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AMERICAN SOLDIER Hardcover – August 3, 2004

by Tommy Franks (Author), Malcolm McConnell (Author)

172 customer reviews

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"When war comes, you look for certain special qualities in the people you'll be working with. General Tom Franks embodies those qualities: strength, experience, a keen mind, energy, honor, good humor, and a deep loyalty to his troops and to his country.
"Tom Franks is truly a soldier's soldier."
-- Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld

The Commander in Chief of the United States Central Command from July 2000 through July 2003, General Tommy Franks made history by leading American and Coalition forces to victory in Afghanistan and Iraq -- the decisive battles that launched the war on terrorism.

In this riveting memoir, General Franks retraces his journey from a small-town boyhood in Oklahoma and Midland, Texas, through a lifetime of military service -- including his heroic tour as an Artillery officer in Vietnam, where he was wounded three times. A reform-minded Cold War commander and a shrewd tactician during Operation Desert Storm, Franks took command of CENTCOM at the dawn of what he calls a "crease in history" -- becoming the senior American military officer in the most dangerous region on earth.

Now, drawing on his own recollections and military records declassified for this book, Franks offers the first true insider's account of the war on terrorism that has changed the world since September 11, 2001. He puts you in the Operations Center for the launch of Operation Enduring Freedom just weeks after 9/11, capturing its uncertain early days and the historic victory that followed. He traces his relationship with the demanding Donald Rumsfeld, as early tensions over the pace of the campaign gave way to a strong and friendly collaboration.

When President Bush focused world attention on the threat of Iraq, Franks seized the moment to implement a bold new vision of joint warfare in planning Operation Iraqi Freedom. Rejecting Desert Storm–style massive troop deployment in favor of flexibility and speed, Franks was questioned by the defense establishment -- including Secretary of State Colin Powell. Yet his vision was proven on the ground: Within three weeks, Baghdad had fallen.

American Soldier is filled with revelation. Franks describes the covert diplomacy that helped him secure international cooperation for the war, and reveals the role of foreign leaders -- and a critical double agent code-named "April Fool" -- in the most successful military deception since D-Day in 1944. He speaks frankly of intelligence shortcomings that endangered our troops, and of the credible WMD threats -- including eleventh-hour warnings from Arab leaders -- that influenced every planning decision. He offers an unvarnished portrait of the "disruptive and divisive" Washington bureaucracy, and a candid assessment of the war's aftermath. Yet in the end, as American Soldier demonstrates, the battles in Afghanistan and Iraq remain heroic victories -- wars of liberation won by troops whose valor was "unequalled," Franks writes, "by anything in the annals of war."

Few individuals have the chance to contribute so much of themselves to the American story as General Tommy Franks. In American Soldier, he captures it all.

AMERICAN SOLDIER

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Editorial Reviews

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As Commander in Chief of the United States Central Command from July 2000 through July 2003, Tommy Franks led the American and Coalition forces to victory in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Unsurprisingly, the portions of American Soldier covering these wars are the most interesting because they combine military maneuvers, political wrangling, and lots of action and commentary. This does not mean, however, that the rest of his autobiography is dull. General Franks's writing is clear and engaging and his insider's perspective is informative and interesting, particularly when he explains how the military moved into the 21st century by emphasizing speed, agility, and better cooperation among the various branches--a significant shift from the first Persian Gulf war just a decade earlier.

In addition to his years as a war general, his memoir also covers his childhood, his early years in the Army, his tours of Vietnam, and how he contemplated retirement before being called up as commander of Central Command, "the most diverse, strategically vital—and unstable—region of the planet." Ever the diplomat, General Franks offers insights, but little criticism of individuals. Other than expressing admiration for his own staff and for President Bush and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in particular, he is tight-lipped about any conflict within the administration that may have occurred regarding policy issues. (The one exception is counterterrorism specialist Richard Clarke. "I never received a single operational recommendation, or a single page of actionable intelligence, from Richard Clarke," he writes). He also writes that he was surprised by the absence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and that no WMDs were used against American troops. Still, the invasion of Iraq was justified in his eyes: "While we may not have found actual WMD stockpiles, what the Coalition discovered was the equivalent of a disassembled pistol, lying on a table beside neatly arranged trays of bullets." American Soldier is a compelling look at the war on terrorism from one who served on the frontlines as both a warrior and a diplomat. --Shawn Carkonen

About the Author

General Tommy Franks retired from the Army on August 1, 2003. Commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1967 as a distinguished graduate of the Artillery Officer Candidate School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division, Republic of Vietnam. He also served as an Assistant Division Commander during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. General Franks has been awarded three Defense Distinguished Service Medals, two Distinguished Service Medals, and four Legion of Merit awards. His other decorations include three Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars, an Air Medal, and an Army Commendation Medal -- all with "V" for valor. In 2004 he was named a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. General Franks lives with his wife, Cathy, in Tampa, Florida.

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Product details

Hardcover: 590 pages
Publisher: Regan Books/Harper Collins; 1st edition (August 3, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060731583
ISBN-13: 978-0060731588
Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.8 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 172 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #238,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #144 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Military > Afghan & Iraq Wars > Iraq War
- #163 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Military > Afghan & Iraq Wars > Afghan War
- #264 in Books > History > Military > Iraq War

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Customer reviews

172

4.3 out of 5 stars

5 star		63%
4 star		22%
3 star		6%
2 star		3%
1 star		6%

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Top customer reviews

Five Stars

ByJ. Muccellion May 23, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Great Book, I loved it

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Impressive

ByAmazon Customeron August 6, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I'm an artist, not a war-maker and even I loved the book and have enormous admiration for Gen. Tommy Franks.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

Great book. Glad I good find a signed leather ...

ByAmazon Customeron September 8, 2017

Format: Leather BoundVerified Purchase

Great book. Glad I good find a signed leather edition.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

FRANK, CANDID, AND THOROUGHLY ENGROSSING

ByMikeG47on February 6, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

The story of Gen Tommy Franks, told from his perspective. An interesting and revealing look inside the military from someone who lived it. An easy read, the narrative flows, and engages the reader from the first page to the final punctuation mark. Vietnam vets will especially appreciate his truth and candor concerning his involvement. I highly recommend this book.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

LOVE it! I met Gen

ByJeannie H.on May 27, 2016

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

LOVE it! I met Gen. Franks in person and he signed the book I purchased for my military son!! He is a wonderful man, so kind and generous. Love him and the book!!

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Amazing story, amazing man

ByJack A Covingtonon November 9, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Amazing story, amazing man. Great read A+A+A+A+A+. Our military needs this type of leader back in charge now more than ever.

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Good Book And Read by The Author

ByTN-MAILMANon August 14, 2010

Format: Audio CDVerified Purchase

This book was everything it was said to be.

General Franks voice just comes out shooting straight and gave me a good look at the plans of the wars, the behind the scenes conversations that took place.

Also interweaved through out the book is the life of General Franks from a small boy to the General he is today.

You can not go wrong with this book.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Great American Story

ByAmazon Customeron October 17, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Great insight on how the American military led a Coalition of troops in fighting terrorism in response to the cowardly 9/11 attack.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

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Most recent customer reviews

Four Stars

good

Published 11 days ago by Amazon Customer

Read it for the facts, not for the insight or any critique of our foreign policy.

Generals are a big deal in the American media. Frequently seen on TV, featured at sporting events, and cited at political events, American military leaders are probably the last...Read more

Published 1 month ago by Newton Ooi

Worth the read if you have the time and inclination.

Throughout the book, Franks avoids criticism of his superiors and even puts forth an effort to cover for their mistakes.Read more

Published 7 months ago by Publius

*TOOT* *TOOT*

After reading the book, I'm definitely not a Tommy Franks fan. This guy is way too into himself. I had a hard time reading it, mainly because he toots his own horn a little too...Read more

Published 10 months ago by stacey

Five Stars

love it

Published 1 year ago by Sam D.

Five Stars

Very interesting book a great General

Published on June 8, 2015 by necterine

Five Stars

General Frank is a true American hero and true leader of men.

Published on April 30, 2015 by Amazon Customer

Two Stars

sappy story of no particular interest.

Published on April 27, 2015 by Paul H. Kaiser

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