Heart of a Soldier (Paperback)

I didn't know the name of Rick Rescorla, although I have since found that I have a friend who fought with him at Ia Drang and thinks highly of him. When I heard the news stories describing a man who had been a hero in that battle and then died saving others on 9/11 I wanted to read more about him. I think you not only enjoy this book, you will be moved by his story.

It isn't a fairy tale, but it reads like one. Here is a poor kid from Cornwall, UK who heads to Africa to fight, becomes friends with an American soldier. He then joins the US Army, fights in Vietnam, becomes a US citizen. His life ends in the fall of the South Tower.

Mr. Rescorla's life, like ours, had its peaks and valleys. He was a hero, no doubt about it. But he also had parts of his life that didn't work out as well as he had hoped with ordinary failings (again, just like us). The difference is, that when the call came, he heard the call to duty, and putting others first, went back into the building when he could have gotten out. In doing so, he perished. As you read this book it will be clear why.

What is especially nice about this book is that the reason you will know why he tried to save others isn't a comic book version of heroism. It isn't just Mr. Rescorla's nobility and intrinsic heroism, though there is plenty of that in my view. It also came out of his own sense of who he was and his sense of what he needed to do.

He likely wouldn't have survived even if he had "lived". If those he was charged with protecting perished it would have been nearly impossible for him to live with that. He had to try and save them just as he had done in other places and in other times. What was an amazing man.

Mr. Stewart always writes well. I especially like the way he talks about the heroic, the ordinary, and the whacky in elegant and clear prose. He doesn't cue how you are supposed to feel about this or that aspect of Mr. Rescorla's life or the lives of his friends and family. Mr. Stewart tells the story and its internal power communicates through the author's effective prose.

Pointing out Mr. Rescorla's heroism doesn't in any way detract from the hundreds of heros who gave their lives that day also trying to save others. This story just makes one of those heros more real for those of us who weren't directly involved.

This is a story you will not want to put down.

But after this backfill, the book really supercharges. Over half of the book covers Rescorla and Hill's military career, from work in Africa to rejoining the Army in time for Vietnam. In Rescorla's case, he wasn't even an American. They are both exceptional heroes and reading of their battles is very inspiring. It's also interesting to watch their views of the war change as they view the carnage. Although I had read "They Were Soldiers Once...", I did not remember Rescorla's name so it was fascinating to revisit his involvement and performance.

When the book leaves the military section but prior to the 9/11 event, there is an interesting section where Hill and Rescorla struggle with their identity as veterans of Vietnam, Rescorla particularly. But possibly the most fascinating part of this book is Hill's prediction of the next wave of terrorist attacks and what they would target. Hill participated in the Muslim religion including trips to Afghanistan and presented the FBI with an interesting proposal about Osama Bin Laden prior to 9/11.

And that's what makes this book so compelling. These two men touched four continents but seemed to always be involved in fascinating history that concludes with 9/11. Prior to 9/11 the book details a fascinating love story which finally ties back the confusing start of the book.

I strongly recommend this book if you have interest in war stories, particularly the Vietnam War, patriotism or fascinating details of 9/11. But the real reason you should read this book is to learn of a sincere man who chose to become and American and lived a normal middle-aged life until he found the love of his life which sparked his existence and gave him the strength to deal with cancer.