34 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What an incredible story!, May 30, 2008
Just got through reading an advance copy of this book. Wow! It's the most vivid account yet of what this generation of soldiers goes through emotionally and spiritually to defend our country. The author bares his soul and his faith in a way seldom seen in a "military" book. And there is still plenty of action from the highest battle fought in U.S. military history -- 11,000-foot mountain.
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25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great Men in this Story, Tough Battle but ..., April 16, 2010
This review is from: Two Wars: One Hero's Fight on Two Fronts--Abroad and Within (Paperback)
First off as a Vietnam Vet my hat goes off not only to the Author but to his men on the mission he writes of in his book. I honor them and all the troops today, they are so much more professional than in my day. It is a good book, a great story and some great warriors. I am not critical of the story, the men or the Author. I just found it a little disjointed at times, I had trouble following the time line in his life but have no question of the Authors honesty and sincerity. He bared his soul in the book and was quite honest about his strength and weaknesses.
He writes surprisingly honestly about his Christian faith, but has a chapter about 'allegations' someone from the battle made about the day after his return about his use of Christ's name in vain during the battle. The Ranger in question just pointed out that he knew the battle was serious when he heard the Captain say what he said. the ensuing discussion with himself and considering confronting the soldier because in his life he said he never once swore I found a little self-serving and it took away some from the book for me. That doesn't take away from what he did or that he is a hero but it just seemed a little off for me.
His battle descriptions were real but fell short for me due to a lack of real language. I know from experience that when you get hit or a near miss 9 out of 10 will be swearing as they fire back. Now I don't doubt that they did but the Author's choice not to really include that to me made it lose some realism. I'm sure it is because of his beliefs, which I admire, but he lost a little from the realism of the story.
You'll also learn of the incredible lack of leadership that the Author and others I am sure suffer from. It is incredible to me that we have Colonel's, Generals and the like sitting way back from the rear and watching battles via Predator fed images live and trying to direct and make decisions. Unbelievable to say the least. Then they left these guys alone for hours before providing an extraction and then people dying before the birds came. Sad state of affairs at the top these days and the Author documents that well and honestly.
My last point is the last chapter by the former Chaplin, while a moving and touching tribute, surprised me because I hadn't heard of this particular Chaplain throughout the book so it had me wondering,'who is this guy'? I never really figured that out but it was a great ending.
The chapter by his wife I thought was excellent. I would have liked to know a little more about his battle with PTSD and his solution to get where he is today.
All that said, it is a book I will keep in my collection, glad I read it and my thanks to the subjects of the story.
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17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazingly Transparent Insights!, July 26, 2008
I just finished this book that was hard to put down. It provides amazingly transparent insights into West Point, Rangers and the military in general. Thanks for helping me understand some of what my son (special forces) has not been able to verbalize. Stu Weber's afterward was excellent also.
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