Fixing Hell, Colonel Larry C. James
Fixing Hell, Colonel Larry C. James
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Fixing Hell
An Army Psychologist Confronts Abu Ghraib

Author: Colonel Larry C. James, Gregory A. Freeman, Dr. Philip Zimbardo

Narrator: Eric Kramer

Abridged: 6 hr 47 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/18/2008


Synopsis

This is the story of Abu Ghraib that you haven't heard, told by the soldier sent by the Army to restore order and ensure that the abuses that took place there never happen again.

In April 2004, the world was shocked by the brutal pictures of beatings, dog attacks, sex acts, and the torture of prisoners held at Abu Ghraib in Iraq. As the story broke, and the world began to learn about the extent of the horrors that occurred there, the U.S. Army dispatched Colonel Larry James to Abu Ghraib with an overwhelming assignment: to dissect this catastrophe, fix it, and prevent it from being repeated.

A veteran of deployments to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and a nationally well-known and respected Army psychologist, Colonel James's expertise made him the one individual capable of taking on this enormous task. Through Colonel James's own experience on the ground, readers will see the tightrope military personnel must walk while fighting in the still new battlefield of the war on terror, the challenge of serving as both a doctor/healer and combatant soldier, and what can-and must-be done to ensure that interrogations are safe, moral, and effective.

At the same time, Colonel James also debunks many of the false stories and media myths surrounding the actions of American soldiers at both Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay, and he reveals shining examples of our men and women in uniform striving to serve with honor and integrity in the face of extreme hardship and danger.

An intense and insightful personal narrative, Fixing Hell shows us an essential perspective on Abu Ghraib that we've never seen before.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Becky on January 03, 2009

I really liked this book. Okay, after the first 100 pages where he set up the story it was really good. This man has had some very interesting experiences. I liked his conclusions about running a prison that can be applied to any institution or organizations, including your family.......more

Goodreads review by Rayne on April 20, 2018

I write this review as someone who holds a PsyD. I really liked this book. I don't think that everyone would. This is because the book is about the author's reforms as a long-serving military psychologist of Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib. It is not just anyone who could transform organizational cult......more

Goodreads review by Joe on November 15, 2017

Admired this gentleman for not only his scholarship but his willingness to name names and really challenge the structure of the military. He is an honorable man who knows which way is up. Lead by example and really affected a great change in the culture. He has significant struggles and his own bout......more

Goodreads review by Jillybb on August 05, 2021

Larry James is what every psychologist should be.......more

Goodreads review by Serena on December 19, 2008

Fixing Hell by Col. (Ret.) Dr. Larry C. James, Ph.D. is a nonfiction book about how one army psychologist takes on the task of cleaning up after public relations nightmares at detention centers in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Abu Ghraib, Iraq. Dr. James is sent to reform these prison/detention centers a......more


Quotes

"Narrator Eric Kramer captures this contradiction in a sure voice that also projects James's (author) gentleness, creative thinking, and compassion. James bring listeners into the painful realities of Abu Ghraib with powerful dialogues, and Kramer's delivery makes the most of these conversations."—Audiofile

"This third book by the author gets under the skin of glib truths we've believed about success. Gladwell unveils studies and similarities that point to opportunity, timing and 10,000 hours of practice as keys to success rather than sheer talent. Gladwell's voice combines knowledgeable professor and gifted storyteller."—The Herald Sun