A Good Book: Black Dog Escape

“The ancient Egyptians believed that when you die, the Gods ask you two questions before they let you into the next world: Did you find joy in life? Did you help someone else find joy in life?”

A few Saturdays ago my girlfriend and I were exploring the Western Slope of Colorado and popped into a local coffee shop. On my way to the bathroom an event being setup in the back grabbed my attention. When I got out I saw that it was a fundraiser and a book signing. I hesitated for a minute, and then walked over.

It was a local fundraiser for veterans. The book signing was for Black Dog Escape, written by former Navy SEAL, William Bach. He was selling his book and donating the proceeds to the cause. We struck up a conversation with him and his wife and ended up chatting for a while. It turns out we had a lot of common interests. Before leaving I bought a signed copy from him.

Black Dog Escape is about a former Navy SEAL fighting the demons of war and trying to make a new life for himself after retiring from combat. The main character, Jack, gives all the outward impressions of a normal guy. He owns a local book shop, likes to go crabbing, and is a regular in town. But on the inside he’s tormented by what he’s seen and done in war.

As Jack is searching for answers to heal his trauma, an adventure and love story begins to unfold around him. But the Black Dog won’t relent and keeps nipping at his heels.

While the story is told from a veterans point of view, I found that there was a lot that related to the every day lives of non-combat citizens as well. We all have something that tugs at our happiness, that can bring us into a dark place. 

As Plato says and WL Bach quotes midway through the book, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

For Jack, it’s his trauma from the war, and for the rest of us it could be childhood trauma, a devastating loss, or a bad breakup.

I chose to read Black Dog Escape this week to take a break from all the self-improvement and health related books I’ve been immersed in this year. Turns out I didn’t get much of a break from learning, but at least the lessons here were taught through a well written and entertaining story. I pulled out a lot of wisdom that I’ll definitely be remembering throughout my life.

When I walked over to that fundraiser table I was nervous about getting pulled into a commitment (financially or otherwise) that I wouldn’t be able to say no to, and for that reason I almost walked right by. But I fought that urge and I’m glad I did. Because I got to meet a really impressive couple, and I got a great book out of it. The uncomfortable thing can be rewarding.

Enjoy.