Once a Hero [Mass Market Paperback]

Howard Swidle (Author)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Dell (February 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440207819
• ISBN-13: 978-0440207818
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,490,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, must read., February 9, 2010

By 

Daniel A. Watkins (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once a Hero: The True Story of One Man's Tragic Odyssey from Vietnam to Leavenworth (Hardcover)

When I was 12 my family were living in Houston and were best friends with the family of one of the members of the 'gang' talked about in the book. I remember being shocked to find out that my friends' dad was involved, but I never really knew any details of what had happened.

Three years ago I found this book - my dad had read it years ago and I remembered seeing it. It turns out that not only did this book shed some light on the extraordinary events of those bank heists in the early/mid 80s, but that this book is also a very well written, engrossing tale of a man's troubled journey through life. I was shocked to find that not only was there the 'Houston' connection to one of the other members, but that Jim had ended up staying in the small town of Graham (where we moved when we left Houston).

This is a great read for anyone, even if you had no connection to the events. The astouding audacity of the robberies & the methods used, the close calls; the story of a man who did heroic things & was known as a genuinely decent person and how events turned his course. I'd recommend this book to anyone.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Once A Hero, February 14, 2004

By 

John H. Gavin (Newburyport, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once a Hero: The True Story of One Man's Tragic Odyssey from Vietnam to Leavenworth (Hardcover)

I know this man & have spent countless hours with him. Both visiting him in prison (for 4 years, every week) and out in Texas. A remarkable human being. I trust him with my life and I don't say that easily. Jim Little is a unique person. I consider him as close as a brother. This book brought me into his life & I have renmained there. No one could ask for a more devoted friend in life. Jim Little is unique in so many ways.
Trust me, this is a great story. And an incedable individual.
We have been friends since I first met him in prison 13 years ago.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good man that life just got to., January 23, 2010

By 

Steven Vineyard "Death Dealer" (Frankfort KS. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Once a Hero (Mass Market Paperback)

I just finished reading this book. It was recommended by a fellow Vet. Jim gave me my orientation ride when I first came in country 3/70. I flew several missions with him, some mentioned in this book. It is so sad the way it all turned out. But this account of his life is typical of so many others. Well worth the read. Thanks Jim.