Customer Reviews

One Soldier's Story: A Memoir

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Bob Dole is a brave man, a hero and a great American. This book tells the complete story of his life as a soldier and of his years of recuperation after his war injuries. In this book he speaks very generously of all those people who helped him on his road back to health which initially took about 3 years.

For those who are interested in the book and the man, there is an excellent author interview event available on CSpan2's BookTV. Bob Dole's courage, bravery and his modesty are all very appealing.

Senator Dole demonstrates what a quick wit he has, and a well grounded decency. And he gives so much credit to others, be it his hometown, parents, colleagues, friends and even strangers. That is what is so refreshing in an era when people want to make you believe that it was simply luck or some hard work that got them to a point of success.

What may surprise some is how he speaks so fondly and nicely of those whom he served with in the Senate etc from the other party, and how he wants, like many of us, to return to a day when both parties worked together. He also notes that running against someone be it for Senate or President doesn't mean the other person is your enemy, but your challenger.

No matter how old you are, whether you are male or female, there are some timeless truths and priceless lessons to be had in this book.

This is a book well worth reading.
Let me say at the outset that I have issues with Dole the politician but this is about Dole the man.
It is a very human book that tells the story of an average American, a good citizen, a soldier and a man having to deal with a crippling injury.
It is an unflinching look at how an average life can become remarkable life and a story of human endurance and courage.
Inspiring.

This book is noteworthy as it is a public figure who has written a book without bragging about himself or supporting his current positions or causes. Dole is a retired politician who in his year's of reflection decides to write about the most significant event of his life, his service in WWII, the subsequent life-threatening injury, growing up in middle-century America and the support he received to overcome this devastating injury.

This is a simple book that could have been written by thousands of WWII vets. Unfortunately, they are not famous and Bob is so in many respects Dole is writing it for them. He writes this book with no ego and no political agenda. In fact, he writes of his relationships across party lines and as he discusses his involvement with the WWII War Memorial there are great discussions on his excellent relationship with Bill Clinton.

Where this book is most fascinating is describing his struggles going to college and the mindset of Americans as Pearl Harbor is bombed. Then you see the thought process of these young men as they decide whether to enlist and what should they attempt to do in the armed services. Pre-battle training is covered extensively but mainly from the standpoint of relationships with family through the letters included. Unfortunately, Dole's time in battle was limited as he is wounded almost immediately. So whole the build-up of this battle is compelling, it ends quickly. Then the amazing tale of how he was rescued at great risk and somehow managed to survive is told in great detail. Most Americans know he was injured but how many know of the months he was laid up paralyzed? Or the life threatening infections he fought off with experimental drugs?

This book is not for everyone. If you are looking for a war book, this isn't it. Political intrigue and partisan politics? Pass on this read. But to reflect family life in a simpler America and the struggles of the heroic WWII soldiers, this is an excellent book and well worth the read.

Bob Dole had a distinguished career as a senator, vice presidential candidate, minority leader and majority leader of the Senate, and finally, presidential candidate. He suffered from a disability and it was well known that he lost the use of his right arm in WWII. However, he never really talked about it in depth. His war record was never something he made into a campaign issue. Finally, he speaks about it in this book. In the final days of the war, he was severely wounded and was paralyzed. Fortunately, the spinal injury was not serious and he recovered from the paralysis. Unfortunately, he was maimed and he spent many months in a body cast and in hospitals. He was a fairly hulking , athletic young guy but, he returned with a disfiguring injury to his shoulder which made his right arm useless.

When he returned to the United States, he was hospitalized with both Daniel Inoyue (who lost an arm in the war) and Phil Hart (who partially lost the use of a hand). The three all ended up becoming senators and serving together. Although Inoyue and Hart were Democrats, the three share a friendship and mutual respect. Of course, Dole has always been a decent man and he was never the type to make political opposition personal with anyone.

He survived his initial brush with death on the battlefield but, his ijuries caused him to become very ill and lose about 70 pounds. His poor mother wept when she first saw him. He became so sick that it appeared he would not survive. After several years of hospitalizations and therapy, he was rehabilitated enough to go on with his life.

Senator Dole went through a lot in his life and, I'm glad that he finally is revealing the details of his experiences. His prior reluctence to do so is a testiment to the fact that he ran on his political record, unlike another recent candidate, who ran on his war record.

Note the title, this is a soldier's story. Bob Dole spent most of his life as a politician, but that's another story, another book. This is the story of Bob Dole's military career and the aftermath of being wounded in combat.

This story is one of courage and the continual battle to regain what was lost on a mountain in Italy. Bob Dole is a member of what has been called the Greatest Generation. And regardless of what you might think of his politics, he is a great member of that generation.

Also surprising is his humor that comes out in his writing. His is not the dour even sullen personality that came across in the election. His is more the Bob Dole being asked for ID in the American Express commercial.

We are now engaged in a foreign war where young men are coming back horribly wounded. Here is a story of inspiration and hope for them.

I don't always agree with Bob Dole even though we are pretty much on the same political wavelength. But his service to country spanning over six decades cannot be faulted nor questioned. His simple dignity and belief in fighting for God, Country and the freedoms that America represent come shining through in "One Soldier's Story".

Dole talks of how he, a handsome, young Kansas farm boy signed up to fight Fascism, and joined up with the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division, fighting in the mountains, plains, and rivers of Northern Italy. Then, just weeks before V-E Day, Dole was nearly killed by enemy fire when leading his men in a courageous assault against entrentched Nazi positions.

The book then chronicles Dole's desperate battle to live, and to regain his physical strength, having all but lost one of his arms. Dole spent several years alone in surgery and rehabiliation, something that is not commonly known to those who call him a "right wing wacko". Yet he served his country honorably as a soldier - and later a respected United States Senator. He never complained, nor denounced his country ala a current U.S. Senator and Presidential wannabe who boasted about "reporting for duty".

Bob Dole was one of the "Greatest Generation". Buy this book and give a copy to anyone young who questions what this country and our concepts of freedom, service, and self-sacrifice are all about.

Bob Dole was a young 2nd Lieutenant assigned as a replacement officer to the 10th Mountain Division in Italy in the final stages of World War II. He was horribly and horrifically wounded and paralyzed in the final few months of the war while leading his troops in action against a strongly fortified German position and almost bled to death in the 24 hours in took before they could get him to an aid station.

His life leading up to what occured- growing up in Kansas, working as a soda jerk in his home town, his working parents, his life as a collegiate athlete, then life as a young soldier, and young officer- gave me some interesting insights on Bob the young man and on a much different America than when I grew up in the 1960's and 1970's.

But his horrific struggle to even survive afterwards is nothing short of amazing- he was close to death on four different occasions, and yet managed to survive- and to thrive. And we all know the final results. Bob Dole became one of the most effective US Senators in American history, and his leadership in funding (through private donations) and building the World War II Memorial in Washington is a legacy that he will always be remembered for.

I met Bob Dole myself at a disabled Veteran conference, where he spoke. He's witty, quick and passionate about the things he believes in. His determination to overcome clearly comes through in this jewel of a book.

I could not put this book down. Senator Dole tells his story in such a way that you feel you are a part of his family. Many soldiers have a similar story to tell and are unable to find the words. Bob Dole has found the words for all the soldiers out there who came home and for those who didn't. A great read!

Mr. Dole has written a beautiful and inspiring paean to the human spirit. Forget for a moment that he was a partisan political figure in this country for many years. He raises not a single political issue in this book. Instead, this is the story of a young man who, reluctantly, as he tells it, was sent to war in the prime of his youth, was horribly injured and who returned home to the love and care of a family and, yes, a bureaucracy, that nurtured in him the will to survive. Mr. Dole's story and brutal honesty should serve as an inspiration to all those who view life's tribulations as obstacles. He accepted them as challenges to be overcome. It is a quintisential American story and he does not at anytime engage in partisan debate. Instead, this is a loving homily to a family - in particular, a mother - as well a nation that gave all in a time of need. That anyone could read this book and view it as anything other than an inspiring account of the triumph of the human spirit is beyond me. I was moved to tears on many occassions and have to state that I have disagreed often with Mr. Dole politically. Still, as an example of what made the Greatest Generation great, one would need read nothing more than this simple and beautiful memoir of what Robert Dole endured and overcame by the time he was a mere 27 years old.