Ghosts of War is a book that is filled with the harsh reality of war. Even though the main character Ryan, was only in a construction unit, but he still experienced the second Gulf War. Ryan was behind the front lines repairing roads and tending to the local civilians. While he was on various bases around Iraq the bases were commonly hit by mortars. On a couple occasions he was shot at during convoy missions. This exposure to combat led to PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) when he got home. I’ve never seen a more accurate description of this disorder. Multiple of my family members have this disorder, and I witness it often. This book showed how it works inside of the victims head. Ghost of War is a perfect balance between action and description. Ryan Smithson could not have shared his experiences overseas any better.