Customer Reviews

Brandy, Our Man in Acapulco: The Life and Times of Colonel Frank M. Brandstetter

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Brandy, Our Man in Acapulco; The Life and Times of Frank M. Brandstetter, is a fascinating account of the never-dull life of Brandy, a colorful WWII hero, intelligence officer, and hotelier. The co-authors, Professor Carlisle and Dr. Monetta, engage the reader with tales from the interesting life of a Hungarian immigrant who was at the center of some of the century's most memorable and important events. The authors recount Brandy's heroic escapades, from D-Day and helping to foil a massive breakout of German POW's from England during WWII, to ensuring the safety and rescue of hundreds of Americans from Cuba after Castro's rise to power. Following his retirement from active military duty and his "semi" retirement from intelligence work, Brandy went on to create and manage Las Brisas, the number one resort in the world during the 1970's. Many of his innovative management and motivational techniques are predecessors of current day employee motivation and hospitality management principles. The book's enticing Foreword is written by Astronaut Jim Lovell, of Apollo 13 fame. An excellent choice for history buffs and WWII enthusiasts, "Brandy" is quite a story and one that I highly recommend.

As a baby boomer, the only personal connection I had with WWII, was that my father worked as a chemist on the Manhattan Project in Washington State.

So when a friend sent me a copy of Brandy: Our Man in Acapulco: The Life and Times of Colonel Frank M. Brandstetter, I thought what does this book have to do with my life?

The answer is everything. The authors of this compelling historical memoir, Dominic Monetta and Rodney Carlisle, brought WWII and the Cold War to life for me.

Colonel Brandstetter's life reads like a Hollywood screenplay. this book has everything fiction has: espionage, movie stars, strong American values, heroic rescues and escapes. It is refreshing to know, in a world where sports figures are amongst the few heroes our young people admire, that there is a living war hero who saved hundreds and hundreds of lives as a human intelligence officer - a humble man with the courage and passion to make a difference.

I would urge teachers to request Brandy: Our Man in Acapulco as required reading in high schools around the country.

As the former head of the history department at an independent school and a teacher and counselor for the past tweleve years, I was interested in what this biography would present. I am extremely impressed with the rich and accurate portrayal of many of the significant events of the twentieth century that Colonel Brandstetter had a hand in. Students of history (of all ages) can take much away from Brandstetter's story. In many ways, this book reads like a personal text of the twentieth century--the immigrant's story, the Depression, World War II, the Cold War and U.S. foreign policy issues are explored through the experiences of this noble and patriotic man. His walk through the twentieth century serves as a roadmap of how an individual can and does make a difference. In a time when so many seek fame and self-aggrandizement, it is refreshing to disover a life of purpose and principle, intrigue and integrity. The principles by which Brandstetter lived--loyalty to country, faith in God, service to others--run through the episodes with presidents and princes, ambassadors and astronauts, the powerful and the helpless. Through all the strife, horrors of war, celebrations and successes, Brandstetter's ideals were tested, re-affirmed and renewed. What an essential message for educators to re-enforce with students. History is a story, and one of the best ways to engage kids in its study is through primary sources--accounts of people who were actually there and can tell of events in their own words. The history and message of this book are inspirational. This should be assigned reading for any class studying the twentieth century.

Real life is better than fiction. Frank Brandstetter is one of those who really made things happen...where ever he was. This book tells his story in unflowery language, and yet it reads like a movie. His life has touched so many highlights of the 20th century.

His story is also a guide to how to live life honorably. He is guided by ideals, philosophy and values that are clear and relatively simple. Today, we are reluctant to believe that life can be lived well and honorably when based on such simplicity. Brandy's sense of honor is palpable. This creed has been tested greatly. There is no fair weather advice from his life. Inspirational. The stuff of world-class leadership.

Col. Brandstetter's life is a real example of what is possible when one is dedicated to a cause. His personal initiative,patriotism to the United States and language skills placed him in unusually high positions within U.S.Army Intelligence where he became a vital part of the events settling WWII. His continuing courage and willingness to saccrifice have served him well in building a world class resourt and continuing to mold current events. The example of his personal involvement should witness to all of us on how we can be a part of creating a better world.

A great read about a remarkable man. I knew Brandy personally and this book doesn't give him true justice but does tell the story of his amazing life. A must read for those in the hotel industry or those that have ever stayed at Las Brisas. The book covers his military days thru to his retirement ,as a spy and hotelier extrodinaire ,in the hills above Acapulco. Buy it and you won't have a regret only perhaps your life could have been as fullfilling and adventurous.

Brandy, Our Man in Acapulco, is a wonderful book about a true renaissance man with values we can all emulate. He's a patriot, entrepreneur, builder, scholar, adventurer, and charismatic leader. His life crisscrossed many major events that defined the century and he was one of the world's greatest hoteliers, turning Las Brisas into the leading resort in the world -- a timely book as we enter the new millennium. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in history, foreign intrigue, and travel.

Wonderful reading! Little known Hungarian really was a part of our American history. Book is filled with inspiring and little known facts that are incredibly revealing. The chapter on Castro was a real eye opener. Should be required reading for any WWII history buff or hotelier.

I met Colonel Frank Brandstetter in Omaha beach, Normandy-France, late 70's. Fantastic personality, true humanity, a great lesson of life at a time when the Cold War was not over yet.

I was assigned to Ste.Mere Eglise by the Commander of the 32nd Company Division, during my national service after finishing the military academy (reserved officers). Mission was to be the "ordonnance" of this VIP for the D-Day ceremonies. There were also exhausted officers just back from Vietnam. We tried our best to take care of all these great people, and shared a lot of good and intense moments during the ceremonies.

I was early 20, he was soon 70 and Frank told me a lot about the war and the peace, about the life and death, about mission and respect, and how to be able to "carry on" day after day.

I remember his comments about General Ridgway, about Europe and USA, about horrors of war and hate but he mostly talked, free, about peace and how to maintain the peace and build the future. It was really an experience! God, he spoke so many languages in the same time. The whole crowd around was impressed, so was I. Well, I saw him with my eyes and heard with my own ears how he had managed and practice the talents he had during WW2 and after that, in Europe.

If one of the most important thing in life, for all of us, is to know what are the good things we leave behind us; well, i guess that Frank could teach a young man and a few other guys at an important time in their lives, how to manage and forecast the rest of their lives; and he did it well. I have not met Frank again, and I often thought about Accapulco and "Brandy" in his colourful Jeep riding in the jungle around the resort, opened to the astronauts back on earth, all of them firmly standing on the world again.

I never forgot his fascinating character. He achieved a hell of a job as an Officer who had a tough life, as a man, and as a friend.

Later on, my work drove me and my wife to work in the Far-East, very closed from a place where General Ridgway took over the work of an other historical icone, Doug. Mc Arthur. And I often remembered, on assigments for my media, a couple of lessons Frank Brandstetter tought to me.

I really think the writers did an extraordinary and fascinating book, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for that amazing encounter, now presented and shared with people. Bravo ! Joel Legendre

I had never thought about how difficult it is to define a person clearly. Most biographies seem to concentrate on a dominant theme in a person's life. The life of a statesman, businessman, or military leader each provide the reader with a focus, that is the kind of story they are about to hear. This book has a devil of a time with this man Brandy because he is so hard to define. Frank Brandstetter has been an American success story of the type romanticized more than a century ago-but he is very much a real person! The book could easily have focused on a single aspect of his life. His WWII, pursuits which in part helped define the modern role of airborne forces or the fact that he was perhaps the best hotelier in the world thirty years later-each story would have made a respectable biography. It must have been hard to define a man who excelled at so many things in a life of intertwining interests and pursuits. Several months ago I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Brandy. In the hours of talk we enjoyed I was struck by the fact that though he appreciated the full complexity of the world (and was very much up to date on current affairs),he was able to distill and express the simple principles at work. Whether in a scientist or statesman this elegance is the mark of genius. The energy and electricity that surrounds him is coupled with a kindness and generosity that is remarkable. In this day of systems and focus on the group, it is inspiring to see what an individual can accomplish. Brandy's story should be read by everyone, students and adults, to remind us that committment to principles, hard work, and never ending creative forces can make a difference in our lives and those of others.