Customer Reviews

The Nightingale's Song

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After reading "Into Thin Air" a year ago, I thought that it would be a long time before I read anything quite so mesmerizing. Well, "The Nightingale's Song" rivals "Into Thin Air" in this regard. Written by a Naval Academy graduate, Robert Timberg, "The Nightingale's Song" is chock full of incredibly interesting insights about the lives and careers of five Naval Academy graduates who are somewhat familiar to anyone with an interest in national politics. Additionally, Timberg's nuanced analysis of the political innerworkings of the Reagan Administration which contributed to the Iran Contra debacle seems to be completely on the money. Relative to the five individuals profiled (Messrs McCain, North, Webb, Poindexter and McFarlane), Timburg paints five fascinating profiles which honestly deals with the strengths and weaknesses of each. One can read the book and still feel great respect for Oliver North, whose penchant for excess is thoroughly documented, due to his undying commitment to getting the mission accomplished (whatever it might have been). Case in point: Timberg's account of how North went back to Vietnam (after having ended his tour) on his own time and money to defend a former colleague on an unfair charge is one of the most inspiring of many inspiring stories in the book. My admiration for John McCain, which was high before I read the book, is through the roof after reading about the courage and tenacity with which he conducted himself while in the Hanoi Hilton. If anything, Timberg's own personal connection with the Academy gave him a great perspective with which to delve into the lives of each of these men and what forces might have shaped their individual characters.

I can't recommend this book strongly enough. Timberg is now one of those writers that I would automatically buy (if he ever writes anything else). Given this tour de force, it would be a shame if he doesn't take another crack at a major work.

Robert Timberg has written a deeply compelling and somewhat tragic account of five men and how Vietnam shaped and molded their respective character. The book moves quickly and is irresistable after a few pages. A real page turner. Of all the characters within the book, John McCain comes out a real live American hero. Olliver North does not fare so well. Had North retired after his Vietnam stint there wouldn't be enough accolades to describe his service. However, ambition makes a fool of those who cater to its excess and North dives in head first without checking the depth of the water below. Some have criticized Timberg's work as "Anti-Reagan". That is not a fair depiction of the work. Reagan comes across as the "Nightgale" in the book's title. The fact that the song was sung simply and without shame should not provide a source of dismay for anyone who studies history. Reagan merely managed his administration differently than others who have occupied that office. The book focuses solely on five men (North, McCain, Poindexter, Webb, and McFarlane), and delivers a moving, emotional, and poignant portrayal of young men and how the smell of gunpowder can stir the soul and change the course of individuals. In the case of John McCain, the prison in which he suffered turned out to be his salvation as a human being. In the case of Oliver North, the battle scars he carried only seemed to reflect his driving passion to succeed. This is a must read for all who value American History and understand why old men should only send young men into battle as a last resort. The fact that we are mired in another "unwinnable" war only makes this work more compelling. This story will be valid until such time as man conquers his conquering urge.

I first read this book when it was originally published. Now, with the potential presidential campaign of John McCain unfolding, I revisited it, and in so doing, reaffirmed to myself what a tremendous story this is. Robert Timberg presents a fascinating study of five contemporary American men, their formulative years, their central experience...Vietnam, and then their post-war life and public service.

During Iran-Contra, I was never a fan of either MacFarlane or Poindexter. North was something else, though, especially intriguing in his defiant testimony before Congress. But I came away from this book with a much different feeling towards these three men. My impression of Poindexter changed very favorably, not because of his actions but because of his sense of responsibility. I found myself to be very sympathetic towards MacFarlane ...a reasonably good man in a situation out of control. North, to me, became the villain...an extremely loose cannon with no controls from above.

My admiration of McCain and Webb continues to grow. McCain's experiences, especially aboard USS Forrestal and then as a prisoner of war, are riveting. The parallel heroics of McCain's wife during the war is just as inspirational. But I found James Webb to be the most interesting character. Here is a very young man distinguishing himself as a outstanding combat leader, but powerless to prevent the slaughter of his men. Returning to law school, he faces an almost hostile enviornment, ridiculing his service and the sacrifice of his comrades. In the midst of this, Webb embarks on a process of establishing himself as a significant author, and also becomes a significant but controversial figure within the Navy.

This is a book dealing with service, courage, honor and commitment, of paths which diverged and paths which converged. Above all, it is a book dealing with obediance to orders, and the consequences this obediance can produce.

Read this book.

The author's thesis about the connections between the Vietnam experience, the overall substance and process of policy-making in the Reagan administration, and the Iran-Contra affair is well-supported and compelling. As someone who was born during Vietnam and who watched the Iran- Contra hearings on TV during high school, the book did me a great service by suggesting a connection between these two experiences that was not obvious from learning about each of them in isolation. The biographies of the five key figures in the book are fascinating in and of themselves, quite apart from their role in advancing and supporting the author's main argument. The material on McCain is especially interesting, particularly in light of his current bid for the presidency. The author gives a gripping account of McCain's extraordinary heroism and sacrifice, but stops well short of uncritical hero-worship, portraying McCain's flaws and mistakes as well. I disagree with the previous reviewer who thought that Reagan and North didn't get a fair shake in the book. The book's criticisms of both men were supported by ample evidence and in my opinion were on-target. The treatment of North in particular was actually quite balanced -- the author tells us an awful lot about how truly impressive North was in many respects. The author doesn't have a whole lot good to say about Reagan, but that seems to be because there's really not a whole lot good to say about Reagan's role in these events. I don't take the book to mean that there was nothing at all redeeming or successful about the Reagan presidency in other respects. Overall, a great book, well worth reading. Prospective readers should be advised that, for all the different things that this book does, the book actually does not provide a particularly detailed, crisp, or organized account or timeline of the actual events comprising the Iran-Contra affair. Thus, some readers may benefit by refreshing their memories as to these details before starting the book.

When this book first came out my dad vigorously recommended it, but I ignored his entreaties. But in a twist of fate, we ran into the author at a book signing. The author, Robert Timberg, spent his career as a writer for the Baltimore Sun, but was also a graduate of the US Naval Academy - as were the subjects of this book. And while he never mentions it, Timberg appears to know well of what he writes - as it appears that he was injured/burned during his service in Vietnam. I think that gives him his unique perspective, which is that in some way the war damaged and affected all five of these men - and led them inexorably in their later lives.

You do not need to know anything about the Navy, the war, the devisiveness of the 60's and 70's, the Reagan administration, Iran-Contra or anything else covered by the book to enjoy it (though if you do this can only add to your insight). Everyone I have given the book to has loved it - from a friend when he was deployed in Bosnia, a graduate of the Naval Academy, a roommate in law school with no military background, and even reluctantly my wife (who has not been able to put it down).

Read the book - it is simply outstanding.

As a Naval Academy Graduate and a huge admirer of Combat Vets and military heroes, I thought I would enjoy this book when several friends insisted I read it. But I was not prepared for the range of emotions I experienced, as well as the spellbinding way Timberg intertwined the lives of five honorable sailors/Marines. I absolutely loved it and couldn't put it down. It is a classic.

I read this book about these five men because I wanted to read more about the life of John McCain. What I didn't expect but received was an education about the Viet Nam War and about the legacy of war in the life of a young man. It was very interesting to learn about what the Naval Academy is like, from an insider's view. This book is tremendous. For those of us who grew up with faint memories of the War being shown on TV, this is a thorough and objective assessment of what went wrong. It also keenly showns that war leaves scars that never go away and often reveal themselves in how one conducts themselves throughout their life. I walked away a better person with enormous respect for those who fought in this war. I also must say that while John McCain clearly is a man for whom the word hero is an understatement, Jim Webb is an unsung hero. This man has done much for the Viet Nam Vets of which the average Joe is unaware. He too is a hero. Great read, and this comes from a woman in her late 30's who is not a history buff, but just wanted to learn.

As a classmate of the author I found it more than interesting to read his take on the influences of the academy, the war and the Reagan Years. The book generally rang true and although my individual experiences and attitudes were not the same I could recognize the author's and subjects' attitudes and responses. It was no small surprise to rediscover the emotions brought on by those influences. If the reader wants to make the most of the experience of the Nightingale's Song he or she must put aside personal opinions, biases and political leanings. You might neither like nor agree with what you read but listen and learn what can happen to the best of people with the best of intentions.

Robert Timberg's book covering the lives of five men and how they reacted to their shared experience at the Naval Academy, in Vietnam, and during the 1980s serving or supporting the Reagan Administration is an outstanding example of capturing a certain aspect of American life since the end of the Vietnam War.

The subjects, John Poindexter, Robert McFarlane, John McCain, Jim Webb and Oliver North, all have their own personal strengths and weaknesses they demonstrate in various stressful situations, either combat or in testimony before Congress. However, they illustrate an often overlooked aspect inherent in some Americans: they were equally prepared to serve their country by putting their lives in harm's way (McCain, North, McFarlane, Webb), and could also become disillusioned with the actual administration of American power and might (Webb). They could also become seduced or blinded by American power's limits (North, Poindexter, McFarlane).

North comes out of Timberg's treatment looking the worst. At turns a liar and an incompetent, he had little in the way of a moral compass. Poindexter was the genius at both science and management, but the intellectual feeb when it came to deciding between right and wrong. MaFarlane aspired to gain acceptance by both the Ivory tower and the Marine Corps, and was crushed under the weight of it all. Webb, the constant warrior, never backed down to a challenge. McCain was the high flying fighter pilot put Hell at the Hanoi Hilton and able to come out to serve his country in uniform and in Congress. (Reading his opposition in Congress to the military presence in Lebanon in 1983 against his current policy in Iraq is an illuminating activity.)

The one complaint I have with this book is that, due to the nature of the subject matter Timberg is forced to jump around his timeline from chapter to chapter, and it can occasionally be confusing as to when the events he is describing are taking place. But this is a minor quibble.

Newly relevant today since a few of these names are fresh in recent events of the past few years, I highly recommend this book.

This is really a wonderful book. It takes the reader through the lives of five truly fascinating Naval Academy graduates, and their respective involvements in Vietnam and Iran-Contra, along with many other exploits. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the lives of the five figures (Jim Webb, John Poindexter, John McCain, Ollie North, and Bud McFarlane), the Naval Academy, or the Reagan administration. This is a wonderful and fairly quick read that is very enlightening.