Battles Within: My Journey of Self and Service by Adam DeMarco is an inspiring journey through one man’s surprisingly remarkable life. Adam grew up on the coast of Florida as a headstrong young boy. In 2001, two events would change his world forever: his parent’s divorce and the destruction of the World Trade Center. In a thoughtful exploration of trauma, Adam relates how he spiraled in the wake of both tragedies, which led to a life-changing decision when his high school coach pulled him aside one day, asking him, “Why not join the army?”

Adam’s life-changing choice leads him to West Point, followed by multiple deployments overseas, a stint as a politician, and rejoining the military, which later leads to unexpected changes, including becoming a whistleblower. Readers will find the story incredible, with a rollercoaster of highs, life-altering experiences, heartaches, and lessons learned alongside many achievements. While the book may seem overwhelming at times, it’s an exciting, inspirational read that I enjoyed.

The book offers a fascinating historical and cultural background about the military, woven between personal anecdotes, political events, and unique perspectives. DeMarco’s writing takes on a casual, conversational tone, which gives readers a sense of familiarity. The book is rich in poignant introspection regarding the author’s childhood, his relationship with the United States military, and the people who shaped him into the man he is today.

I appreciated the author’s writing style and how he addresses many aspects of his life and experiences, including mental health, which he covers with great care and consideration. He also acknowledges the trauma that comes from experiencing combat and violence and less visible tragedies such as divorce and bullying.

Battles Within: My Journey of Self and Service by Adam DeMarco is an extremely exciting and engaging read with the potential to change how readers view the military and the broader political context of the past few decades.

ASIN 1955026408 | Pages