A Soldier to Santiago: Finding Peace on the Warrior Path - Softcover

Genereux, Brad; Esser, Dr. Christine Bridges

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1683550080 ISBN 13: 9781683550082

Publisher: Blackside Publishing, 2016

Synopsis

Has life passed you by? And you fit in—nowhere?

"I gave the best years of my life to a cause—to a belief that proved false. I loved living on the edge. The thrill of standing the watch. Rushing into harm’s way on behalf of my country. For over 22 years and with pride, I represented America by wearing the cloth of the nation. When my service was all over? Life had passed me by and . . . I fit in — nowhere." — Senior Chief Petty Officer Brad Genereux

Is forgiveness and peace within the grasp of those who spent their lives pursuing the next mission on behalf of their country? Brad Genereux traces two parallel journeys—one through the inferno of war in Afghanistan, and the other through the healing purgatory of the Camino de Santiago. Juxtaposed between a combat zone and The Way of Saint James, experience two adventures and the two lives of one man. Willing to sacrifice his life to aid the Afghanis, Brad’s candid account chronicles the challenges to carry out missions while operating under a complex chain of command, Afghani corruption, and deadly sabotage by the Taliban.

After Genereux retired from the military, he faced the arduous pursuit to assimilate into civilian life and to make sense of the unexpected deaths of three family members. Brad revisits dark demons imprisoning his spirit and the peace and healing unlockedon The Way of Saint James. A Soldier to Santiago: Finding Peace on the Warrior Path shadows the reflections of a war-hardened man devoid of identity and purpose and his search for answers, hope, and himself on a 769-kilometer trek over the Pyrenees and across northern Spain.

Are you searching for peace and purpose?

Experience the camaraderie of warriors deployed to the battlefield and the esprit de corps of Camino peregrinos as they triumph over the inner battles of the spirit. Are you suffering from isolation, hypervigilance, nightmares, or insomnia? Join Brad in the Spring or Fall on The Way to find peace on the warrior path.

About this title

About the Author

As a career military man, Brad Genereux deployed eleven times around the globe. Deployment demons and the uncommon stress of a military life pursued him until Brad confronted the inner darkness stalking his days and nights while walking the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage in northern Spain. Senior Chief Petty Officer Builder Bradley D. Genereux, United States Navy, retired, is a decorated Operation Enduring Freedom veteran. He spent nine months in Afghanistan with the Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for acts of bravery while under fire. In the Spring and Fall, Brad leads other veterans on the Spanish path to peace.

Review

Brad gives insight into the struggles our military men and women go through. This book will inspire veterans looking to find peace in their lives.-Van Au, California The parallel recollection of past traumas and the steps of pilgrimage toward healing and a renewed hope makes this an emotional read. -Tamas Koles, Peregrino, Hungary This book is an ode to find peace.-Jean-Baptiste Maino, Peregrino, France Brad's story of transformation serves as inspiration to others facing their demons and looking for purpose.-R. C. Burelli, LTC U. S. Army (Retired) Brad's story reads like a memoir of two lives intertwined. This book reveals an honest picture of wartime experience in contrast to the peace and purpose of a pilgrimage.-Steve B. Martin, Peregrino, Pastor, Businessman What an exquisite "dance" portraying extreme experiences. Serving in a war zone and walking 1000 km in solitude in search for yourself, in search of answers and hope. I recommend this transformational, inspiring and spiritual book to everybody who experiences isolation, loss and confusion.-Viktorija Kaleckyte, England This book is full of heartfelt moments.-Manuel Gonzalez, Peregrino, Costa Rica Brad Genereux's sixty-nine missions in Afghanistan coupled with his five-hundred mile pilgrimage in Spain illustrated his effort to spit polish hell, and find peace within a blackened soul. As my student, and a veteran, I now understand how a man of his caliber came to be. This is a profound and honest work.-Alvin H. Goeser, Voyageur Outward Bound School Instructor, Minnesota. There's a saying of Camino Frances-the first part breaks down your body, the second your spirit and the last third builds them up anew. Brad clearly confirms that experience.-Lars-Gunnar Sundin, Peregrino, Sweden Brad tells an amazing story of survival and triumph of will. I loved reading side-by-side the narrative of the Camino, a path of healing, contrasted with his precarious, frustrating, and terrifying time serving in Afghanistan. Dr. Esser offers an informative, well-researched accounting of the history of the Camino.-Jeff Luna, Pilgrim, Texas We owe this man a debt of gratitude for service to his country, and for sharing his story. It's my favorite read of the year.-Steve Watkins, Freelance Journalist This book takes us on Brad's amazing internal transformation from anger and fear toward love and compassion for his fellow man. A completely engaging story."-Julie Walker, RN, Peregrina, Colorado The juxtaposition between the peace and camaraderie of trekking across northern Spain and the perils of military life in war-torn Afghanistan grows as Brad pulls no punches. This wartime account of his inward struggle is refreshingly real and heartfelt. I heartily recommend his book to any person who seeks renewal.-Patrick Szymanski, Florida Awestruck may be the best way to describe how I felt reading this book. Using non-linear narrative and stringing together seemingly unrelated stories, Brad achieves something traditional narrative never could: his work reflects the emotional truth of a soldier in Afghanistan and a veteran living with memories. War is a theme in so many books, but I struggle to recall one that's affected me quite so much.-Sarah A. Hollister, California The harrowing journey Brad Genereux depicts engages the emotions and intellect, inspiring one to engage with his personal journey, finding resolution on the walk across Northern Spain.-Iain Dryden, England I hope people pay attention to this great book. Whatever misfortunes they experienced, anyone can experience healing.-Anne Gerhart, Peregrina, Germany Brad's book gives readers the opportunity to see anything can be amended in your life. Carlos Guntinas, Spain Every single person should get lost in these pages and think. Deeply.-Autari Mazzarella, Italy

About this edition

• Publisher: Blackside Publishing
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1683550080
• ISBN 13: 9781683550082
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240