Black Hearts by Jim Frederick

“Black Hearts: One Platoon’s Descent into Madness in Iraq’s Triangle of Death” is a nonfiction book written by Jim Frederick. Published in 2010, the book provides an in-depth and harrowing account of the events surrounding a particular U.S. Army unit deployed in the Mahmudiya region of Iraq during the Iraq War.

The book focuses on the experiences of one platoon in particular, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. It examines the complex factors that contributed to the deterioration of the unit’s discipline and morale, ultimately leading to a tragic incident in March 2006.

Jim Frederick details the individual stories of soldiers within the unit and explores the impact of the Iraq War on their mental health, decision-making processes, and interactions with the local Iraqi population. The book paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by the soldiers in the intense and dangerous environment of the Triangle of Death.

“Black Hearts” has been praised for its journalistic rigor and its empathetic portrayal of the soldiers involved. It provides a critical examination of the Iraq War, the effects of combat stress, and the complexities of military command.