"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 |
| Recommendations: |