommend to Everyone! by Jillian M. Scola

5 Stars
April 29, 2009
I was initally drawn to this book because I am a dog lover, but was plesantly surprised to find that this book had so much more to it. I felt like it combined both a vivid description of the war and also how the compassion of so many people helped save one scruffy, abandoned puppy. I would recommend this book to everyone and I guarantee you will not be disappointed!

From Baghdad With Love by Robert Chasse (West Palm Beach, Florida)

5 Stars
April 29, 2009
That book was received in excellent condition and arrived in a timely manner. Service was excellent. R. Chasse

A Touching Story Amidst War by J Bug (British Columbia, Canada)

4 Stars
April 25, 2009
This was a surprisingly great read and I have been recommending it like crazy to all my friends. FROM BAGHDAD WITH LOVE is a heart-warming and somewhat heartbreaking story that had me captivated from beginning to end. It tells the story of a starving abandoned puppy named Lava and the hardened marine who along with wartime journalists, Iraqi citizens and many,many others saved him from certain death on the bombed out streets of Iraq and eventually got him onto US soil. Well written and containing 8 pages of photographs there is no secret to Lava's outcome but this is still an utterly fascinating story. Lava is initially discovered by the Third Marines unit known as The Lava Dogs when they storm an abandoned house in Fallujah Iraq and almost shoot him. Then not knowing what to do with the 5 week old puppy and forbidden by military law to keep pets the marines begin feeding and caring for the dog as they set up a command center in the abandoned house. Lava's presence allows the soldiers a pass from reality, a small piece of sweetness and normalcy in their daily hell and something else to think about other than getting killed. Has anybody fed the dog today? There are some touching scenes as we witness these big, tough military men falling apart, talking in baby talk and playing with the puppy as he pees on their boots and destroys their belongings and they think he's cute. Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman is eventually adopted by Lava who chooses his boots to sleep in. Subsequently several scenes play out like a movie as Lava is hidden and moved from red zones to green zones and finally crated as they attempt to drive him across the Jordanian border. The last few chapters are really exciting, and even though you know the outcome you will find yourself wondering, how exactly are they going to pull this off? I learned a surprising amount about the war in Iraq reading this book and really got a feel for what the soldiers go through on a daily basis living in a war zone. Just how hard it must be to maintain your sanity amidst all the chaos and death. The ending is WOW and had me close to tears, as it's Lava who ultimately saves one marine from the emotional ravages of war. This is a book that I can highly recommend, especially if you're a dog lover in addition you'll get to learn a little something about a war that most of us barely notice anymore when the images and numbers flash past on our TV screens.

Easy Read. Great Story by T. (New York)

5 Stars
April 21, 2009
I read this book after a friend recommended it. I found it a great story that shows the love between man and dog. A Marine disobeys orders, convinces others to do so as well, and in the process brings a bit of humanity to the early days of the war. The book is about the struggle to survive in war torn Iraq. I read it in 2 days and found the story touching and heartwarming. I creates a clear picture of life in Iraq back in the beginning and how many sides can come together for achieve what may seem impossible.

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