Customer Reviews

Heart of a Patriot: How I Found the Courage to Survive Vietnam, Walter Reed and Karl Rove

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I wonder about the agenda of one review here. Can anyone seriously suggest that its less meaningful to lose both legs to a "friendly fire" incident in Nam instead of a NVA attack. Max Cleland was serving his country and in harm's way when he suffered an injury only those who have had similar can possibly comprehend fully.

Having said that, the present book does a wonderful job if establishing Max as a "typical" American kid who answered his nation's call and the result was truly a tragedy. Many, many vets try daily to overcome not just the physical toll of war, but the psychological ones as well. I think I would have given up, but he didn't. Far from "a personal pity party" he acknowledges the huge struggle and turmoil of his wounds, seen and unseen and gives inspiration that a person can overcome, can heal and can still contribute immensely to our great nation. Talking frankly about fear and PTSD is not seeking pity, its the courage to be public about issues that make most of us, those walking around on two legs and having never been shot at for example, uncomfortable.

I suspect Mr. Cleland's party affiliation has a great deal to do with any negative reviews. That's the most pathetic and hate-mongering pile of senseless stupidity I can imagine. It wasn't a democrat or republican that lost so much overseas, I think those useless labels go out the window the second real blood is left on foreign soil, American blood.

An American lost his legs and his esteem, not some liberal or some conservative, but a neighbor.

And if in the aftermath, Max has the guts to vote against putting other neighbors in harm's way for a suspect reason, god bless him. He speaks from experience, not sitting behind a desk in Washington, far removed from the daily horror of people trying to kill you.

Any vet should read it, whether you love Bush or hate him, whether you think Obama is a liberal dictator or a young visionary. Max is reminded every day that blind faith gets us killed.

Heart of a Patriot, by Max Cleland

While reading "Heart of A Patriot," I kept turning to discuss certain points with my father, as I was continually inspired and amazed by Max Cleland. In this book he briefly describes his childhood and coming of age during the Kennedy era, which inspired him to get into politics. He then delves into his time in Vietnam and the subsequent grenade explosion that took his legs and arm. He spares nothing in recounting his recovery, both physical and mental, and his sheer determination to walk again despite overwhelming odds was incredibly inspiring.

Cleland used politics as a way to find purpose in his life - he wanted to *do* something. And he definitely did something - Georgia state senator, Veterans Affairs Administrator, Secretary of the State of Georgia, U.S. Senator, 9/11 Commission, and Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission.

During the 2002 Senate race, Cleland lost his seat to a Republican, likely due in large part to a smear campaign that he felt "took away his service." His vote for the Iraq War authorization also caused him grief and doubt, and he discusses the thought process behind voting for the resolution in the book. I enjoyed some of the lighter information as well, such as the historical desks in the Senate offices.

Cleland is very clearly a Democrat, and his book tells it how *he* sees it - and I find nothing wrong with that. Even so, if you may have political views on the other side of the spectrum, don't let that stop you from reading this book. While much of it is political, much is also not, particularly Cleland's battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after the disastrous 2002 Senate race. Some people have said that he sounds like a crybaby, but nothing could be further from the truth; he suffered from extreme depression and anxiety, and fought like a man to overcome PSTD and live a normal life. Cleland's struggle is inspiring, and I think it's pretty cool that a normal guy was willing to talk about his struggles so openly, in the hopes that it would help someone else.

4/5.

I returned from Vietnam in August 1970 after serving as an infantry Lieutenant. I was a platoon leader with the First Infantry Division with our battalion headquarters located at Dau Tieng. Max Cleland and I share the experience of serving in Vietnam.

That is where our commonality stops since I escaped even being woulded. He is a patriot of patriots. Having endured the life-altering injuries which left him missing parts of himself, he has inspired many of us and others dealing with life's difficulties. He tells us all this in his new book, "Heart of a Patriot."

The injuries suffered in Vietnam were only the beginning of his trials. Walter Reed did not give him the best care. Mr. Cleland goes on to become more that anyone ever dreamed.

An then there is Karl Rove, a man with two arms and two legs, whose greatness and patiotism fail to measure up to that of Max Cleland.



Author of: Mr. NewHeart - Heart Attack to Transplant and Beyond

I met Max when I worked at the Signal School at Fort Monmouth, NJ. You knew then that he was a go-getter. His book makes me ashamed of how our Congress and Presidents have handled our veterans and the conflicts around the world. This story is an inspiration to all who need support for their physical and mental defeats. Thanks Max for telling it like it is!!!

The Karl Rove generation was initially pandered to by Reagan-nauts, eager to have clones as their legacy it seems. Where Rove got rich consulting on political mis-deeds, however well funded by Texas deep pockets, MAX CONTINUES TO STAND FAR TALLER - in statureand values - than Rove shall ever know or achieve as a Fox News contributor today!

YET Max and OUR GENERATION who served honorably in military uniform overseas during the protracted Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia wars have not always come to grips with the changes we found on our "home-coming" to the country of our birth we had left just a few years previous.

REMINDER # One = Five (5) U. S. Presidents prosecuted and conducted 'our' Vietnam, Laos nd Cambodia Wars! All of those presidents were WW-II veterans! They stll call themselves "America's Greatest Generation"!

Some things, I guess I'll just never understand fully nor completely.

In many cases, then as now = "America, we still don't know you anymore"!

Max Cleland's latest book helps fill that void many of us still feel - as health care providers to fellow veterans, confidants, case managers, counselors and even outreach workers for our homeless veteran brothers and sisters still on the streets.

REMINDER # Two = Without Max's sigificant, national leadership as VA Secretary the "store-front vet centers" would never have been realized and still operating today - even for those still returning from Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan and other South Asia or Middle Eastern venues or combat zones.

Whereas the current VA Secretary has set a "five-year goal" to eradicate veteran homelessness - he would do well to read then heed the public VA papers and three (3) books of Max Cleland, his far-seeing predecessor.

MAX, may of us out here still remember and we still salute ya == anytime you "shoot basketball hoops" anywhere! ;-)

The devil's spoor, aka Rove, and his gang of demi-demons, destroyed the career of this great public servant. He had only given three limbs for his country while Cheney and company were otherwise engaged. Cleland was devastated by war and his spirit hurt by the voters of Georgia who bought the haters' line that somehow this man had not done enough, that he was not sufficiently patriotic; they denied his return to the Senate. But this guy came back, and we see him emerge again in this fine book, whole in spirit if not in limb. Please read it. In doing so you will not only learn something but you will repudiate some of the worst human beings to ever leave their mark, like a nasty male cat in heat, on American political life.

I was deeply moved by Max Cleland's story. Few men have made such terrible sacrifices, overcome such daunting odds, and so fully dedicated themselves to the service of their country. Cleland's life story is a story of triumph that both humbles and inspires. The writing is crisp and clear, and the message is critical in these troubling times.

The legend of Max Cleland is well known in Georgia. All American boy gets drafted to Vietnam, gets wounded, comes home and then picks up the broken pieces and dedicates his life to public life. First the State Senate, then Secretary of Veterans Affairs, followed by Secretary of State of Georgia and his dream job of United States Senator.

In Heart of A Patriot: How I found the Courage to Survive Vietnam, Walter Reed, and Karl Rove By Max Cleland with Ben Raines, it masterfully chronicles the ups and downs of Max Cleland the man.

Written as a semi-autobiographical tale, Cleland shares with his readers the challenges that he has faced both in and out of the political arena.
Cleland has lived a remarkable life and has been on the sidelines of some of the most historic periods of our nation's history. Ever the student, Cleland takes the reader into the rough and tumble world of politics.

In a very candid openness, Cleland shares his personal bouts of depression. This openness brings awareness to the issues of mental health and the dominating inner demons.

As the political pendulum swung right with a popular President George W. Bush, Cleland loses his prized US Senate seat. He takes a front and center role with the failed Kerry presidential run, all the while plugging away in the hot bed of politics.

Cleland rebounds and currently serves as Obama's Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commissions, managing the twenty-four overseas cemeteries where American soldiers are memorialized.

Heart of A Patriot: How I found the Courage to Survive Vietnam, Walter Reed, and Karl Rove By Max Cleland with Ben Raines is an inspirational book of a man that was made whole again by his continued commitment to public service.

Max and I were in the same place at the same time so I am personally familiar with the events that take place in Viet Nam. The situation there was tragic. How he survived the aftermath is something of a miricle. His will to live and encourage others thru his personal example is herioic. I hope I can be there when he needs me.

I nominate Max Cleland for "Special Chairman" of the Democratic Party. Not only does he have the heart of a patriot, I believe he has the heart of the Democratic Party and all that it stands for. If you are looking for a objective, historical treatise this ain't it. Max has been a life long Democrat. This book reflects his feelings, oppinions, and thoughts. In other words, his heart and mind. It is totally subjective. Having said that, I could not put it down. I was priviledged to vote for him several times. I met him once. (I am an Independent.) This book is his truth. Not GOP or history major truth. Even so it is a great read. Buy it or borrow it but read it.