The Unforgiving Minute: A Soldier's Education (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: airborne school, poop deck, ghetto sled, West Point, Ranger School, Losano Ridge (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Young Captain Mullaney’s admirable, literate autobiography, that of a veteran of combat in Afghanistan, adds much to knowledge of the modern army and makes a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate over what a “warrior” is these days. Mullaney wryly recounts his years at West Point and as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, then writes eloquently of infantry combat and the persistent burden of guilt for not bringing all his men home even as he makes his account a tribute to his fellow warriors. He concludes with sidelights on his teaching post at the U.S. Naval Academy and the moving story of his younger brother’s graduation from West Point and subsequent passage into the ranks of the warriors himself. Almost impossible to put down for anyone interested in the modern U.S. Army or in modern warfare in general. --Roland Green

Review

Advance Praise for The Unforgiving Minute

“Keenly intelligent war memoir whose central question is, “What is a man?”’… A philosophically ambitious account of coming to adulthood.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Craig Mullaney has lived every kind of American life—he has been a working- man’s son, a prize scholar, a soldier—and what’s come out of it is a classic memoir about what it means to be American. By marching so many terrains, he has covered the subjects central to every life: courage, pain, loyalty, honor, friendship, love and the tests any good life faces, year by year, minute by minute. He has also produced a page-turner, a brutally honest account of West Point life, the innocence-abandoned experiences of an American abroad at Oxford, and ultimately an indelible story of life and death on the battlefield. In words his squadmates might recognize, I recommend The Unforgiving Minute without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion.”
—David Lipsky, contributing editor to Rolling Stone Magazine and author of the New York Times bestseller Absolutely American

“The Unforgiving Minute is the ultimate's soldier's book—universal in its raw emotion and its understanding of the larger issues of life and death. Mullaney, a master storyteller, plunges the depths of self-doubt, endurance, and courage. The result: a riveting, suspenseful human story, beautifully told. This is a book written under fire—a lyrical, spellbinding tale of war, love, and courage. The Unforgiving Minute is the Three Cups of Tea of soldiering.”
—Ahmed Rashid, author of the New York Times bestseller Taliban and Descent into Chaos

“Mullaney writes a great story—a true privilege to read. Entertaining, balanced, and graceful, The Unforgiving Minute is a powerful narrative of purpose, responsibility, courage, and personal growth. Every young man and woman in America should read this book, and aspire to his standard of public service.”
—General Wesley Clark, USA (Ret.)

“The Unforgiving Minute is one of the most compelling memoirs yet to emerge from America’s 9/11 era. Craig Mullaney has given us an unusually honest, funny, accessible, and vivid account of a soldier’s coming of age. This is more than a soldier’s story; it is a work of literature.”
—Steve Coll, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Ghost Wars and The Bin Ladens

“The Unforgiving Minute is the poignant true story of a young man’s unusual education from the classrooms of West Point and Oxford to his development as a leader, son, brother, husband and friend. In this powerful book, we share in the remarkable experiences of a Rhodes Scholar, and the heartache and pride of a soldier. I admire Craig Mullaney’s courage, and thank him for his service.”
—Senator Richard Lugar, former Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

“Craig Mullaney is an exemplar of the next great generation of Americans, those who are serving and sacrificing on the front lines in Afghanistan and Iraq. This is a compelling, can’t-put-down book, a well-written, memorable description of preparing for war and leading in combat.”
—Joe Klein, Time Magazine political columnist and author of New York Times bestseller Primary Colors

“No matter how many books you have read about the rigors of basic training and the terrors of war, you should read this one. Mullaney's keen eye for detail, lively narrative style, and capacity for self-reflection—unusual in many soldiers—make an old story new and gripping.”
—Anne-Marie Slaughter, Dean of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University

“Craig Mullaney adds his name to the very few amon --Various

[Audio Review] In simple but intelligent language, an Army officer shares his physical and mentally maturing experiences at West Point and Army Ranger school. Listeners can decide if those lessons in obedience, discipline, and conformity prepared him for leadership as a platoon leader in Afghanistan. Todd McLaren adapts his narration to the situations Mullaney describes. He assumes a raspy, gruff voice for orders from the Lieutenant's superiors and a somber one for occasional introspective moments. McLaren's subtle treatment avoids exaggeration while preserving the emotional moods the author intended for his memories of romance, combat, and death. McLaren capitalizes on the author's military brevity in describing war and captures his softer side as Shakespearian poetry punctuates his recollections of courting his wife during postgraduate study at Oxford. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine --AudioFile --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Press HC, The; 1st edition (February 19, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594202028
• ISBN-13: 978-1594202025
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (158 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,807 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #13 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Education > By Level > College

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

86 of 99 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Unforgiving indeed, June 29, 2009

By	Mike McClellan - See all my reviews

Mr Mullaney is clearly a bright man and a good writer, and if you want a glowing review, read the overwhelming number of 5-star reviews above. I had high expectation for this book, but I came away disappointed. I enjoyed the description of life at West Point, the years at Oxford less so, and his experiences in Afghanistan almost seemed an afterthought. Where he lost me however, was in his treatment of his father and the father of one of his soldiers. Early in the book he describes how hard his father worked and the sacrifices he made to support his large family. After Mullaney's returns from Oxford, his father and mother divorce, and Mullaney confronts his father expecting an apology and an explanation. His father's explanation is basically "that sometimes people grow apart". Mullaney's response? "My father drew close to give me a hug, but I turned my back to him." And that's how it remains. Later, when he's in Afghanistan, his father writes him asking how he's doing, however "There wasn't a word of contrition in the letter." He writes a short response and "I answered none of his questions but gave him an ultimatum instead: No communication would be possible without a full explanation and an apology". He then tore up the letter his father had sent and burned the scraps. THIS is how you treat the man who worked like a dog his whole life for you? Is this the response of Mr West-Point-grad, Rhodes scholar or a petulant teenager? Later, one of Mullaney's men is killed in a firefight and he spends many pages dealing with his feeling that he has failed to "protect" his men. He even gets a gracious letter from the father of the slain soldier but he "can't muster the courage" to respond. Over a year after his return to the states he visits the gravesite of that soldier and drives right past the fire station where the soldier's father works. Might that man have appreciated a visit from his son's platoon leader? Mullaney doesn't even seem to consider the notion. What would a real leader do? He is able to forgive himself for the death of one of his soldiers, but he can't forgive his own father? His apparent profound lack of self-awareness makes his intellectual pretentions seem shallow. For me, the author's narcissism overshadowed the good qualities of the book.

76 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Instant Classic, February 24, 2009

By	Chris (West Point, NY) - See all my reviews

The Unforgiving Minute is a spectacularly written, extremely accurate depiction of the life of a US Army Officer involved in the Global War on Terror. As a member of the West Point class of 2000, I've shared many experiences with Craig. These include not only our time at West Point, but also time that I spent at the same locations in Afghanistan a year after Craig. His accuracy and presentation are astounding, and the challenges he faces are real.

Beginning with his time as a cadet, Craig takes us through his 4 years at West Point, his time in Ranger school, and his attendance at Oxford as a Rhode's Scholar. He takes us on a journey of developing relationships with his soldiers, and then testing and growing those relationships on the battlefields of Afghanistan. The struggles that he details are something that all Army leaders deal with, but few can put to paper as well as Craig has.

In addition to all that, this book is a love story and a story of family hardships. This book is truly a page turner that I recommend to anyone. "The Unforgiving Minute" is an instant classic that I will read over and over again.

31 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "DUST ON THE BRIM OF YOUR SERVICE CAP... COULD KILL YOUR PLATOON.", March 4, 2009

By	Rick Shaq Goldstein "Rick Shaq Goldstein" (Danville, Ca, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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This is the life story of West Point graduate... Rhodes Scholar... Afghanistan veteran... Craig Mullaney... who also believe it or not... wound up teaching at the Naval Academy. The author takes you from his childhood which included great admiration for his hard working Father, to an in depth look at life for a plebe at the hallowed grounds of West Point. It's invigorating for the reader as Craig describes the demanding goals that are set so high for our future leaders... both physically... and academically. The smallest detail is never small enough to be overlooked. A tiny... seemingly insignificant detail now... can save a life on the battlefield. One of the most enjoyable parts of this literary journey are the quotations that are peppered throughout the story. They range from Plato: "ONLY THE DEAD HAD SEEN THE END OF WAR." to "WHO SEEKS PEACE MUST PREPARE FOR WAR."

After West Point Craig wins a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford, and in my opinion this is the one part of the book that loses a little traction. After completing his Oxford education the author enters Ranger School... and during this portion of his training it is literally impossible not to be in absolute awe of these future leaders of America. As an honorably discharged Viet Nam era veteran, I am amazed at the capability to push both the body... and the mind... past any logically accepted limits... and to have the inner strength and fortitude... to push both of them together in harmony. Another laudable character trait constantly displayed by the author throughout this story... is the fact that he... openly shares his fears... doubts... and uncertainties... with the reader. A sterling example of this is when he asks a war veteran: "HOW DO YOU KNOW HOW YOU'LL HANDLE COMBAT?" "YOU WON'T HE RESPONDED. YOU'LL NEVER KNOW UNTIL YOU'RE THERE." "WHAT YOU KNOW FOR CERTAIN IS THAT IT WILL BE CHAOTIC AND LOUD, AND YOU'LL BE READY TO PISS IN YOUR BOOTS. YOU'LL BE MORE SCARED OF LETTING DOWN YOUR MEN THAN ANYTHING THE ENEMY'S GONNA DO TO YOU. AND THEN YOU'LL LEAD FROM INSTINCT AND JUDGMENT. THAT'S THE PRICE OF A SALUTE."

Craig adeptly summarizes his lessons learned from his military and Oxford education when he said: "Where the military academy had taught me how to answer questions, Oxford taught me what to ask." As Craig is deployed to Afghanistan the following words of wisdom echo in his head: "BE POLITE. BE PROFESSIONAL. BE PREPARED TO KILL EVERYONE YOU MEET."

In Afghanistan every bit of Craig's education and training comes in to play as he becomes a leader of men in combat. This tale of a young man with military aspirations takes you full circle from the classroom to specialized training to war and back to the classroom... as an Army man... training young Navy plebes. When the author's younger brother graduates West Point... Craig battles with his inner demons... as to what he should tell him. I say... simply give him this book to read.