# Christopher Martin - Full Text

Generated: 2026-07-07

<!-- https://www.chris-martin.dev/about/ -->
# About

I am Christopher Martin: Marine combat veteran, engineering manager, and author of *Chasing Alexander: A Marine's Journey Across Iraq and Afghanistan*.

I served with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, studied economics at Denison University, and now work in engineering leadership.

I write about engineering management, military leadership, AI, software, books, and the parts of work where doctrine meets reality.

[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-martin-dev/)

[X/Twitter](https://x.com/fish__legs)

<!-- https://www.chris-martin.dev/book/ -->
# Chasing Alexander

*Chasing Alexander: A Marine's Journey Across Iraq and Afghanistan* is my memoir about military service and my deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Published: September 28, 2021.

ISBN: 9781737259817.

Length: 310 pages.

## Where to Buy

- [Amazon (paperback)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737259818)
- [Amazon (Kindle)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098JWHJLV)
- [Barnes & Noble](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/?ean=9781737259817)

## Writing Process

The book started during NaNoWriMo in November 2019. I wrote the first draft that month, then spent most of 2020 rewriting and editing.

In 2021, after exploring traditional publishing, I chose to self-publish because the timelines were too long for the moment I wanted the book to enter the conversation around the pending withdrawal from Afghanistan.

## Reception

BookLife Reviews named it an Editor's Pick and described it as "a truly enjoyable memoir."

Kirkus Reviews called it ["thoughtful" and "lucid."](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/christopher-martin/chasing-alexander/)

BlueInk Review called the writing ["simple and powerful."](https://www.blueinkreview.com/book-reviews/chasing-alexander/)

The Marine Corps Times [interviewed me about the book as well.](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2021/12/24/in-the-shadow-of-alexander-the-great-a-marine-grunt-looks-back-at-iraq-and-afghanistan/)

Goodreads snapshot captured July 6, 2026: 4.24 average rating, 169 ratings, 129 reviews.

## Links

- [Amazon author page](https://www.amazon.com/stores/Christopher-Martin/author/B098R351T2)
- [Goodreads book page](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58596138-chasing-alexander)
- [Kirkus review](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/christopher-martin/chasing-alexander/)
- [Military Times interview](https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2021/09/28/new-book-depicts-what-the-wars-were-like-for-regular-marines/)

<!-- https://www.chris-martin.dev/ -->
# Christopher Martin

Marine combat veteran, engineering manager, and author of *Chasing Alexander*. I write about leading engineers through the AI transition.

<!-- https://www.chris-martin.dev/now/ -->
# Now

Last updated: July 6, 2026.

Work: Nowadays I'm an engineering manager at Charter Communications. My teams build the front-end for [Spectrum Community Solutions](https://www.spectrum.com/community-solutions).

Hobbies: I'm a big goals guy, and my current target is a 285 for the [USMC PFT](https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/portals/211/fitnesscalc/calcmini.html) this fall (for my age group of course).

Personal: Very excited to say that my wife and I are expecting our first child this fall!

# Writing