Matthew Okuhara releases Basra and Back, a candid memoir of his transformation from banker to soldier in Iraq, highlighting resilience, humor, and personal growth.
Matthew Okuhara’s memoir, Basra and Back, is a blunt and unsentimental account of becoming a soldier faster than planned, and being sent to Iraq before he fully understood what any of it meant. With dry humour rather than drama, Okuhara lays out the reality of service as it actually is: the boredom, the black comedy, the friction, and the very real danger. No grand narrative. No false heroics. Just what it was like to be there – young, under-prepared, and suddenly on ops.
Basra and Back is now available in the United States through major retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and others.
A Story of Personal Transformation
A Story of Personal Transformation
Basra and Back is the true, unvarnished account of Matt’s journey from civilian desk work to reserve infantry, and ultimately to a direct deployment with coalition forces in Iraq. The narrative offers a raw, ground-level view of life on the front lines: the grueling long days, the dry humor that kept spirits afloat, the operational friction, and the surreal mix of boredom and sudden, life-threatening danger that defined Matt’s experience during the war on terror. Okuhara’s writing is refreshingly clear and honest, avoiding melodrama or myth-making, and instead focuses on the unfiltered reality of modern conflicts.
The Unexpected Bonds of Service
What makes Basra and Back stand apart from other military memoirs is its focus on the human side of service. Matt paints a vivid picture of his evolution as a soldier, driven not by heroism but by the need to adapt in the face of adversity. Through stories of camaraderie, resilience, and personal growth, the memoir offers a poignant look at how ordinary men and women navigate extraordinary circumstances.
From his early days as a civilian to his role as a medic on the front lines, Okuhara’s journey is one of self-discovery. A redefinition of ‘coming-of-age’. He provides readers with an unfiltered reflection on the realities of military service, not as a glorified soldier, but as someone doing what is needed to survive and find purpose in the midst of modern-day chaos.
A New Perspective on Service
Beyond personal reflections, Okuhara’s memoir is the first to document how modern military reserve forces have been integrated into peacekeeping operations. He sheds light on the unique challenges of serving alongside full-time soldiers, offering a fresh perspective on the dynamics between reservists and regular forces. Through his narrative, Okuhara explores how the experience profoundly altered his views on duty, responsibility, and life itself.
With his honest storytelling and introspective analysis, Okuhara takes readers deep into the emotional complexities of being in a high-stakes environment. His memoir provides an authentic look at the emotional toll that service can exact, while also highlighting the personal growth that can arise from such intense experiences. It’s a powerful exploration of how service reshapes not only one’s sense of duty but also one’s outlook on life.
The Power of Humor in the Face of Adversity
In a world where military service is often depicted in black-and-white terms of heroism or trauma, Basra and Back stands out for its blend of wit, humility, and honesty. Okuhara’s use of humor acts as punctuation – allowing for a refreshing and new perspective on the human side of conflict. It’s not about glorifying war or politics. It’s about telling a story of survival, friendship, and growth under pressure.
About Matthew Okuhara
About Matthew OkuharaMatthew Okuhara is an author and former infantryman in the UK’s reserve forces. Basra and Back is his first memoir, which chronicles his unexpected transition from civilian life to military service. With a unique blend of humor and introspection, Okuhara’s writing offers a rare glimpse into the emotional journey of an ordinary individual caught up in extraordinary circumstances. His story resonates with anyone who has faced change, uncertainty, and the challenge of finding one’s place in the world.
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