Based on Captain Matt Gallagher's controversial and popular blog, which the U.S. Army shut down in June 2008, Kaboom is a sardonic, unnerving, one-of-a-kind Iraq war memoir. "At turns hilarious, maddening and terrifying," providing "raw and insightful snapshots of conflict" ( Washington Post ), Kaboom resonates with stoical detachment from and timeless insight into a war that we are still trying to understand.
Read by thousands of soldiers who recognised its unflinchingly honest portrayal of the real war, as well as high-ranking Pentagon officials and interested parties around the world, Kaboom was shut down by the US Army in June 2008.
In this “vital novel that arrives at a perilous time” (Elliot Ackerman, New York Times bestselling author), a disillusioned American veteran volunteers for the war in Ukraine to reconnect with a woman from his past.Thirty-three-year-old Luke “Pax” Paxton has been out of the military for almost a decade, adrift in an America he no longer understands, haunted by a mistake made in an unforgiving moment of combat. When an old army friend suggests they travel to Ukraine to help fight against the Russian invasion, he agrees, and together they cross an ocean to Lviv, the City of Lions. But Pax isn’t merely going out of the goodness of his heart. He carries with him the address of a former love, a Ukrainian woman named Svitlana whom he had known as a young soldier and has been unable to forget. His feverish journey through Lviv takes him down winding and missile-cratered streets as he forms surprising connections with everyone from humanitarian volunteers to displaced Ukrainians and ordinary citizens trying to survive. And when Pax gets the chance to save someone dear to Svitlana, he just might be able to correct the wrongs that have wracked him with guilt for so many years. Inspired by the author’s time in Ukraine, “Matt Gallagher has written the first great military-inspired novel of this post-Global War on Terror era” (Bill McCloud, author of What Should We Tell Our Children About Vietnam?).
Breaking Into UK Film and TV Drama, written by industry insider Matt Gallagher (founder of crewing website thecallsheet.co.uk) is a comprehensive guide for new entrants to the UK's creative industries, offering in-depth advice and practical tips on how to break into the business and build a sustainable career. The book also includes unique contributions and advice from leading organisations such as AMPAS, BAFTA, Creative Skillset, Film London and WFTV, as well from Oscar and BAFTA-winning talent including Amma Asante (director, A United Kingdom), Steven Hall (VFX DoP, Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and Rebecca O'Brien (Producer, I, Daniel Blake). Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of the British Film Commission, says: "A refreshingly honest, remarkably comprehensive view of the challenges, opportunities, and obstacles faced by those entering the UK film industry. Backed up by well-researched facts, historical analysis and real insight from an array of talented professionals it is a valuable guide to this wonderful business." Lizzie Evans, runner (Holby City, Spectre), says: "The ultimate secret weapon for anyone aspiring to work in drama. Packed full of facts and information and with interesting insights from industry pros, this book will equip you with all the knowledge you need to kickstart your career (and give you tips on how to get ahead once you're in)." A comprehensive guide to finding work in UK Film and TV Drama for new entrants and graduates. Includes information on... How to find work in the Film and TV Drama industry How Prep, Production, and Post really works Understanding the paperwork Guide to the UK job market and production companies How to write a brilliant CV and cover letter Advice on networking, finding jobs & building a career Plus.... 10+ interviews with experienced Oscar and Bafta-winning crew 50 'pearls of wisdom' from the best in the business (more below) 100+ job titles and departments explained 200+ Film and TV terms explained in our glossary 250+ useful links and resources Insight from the people who worked on Gravity to Game of Thrones, This is England to Downton Abbey, Sherlock to Bond. You will find this book packed with authoritative insider knowledge from some of the very best in the business Includes exclusive comments and career advice from: Lord David Puttnam, Producer, Chariots of Fire Carola Ash, Director of AMPAS (The Oscars) Europe Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive, BAFTA Alison Small, Chief Executive, The Production Guild Dinah Caine CBE, CEO, Creative Skillset Amma Asante, Director, Belle Roy Button, Executive Vice President, Warner Bros. Productions Jacqui Taunton-Fenton, Head of BBC Drama Talent Jed Mercurio, Writer/Director, Line of Duty Debbie Vertue, Head of Production, Hartswood Films, Sherlock John Yorke Head of Company Pictures Rebecca O'Brien, Producer, Sixteen Films, I, Daniel Blake Gillian Berrie, Producer, Sigma Films, Under the Skin Sarah Greenwood, Production Designer, Beauty and the Beast Neil Corbould, Special Effects Supervisor Saving Private Ryan Nigel Heath, Hackenbacker Studios, Downton Abbey Nicky Ball, Creative England Crew & Facilities Manager Vicki Allen & Tamana Bleasedale, Calltime Company David Worley, Camera Operator, Game of Thrones, Indiana Jones Andy Lowe, Gaffer, Paddington Flora Moody, Make Up & Hair Artist, The Avengers: Age of Ultron James Cox, Stunt performer, Star Wars: The Force Awakens Mark Sanger, Editor, Gravity
"An urgent and deeply moving novel" (Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times) about a young American soldier struggling to find meaning during the final, dark days of the War in Iraq.The US military is preparing to withdraw from Iraq, and newly minted lieutenant Jack Porter struggles to accept how it's happening--through alliances with warlords who have Arab and American blood on their hands. Day after day, Jack tries to assert his leadership in the sweltering, dreary atmosphere of Ashuriyah. But his world is disrupted by the arrival of veteran Sergeant Daniel Chambers, whose aggressive style threatens to undermine the fragile peace that the troops have worked hard to establish. As Iraq plunges back into chaos and bloodshed and Chambers's influence over the men grows stronger, Jack becomes obsessed with a strange, tragic tale of reckless love between a lost American soldier and Rana, a local sheikh's daughter. In search of the truth and buoyed by the knowledge that what he finds may implicate Sergeant Chambers, Jack seeks answers from the enigmatic Rana, and soon their fates become intertwined. Determined to secure a better future for Rana and a legitimate and lasting peace for her country, Jack will defy American command, putting his own future in grave peril. For fans of Phil Klay's Redeployment or Ben Fountain's Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, Youngblood provides startling new dimension to both the moral complexity of war and its psychological toll.
