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If Not Now, When?: Duty and Sacrifice in America's Time of Need Paperback – Illustrated, October 6, 2009

by Colonel Jack Jacobs (Author), Douglas Century (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 113 ratings
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A Medal of Honor recipient looks back at his own service in the Vietnam War—and ahead to America’s future.

Jack Jacobs was acting as an advisor to the South Vietnamese when he and his men came under devastating attack. Wounded, 1st Lt. Jacobs took command and withdrew the unit, returning again and again, saving fourteen lives—for which he received the Medal of Honor.

Here, Col. Jacobs tells his stirring story of heroism, honor, and the personal code by which he has lived his life, and expounds with blunt honesty and insight his views on our contemporary world, and the nature and necessity of sacrifice.

If Not Now, When? is a compelling account of a unique life at both war and peace, and the all-too-often unexamined role of the citizenry in the service and defense of the Republic.
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  1. Print length
    292 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    October 6, 2009
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.78 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    9780425229842
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0425229842
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Editorial Reviews

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Praise for If Not Now, When?

“Jack Jacobs is a living reminder that dynamite comes in small packages. From his days as a Medal of Honor recipient in Vietnam to his success on Wall Street to his outspoken commentary on MSNBC and his wise counsel to West Point graduates, Jack is the complete citizen.”—Tom Brokaw, author of The Greatest Generation
 
“As good a Vietnam War memoir as I’ve ever read. And if that’s not good enough, Jack Jacobs makes some very brutal, honest, and disturbing observations about America then and America now, and most importantly, about where we are headed. Jack Jacobs earned the Congressional Medal of Honor forty years ago, and he’s earned it every day since.”—Nelson DeMille

“[Jacobs] offers a mix of no-holds-barred personal history and pointed observations about the demands (or lack thereof) the U.S. makes on its citizens today. Never self-indulgent or preachy, Jacobs takes an honest—and often brutally funny—look back at his own life and forward to the future of the military and the nation.”—Parade

“This book is a classic. Jack Jacobs is the bravest—and funniest—soldier I met in thirty-two years of military service. He is also an intellectual with a writer’s gift of description. Jack tells a life story of military service with a sense of humor that makes palatable the brutality of intense combat.”—General Barry M. McCaffrey, U.S. Army (Retired)

About the Author

Jack Jacobs retired from the Army as a full Colonel in 1987, after more than twenty years of service. Today, he is widely regarded as one of the world’s most knowledgeable—and outspoken—military analysts. His career has bridged the disparate worlds of the military, business and academia. Jacobs serves on a number of charitable boards of directors and is the Vice Chairman of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. He holds the McDermott Chair of Humanities and Public Affairs at the US Military Academy and appears about 500 times annually on television, commenting on defense issues, terrorism, and international affairs.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 042522984X
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Publishing Group; Illustrated edition (October 6, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 292 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780425229842
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0425229842
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.78 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 113 ratings

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  1. Douglas Century

    Douglas Century

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    Douglas Century is the author or coauthor of such bestsellers as "Under and Alone", "Barney Ross", "Street Kingdom", "Brotherhood of Warriors" and "Takedown: The Fall of the Last Mafia Empire", a finalist for the 2003 Edgar Award in the category of Best Nonfiction Crime.

    http://www.douglascentury.com

    https://twitter.com/DouglasCentury

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  2. Jack Jacobs

    Jack Jacobs

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  3. Colonel Jack Jacobs

    Colonel Jack Jacobs

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4.7 out of 5 stars
113 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book readable and well-written, describing it as a compelling story told in a humorous way. Moreover, they appreciate the character development, highlighting the author's humility and peaceful respect for life. Additionally, customers value the book's insights, particularly how it helps readers understand their feelings about service.

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21 customers mention "Readability"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very readable, with one describing it as an outstanding reading experience.

"...Good book and I look forward to Jacobs continued insight on American military affairs." Read more

"...This is a very readable and informative book, not just for those interested in Viet Nam and heroism." Read more

"...I found it to be a tremendous read from start to finish...." Read more

"Found this to be an easy, interesting and light read with points that hit you like a sledge hammer if you really stop and think about them...." Read more

17 customers mention "Character development"17 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, describing the protagonist as an authentic American hero who is full of humility and has a peaceful respect for life.

"A candid review of an Army career that included a Medal of Honor, several Bronze and Silver Stars, and a successful post military career in the..." Read more

"...He's written a brilliant memoir full of humility and wit...." Read more

"...This book is a thoughtfully constructed look at his life, his service and his philosophy as it evolved during his life after the war...." Read more

"...But, what struck me most was his intelligence, his patriotism and love of his country...." Read more

16 customers mention "Story quality"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, finding it compelling and interesting, with one customer describing it as a brilliant memoir.

"...He's written a brilliant memoir full of humility and wit...." Read more

"...His life after Viet Nam is rich with great stories about his Army career and his subsequent foray into civil life...." Read more

"...doesn't have to be a military historian or a veteran to enjoy this unique book. After reading "If Not Now, When?",..." Read more

"The author tells a simple tale of how he earned the medal of honor...." Read more

13 customers mention "Humor"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous and well-written.

"...He's written a brilliant memoir full of humility and wit...." Read more

"...The man we met was dignified, humble, self- effacing, witty and honest to a fault...." Read more

"...This book is full of light and full of humor, but it also strikes at the heart of many problems with our society today...." Read more

"...into bureaucracy and human nature are on target and told in a most humorous way...." Read more

10 customers mention "Insight"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful, helping them understand their feelings about service, with one customer noting it provides sound principles of leadership and another highlighting its understanding of modern military operations.

"...to force people to give service, but I think there are intangible benefits to common service that outweight the economic considerations...." Read more

"...This is a very readable and informative book, not just for those interested in Viet Nam and heroism." Read more

"...than a biography of a Medal of Honor recipient, it provides sound principles of leadership, some stated clearly and some tucked away in the narrative..." Read more

"...Having lived through the time of this book I was thrilled with the assessments of leaders or lack there of that he described in vibrant detail...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • jbmjrassoc
    5.0 out of 5 stars A candid review of an amazing life
    Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    A candid review of an Army career that included a Medal of Honor, several Bronze and Silver Stars, and a successful post military career in the financial industry. Jacobs outlines his own life story and makes the case that all citizens should be required to perform public service.

    Jacobs makes the case (as several others have done) that many of out current problems stem from a lack of appreciation for what public service instills in the individuals who participate. Without this understanding of the public good and the debt that we owe to generations of public employees, draftees, and volunteer soldiers we have an America that is self centered and short sighted. I understand the argument that it is not the maximum use of human capital to force people to give service, but I think there are intangible benefits to common service that outweight the economic considerations. Civilty and common experience enable a better conversation over policy and practices in our common governance.

    Good book and I look forward to Jacobs continued insight on American military affairs.
    One person found this helpful
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  • John A. Fetto
    5.0 out of 5 stars Courage, humility and wit
    Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Jacobs 'won' the medal of honor in Viet Nam, but you won't find him bragging. He's written a brilliant memoir full of humility and wit. It's the kind of book when you're done, you're sorry the experience is over, and someday, somewhere you hope you'd share a drink with the author.
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  • Larry Mayes
    4.0 out of 5 stars Medal Of Honor Recipient Tells Wonderful Story
    Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Colonel Jacobs is a deep thinker who received the MOH for his bravery under fire rescuing Vietnamese allies under fire. This book is a thoughtfully constructed look at his life, his service and his philosophy as it evolved during his life after the war. He looks back at Vietnam with a clear eye, having served there twice, both times as an Advisor to the Vietnamese Army and his experiences gave him great pause to wonder what strategic objectives the United States was attempting to achieve. His ultimate discontent with the outcome reflects the thinking of so many of us who also served in Viet Nam. His life after Viet Nam is rich with great stories about his Army career and his subsequent foray into civil life. This is a very readable and informative book, not just for those interested in Viet Nam and heroism.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Jack Grubbs
    5.0 out of 5 stars " and am glad I did
    Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I'm late in reading Jack Jacobs "If Not Now, When?" and am glad I did. I found it to be a tremendous read from start to finish. The story leading to the award of the Medal of Honor is riveting and the stories related to the workings of the U.S. Army factual. It is more than a biography of a Medal of Honor recipient, it provides sound principles of leadership, some stated clearly and some tucked away in the narrative. His discussion of civilian control of the military is crystal clear and pertains to what is going on at this very moment. My take is, over his lifetime, Jack Jacobs painted a fair picture of a man who did not let the Vietnam war define him. One of the few negative reviews alluded to Jacobs' "arrogance" - I found him to be an honest guy, warts and all. I would imagine that the reviewer has pretty low self esteem. Given that he retired from the Army as a full colonel with only twenty years active duty, Jack Jacobs obviously received one or two promotions ahead of his contemporaries ("below the zone" promotion). That he did not go overboard with self aggrandizement tells me he's a guy with whom I could really enjoy drinking a beer. As Mr. Ebert would have said "I give Jack Jacobs two thumbs up."
    One person found this helpful
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  • Norman Lev
    5.0 out of 5 stars Definition of a Hero--- Col. Jack Jacobs ...
    Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    One doesn't have to be a military historian or a veteran to enjoy this unique book. After reading "If Not Now, When?", I ordered several books to send to some relatives and friends who served during the Vietnam war. Many of the recipients thanked me and commented on how much they learned from Col. Jacob's experiences and his interpretation of the Vietnam War. I had served in the artillery in the Korean War so I had a little knowledge of the chaos that takes place during attacks and the courage that is necessary to maintain one's discipline and to think clearly of the events unfolding before you. But, Col. Jacobs's accounts of the chaos during the assaults on his positions and despite of horrible injuries to himself, he was able to function well enough to save the lives ofmany of his fellow soldiers under his command.
    My wife and I recently had the privilege of meeting Col. Jacobs at the Republic Aviation Museum in Farmingdale, Long Island. The man we met was dignified, humble, self- effacing, witty and honest to a fault. But, what struck me most was his intelligence, his patriotism and love of his country. I came away from the meeting filled with the same fervor for my country.
    Col. Jacob's book should be in the library of very school and read aloud to every child and they too will remember what their obligation should be, set by example by Col. Jacobs.
    2 people found this helpful
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