Soldiering: Observations from Korea, Vietnam, and Safe Places [Paperback]

Henry G. Gole (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2006

A career in the U. S. Army in the second half of the twentieth century was a passageway to every conceivable locale, hospitable and decidedly otherwise. Henry Gole’s experiences lead the reader through the geography of one such career. The recollections of a professional soldier, Henry Gole’s account is a humorous and interesting tale of a man who loved soldiering but not necessarily the organization in which he soldiered. He feels the gratification of having served in the U. S. Army during an era when, personal doubts and political controversy notwithstanding, the world depended on America and its armed forces to preserve freedom. He offers the unique perspective of a member of the “silent generation,” those who immediately followed the World War II generation but find themselves often overlooked by historians and the media. From 1952 through 1988, covering the ordinary rifleman’s view in Korea to the Green Beret’s war in Vietnam, Gole also provides fascinating insight into the professional military at war and how these professionals relate to each other, both under great stress and during periods of decompression. Containing a wealth of leadership lessons that will serve as an invaluable guide for junior NCOs and officers alike, this thoughtful and introspective warrior has also written a moving tribute to the brave soldiers with whom he served.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An honest, forthright, even curmudgeonly soldier's memories across a turbulent, stirring half century." --Russell Weigley, author of THE AMERICAN WAY OF WAR

About the Author

Henry G. Gole, Col., USA (Ret.), Ph.D., fought in Korea as an enlisted rifleman and served two tours in Vietnam as a Special Forces officer. He has taught at West Point, the U.S. Army War College, the University of Maryland, and Dickinson College. He is the author of The Road to Rainbow: Army Planning for Global War, 1934–1940. He lives in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 290 pages
• Publisher: Potomac Books Inc. (September 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574888536
• ISBN-13: 978-1574888539
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,534,440 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank You Col. Gole, March 10, 2005

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soldiering: Observations from Korea, Vietnam, and Safe Places (Hardcover)

The profession of arms is a strange one. t simply asks that you be willing to go out and fight for your life with another man doing the same thing. And both of you are doing it for home, country and other nebulous things that are very hard to define. In recent times the opinion of the public has not held soldiers in high regard. I remember the stories of Chelsea Clinton insulting soldiers in the White House.

Henry Gole was a career Army officer. He served in Korea, VietNam and in lots of peacetime positions. Along the way he got a Ph.D. and retired as a Colonel. Why, he asks himself. It was the men with whom he served. A most enjoyable book, especially at this time while so much of the Army is in Iraq.

I'm reminded of the Kipling poem 'Tommy:'

Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy how's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.

Thank you Col. Gole.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From a safe place, April 7, 2005

By 

Thomas M. Schlaak - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soldiering: Observations from Korea, Vietnam, and Safe Places (Hardcover)

Colonel Gole's latest work, "Soldiering" is an absolute delight to read. This book is full of humor and wit as the pages unfold to show us a contemporary life spent in service to ones country. Gole cleverly traces an historical thread of events through the medium of what he calls "zeitgiest"..a picture of what's happening in the big world and in his own world at that particular time. Of course, adventure courses in the veins of any career soldier, and the author provides the reader with ample exposure to heart pounding moments and violent death from his own experience as a snuffy in Korea and as a Special Forces officer in Vietnam. His vignettes which spring from a life in the Army will bring back fond memories for all who have served..and it will kindle in those who haven't a wish that they did.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars An odd presentation., November 8, 2009

By 

Ned Middleton (British professional underwater photo-journalist & author) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Soldiering: Observations from Korea, Vietnam, and Safe Places (Hardcover)

If I were to summarise this book in just two words, they would have to be "hugely disappointing." On the back cover we are informed that this author is "a born storyteller" who "writes with verve an clarity." What a pity he didn't bring those skills to this particular party! Inside the dust jacket, further comments commence with; "Henry G. Cole was a BAR man in a rifle squad in the Korea war..." Which is fine if you know what "BAR" stands for if not some might think he was a `barman.'

And there hangs yet another problem with the book, page 170 contains a very good example of the special language which is not understood by those of us who do not possess the requisite translation skills because we never set foot inside the enclosed world occupied (a long time ago) by this author. On this page, he introduces "Heinz" and informs us this person joined him (the author) in CCC MACVSOG - whatever that was.

Even the book's title on the front cover is presented in an odd way with the words "Observations from Korea, Vietnam and Safe Places" being placed some 2-3 inches above the single word "SOLDIERING" thus creating confusion as to the book's precise title.

As for the actual content, this man served in Korea some 50 years ago, Vietnam some 30 years ago, other places before, in between and afterwards and retired from the US military over 20 years ago. Ordinarily, one might have thought his recollections would have been more relevant had they been published at the time - after all, the world is full of former service personnel and "ALREADY" service in Iraq is old news. We are also informed he previously left the army in 1954 and became a teacher for 3 years (yawn!) only to be enlightened by the revelation that part of John F. Kennedy's inaugural address as President of the USA was not intended for anyone else but a personal instruction to Henry G. Gole! When Kennedy asked what "he" could do for his country, he promptly rejoined the army.

From a rather mundane autobiography about the author's military service - and the people he met along the way; To be interested in this book, I would suggest you would have had to have been there at the time. To want to buy a copy, I would suggest you would have to be mentioned by name - and, therefore, be purchasing a copy out of loyalty. To understand the content, I would suggest you need to undertake a study of US military abbreviations confined to those places where this particular veteran once wore his uniform.

Altogether, probably one of the most boring reads of all time.

NM
British Army major (Retired)