Friendly Fire by Michael Friscolanti

[Pte_Martin]

I just finished reading this book, and i loved it! I could hardly put it down. It's really interesting and it tells the WHOLE story in an unbiased way. Michael Friscolanti talks with the lawyer, and the the pilots. He also talks with the Canadians who were involved. It's really interesting to see what the injured soldiers thoughts were of what happend and the Heroics of what happened after the bomb was dropped. I also found that that some of the Canadians were giving Awards  for what they had done at the Farm that night.  Also i never knew until i finished reading that 30 members of PPCLI received the Bronze Star.

 

[highlander871]

Fantasic book! I happened to be poking around Chapters (My second home, I swear, after the armouries) and I saw it. I didn't read anything on the book but the title, and immediately hustled to the checkout  It's one of the best books I've read, and there's been a few. I cried, I laughed, I recommended it to everyone I saw for the next two weeks.

I saw a History Channel special on the incident a few months after, and I recognized one of the un-named PPCLI officers that the reporters interviewed. He stated that he had personally ensured that all steps were taken on their side to 'book' the range that day. I looked in the index for his name, but he wasn't even mentioned once in the book. I saw him in the paper within the last few months when he was photographed with a memorial the US made for the members of Task Force Rakkasan. I just thought it was strange that he wasn't in the book.
Another thumbs up for this book!

 

[geo]

Fantasic book!
I saw a History Channel special on the incident a few months after, and I recognized one of the un-named PPCLI officers that the reporters interviewed. He stated that he had personally ensured that all steps were taken on their side to 'book' the range that day. I looked in the index for his name, but he wasn't even mentioned once in the book. I saw him in the paper within the last few months when he was photographed with a memorial the US made for the members of Task Force Rakkasan. I just thought it was strange that he wasn't in the book.

If that PPCLI Officer was that important to the story - having made sure of all arangements AND the author makes no mention of him or the work being done - is it possible he did not do all of his homework?

 

[Danjanou]

I just finished it myself.

As others have noted very powerful. I found it hard to read at times (by that I mean emotional not boring or dry) and I feel a fair balanced and detailed account of the incident.

 

[geo]

Danjanou,
did you learn anything new?

 

[Danjanou]

Danjanou,
did you learn anything new?

Yes and no. It more or less confirmed what I could put together from media reports and what was reported/discussed here with some minor details  (Sgt Leger filling in as the RSO that night to cover a buddy swamped by paperwork, Maj Schmidt's reaction to being named wingman not lead of the flight, the defence teams pathetic arguments re the way the range was run etc.) which while interesting probably didn't alter my thoughts as a whole on what happened and who's to blame.  Remember I'm out of the loop a bit  as I've been out of uniform for sometime now and this place is one of my main sources of insider info.

 

[Bartok5]

If that PPCLI Officer was that important to the story - having made sure of all arangements AND the author makes no mention of him or the work being done - is it possible he did not do all of his homework?

The PPCLI officer in question was 2IC A Coy (Para) - Capt Joe Jasper.  His actions in correctly booking the range and ensuring that all required safety procedures/equipment were in place at Tarnak Farms are thoroughly documented in the book.  As one of the key Canadians involved in the incident, Capt Jasper is exhaustively quoted and referenced by Mr Friscolanti - as a quick check of the book's index will attest.

Highlander871's comment is mind-boggling, as Capt Jasper's role and actions are fully detailed throughout the book.....   :

 

[geo]

Thanks for clarification Mark C.
I would have been extremely surprised if the good captain had been omitted from a book.

As a newbie, Highlander871 will learn to pay attention to detail.

Cheers!

 

[TheNomad]

Finished reading it a couple of weeks ago.

It is quite a good book.  With both points of view well put.

My overall view remains that it was an accident though I am sure not everyone on here will agree with me. 

The US pilots were hung out to dry by their own system.  It appeared to me that there was a distinct desire that "heads were to roll" no matter what, and that in this case as usual "shit rolls down hill" to the lowest level possible, in this case the pilots. 

No blame at all can be placed on the Canadians obviously, but the pilot in my opinion right or wrong was acting in good faith when he attacked. He will live with the results of his mistake for the rest of his life.

I also think that no matter what he says, it will never be enough for the victims and their families, and I am sure that if I was in their shoes it would be the same for me too.

 

[Michael Dorosh]

Okay, I am up to chapter 15 - I bought this for my dad for Christmas last year and just got my hands on it.

The initial chapters go fairly quickly and are quite engaging. The author gets into people's heads and there is a real emotional connection with the material - which is insanely well detailed.

But for about two or three chapters now (I'm up to page 158), all the author done has regurgitate verbatim transcripts of the investigation interviews. 

Does he ever bother to draw a conclusion or sum up a point rather than just parrot what the people were talking about? I'm not understanding his approach here. Are the remaining 300+ pages written the same way? It is starting to seem like a slog.

 

[Zartan]

I finished it just last month, having started it over Christmas. I experienced the same feeling you have. Yes, most of what lies beyond is legal argument, but it seemed to get more interesting as it went along, when he actually starts detailing the strategies of the prosecutors and defence. Thankfully, he also includes more personal chapters later, which add a refreshing quality to the latter parts of the book. But yes, you have now reached the dry part of the book. While it is still a great book, the part you're reading needs devotion to get through.

 

[Michael Dorosh]

Thanks for that, Zartan...up to the start of the trial now and things definitely do pick up again.

 

[Zartan]

No problem; enjoy.