Customer Reviews

Heart of a Soldier: A Story of Love, Heroism, and September 11th

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

We have all seen and been deeply affected by the pages and pages of short biographies (and pictures) of those who perished on September 11, 2001 in the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and aboard the hijacked planes. This wonderful book is about one of those people, his best friend, David Hill, and his last wife and soul-mate, Susan.

I didn't know the name of Rick Rescorla, although I have since found that I have a friend who fought with him at Ia Drang and thinks highly of him. When I heard the news stories describing a man who had been a hero in that battle and then died saving others on 9/11 I wanted to read more about him. I think you not only enjoy this book, you will be moved by his story.

It isn't a fairy tale, but it reads like one. Here is a poor kid from Cornwall, UK who heads to Africa to fight, becomes friends with an American soldier. He then joins the US Army, fights in Vietnam, becomes a US citizen. His life ends in the fall of the South Tower.

Mr. Rescorla's life, like ours, had its peaks and valleys. He was a hero, no doubt about it. But he also had parts of his life that didn't work out as well as he had hoped with ordinary failings (again, just like us). The difference is, that when the call came, he heard the call to duty, and putting others first, went back into the building when he could have gotten out. In doing so, he perished. As you read this book it will be clear why.

What is especially nice about this book is that the reason you will know why he tried to save others isn't a comic book version of heroism. It isn't just Mr. Rescorla's nobility and intrinsic heroism, though there is plenty of that in my view. It also came out of his own sense of who he was and his sense of what he needed to do.

He likely wouldn't have survived even if he had "lived". If those he was charged with protecting perished it would have been nearly impossible for him to live with that. He had to try and save them just as he had done in other places and in other times. What was an amazing man.

Mr. Stewart always writes well. I especially like the way he talks about the heroic, the ordinary, and the whacky in elegant and clear prose. He doesn't cue how you are supposed to feel about this or that aspect of Mr. Rescorla's life or the lives of his friends and family. Mr. Stewart tells the story and its internal power communicates through the author's effective prose.

Pointing out Mr. Rescorla's heroism doesn't in any way detract from the hundreds of heros who gave their lives that day also trying to save others. This story just makes one of those heros more real for those of us who weren't directly involved.

This is a story you will not want to put down.

I bought this book a year ago and never read it. When I picked it up I assumed I was reading a story of 9/11. But a small portion of this book covers the 9/11 incident. In fact, for the first 50 pages, the book was rather boring and I couldn't understand where it was going. It starts in Africa where two soldiers meet and develop a bond. Then it jumps to a college student who is studying in Portugal and refuses to have an affair with a married man. Where is this book going?

But after this backfill, the book really supercharges. Over half of the book covers Rescorla and Hill's military career, from work in Africa to rejoining the Army in time for Vietnam. In Rescorla's case, he wasn't even an American. They are both exceptional heroes and reading of their battles is very inspiring. It's also interesting to watch their views of the war change as they view the carnage. Although I had read "They Were Soldiers Once...", I did not remember Rescorla's name so it was fascinating to revisit his involvement and performance.

When the book leaves the military section but prior to the 9/11 event, there is an interesting section where Hill and Rescorla struggle with their identity as veterans of Vietnam, Rescorla particularly. But possibly the most fascinating part of this book is Hill's prediction of the next wave of terrorist attacks and what they would target. Hill participated in the Muslim religion including trips to Afghanistan and presented the FBI with an interesting proposal about Osama Bin Laden prior to 9/11.

And that's what makes this book so compelling. These two men touched four continents but seemed to always be involved in fascinating history that concludes with 9/11. Prior to 9/11 the book details a fascinating love story which finally ties back the confusing start of the book.

I strongly recommend this book if you have interest in war stories, particularly the Vietnam War, patriotism or fascinating details of 9/11. But the real reason you should read this book is to learn of a sincere man who chose to become and American and lived a normal middle-aged life until he found the love of his life which sparked his existence and gave him the strength to deal with cancer.

After reading "We Were Soldiers Once and Young" and going to the LZ-XRAY web site I found out about the soldier on the cover of we were soldiers once and young. His name was Rick Rescorla. A few more digs into the history behind the photo I learned that Rick had died in the world trade center on 09-11-01 helping to save 2,700 of his fellow employee's. This book is a very good read as to the life of Rick Rescorla and I simply could not put it down reading the entire book in the last 48 hours. A hero that survived the Ia drang valley in Vietnam in November 1965 and numerous other military battles lost his life as a hero on 09-11-01. Rick Rescorla was a true leader in military and should set an example for others to follow. It's a shame we have not heard of Rick or the things that he has done prior to his death. Dan Hill the long time friend of Rick is also another hero of this story. If you want a book that will grab you then by all means this is the one for you. Author James Stewart has outdone himself.

Wow, Rick. It's hard to believe it's been over a year since you left us in your final act of selflessness. Reminds me of how I met you back in 1992. The tire on my '78 Bug exploded, and I was stranded on the side of the road during rush hour. Horns honking at me, no one willing to help out an old man, and here you come. Smiling and waving, and all set to change the spare and then follow me home to make sure I get there alright. Since then, there were visits to my home with meals, offers to do laundry, fix my roof, and so on. And of course you helped me through the loss of my wife, crying with me, laughing and looking through old photographs, listening for the 1000th time as I tell you about the birth of our only child (you became like my second child). I love you and miss you. As Jack said, "You make me want to be a better man."

Being a sister of Mr. Hill, I was informed about this book.I read it and found it to be fascinating. I knew of the friendship between my brother and Rick, but had no idea of the depth of the relationship.My heart goes out to Susan for her loss.What a true hero Rick was. I know that there are twenty seven hundred people that are thankful for being under his supervision on September 11th.Thank you for sharing this man's life with us. Clearly, he provided hope in a hopeless situation.I gave my copy to my Mother to read, and she was also fascinated with it, reading it in two days.Although there is some information in the book that we would have prefered not be there, the book is well written and a wonderful account of a true hero.A must read.

I am totally in awe of Col. Rescorla's life, accomplishments, and heroics, culminating in the ultimate sacrifice.

It is nothing short of astounding that an individual in today's world can accomplish what he did and positively influence so many people.

Then, read this book.

Well done, Mr. Stewart.

Knowing all three of the main characters in Heart Of a Soldier, it is a personal privilege for me to give it 5 Stars. This is a book about two great "loves": the love of a man for a woman he found later in life, and the love of a man for another man who was closer to him than any brother could be - someone he literally entrusted with his life. Rick Recorla, Susan Rescorla and Dan Hill are bigger than life and at the same time, very real. Susan asked me to be objective when she gave me an advance copy and I was - it's a book that explores the depth of friendship, bravery and a love that's elusive to so many of us. Heart of a Soldier is for your sons, daughters, husbands, fathers and anyone who wants to be touched and inspired by men who were and are warriors, poets, philosophers and "brothers". How fortunate Susan Rescorla is to have had both of these extraordinary men in her life.

I was an Officer Candidate (OCS) Classmate of Rick Rescorla, so it was not a surprise to me when I heard that Rick had given the supreme sacrifice on 9/11 to save the lives of others. The main objective in Vietnam for Rick Rescorla was to take care of his men and bring as many of them safely home as possible. In civilian life, he took his job responsibilities just as seriously as he did in Vietnam and only hoped that he could keep his people safe from harm.

To really get the full impact of Ricks life, one should also read the book "We Were Soldiers" . Between these two book, one will get a full undestanding as to how brave a man Rick was in combat and civilian life.

I will always honor the memory of my friend and classmate and highly recommend that you read this book.

I have read all of Mr. Stewarts books and am amazed at the quality of his research. This book was so easy to read, and the main characters were so loveable (Rick and Dan in particular) and so admirable. This is a story and these are people who draw you in. In a world filled with people who have no redeeming qualitites, Rick Rescorla was a shining star. I wish I was fortunate enough to know him personally. Since I did not, this book is a close second. I would highly recommend this book.

HEART OF A SOLDIER is a wonderful book about an admirable man who lived an exciting, heroic life. Give this book to your sons. Introduce them to Rick Rescorla. He was what men are supposed to be.