Customer Reviews

Under Fire: An American Story

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

In this book, Oliver North writes primarily about his role in the Iran-Contra affair, giving his side of the story. However, he also gives an insight on his life beginning from his childhood, including when he was fighting in Vietnam. North points out that there were "two Vietnam wars," with North's involvement being in the northern part of South Vietnam--as opposed to the majority of U.S. troops, who were fighting further South. North explains the war he fought there "was more straightforward," explaining that if he and his men were to set up an ambush and spotted the enemy, they could be sure it was the enemy. "We didn't have to deal with that terrible problem of Vietnamese civilians who weren't civilians, or with Viet Cong guerrillas who would melt off into the countryside and disappear." North and Co. were fighting "NVA regulars--well disciplined troops with reinforcements close behind." (p. 93) He also explains how his deep involvement in the war caused him to go into deep depression, and almost cost him his marriage. On Iran-Contra, he gives some details of his meetings with the Iranians. In addition, gives details about his rise to the National Security Council and various assignments there until the Iran-Contra affair was exposed, when he was then fired. He is pro-Israel, and correctly criticizes Caspar Weinberger and some Middle East "experts" for being anti-Israel, and in some cases, anti-Semitic, (pp. 155-156) as well as criticizing Weinberger and George Schultz for advocating a pro-Iraq policy (pp. 287-88). He also explains the ordeal he went through in his six days of testimony before the House and Senate Select Committees--the text of which can be found in Taking the Stand, with an introduction by Daniel Schorr--and his subsequent trial. He also explains his life after his trial and appeals process were over through the end of 1990/early 1991. Overall, this book is useful in reading North's side of the story of the Iran/Contra scandal, as well as on his early life, his experiences in Vietnam, his personal life, his rise to the National Security Council Staff at the White House, right through the immediate aftermath of his trial. This book also has some humorous moments. North also occasionally quotes from the Bible. However, while North makes an issue of how much Ronald Reagan knew about Iran-Contra (pp. 10-11, 401-403), he says nothing about Vice-President and (then) President George Bush (the father of the current President) and of how much Bush knew about Iran-Contra. This is why I gave this book only a four-star rating instead of five. To find out why North is silent about Bush, this book should be read alongside The Crimes of a President, by Joel Bainerman--especially pp. 48-61--and The Secret War Against the Jews, by John Loftus and Mark Aarons, including their quoting from The North Diaries that was declassified under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

This book is a very well written account of Oliver North's life. It details the Iran-Contra situation, his time at Annapolis Naval Academy, his time serving in Vietnam, and among oother things his family life which gives us some personal information about Ollie.

From the time I picked up this book I couldn't put it down for more than the time it took to rest my eyes. This book is very interesting from start to finish and gives you a great look inside the life of a true American Hero.

When I picked up this book, I stayed up two days reading it all the way through twice. I have never read such an incredible, well written story. I've always liked Ollie but never read any of his books.

To the people who say "Ollie was dishonest, a criminal, etc..." I say this. Even if you think what he did was wrong, the story is amazing. Don't bring politics into a fantastic, fantastic book!

Under Fire, An American story has delighted me. It provides insight on our government and how the defense network functions daily. It gives a peek into am American military family and combat in Vietnam. The book's outlook at defense issues is great. I've laughed at the humor and rejoiced over the conservative views integrated in the text. Oliver L. North has served our country well.

... review...ill-informed and ignorant. If you want to know the truth about what went on in Nicaragua who better to tell than Lt. Col. Oliver North, a true American partriot. Lt. Col. North is owed a deep debt for his contribution to the fight against the Soviet and Cuban backed Sandinista's in Nicarauga. Had Reagan, North, Clarridge, and others not stepped up we would be looking at the potential of a Communist Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honudras, and Costa Rica. But I suppose that would be just fine with the likes of Scott. God Bless America and God BLess Lt. Colonel Oliver North (Ret.)!!!...

This book is an eye opener into the politican infighting and the covert operations that are ongoing to this day. Admiral Poindexter and Colonel North are true American heroes in every sense of the word who were fighting International Terrorism twenty years before 9/11. The Iran-Contra "scandal" is exposed as nothing more than an attempt by partisan Democrats to bring down a Republican President.

I missed all the hearings on TV (too young, etc.) and I only wish I could get my hands on any and all documents, transcripts, photos and whatever else is available online and in bookstores or special libraries that the public have access to. This book really got my curiosity for all of the above worked up into WAY past overdrive.

This was another one of the fastest books I've ever read in my life and I am a hopeless book addict. I just could not put this one down either!

I highly recommend it to everyone who likes books, especially people like myself who LOVE to learn new things from reading. I also read for entertainment, of course, but I am especially happy when I buy a book and learn new things from it. One of the top 5 things I love most.

I can't wait to finish reading the rest of his books and I'm sure that will be done by this summer, heh.

His candor is remarkable and his ability and very kind and thoughtful willingness (via glossaries and appendixes, etc.) to NOT confuse the reader but instead help the reader along and to understand everything shows what a great guy he is in real life. Too many authors don't both with that at all. Many don't even bother with maps.

Not to speak ill of the dead (may he rest in peace) but Reagan and the rest of all those COWARDS should be haunted and ashamed for all eternity for what they did to this man, his family, friends and literally everyone who ever came into contact with him - LITERALLY. They threw him under the bus. Now they have to live with that on their conscience - the several that MAY have one.

Another 10 stars for another great book.