Praise for REFINED BY FIRE

"This is a vivid and candid account by a veteran who espoused faith and patriotism in his service as an Army chaplain... Pennington’s compassion and humility are evident on every page of his fine memoir." ~Booklist

"As a man of faith, someone who served, and the author of several books, this hit me on many levels. While many war memoirs are triumphant, this is gritty and raw. The author does not hide the difficulties of the mission or its personal toll. Rather, he makes pain and loss an integral part of his faith journey. This book is a powerful tale of dedication in the midst of adversity filled with faith, hope, and love. This book sings with a sweet, sweet spirit and I know the Lord is in every page." ~J. Furman Daniel, III, author of "Patton: Battling with History; Blood, Mud" and Oil Paint: "The Remarkable Year that Made Winston Churchill; and Restoring Clausewitz"

“Through the lens of his deployment to Iraq, Chaplain Pennington vividly relates his role as a grounding and calming presence in the midst of the chaos and violence of war. In sharing his stories, we see clearly how he created space for those in his care to grow spiritually, emotionally and mentally, yet he also reveals how deeply and indelibly he was changed by serving as a chaplain in that challenging environment.” ~Nancy B. Kennedy, author of Miracles & Moments of Grace: Inspiring Stories from Military Chaplains

"While the literature concerning recent American overseas conflicts has multiplied, Chaplain James Pennington has added a story few of these books can tell. The first-hand account of spiritual faith under fire makes the book a worthy contribution to the field. But even more, the author’s transparent struggle with the aftermath of the conflict will inspire the reader to be ever more thankful for the men and women who serve in uniform to protect our American freedoms." ~Michael R. Spradlin, Ph.D., President, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, Arlington, Tennessee

"For the reader wishing to understand the moral dilemmas faced by all soldiers in war, James Pennington’s book Refined by Fire is an excellent starting point. Written from the unique perspective of an Army Chaplain, James fully develops what happens when you take young men and women nurtured in our families, communities, schools, and churches and transport them oceans of time and distance from the love of home to a place of evil and war. Many have called amputations the signature wound of the War on Terrorism but that is only true if you look at what you can easily see in the aftermath of war. The emotional toll of war has always affected far more soldiers and is far less understood. For the reader who is part of that long gray line of soldiers who have been to war this is an excellent way-point to stop at on your long journey home." ~COL Gordon R. Roberts (Ret), Congressional Medal of Honor recipient

"I met Chaplain Pennington on the front lines in Afghanistan while filming a documentary film on Chaplains. He immediately stood out as a person deeply committed to his faith, a consummate soldier and a gifted wordsmith. All that is evident in his very personal journal as a chaplain forged in combat and exquisitely told in Refined by Fire."
~Martin Doblmeier, three-time Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and director of "CHAPLAINS"

Reviews for MOSUL

The author shares his war experiences through a fictional Army Reserve Chaplain. The chaplain, upon return to his civilian pastoral duties after his combat deployment to Mosul, Iraq, begins to exhibit unhealthy behavior in his daily life. The book artfully tells the author's experiences through a fictional dialog with someone who cares about the chaplain/pastor.This writer shares from a unique perspective, as one who has been in harm's way and as one who helped Soldiers deal with the impact in their lives of having served in harm's way. The author's attention to detail, including the names, location of missions, and combat events, will help students of military science as well as students of the human spirit. It is a must-read for anyone who is dealing with their own post-war struggles. But it is also a must-read for people helping others on their journey to healing after combat. Well written and a very good read.

I read Mosul, by James Pennington, because he was a military chaplain, as was my late husband. Pennington's honest and detailed account of his service, the conditions while deployed, and the struggles that he faced as a chaplain and the struggles his soldiers faced that he helped counsel gave me a much needed insight into the way war effects those who serve. It helped me to better understand my own husband's struggles to cope with what he experienced. This is a very helpful book for military members and for their loved ones to understand how war impacts the spirit of those who serve in a war zone.

This book is an account of a veteran’s experience in Mosul. It is not meant to be a typical novel, but a way for the author to process and heal from his own traumatic experiences. There is some interesting information on effects of trauma and narrative therapy. Recommended for those interested in deepening their understanding of PTSD among combat veterans and the use of writing as a tool in the healing of trauma.

This is a must read! I read it in one day. I could hear, see and feel every word. This book will take you through the days leading up to a military deployment, the heartfelt goodbyes and then to the battlefield. Most of all you will see just how much is required of our men and women in uniform and the family members they leave behind.

MOSUL is an engaging read. Coming from a family of military servicemen, I'm attracted to books which help me learn more about the places, events & emotions of those serving in our armed forces. MOSUL is the first military book I've read from a Chaplain's experiences in service during a war time. Brother Stone's perspectives are eye opening as to what happens in real life for a Chaplain! MOSUL allows the reader to see into the daily events and challenges that our soldiers and Chaplains encounter while deployed. The bombing at the Dining Facility is briefly mentioned at the beginning of the book, as you continue to read, you can hear and feel Brother Stone's internal wrestling with the violent event he'd experienced. Thankfully at the end of the book, there isn't just a, "The End" but James shares his personal form of mental & emotional therapy, Narrative Therapy. I have personally benefitted from this type of help and am thankful that James has presented Narrative Therapy as a powerful tool which can begin a healing process. You will enjoy reading this book!

Review for Trauma Treatment Using Narrative Therapy and Theological Reflection

The book is a concise yet ambitious contribution to Christian trauma care. Drawing on narrative therapy, pastoral counseling, and theological reflection, Pennington contends that healing from trauma often begins when individuals can retell their stories in ways that reconnect suffering with meaning and faith. His experience as a retired Army chaplain and licensed professional counselor lends the work both credibility and a deeply grounded perspective. Combining foundational trauma education with guided writing exercises and biblical reflection—particularly through the story of Joseph—the book offers readers practical and spiritually informed tools for processing painful memories and reclaiming their narratives.