Book Review: Sergeant Rex

From the back cover: Called “a deeply affecting tale of courage and devotion in the cauldron of war” by Publisher’s Weekly, Sergeant Mike Dowling’s heart-pounding account of an unbreakable bond between man and dog takes us into the searing 130-degree heat, the choking dust, and the ever-present threat of violent attack in Iraq’s infamous Triangle of Death. In 2004, Dowling and his military working dog Rex were part of the first Marine Corps military K9 teams sent to the front lines of combat since Vietnam. It was Rex’s job to sniff out weapons caches, suicide bombers, and IEDs, the devastating explosives that wreaked havoc on troops and civilians. It was Mike’s job to lead Rex into the heart of danger. An extraordinary chronicle of loyalty in the face of terrible adversity, Sergeant Rex is an unforgettable story of sacrifice, courage, and love.

My take: Once you start reading Sergeant Rex, you won’t want to put it down. Dowling’s descriptive, engaging writing puts you in the middle of the sights, sounds and smells of the Iraqi war zone.  You can practically feel the heat coming off the hard, baked earth. One of the most telling aspects of this book is how man and canine communicate with one another up and down the leash. Whether it’s through verbal commands, hand signals, or the unspoken nearly-telepathic bond between man and dog, Dowling gives the reader insight into the two-way “conversations” between himself and Rex. Not only is this a story of heroism and incredible bravery—searching for IEDs among open, exposed roads and being caught in the middle of major firefights—but it’s a story of pure trust and love. In order to survive, Rex and Dowling have to trust their lives to one another, and in turn, the bond formed is one of true friendship and love.