history

"With the Old Breed" works on two very different levels. One is an outstanding first-hand account of the campaigns for Peleliu and Okinawa from the perspective of the United States Marines. The second, which is what makes this book so special, is the tale of the of fear and abject horror that those young Marines had to deal with.

"With the Old Breed" isn't just about two military campaigns in the Pacific, it's about the emotional "campaign" that each soldier had to fight just to keep going. With an unflinching pen, Sledge takes the reader on a descent into the maelstrom of lead and blood that was these campaigns. The reader feels the terror, the cold and heat, the filth, the sorrow...and is also offered a glimpse of the extraordinary courage those young men showed.

"With the Old Breed" is a superb, moving account of men in combat. It is a must read for anyone who knows the operational history, but not the personal history, of WWII.

Short, sweet and to the point. "With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa" is the very best personal memoir on World War II that I have ever read.

Sledge's book very thoroughly describes and covers the physical, mental, and emotional horrors of battle. Sledge's first-hand experience and understanding of youth lost during battle is truly frightening. He describes the gloomy environment, the ear pounding sounds, foul stench, bitter taste, and experience of men, or boys in combat. Sledge writes about their fears and trepidation, but also writes about the bravery and camaraderie, or brotherhood these men had towards one another. Soldiers that fought and some witnessed the death of their buddies.

All readers need do is read a chapter, put their head back, close their eyes, and visualize what the American soldier went through to protect America. If there was a Pulitzer Prize for a personal memoir it would surely go to Eugene B. Sledge for his book. "With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa" should be required reading in all American History classes throughout our great land.

"With the Old Breed" chronicles Dr. Sledge's life as a Marine in the Pacific Theater of World War II. The book is divided into two sections describing the campaigns that Sledge took part in: Peleliu and Okinawa.

Sledge's writing style is straightforward and his descriptions are vivid. The thing that impressed me most was his ability to convey the mindset of himself and his fellow soldiers throughout the war. The progression of fear, horror, confusion, disgust, and resolve are all described in a way that you will understand exactly what he felt.

Sledge gives just enough coverage of the high-level progression of the campaigns to give the reader context for the story he is telling. At first I wished for a more complete description, but I came to realize that this information was rarely available to the soldiers at the time. To include it would detract from his objective: to show what war is to a front-line soldier. "With the Old Breed" accomplishes that objective better than anything else that I have read.

As an aside: I would recommend skipping the Introduction. I felt that it revealed several key events out of context, and thus lessened their effect when I reached them in the book.

Over the years I have read several books on the holocaust, but few as compelling as "Sara's Children". Hagstrom has a unique approach with her journalistic style that brings the human suffering of the Shoah down to a very personal level. The research and documentation that went into this account of the Garfinkel family is evident throughout the book. While "Sara's Children" is very factual the reader is swept away by Hagstrom's appealing writing style and a story that could have remained untold were it not for the perseverance and dedication of the author. I only hope that we will see more Hagstrom books in the future.

Suzan E. Hagstrom's account of five siblings who survived work and death camps and who managed to find one another again is a devastatingly haunting, humane, true story of the Garfinkels' courage. More importantly, it is a tale of family love, of not giving up, of self-sacrifice in order that a loved one might be saved. The larger implications of this very personal and moving depiction of the Holocaust's effect upon this family and their community are vast and full of ominous import as our global community continues to endure threats to safety and well-being. Hagstrom's style is that of a journalist. Sentimentality is absent in this factual, yet dramatic, portrayal of the ravages of the Holocaust. She has done her research, having collected dozens of interviews and having visited the sites upon which the book is based. She has found the Garfinkels' records and a listing of their prisoner numbers (reprinted in the book) and enjoys the endorsements (see back cover) of such luminaries as Simon Wiesenthal, Elie Wiesel, Felicia Karay, Zev Garber, Tess Wise, etc. The Garfinkels today lecture extensively at libraries, museums, Holocaust Memorial sites and other venues in order that the next generation and beyond remember the story and in order to encourage them never to forget. The early photos of the Garfinkels and the one of their mother, Sara, says it all: here is a normal family, torn apart by hatred and anti-Semitism. The parents and the youngest two siblings are presumed to have been gassed at Treblinka. Nathan, Sonia, Bela, Regina and Helen were mere teenagers when they were herded into the town square and trucked away from their village, Chmielnik, Poland, never to see home or family members again. Their harrowing experiences, living conditions, work assignments and illnesses are abject reminders of the degradations humans can impose upon one another. Nonetheless, their love for one another, their faith that another day might bring a raw potato, might bring a sip of fresh water or a crumb of bread, their hope that they would see one another again, leads the brother and sisters through the death march, through the snow, through the cruelty of Nazi soldiers into the arms of freedom when the liberators arrived. This is a must-read not only for those interested in history and its lessons for our collective future but for those who admire the love of family as well. It is also a tale for those who will be inspired by this story of courage and honor in a time of horror and tragedy.

"Sara's Children" is a compelling story about five siblings who survived the Holocaust. Yet, their immediate family was not untouched: both parents and two other siblings were murdered by the regime.

I read this book after having re-read Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning." I followed it by reading "Night" by Elie Weisel. "Sara's Children" tells a story as shocking to the conscience as any narrative.

Major John Plaster reveals the truth behind some of the most gallant episodes and valliant soldiers in America's history. Kept quiet by rules of secrecy, death of participants and frank disinterest on the part of many Americans, Plaster allows us to look inside the super-secret unit that carried the war in Vietnam into the enemy's back yard. With his brisk prose Plaster brings to life combat situations that the ordinary reader can not even imagine. The men of SOG and Special Forces have been consistently misrepresented. Now you can find out the truth. In those days 'running recon' was the ultimate challenge and even within the elite of Special Forces only few soldiers accepted the life. In this book Plaster shows the reader just what it was like to be one of the best of the best. This book is extremely valuable for recording a piece of American military history in danger of being lost. In addition it shows the reader who may have been led to believe that the men who fought for this country in Vietnam were somehow unworthy that they deserve every bit of respect and gratitude that we willing bestow on other veterans. Buy this book, read it and believe it.

I , when I whine or complain daily, stop, open up Mr. Plaster's book and Photo History book; and think: wow! I am so stupid; I have "no right" whatsoever to ever complain about anything! How we all are today! How lucky I am that I am here in America; never knowing what it would be like to be in a foreign land, fighting for "our great country" or to be a P.O.W.! mR. pLASTER'S BOOKS HELP ME "DAILY" APPRECIATE MY LIFE, FAMILY, AND MY COUNTRY so mush better! The book's by Mr. Plaster helps us to understand just what our men and women had to endure in S.E. ASIA! Yet these (SOG) men goes mant steps further; out on-a-limb; for you and I; risking their lives and limbs to keep us all safe and "free" here, in America on some of the most-dangerous-secret missions ever done during The Vietnam War for our country! If only "we" in today's society could be (true) team players such as these fine-brave men of SOG were; our country wouldn't have the disrespect problem that it has today! We "all" need to go back, read Mr. Plaster's book and photo history; and realize how " truly-really" blessed we "all" are to have had such a "fine-brave-unselfish" units of men like the SOG units; that so-gallantly fought in S.E. Asia in Vietnam War; so that we all might be here, today, free and democratic! Mr. Plaster's work's are; as far as i am concerned; true/definative and complete work's of the SOG units! Can't get any better than this! Thank's Mr. (Major-ret.) Plaster/ SOG! I'd give anything to someday be able to meet "all" you brave men in person, GOD BLESS YOU ALL! Much respect!

I want to start off by saying "Thank you" to the writer, John Plaster. This book allowed me to discover the sacrifices that many people made on the behalf of all americans. I have never served in the military and it was eye openning to read about how so many lost their lives. So, I could take my daughter to the park, so I could go out with my wife to a movie & dinner and so that I could attend a church of my choosing; whenever I want. For all those who have ever served in the military, no matter if they were in special forces or a cook at a mess hall, thank you for sacrificing a part of your life so I could have the freedom that so many americans take for granted....

This book tells alot of the behind the scene actions that the U.S. Special Operations Group undertook durning the Vietnam War. My favorite part of the book was the chapter titled "Sog's Dark Arts" which covered several Phy-Ops such as "The Sacred Sword Of The Patriot League"; pretty funny stuff for a hard-as-nails special forces group. I also enjoyed reading about the exploits of brave soilders like Dick Meadows, Jerry "Mad Dog" Shriver, Fred Zabitoski and Robert Howard. These men, and many more, are unsung american heros. The bravery of the men of SOG was amazing to read about. I've read several good books on the military special forces and this is one of the best. Its books like this, that allow those of us who have never fought in a war, to understand the selfless hero's that this great country has produced. I salute you all.

Andrew Chaikin's "A Man on the Moon" is an authoritative and inspiring portrait of the Apollo program's human side. While other accounts focus tightly on technical or scientific detail, where most astronaut biographies offer only the perspective of a single individual, this book reaches for the big picture, the grand historical and spiritual implications of the manned lunar landings.

Amidst the cultural earthquakes of the 60's, the Vietnam War and the din of protest, the author claims, we have never fully come to grips with the fact that Man has walked on another world, that we became a people without limits. Chaikin sets out to recount the story of the lunar voyages that the astronauts never wrote, and to bridge the gap between the high-tech realm of spaceflight and everyday experience. Based on extensive interviews with all surviving moon voyagers, "A Man on the Moon" is an important historical document as much as it is a great read.

Setting the tone, a short prologue mixes Kennedy's famous "before this decade is out" challenge with the story of how Pete Conrad, naval test pilot at Miramar and future moonwalker, learned of his selection as an astronaut in 1962. Throughout the book, Chaikin strives to blend the historical and the human dimensions of the space program. Where some of the lesser astronaut biographies stay on the surface and resort to "fighter jock" clichés, he succeeds at capturing the full spirit and emotional depth, be it the tragic Apollo 1 fire and subsequent recovery, the pompous triumph of Apollos 8 and 11, the drama and narrow escape of Apollo 13.

Every landing mission is assigned its own chapter and unique tone. The close comradeship of the Apollo 12 crew, "Sailors on the Ocean of Storms". The personal exorcism that Apollo 14 was to Commander Al Shepard, who had been grounded for many years. The glorious journey of scientific exploration undertaken by Apollo 15, first of the longer lunar rover missions. Naturally, some flights and astronauts receive more attention than others; but while Apollo 7, 9 and 10 are passed over quickly in comparison, even they or the Mercury and Gemini programs are treated more thoroughly than in some lesser accounts. On the whole, "A Man on the Moon" offers excellent detail for such an all-encompassing work. Hundreds of superbly chosen photographs and diagrams, biographical astronaut information and a thoughtful epilogue round out the book. The writing is rich and captivating throughout.

While there is better technical or scientific information to be found in other, more specialised works, Chaikin's book was intended to portray the man inside the space suit, to make us feel what they felt. At that it succeeds as brilliantly as the written word possibly can, without ever over-simplifying or fictionalising the story of this great adventure. Therein lies the achievement of "A Man on the Moon". As a guide for the casually interested reader, or an introduction for the budding specialist, this is the definite book on the Apollo program.

The HBO miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon" truly depicted the Apollo experience with great visuals, and the book "A Man on the Moon" covers even than what could be shown in the 45 minute episodes. It's a science fiction detective story that actually happened. The author gives the reader biographies of the key astronauts, and some of the wives who stood behind their husbands, so the reader becomes acquainted with the men who took the daring journey; and this allows the reader to imagine better what was going in the minds of the men who faced a challenge which could easily end in disaster for them as far a quarter of million miles from home. The author also gives the reader some nice anecdotes shared by the astronauts on project Gemini and Apollo, and this in my opinion added even more of a human element to the missions to the moon. Lastly, the author gives just enough clear technical details to the Apollo spacecraft design and mission control protocols which augment the narrative as well as any really good science fiction story I've read. I was too young to know what was going on in the world at the time Neil Armstrong took the small step, but reading "A Man on the Moon" took me back to the era so effectively. Then, I learned much more about the significance of the other Apollo missions we so seldom here about today.

I am one of the lucky few to have been on the moon. Six times. Thanks to Andrew Chaikin.

An avid fan of historical fiction, I must say that while I am impressed with the historicity Rivers provides, I was displeased with the pervasive, American evangelical (almost charismatic) interpretations of cultural "things." Many of Rivers characters are good and fairly believable and her historical facts seem well researched, accurate and detailed. However, the philosophical style and interpretation of people and events seems inconsistent with the perspective of a Jewish girl in the first century (or anyone of any other culture, as there were many in the book). It might have been much more believable if Rivers had succeeded in thinking a little more outside the box and less like a modern American. I wasn't sure if she was trying to make a point about the similarities (ie: moral degeneration) between American culture and ancient Roman culture...?

I was also disappointed by the frequent, direct quotes from scripture-especially from "books" that may not have been in wide circulation at that point in time. There are places that also seemed slightly preachy. Some of the "miraculous" happenings (more in book 2) were also a little unbelievable. When I first read this book I didn't know that Rivers was a romance author (outside of my usual genre). A consistent and slightly disappointing theme in the entire series was the good "Christian" girl winning over the bad pagan boy with her virtue. In modern terms: missionary dating. It might have been more realistic if Hadassah had a few character flaws. Her emotional/spiritual/mental battles are little bit weak and she always makes the "morally correct" decision. I would have liked to see some deeper grapping with the life-and-death issues, some sincere mistakes, deep doubts etc. I didn't find it very romantic or realistic, it was difficult to relate with Hadassah on many levels because of her flawless character, but Rivers has definitely crafted a "feel good" story with good endings for all of the likeable characters.

The year is 70 A.D. A Christian teenaged-girl named Hadassah, (who is the only one left of her family at the fall of Jerusalem) is taken to Rome. Sold as a slave, she is to serve the wealthy Valerian family. The Valerians are having problems of their own. The parents, Pheobe and Decimus are very traditional but their children Marcus and Julia embrace all the plesures of Rome. Hadassah is torn by her faith: she wants to share it's wonders and love with her new family, but cannot find the courage to do so. Also, Atretes has been captured from Germania and is brought to Rome as a gladiator. As their lives intertwine, they will face problems that will change who they are and what they believe in.

Francine Rivers has truly created a masterpiece. The characters are so real and believable. The plot is remarkable, and the detail given to ancient Rome makes history come alive. I call this an inspirational, dramatic-historical love novel. The way that the author shows the love of God is beautiful.

I give this book 5 stars. It's a must-read, and I can't say enough about it. It's an amazing story that captivates you and touches your heart. It changes you as a person, it makes you think, and that's what I call worthy liturature. I give it my full recomendation, which is reserved for very few books.

Let me set the record straight.

"A Voice in the Wind" is Christianity. It is history. It is romance. It is action. It is about people, and how they are interacting in arena of Ancient Rome. It displays all kinds of people. It brings out the best traits known to mankind and the worst traits known to mankind.

"Voice" is centered around two different stories: that of Hadassah, the Hebrew/Christian girl sold into slavery, and her masters, the Valerian family- stern but fair Decimus and gentle, loving Phoebe; and their children, Marcus, whose feelings for Hadassah run high over, and Julia, the girl who Hadassah serves, whose only care in life is for her own pleasure.
The second is that of Atretes, German warrior-turned-Roman gladiator. All brawn and beauty....but also vulernability and anger. The object of Julia Valerian's affections. Draw your own conclusions.

Francine Rivers is a masterful story teller, and the way she draws you into this book is amazing. It is life changing. Literally.

You love some characters- Hadassah [the obvious!] and even the vulernable Atretes and the lustful Julia. You also hate some- Caius Urbanus, Calabah Fontaine; and feel pity for some, such as Arria and Octavia, God help her.

In short, this is one of the best books of the decade...no, century...no...how about millennium!!!!!! You will be supporting one of the most talented authors on the planet by purchasing "A Voice in the Wind" and its magnificent follow-ups, "An Echo in the Darkness" and "As Sure as the Dawn".

God Bless!

This is one of the most wonderful books ever written. James Allen explains in his "easy to read" way, how we are the ones responsible for the present state of our own lives (not someone else or some circumstance in our life). As he says, "Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself". That's why two different people can see the same event and view it in a totally different way. He also stresses that fighting the outer circumstance or "effect", will not help, since the real "cause" is in our hearts. He makes it very clear that if we wish to change the world, we will have to start with ourselves. And a big part of the work, will be to realize that we aren't usually even aware of our thoughts (which means we don't know what we're asking for). If you truly want to change your life, for the better - this book is a good place to start. James Allen wrote several other books, that are sometimes difficult to find, but well worth looking for. "Out From the Heart" is one of my favorites, as it gives "more basic" instuctions for those of us who have a lot to learn about ourselves. If you like James Allen's books you may also like books written by Vernon Howard, Guy Finley, Maurice Nicoll (who studied with P.D. Ouspensky and G.I. Gurdjieff), and J. Krishnamurti.

This book is one of its kind, and one of the best! EVen Anthony Robbins takes quotes from this book and recommends it to his listeners. It's amazing, such a tiny little book, yet it contains the most important believe that each of us must have in order to succeed. "Success is caused by successful thoughts!" Bad thoughts can never produce right results. I have already seen how this works in my life. Years ago I was sick with negative self sabotage and thinking. Then I came upon some books especially Harold SHerman's "TNT-The Power Within You", Joseph Murphy's "The Power Of Your Subconscious Mind", etc and this one. Read this one and you'll be convinced why you can't wish things to go right when your thinking is wrong. Like the ignorant saying "Hoping for the best but expecting the worst".... break out of that my friend. Stop poisoning your mind... learn why and how with this book! You'll soon see that this world is but a mirror, reflecting to you what you think and do.

The greatest invention of all time - started in someone's brain. The visionary.

What is amazing is that we are all visionaries. However because a negative visionary is not called a visionary, we don't perceive ourselves to be visionaries. This book shows you that you too are a visionary. You do create your own future. That said, what type of future do you want in your life?

Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works: How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated

Alison Weir has done a wonderful job to introduce the reader to the six wives of Henry VIII. Not only did Weir explain the background of each of the wives, but she also gave the reader a glimpse of life in the Royal Court during the Tudor period of England. It was intriguing to read about the alliances and arrange marriages as well as the required dowries. Not only were the alliances important, but each wife was required to give Henry VIII a male heir. When a wife failed to do so, she was casted away. I found it amazing how easy it was for a King to convict someone of high treason and the fate of that conviction, as Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard found out. Weir also shows just how young and foolish these girls were when they married the King to become the Queen of England. The moral of the story is not to marry Henry VIII unless you want to gamble with either having an annulement or being beheaded.

I was very impressed with Weir's good writing and meticulous reserch. Still, I had a couple of problems with this book that I have not seen expressed by other readers.

My first problem is that I did not find the book particularly well-organized. Weir seems to struggle between a chronological and subject matter based structure to her book. The result is that she tends to jump around quite a bit and often repeats herself.

My second problem is that most of the rather large amount of text that Weir devotes to discussion of tudor fashion and architecture was wasted on me. Indeed, I cannot imagine that anyone without a fairly extensive exposure to these subjects could really visualize what Wier is describing in these passages. Although I might not be as familiar with these subjects as some of her readers, I imagine that most are more interested in the profound impact that Henry's wives had on 16th century politics than in the clothes that these women wore.

The book is a worthwhile read on the whole, but I would advise those who are not tudor history buffs to expect less than a "five star" experience.

It's thorough. It's accurate. It's all the glamour and betrayl of English court life in a single book. Weir hasn't just raised the bar, she's obliterated it. Everything you could possibly want to know about Henry VIII's wives is in here---the clothes they wore, the gossip surrounding them, and what Ambassador So-and-So thought of their manners. Best of all, it's not the slightest bit boring. If every history book was written this way, the world would be a much better place. Do not hesitate: buy it now.

When I first saw this book, my heart did not exactly skip a beat. Another book about (and worse, BY!) 2 American entrepreneurs selling computer mice? Haven't publishers had enough of all these human interest business stories that all share the same beginnings and endings?

I decided to give the book a go anyway since it was a gift from a friend. Surprisingly, I was unable to put it down. Even though I am an Asian doing my MBA in Europe, I believe the experiences of the authors hold true for all aspiring entrepreneurs.

And what experiences! I won't give the story away (go to mousedriver.com and look at their Insider newsletter for a summary of some of their tales),but DO consider this book to get an idea of what it means to passionately believe in a product, get that product to the market -- and how to deal with all the obstacles in the way while preserving your sanity and bank balances.

If, like me, you have thoughts about being an entrepreneur but are not sure of what to start being passionate about, read this book and "Just Drive It" ! The marketing slogan for the MouseDriver (that's what these guys are trying to sell, a mouse that is shaped like a golf club) is certainly effective shorthand for all those who have always THOUGHT about being their own boss but have have not dared to fall out of their 8 to 8 routines (Worry about the landing later:-)

MouseDriver Chronicles is a true, compelling story that deserves a wider audience. I now understand why my friend (who gave me the book) actually went on to help publish it. Happy AND educational endings, anyone?

Ok, so here's the deal. I currently manage about $20MM in retail business for a manufacturer, and have been contemplating whether to pursue an MBA (read Wharton) or start a company. This book provided a pretty no-pretense look at starting a product-based company. In many cases the author's MBA's weren't that valuable (their words, not mine). Ultimately, this book served to help demystify the process of starting a company. While not a "how-to" book, I can say that it has been one of the most beneficial books in providing 1) a realistic view of the start-up process, and 2) a realistic view on the benefit of an MBA in starting a company. My own personal conclusion is that industry experience seems to count for far more than an MBA (assuming, of course, and undergrad in Business Mgmt or business knowledge from experience).

Thanks, guys, for daring to share your victories, setbacks, and experiences with us in a transparent and unpretentious manner. I can't tell you how beneficial this book has been in my own decision to take the plunge.

The twenty bucks invested in this book may be the best start-up investment you can make. By the way, they really do reply if you email them. I received replies from both John & Kyle within a few days of asking for their input. God bless.

Having stumbled accross this book amidst the deluge that is my local book store, i soon realised that i had stumbled accross something very inspirational indeed. As a Business school graduate myself, i was entering this game with a somewhat over-confident approach to business startup! Boy oh boy has this read tought me a thing or three! I don't want to rabble on and on about how good the book is, but i would just like to add one thing. The experiences of John and Kyle (the entrepreneurs) have brought me back down to earth and have re-ignited my creative spark as i am now thinking of ways to avoid getting myself in the dificult situations they often found themselves in . Also of ways i could get in similar positive situations they found themselves in. Oh, just go and buy it, steal it, borrow it from your friend or find a way to get your hands on it-entrepreneurs you will not regret it!

This book takes you through the life and dreams of a man whom I believe was a genius, Jonathan Larson. There are tons of amazing quotes from him and those close to him . This book gave me a chance to learn even more about my absolute favorite musical, and it felt like I almost got to know Jonathan Larson. The large pictures of cast members performing each song in the libretto make it easier to explain the plot to friends. I seriously cried when reading about how Jonathan Larson died and everyone's reactions to his death. Overall, this is an awesome piece of literature for any Renthead or musical theater fan. NO DAY BUT TODAY!!!!

I've been a fan of RENT since the day a friend played the soundtrack for me. I adore the play, and when I got ahold of the book, I adored it even more. I finally realized how much work was really put into getting RENT out to the audience. I was especially pleased to see that no one thought they had to be extra nice when speaking of Jonathan Larson. They admitted he was pushy and demanding when it came to adjusting the play. I was glad to see that he was so committed to his vision that he fought to keep it as close as he could to what he wanted.

At the same time, there are moments of plain sweetness to be seen. The pictures are wonderful. Including the note Jonathan wrote his father when he quit his job, and the shots from the stage. The picture of Collins and Angel is enough to make the book completely worth it.

Wonderful for anyone who likes to see how behind-the-scenes really was as the group was getting ready for the performance.

When I first discovered RENT, I heard that all RentHeads have "The Bible", which is this book. I bought it, and it took me into a world of RENT, and also the sad story of Jonathan Larson.

In the contents of this book, there are interviews with Jonathan Larson's friends and family, and also the original Broadway cast. Also, in this incredible book, lies the RENT libretto, along with pictures to go along with each song.

I learned so much from this book, and so would anyone who wanted to learn about RENT. This is a must for all RentHeads!!

This book is the most over-rated book on leadership I have ever read.

Sam Damon is the knight in shining armor who can do no wrong. As a teenager, prior to even joining the Army, he spends his time writing analyses of Civil War battles that one would expect from a graduate of the Army War College. He decisively beats the lumberjack-size town drunk in a fist-fight hands down. He does everything right.

Oh, excuse me...he commits adultery by having an extra-marital affair. But hey, Sam Damon is such a stud, he deserves the right to blow off a little steam with some Army nurse.

What aspiring leaders need to understand is that it is possible to be an exceptional leader, maintain your integrity and dedication to your subordinates, and accomplish the mission despite human limitations. Aspiring leaders need to understand that while innate talent is important, dedication and perseverence and living by a set of firm moral values will enable you to succeed as a leader.

We don't need an "out of sight" Sam Damon to inspire our aspiring leaders. Instead, consider studying the paths to greatness of real human leaders who actually walked the face of the Earth, such as Abraham Lincoln.

My point is, how can you truly credit anyone, such as the hero, Sam Damon with such honor, courage, and commitment, when the author has already built-in so many talents that the humans among us can't even relate?

I admit, this is a pretty good book...it reads extremely well, and of course Sam Damon is a model of the very best motives and attibutes all combat leaders should aspire to. I guess it was the extra-marital affair that really put me off, as if that's no big deal. The way I see it (I've been married for eight years and an officer for ten), if a man or woman cannot or will not honor the vows they made on the altar, I have a hard time believing that they would honor the Code of Conduct under pressure. Like, 'I can't resist my urge to do the wild thing with some nurse behind my wife's back, but on the other hand, you can push needles under my fingernails or torture me with electric shock, but I will never betray my country.'

Yeah, right.

"Once an Eagle," by Anton Myrer, is a huge book: the main text is 1291 pages long in the paperback edition. The book tells the story of Sam Damon, a Nebraska man who enlists in the Army and gradually rises up the ranks; his career spans a great portion of the 20th century. His story is intertwined with that of his rival, fellow soldier Courtney Massengale. The men are polar opposites: Damon is a down-to-earth guy who genuinely cares about his soldiers, whereas Massengale is a cold, ruthless puppetmaster with grand dreams of power and conquest.

Myrer brilliantly focuses his vast story on these two archetypal characters. In the end he creates a sweeping tapestry into which he weaves many relevant issues: leadership, love, marriage, racism, courage, politics, etc. He offers an intriguing look at such things as the role of military wives, officer-enlisted relations, the relationship between the military and civilian political authorities, etc.

The book is full of memorable characters, vivid scenes, and powerful dialogue. Myrer has a real skill at descriptive writing. Ultimately, this is a novel of ideas which never loses touch of the humanity (or inhumanity) of its characters. I especially liked the fact that Myrer creates compelling female, as well as male, characters.

It's really like an epic TV mini-series in book form. Recommended as companion texts: "A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier," by Joseph Plumb Martin, "Bridges at Toko-Ri," by James Michener, and "Starship Troopers," by Robert Heinlein. All are excellent books in particular for military leaders, or for anyone with an interest in the military.

There is one purpose for the existence of a professional military organization. That purpose is to engage in warfare, when necessary, to defend the nation. Peacetime, which unfortunately is usually just a breathing space between wars and lesser fights, should be spent training and preparing for the next go-round.

Once An Eagle brings that fact of life chillingly home to roost. I first read this excellent novel in the 1970s and I have reread it many times and learned more from the book each time. It also served me well throughout my military service as a Marine artilleryman.

The main character is a composite, a combination of Woodfill from War I to Eichelberger in War II. The author has caught the essence of both military service and the military life, even though he salts the dialogue with Marine terms instead of the corresponding 'Army talk.'

The characters are real, the battles were actually fought, both on the battlefield and off (the off battlefield ones, unfortunately are still being waged and not always for the 'good of the service'), even though a good part of the fight in France during War I was taken liberally from the book Fix Bayonets! Artistic license is both acceptable and valuable, especially in this case.

Soldiers, not carpet knights, win the nation's wars. Unfortunately, they will still have to be waged, fought, and won. This excellent volume makes the distinction between the soldier and the courtier, and what the country needs to defend itself. One retired Marine officer who is also a prolific author of Marine Corps lore, has termed these two types of officers 'lions and lambs'-the distinction should be obvious to the casual observer and reader. This book should not only be required reading for every military professional, but also for the politicians who are their civilian masters and who send them into harm's way.