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Joys of War (Hardback)

From the Foreign Legion, the SAS and into Hell with PTSD

Military > Biographies > Military Biographies

By John-Paul Jordan
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Pages: 134
Illustrations: 20 colour & black and white
ISBN: 9781526743145
Published: 29th October 2018

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£19.99


National publicity!

As featured in the Daily Mirror: 'PTSD soldier reveals how horror of war meant he couldn't cope with everyday life.'

 

Author interview with Forces Network: 'Special forces veteran opens up about PTSD struggle.'

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Irishman John-Paul Jordan, still only in his thirties, has led an extraordinary life … from the Foreign Legion and security in Iraq to serving his country in Afghanistan for which he was decorated for his leadership and bravery … and on to ‘herding’ journalists on the front line in Libya … and hunting for gold in Afghanistan …

However, once back in Civvy Street, the camaraderie was gone; he found himself a prisoner of war to PTSD. Dehumanised by those professionals who he had turned to for help, this Special Forces veteran and former Legionnaire was brought to his knees. His marriage was over; his home was lost. In isolation, his world unravelled, and the seeds of destruction had been well and truly sewn. Knowing he would never see military action again and faced with the realisation of the war raging within him in the spiral of PTSD, John-Paul felt condemned as a man. But, on 1 April 2016, he surrendered – life, too, it would seem, has a sense of humour. He asked for help … and found the answers within.

In war, John-Paul was the first to batter down the door, whether he was facing bullets or bombs. His story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit: to get back up and to lead from the front. He did not go through ‘all that’ just to go through ‘all that’. This is his story of his return to freedom and joy.

Buckle up, because this veteran doesn’t do anything by halves…

"A striking reminder that all the warrior’s kills, destruction, battle, wars, and narrow escapes from death have an end result on the body as well as the mind. This book narrows the vision to focus on the isolation."

SOF News

Click here to listen to John-Paul Jordan interview on

Talk Radio Europe with presenter Bill Padley on the mid morning show ‘ Let’s Talk’

There are many autobiography's, but not many telling you the story of a modern day soldier in our armed forces of today and then some dealing with PTSD. This is a book with an insight into just that.

Follow John-Paul through his eyes and experience into the world including training, to all aspects of fighting and trying to readjust returning back to civvie street along with the harsh realities of war which have had an impact.

Easy reading and humour included as well as sad times, but this book will also advice others, which is very much needed for those that also suffer with PTSD and require help, any one will benefit from reading this book.

Highly recommended from someone that battles PTSD himself.

Absolutely Amazing!

Read the full review here

Military Forums

A warts and all personal narrative of an articulate, hard-as-nails young Irishman.

A compelling book.

Forces Pension Society

I found John-Paul Jordan’s style of writing/speaking perfect for my style of reading. I would like to think I write in this form. He writes with a straight forward approach, a lot of Irish slang, which adds a great flavor to the overall tone of the book. He speaks from a voice of deep experience and a good soldier can tell he knows what he is talking about and he explains it in a way that is clear and concise. I truly enjoyed this book on many levels... For Special Forces soldiers in the US or UK this will be one of the best reads of the year. Wanna know how to deal with and overcome PTSD. Here is your guidebook!

Argunners, Christopher 'Moon' Mullins

His account of his illness is honest and graphic and the advice he offers is valid and helpful. A good book, if a slim one and well worth reading.

Read the full review here

Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)

The author, John-Paul Jordon, who spent his youth in Northern Island during the troubles, takes the reader through his career with the French Foreign Legion, the Special Air Service [SAS] and a fixer and escort for journalist and film crews, seeking stories in worn torn areas. He sort combat but although he escaped the bullet he suffered from unseen injuries: addiction to combat which took into dark corners of his mind. This lost him his young wife and family as he medicated on alcohol.

Richard Gough, Military Author and Historian

“Joys of War” offers a rare look into the world of the modern soldiers’ world form the training through the fighting to the return to civilian life and the mental battles that always accompany the reentry into society... This book is relatively easy reading (jargon included) with a fast moving narrative, effectively informing the reader about what goes on in todays’ military world.

Recommended.

The Past In Review, David Lee Poremba

This an amazing read for anyone. You don’t need to be interested in the military for this to be inspirational. It’s full of heart, endeavour and human strength and frailty. The idea that anything can be overcome is in every line, with a genuine, heartfelt belief. Not many people could be so open and vulnerable, then go on to show the strength it takes to triumph over such adversity. You will smile, whilst crying and as I did, start over and read it all again. If you’re feeling challenged in your life? There is hope and advice here.

Read the full review here

Amazon Customer

This is certainly not your average military autobiography.

Sky & Bullets, Paul Smiddy

This is a very important book at many levels and deserves a wide readership, not least because it deals with aspects of war that we often chose to ignore. The story of the author's extraordinary military experiences is covered warts and all, as is his struggle to adjust to life beyond the military. - Much Recommended

Read the full review here

Firetrench

To listen to author interview click the links below

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Branch FM, 17th January 2019

As featured in

Sunday Mirror 25/11/18

As featured on

Forces Network

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is a book that all Americans should read, as it is raw and honest about the struggles many of our military face with PTSD. Our service people give up so much for our freedom that we owe it to them to provide the tools necessary to make a smooth transition back to life as a civilian after the witnessing of horrors of war.

NetGalley, reviewed by Cristie Underwood

Article: Pathfinder Announce Final Speaker For Military Resettlement Expo as featured by

Pathfinder International, 29th October 2018

About John-Paul Jordan

John-Paul Jordan is a former Legionnaire with the French Foreign Legion, after which he joined the British armed forces, serving in operations in Afghanistan where he awarded for his actions in combat. Following his military service, John-Paul worked for international media organisations in warzones, clandestinely moving journalists in and out of some of the world's most dangerous hot-spots, before heading up logistics for a mining company in Afghanistan and training local forces.

His personal injuries from war took their toll with the effects of physical injury and non-visible injuries, PTSD. As part of his own recovery, he wrote about his experience to share his story with others and liberate himself from the stigma of PTSD and mental health issues – or what he terms non-visible injuries…because that’s what they are: an injury to be treated like any other.

John-Paul’s mission is to help veterans and non-veterans alike to find their way to freedom. To start the conversation. Remove the stigma and live in the solution not the problem. More recently he has been working closely with the charity Mind, including advising on the set of a national television programme, sharing his experiences of injuries from war.

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