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About Face: The Odyssey of an American Warrior Paperback – April 15, 1990
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From age fifteen to forty David Hackworth devoted himself to the US Army and fast became a living legend. In 1971, however, he appeared on television to decry the doomed war effort in Vietnam. With About Face, he has written what many Vietnam veterans have called the most important book of their generation.
From Korea to Berlin, from the Cuban missile crisis to Vietnam, Hackworth’s story is that of an exemplary patriot, played out against the backdrop of the changing fortunes of America and the American military. It is also a stunning indictment of the Pentagon’s fundamental misunderstanding of the Vietnam conflict and of the bureaucracy of self-interest that fueled the war.
- Print length875 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherTouchstone
- Publication dateApril 15, 1990
- Dimensions6.13 x 1.7 x 9.25 inches
- ISBN-100671695347
- ISBN-13978-0671695347
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Product details
- Publisher : Touchstone (April 15, 1990)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 875 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0671695347
- ISBN-13 : 978-0671695347
- Item Weight : 2.73 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.13 x 1.7 x 9.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #468,228 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #324 in Vietnam War Biographies (Books)
- #902 in Vietnam War History (Books)
- #4,389 in World War II History (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Colonel Hackworth stayed true to his principles and was vocal about the issues he saw in America's foreign policy. This led to him foregoing wearing stars on his uniform and his inevitable early departure from the service.
It is unfortunate that one of America's greatest military heroes ended up not being able to live in the country he once loved, but his story is still phenomenal and inspirational. Highly recommend.
Colonel Hackworth was there, and this book is the closest thing I'll ever experience to "being there". Hack, was there beginning as a 15 year old Army private in post WWII Italy, also with multiple tours during the Korean and Viet Nam wars. He was/is the most decorated combat veteran ever, including eight Purple Hearts. A true warrior and patriot dedicated to serving his country and his troops.
So when he ultimately became disillusioned with the way politicians and ticket punching General officers were misusing his beloved Army troops he felt compelled to speak out despite knowing it would put a screeching halt to his career. A career that was more of a passion and calling than anything else in his life including even his wife and children. Hackworth may have been a flawed man, however he was a soldier's soldiers. George Orwell once said, "People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would do them harm."
Don't let the almost 900 pages of this book stop you from reading this book. However, be prepared, you won't be able to stop turning the pages.
Thank you Colonel Hackworth for the courage of your convictions, and the sacrifice and service to your country.
As a Viet Nam veteran, I was particularly interested in that period of his career. I could relate to his criticism of the Army's leadership, supporting the troops thoughts and actions he expressed. My own experiences in country, and training some of those who followed me, furthered supported by my years of reading the histories written afterward have only increased my disdain for Army leadership of that period. Col. Hackworth identified that leaders who lied ended up believing their own lies, taking actions that were wasteful in lives of troops and civilians. It struck a very big chord with me. I fear that little has changed in the Army after 19 years of war in the Middle East. Postwar leadership always allows the real warriors to be pushed aside, advancing personnel to leadership based on their adherence to political machinations. So the Army is bloated by too many personnel not dedicated to war fighting or supporting warfighting. All trying to play down the wretched horror of actually fighting a war.
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É o relato autobiográfico mais corajoso que eu já li sobre a própria vida profissional de alguém, com todas as implicações e consequências (que vieram a ser sofridas pelo autor) de se falar as coisas como elas são, ou pelo menos como ele as via. O que temos aqui é o relato franco, genuíno, sincero e de coração de sua própria vida através de sua carreira heroica e monumental no Exército dos Estados Unidos da América. Eu agradeço ao Jocko Willink por ter trazido esta inestimável contribuição à atenção de seus ouvintes e seguidores.
Reviewed in Brazil 🇧🇷 on November 14, 2021
É o relato autobiográfico mais corajoso que eu já li sobre a própria vida profissional de alguém, com todas as implicações e consequências (que vieram a ser sofridas pelo autor) de se falar as coisas como elas são, ou pelo menos como ele as via. O que temos aqui é o relato franco, genuíno, sincero e de coração de sua própria vida através de sua carreira heroica e monumental no Exército dos Estados Unidos da América. Eu agradeço ao Jocko Willink por ter trazido esta inestimável contribuição à atenção de seus ouvintes e seguidores.














