War Dogs by Rebecca Frankel Summary
Overview of War Dogs
War dogs don't just serve - they save. Rebecca Frankel's bestseller reveals the unbreakable bonds between military handlers and canines who detect IEDs with uncanny precision. "A tremendous gift," says handler Mike Dowling, chronicling heroes who've transformed modern warfare and healed invisible wounds.
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Key takeaways
The Unbreakable Bond: When Dogs Go to War
When Navy SEAL Team Six raided Osama bin Laden's compound in 2011, they weren't alone. A Belgian Malinois named Cairo accompanied them, sparking public fascination with military working dogs. This wasn't the first time dogs served in combat - their history with American forces dates back to Pearl Harbor, when socialite Arlene Erlanger declared "The dog game must play its part in this thing," launching Dogs for Defense. Within hours of the attack, she convinced the initially reluctant War Department to incorporate canines into military operations. What began as a request for 200 sentry dogs expanded to 125,000 for various branches. In March 2004, Staff Sergeant Sean Lulofs deployed to Iraq with his Belgian Malinois Aaslan. On their first morning at Camp Baharia, Aaslan detected an IED disguised as a coffee can - immediately demonstrating their life-saving potential. By late 2003, IEDs had become insurgents' primary weapon, prompting General James Mattis to investigate using dogs to combat this threat. The Marine Corps deployed approximately 30 dog teams to Iraq - the first such deployment since Vietnam. This marked a profound shift in how military dogs were used. Christopher Columbus once brought dogs to the Americas as "the most fearsome weapon of all," unleashing them against indigenous populations. By contrast, modern military working dogs primarily save lives through detection work. In spring 2010, Staff Sergeant Justin Kitts and his dog Dyngo were ambushed in Afghanistan. Taking cover under enemy fire, Kitts sent Dyngo ahead to scout an escape route. The dog's behavior changed dramatically when he detected two massive IEDs - yellow jugs with 50 pounds of explosives each - strategically placed to trap the patrol. Dyngo's skills had saved the entire unit from a deadly Taliban ambush.
Sensory Superheroes: Why Technology Can't Replace Four Paws
The Handler's World: Training, Bonds and Contradictions
The Crucible of Combat: Loyalty Under Fire
Invisible Wounds: When Dogs Experience PTSD
Coming Home: The Journey Back from War
What War Dogs Teach Us About Our Humanity
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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