House To House Book Report

House to House by David Bellavia (Bell) is a personal memoir of his experiences during the Iraq war. The book follows Bell and his men on their mission to clear opposing forces out of buildings in Fallujah, which was the most dangerous city for armed forces in Iraq. While following through with the task they faced staggering opposition and at times overwhelming odds. In order to survive this suicide mission Bell and his men transition from average men to machines that are programmed to survive at any costs. Due to the extremely close quarters of the homes that they were required to clear lead to hand to hand combat at times which is so personal that it will change a man forever. In House to House Bell's goal is to convey the idea that war plunges
During a firefight that didn't involve Bell's squadron, Bell felt that they were being watched and he knew that his allies were occupied on the other side of the city. He decided to instigate a battle and make it appear that his forces were greater than they really where. "'What the **** are you about to do?' 'I'm gonna shoot this propane tank with a rocket.' I reply. 'Why?' 'So it will explode.' 'Ok? Why?' 'Well we have to instigate something. You know there are ******* dudes watching us out there,' I have my hands to the south. 'We've got no brads or tanks- they're still back at the entry point'" (Bellavia). The tone to the entire conversation is very calm although they are discussing starting a firefight in order to kill their enemies. Their conversation shows that they've become desensitized to killing will instigate battles in order to kill. U.S. forces entered Fallujah late in the war providing insurgents months to prepare traps and militarize buildings for a long and lethal fight with the the U.S. "Architecture aside, the insurgents have had months to prepare for this battle. They've dug fighting positions, mined the streets, booby-trapped the houses, built bunkers, and cleared fields of fire" (Bellavia). The insurgent forces in Iraq spent months planning for a long and brutal fight