"Ghosts of War" is a memoir by Ryan Smithson, first published in 2009. The book follows Smithson's journey from his enlistment in the United States Army at age 17 to his deployment in Iraq as a combat engineer. Smithson provides a personal account of the realities of war, including the physical and emotional tolls on soldiers and the impact on their families. He describes his experiences conducting missions to clear roads of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and his encounters with local Iraqis. Smithson also reflects on his own personal struggles with PTSD and his eventual transition back to civilian life. The book has been praised for its candid portrayal of the soldier's experience and the impact of war on individuals and society. It has been used as a teaching tool in classrooms and military training programs to promote understanding and empathy for those who have served in the armed forces.
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