19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
How much is true and how much is self-serving revisionism?, August 1, 2008
This review is from: Warrior King: The Triumph and Betrayal of an American Commander in Iraq (Hardcover)
Based on the book alone, I think Lt. Col. (ret.) Sassaman has created a compelling story of his Army career and experiences as a mechanized infantry battalion commander in Iraq. However, when reading "tell all" autobiographies, I am always leery of how much the ego and self-interest plays into it. Sassaman blisters his brigade commander relentlessly, but this is all the word of one man and his own POV.
The reviews are telling, though. Several of his former officers/soldiers have praised him and his leadership, so you can make the case that much of what he says in the book is true, and that he believes in his heart that he did the right things.
What military professionals are going through these days is a far cry from the peacetime armed forces of the 80's and 90's, and the kinds of moral and ethical dilemmas Sassaman faced have proven to be the undoing of others across the various services. It's always easy to play armchair general, so I respect the colonel's service and his attempt to tell his story. Not having served in his unit, I can only take him at his word.
I found the book to flow well and it certainly kept my attention throughout. His descriptions and images are pretty accurate given that I served in the same part of Iraq a little more than a year after he returned to the States.
The bottom line for me is that while I think it is a good book and interesting read, I would caution those unfamiliar with the military/army and the war in Iraq to not take this as an absolute rendering of what has happened. For those in opposition to the war, this is something to latch onto as proof of failed foreign policy, but every single battalion and brigade AO is different, and all meet with different results. Painting his account as the definitive Iraqi war story is a mistake- this is just part of the mosaic, and you should also read Tom Ricks's "Fiasco", David Bellavia's "House To House", Jim Lacey's "Takedown" and Michael Yon's Moment of Truth in Iraq" to gain a different perspective.
My fear is that someone reads "Warrior King" and decides in his or her own mind that this is the way it is all around the Army in Iraq and Afghanistan and that is simply not so. I have served under some amazing brigade and battalion commanders, and there are a lot of good stories coming out of Iraq as well. Knowledge is power.
Sassaman's book is a worthy read, but he clearly has an agenda, and the way he goes after his superiors is something to be noted. How much of it is absolute honesty, and how much of it is self-serving revisionist history is a question only the author can answer.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A soldier from 1/8th Inf..., March 6, 2009
In 2002/03, I had the honor of serving under LTC Sassaman along with many of the other soldiers whose names I have recognized in this review section. From a viewpoint of a soldier who put boots on the ground on 2 different occasions, I can honestly say that LTC Sassaman was the greatest man I have ever had the priveledge of serving with. Although not to be identified by name, F. Blake who has also posted a review here was a close comrade as well who served with the unparalleled 1/8th Inf Battalion Commander. LTC Sassaman in his book tells the story of us and what we endured during that stressful deployment. His motives and actions may not be considered right by many, but his leadership could never be matched. In that year, I am proud to say that I was able to serve with these fine gentlemen and will forever hold them close to my heart. Their impression will last a lifetime and will never be forgotten.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gritty look at the War, June 14, 2009
This review is from: Warrior King: The Triumph and Betrayal of an American Commander in Iraq (Hardcover)
I was informed of this book by a soldier mentioned in the book, the master gunner who was in that unit. But the book corealates closly to how this 11B on the ground described the combat he experienced in that Batallion. This is an outstanding look at what guys and leaders have to go through on the ground. I spoke with my BC one of Sassaman's peers and knows some of the people named in the book.
This is an intersting look at army politics and realistic look at lets App Now. When you go to war the best laid plans fall apart. I think his fustraion and sutuation colored his whole view of the army and the whole operation. I am writing this review from an LSA mentioned in the book and it is true if you don't go out side of the wire it is like being back in the states but you just can't go home. There are those who are doing a tought job dealing with insurgents.
It is sad that a really good book and a very intersting looks and a compelling story but the swipes at national policy and judging the whole war from one perspective feeds into the groupthink of trashing the war. But it is an intersting look at how Sassaman sees the promotion proscess for sienior ranks and it is not pretty and I am not privy to that level of politics. It is sad that one of the most successful leaders of the war is forced out because of the events in this book.
For non-military readers, it is still a good read but take into other perspectives. We did get a handle on the situation and we did not loose. The army learned from mistakes.
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