Ruff's War: A Navy Nurse On the Frontline of Iraq

The title is something of a misnomer. The book is less about the front lines of Iraq and more a biography of Ruff. Not to say it's a bad book. I learned interesting factoids about the Navy itself (about which I know next to nothing), and I appreciated this lady's very organized lifestyle. It is almost painfully optimistic; every hardship she has she sees the silver lining of. And her whole life seems very clear and purposeful. I really liked the image that came across from her. And the writing style, on the whole, was refreshing and light and clear. All good points.

However, once the lady actually deploys to Iraq, I find it a bit confusing. She doesn't, well, do a whole lot. She is there for something like two months before coming home, and from what it sounds like, most of that was spent without having much of a job to do. She had a few nursing duties but it seems like it was only sporadically.

I don't think she went too much into detail about the "hardships of Iraq" as one Amazon reviewer wrote. I don't think she was necessarily complaining, more like describing the conditions to someone who has never experienced it before. I think she did a commendable job overall with the book, despite those few sticking points.

Also, I found it odd how the lady mentions tons of friendships and family members but not ONE romantic interest in her entire life? Not even in passing? Hmm, how odd. It's an interesting thing to leave out altogether from a biography (of sorts).