"McDermott’s story always contains an underlying resilience, to try and to get back up from setbacks, as he does what he can to become the man and father he wanted to be."
A warrior poet turns his experiences of Iraq and the 2008 banking crisis into emotive poetry and insightful personal memoir. Ryan McDermott’s heartfelt and emotional memoir takes us through his training at Westpoint and deployment to Iraq in 2003, then to his tumultuous transition into civilian life where a decision to pursue a career in investment banking places him at the Lehman Brothers during the 2008 financial crisis. This memoir demonstrates the balancing act of a life, family and faith alongside a demanding career path that leaves scars. As stated in the acknowledgements Downriver is the product of over 25 years of writing and 15 years of soul searching which is made clear by McDermott’s frank yet reflective tone throughout. The inclusion of poetry written in the moment in order to process what’s happening offers a more immediate emotional insight on everything from combat experiences to family life. I think that the inclusion of both makes Downriver a well-balanced and emotive memoir. The reviews and endorsements from McDermott’s fellow servicemen and veterans attests to the authenticity of the memoir in the way that I, as a civilian reader, will happily cede authority to. The writing on McDermott’s experiences at Westpoint are honest and authentic as they recount the struggles experienced with loss of sleep and the gruelling nature of training. While covering deployment, the memoir doesn’t shy away from the threat and horrors witnessed and his reaction to those experiences while also sharing connections with his fellow soldiers and missing home. For me, Downriver is a search for self that, like a river, ceaselessly makes progress even though the destination may be out of view. The journey contains parts that are rocky, parts that are smooth, with rapids where everything feels out of control and tributaries of opportunity. McDermott’s story always contains an underlying resilience, to try and to get back up from setbacks, as he does what he can to become the man and father he wanted to be.
Charlotte Walker, A LoveReading Ambassador
| Primary Genre | Indie Author Books |
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A leader forged in combat. A soul tested by loss. A journey back to what matters most. Downriver: Memoir of a Warrior Poet follows Ryan McDermott from the front lines of the 2003 Iraq invasion-where he led an armored platoon into Baghdad under fire-to the heart of the 2008 financial crisis on Wall Street. In gripping, fast-paced scenes, McDermott reveals the intensity of modern warfare, the weight of leadership, and the hidden battles that follow soldiers home. But this isn't just a war story. It's about what happens after the mission-when the uniforms are packed away, the adrenaline fades, and a man is left to face the fractures within. As McDermott confronts the collapse of his marriage, the burden of trauma, and the search for meaning beyond achievement, he shares a deeply personal story of rebuilding, resilience, and redemption. Interwoven with battlefield-born poetry and raw reflection, Downriver is a memoir for anyone who has fought for their identity-on the battlefield or in their own life. It speaks to veterans, families, and readers who understand that the hardest part of war is often coming home.
Downriver: Memoir of a Warrior Poet features in the following genres: Indie Author Books, Indie Books We Love
Downriver: Memoir of a Warrior Poet is available in Hardback
Downriver: Memoir of a Warrior Poet was written by Ryan McDermott and published by Koehler Books