Under Fire: An American Story [Hardcover]

Oliver L. North (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1991

In this candid book, Oliver North, the man who has been at the centre of the Iran-Contra controversy tells the story of his life. He reveals the inside story behind the headlines and stresses the importance of his family and his enduring faith, which have seen him through the toughest times.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Written in secret as if it were a covert operation, then suddenly released, this is unquestionably the "event" book of the year. Here, finally, we might expect to get answers to our questions about what became known as "Iran-contra." Was Marine Lieutenant Colonel North a "loose cannon" on the National Security Council, making U.S. foreign policy on his own? And just what did President Reagan really know about Iran-contra? North writes that Reagan "knew everything" about Iran-contra's covert operations. So too did Vice President Bush. Unfortunately, there is no specific document in the book proving that. What there is, however, is a preponderance of material that leads to an inevitable conclusion: North was a hard-working, well-trained, loyal Marine incapable of undertaking a covert operation without approval by his superiors. For the first time, we hear of and read a document sent to Reagan by North's lawyers, setting forth a sound legal argument for a presidential pardon for North. The letter, we learn, was never acknowledged. There are a number of such chilling moments in this important book. Recommended for most libraries.
- Chet Hagan, Berks Cty. P.L. System, Pa.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile

This autobiography of Lt. Colonel Oliver North covers his childhood, his military career--including Vietnam, his troubled marriage, near nervous breakdown and his own version of the events that became known as Iran-Contra. The subjective storytelling techniques he and co-author William Novak chose work well in the audio format. Without being too obvious, Christopher Hurt gives the impression of someone telling his own story sounding confused, angry, incredulous or grateful, as needed. The program includes some notes and an appendix with two documents: a commendation from Ronald Reagan and a plea for clemency prepared by his lawyers. W.W.G. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 446 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins; 1st edition (October 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060183349
• ISBN-13: 978-0060183349
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #880,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Patriotic "True-North" Book, April 22, 2003

By 

Matthew Dodd (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under Fire: An American Story (Hardcover)

This outstanding autobiography of retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North was as informative as it was entertaining. I found the book to be a great, honest accounting of a very prominent and controversial public figure involved in very sensitive and high-level government issues and policies-U.S. counter-terrorism efforts, U.S. hostage negotiations, international arms sales, and the "Iran-Contra Affair" to name a few.

I related to North as a lieutenant colonel of Marines in the highly structured, undisciplined, politicized, and bureaucratic environment of the highest levels of government in Washington, D.C. North came across as an imperfect man who admitted his mistakes and who did his best to do what he was told, do what he thought was right, and do what he thought was best for his country.

To say that North has had an interesting life is an understatement. North's background in this book definitely helped me to understand and appreciate his keen insights and perspectives while watching him report from the battlefields in our war with Iraq:

*His "Norman Rockwell" small-town childhood-dad was a combat-decorated WWII Army officer
*The near-fatal car accident while attending the U.S. Naval Academy that severely injured him but crippled one friend and killed another
*His commissioning, marriage, and subsequent deployment to Vietnam
*His infantry platoon leader combat leadership experiences
*The challenges of balancing his Marine Corps and family duties and responsibilities
*How his re-affirmed strength of faith sustained him in many life struggles (the book contains many powerful biblical and inspirational references)
*How he was assigned to the National Security Council in 1981, and eventually fired on November 25, 1986
*His experiences testifying before Congress investigating the "Iran-Contra Affair" starting on July 7, 1987, ending with his indictment on 16 accounts on March 16, 1988
*His very public trial that started February 21, 1989, through the May 14 verdict of guilty on 3 counts (out of 16), and his July 5 sentencing (3 year suspended sentence, $150,000 fine, 2 years probation, and 1200 hours of community service in an inner-city drug-prevention program)
*The special prosecutor's subsequent 3 failed appeals from July 20, 1990 to May 28, 1991, and finally, on September 15, 1991, the special prosecutor's dropping of all charges and the closing of the case against North
*His calling-it-like-he-saw-it praise and criticism of democrats and republicans in all branches of the government, civil servants, and foreign diplomats and governments

The book showed the best and worst, and highs and lows of justice, politics, democracy, and bureaucracy in action, from the unique perspective of an outsider who became an insider, and then was simultaneously viewed as both villain and victim by those he worked for and with, and by the American public. Truly an American story that should not be missed.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, very well written, March 13, 2002

By 

K. San Vicente "kensv" (San Diego, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under Fire: An American Story (Hardcover)

Curious about what really went on with the Iran-Contra affair, I wanted to read Oliver's story. He told the story, obviously from his point of view, but it was extremely believable. He was so candid about what he did wrong as well as what he did right. For anyone wanting to know the inside story, this book is great. It also has some awesome detail on Oliver's Vietnam experience. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in this era in American history.

43 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Written and Interesting, April 14, 2002

By 

John G. Hilliard (Toronto Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under Fire: An American Story (Paperback)

This book is a little more then most people thought it would be i.e. it does cover his life before his Iran - Conta moment in the sun. The Viet Nam information was interesting and something I had not heard much of before. I was less interested in the details about his childhood and his marriage. Basically we all bought he book to review the Iran - Conta affair and the trail and the book does not disappoint in this area. His coverage of the dealing with the Iranians was very well constructed.

The good flow of the book and the fact that it keeps you interested is probably in part due to the skill of co-author William Novak. The details about his life during the testimony before the House and Senate Select Committees, the media harassment and the trail are very informative and insightful.
As with almost any government scandal there are any number of versions of the story, usually about 25% more stories then actual people involved, and this book is the Oliver North version. He told his story in a very believable, humble and somewhat apologetic fashion. I think if you are interested in the story this is one of the books you should read to gain an understanding, but not the definitive version of the truth - if that will ever really come out. Overall it is a well-written and interesting book.